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Maybe a stupid question, if i buy a d5100...or in factcany dslr with video... from the usa, will the video be recorded in pal or ntsc ?

I ask this cos when i bought the gf1 it was set to ntsc and could not be changed.

I would have thought they would have allowed you to change freely between NTSC and PAL, a lot of handycam's do

Chris,

The only stupid question is the one to do not ask.

Nikons do permit you to switch between NTSC and PAL. Further, most TVs these days will automatically switch between the two systems depending upon the input they're receiving. You might like to try that with your tv and see f you have a non-issue?

Interesting.
I checked my LX5.
The option is there in the menu but greyed out. Mine is set to PAL and 16:9 aspect ratio.
Some of the menu selections are dependent on other settings.Either in the menu system or on one of the dedicated buttons.
The fact that it IS in the menus indicates that it can be changed if you make the right other choices. A call to Panasonic may get you the correct combination. Try telling them you have recently moved back (unless you can do a convincing US accent!) to Australia because you were transferred by your work.

Both my Nikon D200 and Cameron's D300 allow me to change this setting, but since I don't display pictures to TV from either camera it is irrelevant to me. I do occasionally display the LX5 pictures though, because that camera uses an SD card that the TV will accept. Both my TVs ( one Panasonic, one Sony) are auto switching as Gary suggests. My BD is also auto switching, but my DVD recorder (also Panasonic) is not. A real PITA as I have a couple of NTSC movies. If I play one in the DVD, it will not record again until I switch it back.

Just to Clarify, i dont have the gf1 anymor, i sold it soon after cos i didnt like it, but it could not be switched from ntsc to pal. So, im also about to buy a d5100 and wondered if it was the same way or if i could freely switch.

I dont evem know if this is an issue or not to be honest given tvs switch freely.

gstark wrote:The only stupid question is the one to do not ask.

For example, years ago in Bathurst I should have asked the following question upon entering my caravan:

"Does anyone smell gas in here too?"

I lit a match and boom...

In the settings of my (Australian sourced) D7000, there is "Video mode" of which "PAL" and "NTSC" are both options. Changing this effects the "Movie Quality" option as PAL offers 24 and 25 fps where as NTSC offers 24 and 30 fps. So it can be done on the D7000 sourced in Australia.

I'd be surprised if the US models were different, but who knows what the US distributor would demand?

Maybe you could download the US manual and see what it says.

SWMBO has a D3100 that came in a box from B&H along with some trinkets & Gitzo gear for me.

I don't recall it had any issue changing the video to PAL.

It did have a charger that had two flip out US style pins that required me to use a plug converter to be able to charge the battery.

No issue as I have a couple of AUS - MULTI plug converters here, and it is 110-240V compatible.

thanks guys. it does appear that its changeable which is good news.