JVC DR-MX1S DVD Player/Recorder, Hi-Fi VCR, and Hard Disk Recorder

Rating:
Summary: Does Much and is attractive.
Review: I agree with the other reviewer regarding the documentation/manual. Having purchased JVC in the past, I knew I would have to dedicate an hour to learn the unit because of the poor manual. Once that is done, the recorder itself is fabulously versatile and easy to use. The menus are accessed from the remote quite simply and are easy to follow. Remember, this is more than just a VCR, or just a DVD player or just an HDD. It incorporates MANY units. You can expect it to be a little more challenging to learn. Sure, for the money I wish they provided more cables/etc. The front panel does not have any functional purpose but I like the streamlined look of the unit especially since these multi units have a lot going on on their faces. Overall, I would recommend this unit. I have only owned it a few days so I can't speak to reliability.

Rating:
Summary: I like it, but it's a challange for DVD-recording beginners
Review: I came from a simple VCR. This is a whole new world! I did extensive on-line research before determining this would do what I needed: Record movies to watch anytime; make temporary recordings for viewing later; transfer some taped material to DVD. It does it all, but it's like getting a new computer. There are so many functions and options, that I read much of the 100-page manual, then just started experimenting with various things. I'm still learning as I go what works best for me. Example: "Chapter Marks" are put in every 5 minutes or so on a DVD disk, but not on the hard disk ... but you can put them in yourself wherever you want. Then, if I play a disk on my computer, I can choose a scene from the pictures selected as Chapter Marks, but I can't seem to do it when playing on the JVC -- maybe it's one of numerous functions I haven't figured out yet!

On the other hand, I can start hard-disk recording with the push of a couple of buttons ... let's say the phone rings while I'm watching The West Wing.

Then there are the disks to buy: DVD-R are the lowest price, but you can't do most editing. DVD-RW can be re-used, but cost more. DVD-RAM are even more costly, but will allow "Live Memory Playback" (as will the hard disk), i.e., watching an earlier part of a program as it's still being recorded (or a different program).

One function necessary from the beginning: learning to change an "Index", i.e., a small picture which identifies a "title" (one recording, such as a movie). Otherwise, it's easy to have several titles on the hard disk that all show the MGM lion!

"Dubbing" (copying) can go in all 6 directions: tape to DVD, DVD to hard disk, etc.

If I didn't need the VCR, I'd probably get a recorder with the biggest hard disk I could find.

A caution: My unit has started to act up about 3 times in 6 weeks. I shut down my computer regularly, and seem to need to do the same with the JVC. However, "off" isn't enough; it has to be unplugged briefly. So far, it's worked!

Rating:
Summary: Great Idea - Poor Execution
Review: I purchased this product thinkin that it would provide complete flexibility for recording television programs and transferring them between media. What I found was that the recorder was difficult to set up properly, hard to use and poorly engineered.

The set-up of the equipment is made more complex than should be required because the manual only includes one diagram for basic set up which is supposed to cover all possible circumstances. It was necessary to call JVC in order to determine which of the connections was appropriate to my system and then, because of the extremely limited supply of parts provided, purchase a number of items needed to complete the set-up. For eequipment costing over $600, I think that a reasonable length coax cable and an antenna splitter could have been included. (The cable provided was less than two feet long - practically useless.)

Programming the recorder was also more complex than necessary since the VCR unit uses a different format from the DVD and HDD drives. In addition, it is not until page 41 of the manual that recording begins to be discussed and it is not until page 57 that we reach manual recording functions.

It should also be noted that although the manual (page 41) indicates that you should format a DVD disc before recording, the instruction to accomplish this do not appear until page 87. This is extremely poorly organized documentation.

Finally, the engineering of the unit includes a useless door which impedes access to the DVD and VHS media. It also complicates the ability to easily see the display panel. It must also be noted that the lights on the front of the unit designed to let the user know which of the functions is operational are so excessivly bright that it easily lights up a portion of the surrounding area. This also makes the display more difficlult to read and could definitely be a problem for light sleepers should the unit begin to operate during the night.

In summary - if you purchase this recorder, expect to spend a lot of time on the learning curve and in contact with JVC to answer questions.