Hello. I have found the Sony HC42 for a good price and found the HC42E for £10 more expensive. The shop says that the HC42 is the UK spec and as I live in the Uk I assume that is the right model to go for. Could somebody confirm that this is correct and that I should go for the HC42? Thanks, Craig -- Websites: http://www.thelisters.co.uk/ http://www.myschoolmates.com/
The shop is wrong (according to Sony at least). I'd suggest that you have a look at: http://shop.sonystyle-europe.com/SonyStyle/b2c/init.do?shop=SST_GB_EN You'll need to click-on the Camcorders --> miniDV --> More Info. You will notice that all the European models have the suffix "E". and of course http://sonystyle-europe.com If you still don't believe - then I'd suggest you ring Sony on 0207 365 2947.
I see the Sony UK site only has the 'E' version, so to be clear, am I right in saying I should go for the 'E' version only, and that will be the UK/European version, fully covered by Sony UK ?
Did you point out to this shop your concerns over the HC42 vs. HC42E? Which shop is it? Online or local?
It's an Online shop. I called the chap, and he said, 'We only sell UK models, and that is what the HC42 is'...
Did you ask them if it actually said HC42E on the camcorder itself? Then again, if they are being a bit dim and cannot convince you that it's a true UK spec model, then spend your money elsewhere. It's only a £10 difference.
You'd be far better bidding for one of the brand new Sony DCR-TRV30Es currently on Ebay. Functionally and performance-wise, the TRV30E is very similar to the later top-end Sonys - TRV80, HC85 etc. With the advantage that it doesn't rely on the touch-screen for operation.
Always assuming that you don't mind risking the lose of your money, eBay has more holes in it's 'bidders security' than a colander [1], people who use the 'fraudsters friend' are either plain stupid or have more money than sense IMO.... At times eBay seems more akin to a gambling house than an auction house IMO. :~( [1] most 'sited' auction houses would be shut down if they had half the cases of stolen products and customer / seller fraud that eBay do...
You've obviously never used (or looked closely at) Ebay (and their payment arm, Paypal). Both Ebay and Paypal provide a free protection scheme. I had cause to use it when I purchased (yet another) camcorder but didn't get delivery. I got a full refund from Paypal, though I had to wait three weeks while they investigated. The big problem at the moment is identity theft - but it's only a problem if someone is foolish enough to furnish CC/DC details in response to an unsolicited e-mail bearing the E-bay logo (which shows an IP origin in Romania). But that is hardly Ebay's fault.
Can you point me to any online specs for the TRV30E? Personally, I have no problem getting an 'older' model for the right price. A quick search on ebay has shown that one guy is selling a dozen of these things (or was it 10?). HTF do you get hold of a dozen camcorders, a dozen digicams, and a dozen PDS/phones?! It does sound a little strange.
There's three links to reviews on the E-bay pages (only two work). You can view or download the manual from the address below (the spec is towards the back of the manual). http://www.css.ap.sony.com/consumer/template/IMCategory.aspx?Model=DCR-TR V30E&Category=Handycam If you have any problems (and are seriously thinking about buying, e-mail me and I'll scan and OCR the spec from the manual and attach it to an email. That's the one ! I initially thought that. But knowing how bad are some retailers/wholesalers stock control systems - it wouldn't surprise me if a quantity hadn't surfaced. Only very recently, a 'new' VX1000 came up on E-bay. [1] My TRV30 has been heavily used over the last three years, and though somewhat scratched and worn on the outside, it still turns in excellent video. Only three months ago I bought a virtually new and unused TRV80E. I am therefore in a position to compare the TRV30 and TRV80 - very similar functionally - but with touch-screen menu control and Bluetooth. And similarly, the HC85 is very similar to the TRV80. I paid £1000 for my TRV30 BTW.
I suggest you take you blinkers off, unsolicited e-mail's are but one problem, there are many others - all of which eBay could sort out if they so wished.
For instance? As usual, you're great at innuendo, but rarely anything substantial. Or does that give your ego a quick lift? You're always going on about "RFM" but if Ebay users read the advice given on their site, there would rarely be any problems. As I mentioned, I did myself get caught in a scam - to a value of £375. But the Paypal/Ebay protection scheme refunded every penny.
I should perhaps have used the syntax: URL: <http://www.css.ap.sony.com/consumer/template/IMCategory.aspx?Model=DCR-T RV30E&Category=Handycam> so that the link wraps.
Stolen and counterfeit goods are two of the more serious problems, I really can't see how you claim that there are not problems with eBay, even eBay themselves acknowledge that there are people abusing the system. There is also the problem of the action fever and biding-up, something that an auctioneer at a auction house will spot and deal with - impossible to do with 100 percent blind online auctions.
No problem Tony. Thanks. I downloaded the TRV30E user manual. In your opinion, what are the main differences between the older TRV30E and the HC42E?
I haven't seen the HC42E, but AFAICS it's very similar to the HC40E, which two friends have (and I've had a play with). The obvious difference is in size - but personally I prefer a camcorder to fit comfortably in two hands. Then of course the HC40E/42E has touch-screen menu operation (which I hate BTW). The TRV30E has a jog/shuttle wheel to operate and select from the menu system, and since it lies under the left-hand's thumb, is very easy to use. It's always seemed stupid (to me) to put a touch-screen on the left-hand side of a camcorder when most people are right-handed. The HC40/42 has a 2.5" LCD screen and the TRV30E a 3.5" screen - and it does make a big difference. More pixels on the TRV30 of course. The other thing that I like on the TRV30 is the array of (mainly editing) controls which are on the camcorder's body under the fold-out LCD screen; because the buttons are small for my fingers I generally use the eraser on the end of a pencil - but this seems infinitely more sensible than poking around with a pointy object on the HC40/42's LCD screen. But if you really want to compare, you can also download/view the HC42 manual from: URL: <http://www.css.ap.sony.com/consumer/template/IMCategory.aspx?Model=DCR-H C42E&Category=Handycam>
Thanks again Tony. I got the HC42 manual yesterday too, but finding online reviews of both machines seems tricky (for me anyway). I assume the TRV is an obsolete model (?) now. Would Sony still offer a guarantee on this if purchased 'new' (even if from ebay)?
Lucky you , i'm still waiting for ebay to deal with a seller of counterfeit gear and two who decided not to send me what i had paid for. On all three occasions i could prove what had happened , but ebay and paypal refused to do anything about it. Only out of pocket £40.00 for all three , but still it is my money. All three sellers are now no longer on ebay , but no explanation for their removal , nor an explanation as to why i got nowhere with my complaints. I have bought over 95 other items and not had any problems. Gary MacKenzie Audio Visual Technician / Video Editor
