Dvx102b??

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Dave Moseley

New member
I've been waiting for the DVX100B (or DVX100BE, the PAL model) to come out so I can find one in the UK. But what's the DVX102B? It sounds exactly the same as the DVX100B, just with PAL specs (like 25p). Can someone confirm? Here's the link I found:

http://www.expandore.com/product/DV Product/AGDVX102B.htm

Should I really be looking for the 102B model, if I want the PAL version? Is there actually such thing as a DVX100BE?

[edit] also if someone could give some feedback on the site itself, as if that is the model I want, it's an amazing price I think. So there must be something dodgy about it ;)
 
The 102B is, if I'm not mistaken, the Chinese market model. They gave it a specific and unique model number to identify it in gray-marketing. Basically, if you're not in China and you have a 102B, you know for a fact that you have a gray-market import.
 
Okay... can you explain the cons of owning a gray-market import? Basically because Panasonic are making it so hard for me to find a PAL model anywhere else (I e-mailed asking "where abouts in Europe do you sell the European model?" and got a reply along the lines of "We cannot help answer questions regarding products not available in this country." Thanks, so I gotta find out which country sells it, and ask them where to find it? That totally defeats the purpose. </rant>)

Are the features/specs the same as the 100B? Does it work and record everything in PAL-standard resolution, aspect ratio, framerates? (I don't know what China uses, PAL, NTSC or something else?) Is it more likely to break down/malfunction sooner, and will it cost me more to get repaired? Are the menus and manual in English?

I'm desperate to get this camera and if the pros outweigh the cons I may just live with having a gray-market model.

Many thanks!
 
Well, as far as I know, Panasonic will NOT honor the warranty of any gray market camera. So, if you have a problem, you are shot.
 
The European model is handled by Panasonic Broadcast UK, at panasonic-broadcast.com. I didn't see the 100B on their site -- maybe it's not available yet? But you can contact them at their forum and get direct access to the decision-makers there, at:
http://panasonic-broadcast.com/index.cfm?uuid=A1331606C09F11269B3F86831A97AB3A&cmd=forum

The 100B and 102B will have identical features, although I guess it's possible that the 102b's menus will be in Chinese characters, I don't know. As far as repair, you won't have any warranty coverage anywhere in Europe with a 102B, the only place you could get warranty service would be in China.

I'd recommend contacting Panasonic-broadcast about their plans for the 100B.
 
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