Where to buy the HVX: a small guide.

Bleys said:
I'm in the market to buy a HVX200, and I saw the same thing on Ebay - digitalcorp (www.shopdigitalcorp.com). I've looked through the website and can't really tell one way or another. From what I've read here, I'm fairly sure they're not an authorized Panasonic dealer, but I'm not 100% on that.

Has anyone bought anything from them, or could advise on these sellers?
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I have bought from DigitalCorp before. I purchased a Panasonic GS-120 3-CCD camera a while back because they had a fantastic price and a full range of accessories included with it, including a tripod, some filters, etc. I bought the item through eBay, and received an e-mail requesting that I call in to verify the purchase. I did so, and a rep verified my shipping address and asked if I'd be interested in an extra battery or an extended warranty... not too bad when it comes to unwanted upselling. The rep sounded like he would rather have been somewhere else... not rude, but definitely bored. Well, no worries, I don't like my day job either. :)

The order was completed and the package (with all accessories) arrived a day earlier than they promised. The product was absolutely as described, in perfect order with original (sealed) packaging, with US warranty card, manual, etc. And I successfully registered the camera with Panasonic, so I'm confident they were on the up and up.

I was so pleased with the GS-120 (which has served me well for two years now) that this very week I ordered a DVX100B from DigitalCorp (again, through eBay). Once again I had to call in to verify the order, but I spoke with a different guy this time (Steve), who was very perky, funny, and knowledgable. (I ended up buying an extended warranty and a second battery, which I had intended to buy anyway.) It was a fun call.

The camera should arrive Thursday, and I can't tell you how excited I am. I'll post a follow-up once I get the camera, but I'm confident it will be a problem-free transaction.

I have no idea how they're offering the HVX200 at such a good price, but they claim not to sell gray market products.

-CSJ
 
cardmaverick said:
Has anyone here at DVXuser actually bought a gray market camera? If so, what was your experience like? Just curious. I keep hearing about authorized dealer stories...
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I nearly bought a gray market Sony VX2000, but not by choice. Fortunately, I figured out what it was before I gave my credit card information.

That's not to say I would be opposed to the idea, but I like my factory warranties and English-language manuals and menus. :)

-CSJ
 
CinemaslaveJoe said:
The order was completed and the package (with all accessories) arrived a day earlier than they promised. The product was absolutely as described, in perfect order with original (sealed) packaging, with US warranty card, manual, etc. And I successfully registered the camera with Panasonic, so I'm confident they were on the up and up.

-CSJ
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Keep in mind that the warranty card that is sent to all products in the North America have id for Canada, US and Puerto Rico. You can tell on the outside of the box whether it is gray and you won't even have to open it. The model numberon the end of the box will have a J after the model. So it will read AG-HVX200PJ. The J will be stamped on. No if the grey market guy is clever and has figured this out, then the next test is inside. There will be a letter from me on how to recieve your HVX. If that is not there, then you really do have a grey product and you will not qualify for the Rebate stuff or the Panasonic US warranty.

Hope this helps,

Jan
 
Jan, I just purchased from an authorized dealer as per Panasonic's website. My outer box had AG-HVX200PJ printed. There was a cutout where the serial number showed through from the inner cardboard box which was almost identical except it only had AG-HVX200P printed on it.

The serial number on the label of this inner box reads AG-HVX200PJ. There was a paper inside about the HVX book deal if you mailed this form to Memphis with (F0906W1116-F) at the bottom.

Your post made it sound as the "J" means it's gray market, can you clarify that please for the newcomers? Also, will the website registration come back with an error message if your serial number is not a proper US non-gray market version or will you not know until weeks later? Thank you.
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Keep in mind that the warranty card that is sent to all products in the North America have id for Canada, US and Puerto Rico. You can tell on the outside of the box whether it is gray and you won't even have to open it. The model numberon the end of the box will have a J after the model. So it will read AG-HVX200PJ. The J will be stamped on. No if the grey market guy is clever and has figured this out, then the next test is inside. There will be a letter from me on how to recieve your HVX. If that is not there, then you really do have a grey product and you will not qualify for the Rebate stuff or the Panasonic US warranty.
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Thanks, Jan. I appreciate the info. Are there similar tricks I can use with the DVX100B packaging, as opposed to the HVX? (The DVX is what I bought, though their price on the HVX astounds me.)

According to the UPS web site (via package tracking), the cam should arrive on Friday, rather than Thursday, as the DigiCorps rep told me. Grr. Still, I can't wait!

-CSJ
 
Just as a follow-up, the DVX100B arrived from Digitalcorps on Friday -- a day later than I was told I'd get it, but otherwise a marvelous transaction. Per Jan's message above, I scrutinized the enclosed warranty, and it does indeed list Canada and Puetro Rico on the certificate. And I successfully registered it through the Panasonic website, if that means anything.

The camera is definitely new, and I'm sure it's not gray market. And for the price I got a ton of extra goodies. I can't vouch for the HVX that Digitalcorps is selling, but they're a great place to buy a DVX, and I'm sure I'll use them again in the future.

(I also bought Barry's DVX book and DVD this week, and was astonished to receive them in only two days. Amazing!)

Sorry, I realize I'm posting all this in the HVX forum... it's just follow-up to the original question about Digitalcorps. I'll stay on topic from now on, I promise. ;) Though if anyone else wants to know more about my adventures with the camera this week, feel free to check out my blog: http://stargull.livejournal.com

A delighted new DVX100B owner,
-CSJ
 
Hi,

By registering the camera, what do you mean? for warranty? Did you find a letter from me in the box? If you didn't you have a greay market camera.

Best,

Jan
 
Jan, I am the post right above cinemaslavejoe. I bought the hvx from a dealer recommended by the Panasonic website. I did not get a letter with your name on it. I did get a "Panasonic Ideas for Life" sheet, "Dear customer, thank you for purchasing a ... etc." and inviting me to register to get a copy of the book.

My serial number has a TC in it. My model number on the box label ends "PJ," but under the viewfinder is just "P." Gray market?
 
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PJ would be a a US product.

The Ideas for Life letter thingy would have been from me. Did it so long ago, wasn't sure if I signed it or not. But it sounds like you have a US unit.

Best,

Jan
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
Hi,

By registering the camera, what do you mean? for warranty? Did you find a letter from me in the box? If you didn't you have a greay market camera.
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Hi Jan,

I registered the camera for warranty through Panasonic's website, and I didn't get an error. Would I have received one if the camera was gray market?

I truthfully don't know if I got a letter from you or not... I am currently on vacation in the Carolinas (with the camera in tow), but my packaging is all back home in Pennsylvania. There was a lot of paperwork in the box, so I may have received such a letter. I focused mainly on the warranty card, as I thought that would be the best indicator of a gray market product, but it certainly *looks* to be legit. (Everything is in English, NTSC model, etc.)

If I gave you my serial number, would you be able to tell me if it's US or gray market? (And again, this is a DVX100b, rather than an HVX.)

Thanks!
-Joe
 
Pricing was just reduced for forum members. We have serveral HVX's on order, and 1 left on hand, at the lower price.

This lower price is due to a qty buy-in I was able to push through with my purchasing dept in lieu of the amount of business dvxuser's have brought me/us. That buy-in resulted in a discount from Panasonic which I can pass along.

Pls feel free to pm if you want further info.
 
if anybody has good leads on where to get a FireStore and a few other HVX accessories on a student budget, your help would be greatly appreciated.

my friend and i are cinema students and we're trying to minimize costs for a barebones shooting kit. we can get a decent price on the HVX through a family friend, hopefully close to $4k, and our total budget is about $5500 before we have to start selling organs.

in addition to the camera and extra batteries, we'd like to buy a FireStore (as big as we can but it looks like we'll have to go with 40-60gb and shoot around those limitations), a solid tripod with a good head, a matte box and/or sun shade, and/or any filters that absolutely can't be reproduced in the new final cut suite, given responsible lighting on set.

the projects we have in mind right now will call for shooting mostly in daylight and small apartments. we're trying to showcase editing and narrative development for job reels/grad school apps.

i know that i'm trying to pack a lot into $1000-1500, but unfortunately it's what we can muster for now. we're not expecting equipment to replace hard work at all-- but we refuse to use equipment that won't allow for high quality results. if there's an absolutely essential item that i'm overlooking or if it looks like i won't need something i have listed, please share your thoughts (via PM if it would clutter this thread). low FireStore prices in particular would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.
 
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Jan_Crittenden said:
Hi,

If you want to shoot HD you need the 100GB drive on the Firestore.

Hope that helps,

Jan
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blast! The FS-4 family won't support HD from the HVX? I did notice that the FS-100 was described as specifically designed to use with the HVX200, but I thought that the only significant differences were in (upgradable) software/firmware and the size of the drives.
 
We now have 13 HVX200's in stock. PM me if you are interested--we waited a long time for these to get here.
 
A few people on this thread say what great deals they get from various suppliers, such as AVS, Full Compass, etc...

When I go to check out the sites the price for the HVX is always more than the prices the people quote here. Is it always a discount from the fact that you all are Dvxuser people or is it a sale I am too late for?

I want to get an HVX, I have a creadit card all nice and ready, but I would like to get it from an authorized dealer, and at a good deal, preferably in the 4800 range like the happy people a couple of pages ago.
 
Any discounts granted to DVXUser members aren't going to show up online, you'll have to contact the vendors extending those offers amd talk to someone in person.
 
I figured you must speak to the vendor to get the DVXUSER deal. I was just surprised to see some people getting waht amounts to 10% off from some of the dealers and was wondering how it woked.
 
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