JVC HRS2901U 4-Head S-VHS VCR

Rating:
Summary: OK quality at a good price.
Review: I purchased 2 of these units after having excellent service with former JVC VCR`s. The picture and sound quality is excellent using the ET-SVHS mode with standard tapes. With the [low] price though,many features are missing. In order to view the counter you must use the on screen display,there is no counter incorporated into the clock. The counter will also not operate if you have the superimpose feature turned off,a very annoying feature that floods the screen with all kinds of info. VCR+ is also missing on this unit,and if you turn off the unit after programming,it won`t record if you forget to press the timer button(expected on a VCR from 1985,not 2002). For people who tape many TV shows to watch at a later date,I`d suggest spending the extra [money]for the HRS390 model,which has retained the clock display counter,and VCR+. If you only watch movies on an irregular basis,then this model will suit you fine.

Rating:
Summary: Digital Quality in analog
Review: I read a lot of bad reviews on s-vhs machines. I think people who buy these (& return them) miss the point. If you're gonna use 6 for 10 dollar tapes, or worn, well used tapes over & over again on the slowest speed, don't buy a super-vhs machine, use a 200-250 line resolution cheap VCR. If you want DVD quality, over 400 lines resolution video, use good tapes, & the high speed. With a good tape, the slow speed looks better than ordinary vhs though. The machines will also record & play ordinary vhs in the best quality available.

Also, if you have a cheap, or small TV you won't notice much difference... buy a cheap VCR. If you have a high quality TV or widescreen (me-2 Wegas & a DLP projector) These machines are the most economical way to record DVD quality programming. Beware you get what you pay for, the cheapest s-vhs machines will not be as good as a more expensive one. If you got a Wega, something like it or widescreen, invest a little more on the VCR & tapes.

I find there is 1 fundimental flaw with all s-vhs machines though. They seem to need a "breaking in" period where they won't record a nice pic in the EP speed in s-vhs. You have to use the machine in SP or ordinary VHS when using EP until the heads wear a little. The pic is better after after the heads wear down a little in EP s-vhs.

As an electronics sevice tech, & a videophile, I'll never go back to ordinary VHS.

Rating:
Summary: Digital Quality in analog
Review: I read a lot of bad reviews on s-vhs machines. I think people who buy these (& return them) miss the point. If you're gonna use 6 for 10 dollar tapes, or worn, well used tapes over & over again on the slowest speed, don't buy a super-vhs machine, use a 200-250 line resolution cheap VCR. If you want DVD quality, over 400 lines resolution video, use good tapes, & the high speed. With a good tape, the slow speed looks better than ordinary vhs though. The machines will also record & play ordinary vhs in the best quality available.

Also, if you have a cheap, or small TV you won't notice much difference... buy a cheap VCR. If you have a high quality TV or widescreen (me-2 Wegas & a DLP projector) These machines are the most economical way to record DVD quality programming. Beware you get what you pay for, the cheapest s-vhs machines will not be as good as a more expensive one. If you got a Wega, something like it or widescreen, invest a little more on the VCR & tapes.

I find there is 1 fundimental flaw with all s-vhs machines though. They seem to need a "breaking in" period where they won't record a nice pic in the EP speed in s-vhs. You have to use the machine in SP or ordinary VHS when using EP until the heads wear a little. The pic is better after after the heads wear down a little in EP s-vhs.

As an electronics sevice tech, & a videophile, I'll never go back to ordinary VHS.

Rating:
Summary: Good product for the price.
Review: If you do buy this (or any JVC), make sure you use it a lot in the first month, so it'll still be under warranty if it dies. After that, maybe you'll be fine. Also, and this is probably true of all JVC VCR's, I found it very difficult to use, and I'm very gadget literate.

Funny thing is, I bought this just to transfer approx 10 tapes onto DVD (feeding VCR output into computer), and then probably wouldn't need it anymore. I used it twice, and then couldn't even get the VCR to turn on. Unfortunately, this was after 3 months of business travel, so warranty expired - out of luck. When I called JVC, they said I could take it to a service center for an hourly labor - yeah right!

I noticed the fuse inside was blown, but every time I replaced it, it would just blow again. I never liked JVC for other devices, but thought they might make good VCR's. Now I will never buy anything from them period.

Rating:
Summary: VCR Died after 4 months - used twice
Review: If you do buy this (or any JVC), make sure you use it a lot in the first month, so it'll still be under warranty if it dies. After that, maybe you'll be fine. Also, and this is probably true of all JVC VCR's, I found it very difficult to use, and I'm very gadget literate.

Funny thing is, I bought this just to transfer approx 10 tapes onto DVD (feeding VCR output into computer), and then probably wouldn't need it anymore. I used it twice, and then couldn't even get the VCR to turn on. Unfortunately, this was after 3 months of business travel, so warranty expired - out of luck. When I called JVC, they said I could take it to a service center for an hourly labor - yeah right!

I noticed the fuse inside was blown, but every time I replaced it, it would just blow again. I never liked JVC for other devices, but thought they might make good VCR's. Now I will never buy anything from them period.

Rating:
Summary: Good product for the price.
Review: This is my third JVC S-VHS VCR. Along with the other two it`s used everyday to record shows for weekend viewing. Using the S-VHS ET mode with Maxell HI-FI tapes, the picture and sound are excellent, even with repeated over recordings on the same tape. The only thing keeping me from giving it five stars is the lack of a panel display counter(as on previous models), and it`s HORRIBLE time keeping capabilities (time needs adjusting every month).