JVC RX-DV31SL DVD Player/Receiver (Silver)

Rating:
Summary: Great so far.
Review: I have had it for more than 6mths, so far no problems. It plays everything i throw at it...dvds, cds, cdr, vcd, svcd, dvdr+-..only thing it has problems with is dvd-rw(rewritables). Other than that it plays all, including all my dvd backups. I've never found heat to be a problem on this unit even after extended play. The tons of connection choices is a plus and has almost all the stuff in it...except some of the more obscure Dolby capabilities and thx. Another reason i got this unit was because it had a competent dvd player built in. I did not want to get another player and take up more space on my shelf. The receiver functions, though not extremely high end, does have most of what you need to build a decent and competent home theater. Some things I consider important that this has is DTS, DOLBY, and progressive scan. Pictures look great on my plasma with component outputs.

I got it for $159 so it was a good buy for me.

Rating:
Summary: If you have Orb Audio Speakers This is Better than DenonsEtc
Review: If you have Orb Audio Mod 1 Speakers & their Super Eight Sub, this JVC DVD Receiver, that Orb recommends, will give you the best sound you've ever heard for playing CD's, DVD's, DVD-A & TV sound and is so far superior to the most expensive receiver brands such as Denon, Rotell, Yamaha, etc., its not funny. This is one case where you really are getting something for relatively next to nothing. Let me state emphatically that I don't work for Orb or JVC & if you don't have Orb speakers, I recommend you check out their web site, www.orbaudio.com as I can't vouch for how this receiver will sound with other speakers. This is an unsolicited endorsement from one extremely satisfied customer. When I first got this incredible JVC DVD Receiver I was absolutely astonished how great the sound was with my Orb speakers (if you don't have Orbs I can't guarantee they'll sound this good with other speakers)& to be honest I got greedy as I went to other audio forums and everyone was telling me that this JVC system technically sucks & what did I expect for the $200 to $450 for it, and I'd get far superior sound spending alot more moneyu money on a Denon, Rotell or Yamaha Receiver (which would also entail buying an additional progressive scan DVD player that plays DVD-A). Well I checked out these systems using the same Beatles Rubber Soul CD in a bunch of high end stores and this JVC system sounded better than all of these receivers some of which cost over $2,000! I even went so far as buying and then returning a Denon 2805 receiver, and a Marantz and Onkyo CD player. None of these sounded close to as good as the sound quality of this JVC unit with my Orb's. The bottom line is the designers/owners of Orb Audio know what they're talking about in recommending this system be used with their Orb's. Its also relatively easy to set up but if this is your first receiver, I'd recommend you have a friend set it up or pay someone from a stereo store to set it up.
The remote control is excellent and as I said this system rocks with Orb Audio Speakers.

Rating:
Summary: nice integrated receiver
Review: It is too early to make detailed comments but seems to be working fine. It seems hot to touch after a while (but aren't all receivers like this)? Their mp3 supports 32 chars but no ID3 tag display. picture quality looks good on my analog TV. I like the fact that they give both optical and coaxial digital inputs for your game console, satellite etc (most integrated units have none or just the optical input). The sound quality is good through my Athena speakers, but I could attribute it to the quality of speakers. The speaker holes are too small for the 16 gauge cable I bought. I somehaow managed to cram it in. It provides 5 channel stereo for your music collection, (I guess an upgrade from their previous integrated model). Plays home made DVDs effortlessly. nice package for only $270.

Rating:
Summary: Not a Digital Amp - Gets Hot!
Review: Please be aware that this is NOT a digital amplifier, despite its slim size. So, it does gets HOT.