JVC HR-XVS44U DVD/VCR Combo (Silver)

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Manufacturer: JVC
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Used & new from $203.60

List price $229.99



Product Features:

• Space-saving DVD/VCR combo player with MP3, WMA, and JPEG CD support and hi-fi VHS sound
• Progressive-scan video output renders seamless, flicker-free images on high-definition and HD-ready TVs
• S-VHS recording and playback offers better resolution than standard VHS
• Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround outputs for immersive surround sound (when used with compatible receiver and speakers)
• Multi-brand, full-function remote control operates the combo player and most televisions

Product Description:

Set yourself up to enjoy just about any current media format with JVC's versatile HR-XVC33U combination DVD player and VCR. With MP3/WMA and JPEG image CD playback and hi-fi VHS performance, the unit is built to satisfy your music and home-theater needs. The progressive-scan HR-XVC33U plays not only DVD and multiple CD formats, but DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD-R, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, and SVCD as well. Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the HR-XVC33U stands ready to deliver the full potential of your DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. Top-of-the-line component-video outputs help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite-video, S-video, and RF (coaxial) outputs ensure compatibility with any television. With S-VHS recording and playback, you'll be able to record and watch higher-resolution videotapes. S-video keeps luminance (Y, black and white) and chrominance (C, color) signals separate on the tape and on their path to a compatible television, resulting in a clearer image. Advanced programming can be set for one month and eight events, and Commercial Skip search quickly skims over 30-second increments during playback to put your program back in front of you more quickly. Pro-cision 19 micron heads deliver the clearest possible picture when recording or viewing in EP (extended-play) mode. Auto Repeat (VHS: unlimited) and repeat playback (DVD: A-B) makes this unit a perfect choice for trade shows and conventions. Other VCR features include child lock (prevents unintended viewings), index search, skip search, auto clock setting, auto timer setting, and auto tracking. Two sets of left/right analog-audio outputs (one for each component) channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. A front-panel set of audio/video inputs simplifies hookup with camcorders, gaming consoles, and other devices. What's in the Box DVD/VCR combo unit, composite-video/stereo analog-audio interconnect, instruction manual, batteries, warranty info, and multibrand, full-function remote control that operates the combo player and most televisions.
From the Manufacturer Combine the recording quality of S-VHS with the playback performance of a digital direct progressive scan DVD player in one easy-to-use package. The HR-XVC44 is the logical choice for a variety of playback options. Record up to 400 lines horizontal resolution in S-VHS while enjoying the convenience of S-VHS ET and VHS. Watch a DVD while recording a TV program on tape. Even dub DVD to VCR (noncopyrighted protected material only). With the HR-XVC44, it's not only possible, it's as easy as JVC. ... read more

Description from Manufacturer:Set yourself up to enjoy just about any current media format with JVC's versatile HR-XVC33U combination DVD player and VCR. With MP3/WMA and JPEG image CD playback and hi-fi VHS performance, the unit is built to satisfy your music and home-theater needs. The progressive-scan HR-XVC33U plays not only DVD and multiple CD formats, but DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD-R, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, and SVCD as well.

Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the HR-XVC33U stands ready to deliver the full potential of your DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. Top-of-the-line component-video outputs help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite-video, S-video, and RF (coaxial) outputs ensure compatibility with any television.

With S-VHS recording and playback, you'll be able to record and watch higher-resolution videotapes. S-video keeps luminance (Y, black and white) and chrominance (C, color) signals separate on the tape and on their path to a compatible television, resulting in a clearer image. Advanced programming can be set for one month and eight events, and Commercial Skip search quickly skims over 30-second increments during playback to put your program back in front of you more quickly.

Pro-cision 19 micron heads deliver the clearest possible picture when recording or viewing in EP (extended-play) mode. Auto Repeat (VHS: unlimited) and repeat playback (DVD: A-B) makes this unit a perfect choice for trade shows and conventions. Other VCR features include child lock (prevents unintended viewings), index search, skip search, auto clock setting, auto timer setting, and auto tracking.

Two sets of left/right analog-audio outputs (one for each component) channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver. A front-panel set of audio/video inputs simplifies hookup with camcorders, gaming consoles, and other devices.

What's in the Box
DVD/VCR combo unit, composite-video/stereo analog-audio interconnect, instruction manual, batteries, warranty info, and multibrand, full-function remote control that operates the combo player and most televisions.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Durability is questionable Rating:
This combo unit performed as advertised for about 9 months. Unfortunately the video output for the DVD player just died. I can hear my DVDs, but not see them through either standard or S-Video output.

So I'm back on Amazon looking for the next unit. Not going to go the combo route this time. I'm hoping the durability will be better with a 'dedicated' DVD player.

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Comment: Simple Operation with S-Video TV Rating:
This unit features S-Video inputs along with the usual composite inputs on both the front and back panel. The output also includes S-Video. There are component and digital outputs, but these only work with the DVD. The ability to play VHS on the S-Video output is an unusual feature, and was the reason I purchased this unit. So far I am delighted.

Unlike a DVD, VHS video is a composite signal. To convert it to the separate signals required by S-Video requires an expensive "comb filter". Comb filters are generally omitted from VCR's and A/V receivers because of their cost, and because they are critical to picture quality. So I used to run both S-Video and composite video to my TV and switch channels on the TV.

My new setup has S-Video from satellite TV to the JVC, and S-Video to the TV. I never touch the TV and don't need its remote because the JVC remote controls its power and volume. To play a DVD or VHS I just push "play". If I do neither, I get TV. Everything just works.

I do have a slight complaint. When I plugged everything in, I got sound but no picture. It turns out that you must choose between composite or S-Video inputs via a menu selection. I feel this should have been explained on page 15 of the manual where it describes S-Video connections. If you have this problem, refer to page 79, and choose S-Video for the rear input.

The feature set seems very extensive to me. In particular the unit displays JPEG images and plays WMA and MP3 audio from regular CD-R's. But I find I seldom use fancy features. Sound and picture quality are excellent.

In summary, this is the unit to buy if you have a TV with S-Video inputs, or an A/V receiver lacking a comb filter or fancy switching. If you are running composite video or (gasp) RF, the extra money for this unit will be wasted.

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Comment: Only Good on Paper... Rating:
On Paper, this appeared to be the deck to buy. It seemed to be the only unit that offers S-video output for both the DVD and VCR, as opposed to the usual crummy coaxial "RF" output that so many combination units offer for the VCR section. However, this unit was terrible out of the box, at least for the VCR. There is a hideous track line that appears on virtually all VHS tapes, whether taped off-broadcast or pre-recorded VHS movies. Tracking manually does not remove it, and JVC's "customer support" is practically non-existent. Though advertised as "open till 10 pm", there is a message that the office is closed when I called at 6pm, und the website offers scant help. This is either a lemon, or very poorly engineered. Sadly I had to return it immediately.

Posted at November 11, 2003 06:22 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)