Sony PAL versus NTSC Model Numbers

[Fuzzy 0]

Am needing to buy a Sony PAL camera and want to make sure to look for / get the right thing.

Is there a difference in the numbering of the two systems, i.e. do I look for a CX100 /110/150 and just look for PAL versus NTSC?

Fuzzy
Ambition / Ability: Know the difference.

[raceface 0]

Sony's HDR-CX models with V or no suffix are NTSC models,
models ending with E (including VE) are PAL models.
(check here in my Sony camcorders overview)

for HD cams there is no difference in resolution,
only in scanning frequency (60i NTSC / 50i PAL).
there is one exception in their 2012 lineup,
CX-260V has 60p/i and 24p scanning modes,
CX-260E/VE offers only 50p/i (no 24p/25p).

my pictures

[jurgencamps 0]

[Fuzzy 0]

Awesome... Thanks for the info

Let the searching begin

Fuzzy
Ambition / Ability: Know the difference.

[raceface 0]

one more detail,
at least some cameras (CX-100(E), 105(E), 106(E), 120)
have PAL/NTSC switch inside,
check repair manual page 8 (download here),
it is also visible on pic 4, 5, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 27 here.

my pictures

[Tim-O-T 0]

Is it as simple as flipping the NTSC/PAL switch? I was expecting the firmware would be different between NTSC/PAL models and would need to be flashed.

Has anyone actually tried this and can confirm it works? I won't mind a boost in FPS going from PAL to NTSC.

[DSE 5]

In the case of the cams that have the switch, the firmware does not need to be flashed. In the higher end camera models, it's merely a clock switch that changes when the camera is rebooted.

[Tim-O-T 0]

Well, I tried flipping the PAL/NTSC switch on my CX100E, but it didn't work too well. Video and LCD are scrambled and flicker like hell (see attached). Flipped it back to PAL and all was good again.

Maybe the NTSC versions can be downclocked, but the PAL ones can't go up?

[DSE 5]

Certainly possible PAL can't go up...I haven't had my hands on a stock PAL camera for a long time. 24p as a standard in the cams changed up my need to access PAL. When you rebooted the cam, did you get an error message of any kind? Also, what does the HDMI output do vs the LCD screen?

[Tim-O-T 0]

No error messages and I also did a hard reset.
Video on the LCD was scrambled, but I could still see the icons, etc.
Also checked the recorded video file info on pc and the metainfo still said 25fps.

Didn't try the HDMI output.

My guess is the clock can go up, but the cam software can't write in higher frame rates. Guess there is no easy was to change the firmware?

[DSE 5]

Quote

My guess is the clock can go up, but the cam software can't write in higher frame rates. Guess there is no easy was to change the firmware?

That's beyond my pay-grade.

[garywainwright 0]

Did you just try playing back what you had previously recorded in PAL or did you try and record anything new after switching it?

http://www.garywainwright.co.uk

Instagram gary_wainwright_uk

[Tim-O-T 0]

Yeah, that screenshot was from a video recorded with the switch flipped to NTSC. (Its strange the handycam logo comes out in since that's only in the boot screen)