JVC HR-S3900 Super-VHS VCR

Rating:
Summary: good value if you know how S-Video works
Review: Great playback and better than average recording if you know how to set-up the unit. Read the manual!... is important to know that the SVHS benefit only comes from recording(s) in SVHS if you are using a S-Video CABLE AND a S-Video output SIGNAL like another VCR w/SVHS, a camcorder w/ S-Video, or cable box w/ S-Video. NOTE: the signal from the outputting device to the SVHS VCR must remain S-Video -- no where can the signal be converted to `Composite video' [RCA style jack] or the "Super" quality will be lost.

Rating:
Summary: good value if you know how S-Video works
Review: Great playback and better than average recording if you know how to set-up the unit. Read the manual!... is important to know that the SVHS benefit only comes from recording(s) in SVHS if you are using a S-Video CABLE AND a S-Video output SIGNAL like another VCR w/SVHS, a camcorder w/ S-Video, or cable box w/ S-Video. NOTE: the signal from the outputting device to the SVHS VCR must remain S-Video -- no where can the signal be converted to 'Composite video' [RCA style jack] or the "Super" quality will be lost.

Rating:
Summary: entry-level SVHS deck = entry-level quality
Review: I bought this as an upgrade to my old Panasonic VHS Hifi VCR ($500 when I bought it back in the early 90's.) I assumed an SVHS deck would easily outperform any VHS VCR, not so as I discovered!

In VHS mode, at EP (slowest speed), the JVC SVHS VCR has mediocre picture quality, slightly worse than my old VHS VCR! In SP, the two are about equal, with the Panasonic exhibiting less noise.

In "SVHS ET" mode (using regular VHS tape), the JVC SVHS VCR again has mediocre picture quality, but with slightly higher resolution. In SP, the picture is slightly better than the old Panasonic. SVHS-ET depends on tape-quality a lot, and I was using 'mid-grade' TDK VHS tape (E-HG) Seems like this is more a marketing gimmick than a useful feature.

In SVHS mode (using SVHS tape), the picture is a lot better, and the VCR starts to earn its 'SVHS' label. Even in EP (slowest speed), the image detail is noticeably better than VHS or the fake 'SVHS ET' mode. Using SP speed, image detail is roughly the same, but less picture noise. All in all, the picture is almost indistinguishable from a live TV broadcast.

Playback of prerecorded (store-bought) VHS movies was very medicore...more picture noise than my 8 year old Panasonic VHS.

As long as you use real SVHS tapes with this machine, you'll be ok. Otherwise, look elsewhere! A less-expensive regular VHS VCR will give you better picture-quality (for VHS tapes)!

Rating:
Summary: entry-level SVHS deck = entry-level quality
Review: I bought this as an upgrade to my old Panasonic VHS Hifi VCR ($500 when I bought it back in the early 90's.) I assumed an SVHS deck would easily outperform any VHS VCR, not so as I discovered!

In VHS mode, at EP (slowest speed), the JVC SVHS VCR has mediocre picture quality, slightly worse than my old VHS VCR! In SP, the two are about equal, with the Panasonic exhibiting less noise.

In "SVHS ET" mode (using regular VHS tape), the JVC SVHS VCR again has mediocre picture quality, but with slightly higher resolution. In SP, the picture is slightly better than the old Panasonic. SVHS-ET depends on tape-quality a lot, and I was using 'mid-grade' TDK VHS tape (E-HG) Seems like this is more a marketing gimmick than a useful feature.

In SVHS mode (using SVHS tape), the picture is a lot better, and the VCR starts to earn its 'SVHS' label. Even in EP (slowest speed), the image detail is noticeably better than VHS or the fake 'SVHS ET' mode. Using SP speed, image detail is roughly the same, but less picture noise. All in all, the picture is almost indistinguishable from a live TV broadcast.

Playback of prerecorded (store-bought) VHS movies was very medicore...more picture noise than my 8 year old Panasonic VHS.

As long as you use real SVHS tapes with this machine, you'll be ok. Otherwise, look elsewhere! A less-expensive regular VHS VCR will give you better picture-quality (for VHS tapes)!

Rating:
Summary: Skip it
Review: I would like to know who design this VCR. Even though it is a Super VHS machine, it does not live up to the super part. The channel, FW, REW and pause all use the same control, which is a rotary knob and very confusing to use. Push the knob and rotate to select channels. Push and rotate for FW or REW. Push to pause. Why would anyone try to use one knob for five different functions? The remote must have been designed by the same person. Once you program the remote to communicate with your TV or cable box you must hold the TV or cable button while pressing the function button that you want to use. To raise the volume press and hold the TV button and while holding the TV button you then push the volume up button, this is dumb. Setting a timer program you use the remote which has buttons for the start, end, date and on and on why so many buttons. The record quality is not very good at all. I have a Panasonic that records a much better picture and another thing JVC only records in SP or EP while the panasonic records in SP,SLP and EP.

Rating:
Summary: Skip it
Review: I would like to know who design this VCR. Even though it is a Super VHS machine, it does not live up to the super part. The channel, FW, REW and pause all use the same control, which is a rotary knob and very confusing to use. Push the knob and rotate to select channels. Push and rotate for FW or REW. Push to pause. Why would anyone try to use one knob for five different functions? The remote must have been designed by the same person. Once you program the remote to communicate with your TV or cable box you must hold the TV or cable button while pressing the function button that you want to use. To raise the volume press and hold the TV button and while holding the TV button you then push the volume up button, this is dumb. Setting a timer program you use the remote which has buttons for the start, end, date and on and on why so many buttons. The record quality is not very good at all. I have a Panasonic that records a much better picture and another thing JVC only records in SP or EP while the panasonic records in SP,SLP and EP.

Rating:
Summary: Well worth the (dollar amount)
Review: I've had excellent results from the s3900 over the year or so I've had it. I bought the unit to dub what I'd shot using my Panasonic PV-DV900 MiniDV and have found it to deliver consistently good results at a price in line with non-SVHS units.

Make no mistake, this is no professional deck, however. The s3900 is lighter than most I've used (perhaps due to a lack of internal shielding) and the jog/shuttle control is frustrating in it's "springiness" ... I've had it slip in my fingers at particularly inopportune moments.

On the plus side, the pause control is lightning-quick (the editing method most home movie editors will employ), the sound quality very good, unit seems durable, good tuner, etc...

When compared to Panasonic's PV-S9670 at (dollar amount), you can buy two S3900's and dub between them, or keep an extra around as a spare.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Picture, Provided You Use S-VHS Tapes
Review: Just got one for Christmas. I like it. Picture quality in EP mode, using S-VHS tape, is better than SP mode in regular VHS machines using regular tape. That means you can get 6 hours of very good resolution on a single tape, making it very good for timer recordings. S-VHS in SP mode is near DVD quality, if source is, for example, a DVD. But you only get two hours in SP mode.

My only gripe is that the much touted S-VHS-ET is a joke. With regular tape, I get better quality using the regular VHS setting . In fact, the picture is quite good in regular VHS mode, though nowhere near S-VHS quality. So just plan on investing in S-VHS tape (about $5, nowadays) if you want to get a genuine improvement over regular VHS. And it really is an improvement.