HPX 170 B&H Purchase Catastrophe - PAL/NTSC Advice Needed

M

Michael Koshkin

New member
Hi All,

I recently bought what is listed as the HPX 171E on the B&H website and have had two major problems.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._HPX170E_AG_HPX171E_PAL_P2HD_Solid_State.html

First of all, the camera was listed as coming with a 16 GB P2 card. But the camera was shipped without one. I then looked on the website and the card was no longer included. I have called the company and they are saying that it was a mistake on the website, but they shipped the camera anyway and can't send me the card.

Needless to say, I'm very frustrated with this, but I've recently discovered another huge problem. They actually sent me the HPX172EN, not the HPX 171E. I live in Prague, but will be back in the U.S. in a year or so. So one of the big attractions for me was that this camera is PAL/NTSC switchable. But the version they sent is only PAL. My brother happened to be visiting me from the States so I had it shipped to him and he brought it along for me.

So now, things are very complicated as even if they will exchange it for the HPX 171, I would have to pay for it to be shipped to Europe and then pay for VAT to have it imported (together would probably cost $1500-2000). The camera is an international special order from B&H so they have a no return policy on it, so I doubt they would let me return it without an exchange.

I know that several folks in the U.S. have been getting the PAL/NTSC switchable upgrade to their cameras for about $500, but does anybody know about someone doing this for a PAL only camera? I have contacted Panasonic in Germany and the Czech Republic with no response at this point. I am very close to the deadline for being able to return anything to B&H so trying to figure this out as soon as possible.

I noticed when I received the camera that the manual said HPX 172EN, but thought originally it was just a different European model. I didn't realize until going through the shooting modes that the others aren't there. I am able to change the audio from 50 to 60 and vice versa, but not the video format.

Apologies for such a lengthy post. It has been a really tricky issue to deal with and at this point I'm really bummed out by how B&H has handled this. I'm tempted to return the other $3,000 worth of goods I purchased from them at the same time if they don't take care of it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Michael
 
Yes, I have looked for it and this feature isn't in the menu. I originally hoped that maybe I just got the manual for this other model.

I even read a note by Barry Green on this site (I think) that this version is PAL only. :-(
 
Hi Barry,

Three reasons:

1. I will be moving back to the U.S. over the next year or two so wanted the U.S. warranty.
2. The price was great and I didn't have to deal with the exchange (I still have an American bank)
3. A 16 GB P2 card was listed as coming with the package (although this turned out to be a mistake)

Plus my brother was coming to visit, so was able to bring it and save on shipping.
 
Looks like there is a happy ending here!

I just spoke with B&H and they have decided to take it back for a full refund (no restalking fee) even though I don't have the original packaging. They are also sending a UPS packaging label and covering the shipping.

Ok, so it took talking to 3 or 4 people from the company, but in the end I am very happy with B&H and will definitely support them in the future.

By the way, if anyone faces this same situation, I spoke with a guy from Panasonic earlier and he explained that these cameras can be converted from NTSC to include PAL, but not the other way around. So if you wind up with a PAL only HPX17X, it cannnot be converted.
 
Michael Koshkin said:
1. I will be moving back to the U.S. over the next year or two so wanted the U.S. warranty.
Click to expand...
But a 171 won't have a US warranty, regardless of whether you bought it in the US or not. All 171s have warranty coverage only in Europe.

3. A 16 GB P2 card was listed as coming with the package (although this turned out to be a mistake)
Click to expand...
Right, 171s don't include a card as far as I know.
 
The only ones that can be converted are the USA HPX170, and only if bought from an authorized USA reseller, and then sent into the PBTSC USA repair center for the upgrade ($500).

So, yes, it looks like to get what you really wanted, you probably should get a USA HPX170 with the free 16GB P2 card, and then have it upgraded to NTSC/PAL switchability. Then you'll have a USA warranty, both modes, the P2 card, and the HPX+HVX Book.
 
I didn't realize that was the case about the warranty for the 171. I thought that since I was buying it in the U.S., the warranty would be effective there.

Yeah, I wish I had done what you've suggested. Unfortunately, I can't really afford to ship it here and pay the VAT. At this point, I think I will just buy a 171 here and take the European warranty.

Either way, I'm going to get your book!
 
lol...Barry, I loved the plug for your book!! :thumbup: Very smooth the way you slid it right in there:grin:

Michael: I'm glad it's working out.
 
I'm just giving you a hard time :grin: I haven't read the book but I'm sure its worth every penny :thumbup:

You need to do a book on the HPX300 next...
 
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