Rating: 
Summary: A good TV, a few minor nits...
Review: I actually have the last Black Cabinet version of this TV, which was on closeout. I purchased it to replace a Philips (which I far preferred, but it was a really ugly silver and my wife couldn't stand looking at it)
This TV has great picture quality and pretty good sound on its own. The more I own it, though, the less I like it.
The main problem is coupling it with a stereo. The unit is wired to act as a center speaker in a surround sound system. You're supposed to pass the sound input into the TV and then out to the amp. The problem is that the volume control on the TV doesn't control output level to the amp and volume control to the amp doesn't control the volume on the TV. Uh... two remote controls to adjust the *sound*? Annoyingly, when you turn the TV off, the amp output keeps going too.
The menus and setup are awful. Of course, how often to you change the settings on your TV? There are a few features missing. For example, I used to use the timer feature on my old TV as an alarm clock (when getting up early). This TV has that feature---but forces you to tune to a real TV channel. If you're using a settop box (or a TiVo, as I am), you'll get a giant blast of static because you can't program the TV to turn on to the video input. Ick.
In any event, this TV is really solid with a beautiful picture. I would have kept the Philips that I owned for a few days instead, but for the cabinet color. The more I own it, though, the more I wish I'd kept the other and spray painted it black.
Rating:
Summary: A good TV, a few minor nits...
Review: I actually have the Last Black Cabinet version of this TV, which was on closeout. I purchased it to replace a Philips (which I far preferred, but it was a really ugly silver, like this TV and all of the others you can buy these days. What gives?)This TV has great picture quality and pretty good sound on its own. Coupling it with a stereo amplifier is not a really good choice, since the volume control on the TV doesn't control output to the amp. You'll need a home theatre system instead, if you want your full-blown Dolby this that and the other thing. This box is set up to be the center speaker in such a setup. The menus and setup are awful. Of course, how often to you change the settings on your TV? There are a few features missing. For example, I used to use the timer feature on my old TV as an alarm clock (when getting up early). This TV has that feature---but forces you to tune to a real TV channel. If you're using a settop box (or a TiVo, as I am), you'll get a giant blast of static. Ick. In any event, this TV is really solid with a beautiful picture. I would have kept the Philips that I owned for a few days instead, but for the cabinet color. But you won't go wrong with this model.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Picture at a Low Price...
Review: I compared the JVC to the Sony and Toshiba 32". JVC had the best picture quality. Plus the price was right at a major department store. If I had one complaint I agree with the other reviewer that it is heavy and takes two to carry. However, the Sony Specs were 100 lbs heavier at a [higher price]. If you compare features and pictures side by side you will see that the JVC is worth the buy even at the same price as the Sony.
Rating:
Summary: Great Picture at a Low Price...
Review: I just got this TV and think that it's well worth the price paid. I was able to get the TV for just over $450 at a local electronics store...so keep your eyes and ears open and you can get a great deal.
Rating:
Summary: Nice TV!
Review: I just got this TV and think that it's well worth the price paid. I was able to get the TV for just over $450 at a local electronics store...so keep your eyes and ears open and you can get a great deal.
Rating:
Summary: Great Picture Quality
Review: I planned to come home with a Toshiba 32AF43, but came home with a JVC. I had read the good reviews on Toshiba and was convinced. I also read reviews on Sony but favored the Toshiba. I didn't have a chance to get to the JVC reviews. I thought that Toshiba was the answer based on the great reviews until I walked into the store that I planned to purchase from. The picture quality of the Toshiba was good and so was that of the Sony ---- but I couldn't take my eyes off of the JVC. The quality was clearly better. I adjusted the controls of the Toshiba to try to make it look as good as the JVC. I couldn't do it. I could get it close --- but not as good. I left and came back convinced that I should buy the Toshiba because of the reviews that I had read --- but again I couldn't ignore what I was seeing. I had to go with the facts in front of me. I bought the JVC 32F704. I've since found other reviews that are saying the same thing as me. I'm surprised there aren't more reviews out there on this set. It is great!
Rating:
Summary: Great picture and sound!!
Review: I purchased this tv for my first apartment and I have been more than happy with it. It has great picture quality (I especially like the flat screen--it cuts back on the glare), great sound and all the necessary toys like electronic bass boost and hyper-surround sound. The one touch multi-stage brightness is perfect for switching from a movie and tv without having to adjust all of the menu's. I swear by JVC for all my products and they have never let me down. Its a great value and has all the awesome performance I wanted. There is nothing missing from this tv.
Rating:
Summary: Great picture and sound!!
Review: I purchased this tv for my first apartment and I have been more than happy with it. It has great picture quality (I especially like the flat screen--it cuts back on the glare), great sound and all the necessary toys like electronic bass boost and hyper-surround sound. The one touch multi-stage brightness is perfect for switching from a movie and tv without having to adjust all of the menu's. I swear by JVC for all my products and they have never let me down. Its a great value and has all the awesome performance I wanted. There is nothing missing from this tv.
Rating:
Summary: Good cheap 32" monitor for home theater use
Review: OK, this was mostly an impulse purchase, but I did weigh my options before buying. I decided that, at this time, it doesn't yet make sense to upgrade to HDTV. There just isn't that much HDTV programming available yet. So I bought this TV expecting it to last about ten years. By then, it probably will make sense to go the HDTV route. This model has good picture quality with no frills, so it makes a good monitor for a home theater system. (That is, assuming you use an A/V receiver and multiple speakers for sound)... Before you buy, keep in mind that it's HEAVY. You will need two strong people and an appliance dolly if you have any stairs to climb with it. My wife and I managed to install it on the second floor, but it was difficult. The picture quality is excellent, after it's adjusted correctly. The user's manual isn't much help in getting it adjusted though. It is confusing and inaccurate. Reading the descriptions of the various picture adjustments, you could easily jump to the wrong conclusion that there are two "brightness" adjustments, as two of the picture adjustments adjust overall brightness, according to the manual. To get the TV set up quickly, use "picture" to adjust the LIGHT colored (especially white) areas of the picture, and use "bright" to adjust the DARK colored (especially black) areas of the picture. I don't know why so many TVs (such as this one and the Philips model it replaced) are missing a CONTRAST adjustment. That's like a stereo with no bass control. To be fair, you CAN choose one of four preset contrast settings, but doing so will wipe out all your other adjustments like color and tint. The remote control works OK, but I'd strongly suggest you program basic settings in a universal remote and remove the batteries from the original JVC remote control that comes with this TV. That's so you won't accidentally hit the "theater pro" button. This button is supposed to make it look like a movie theater. It results in a very dark, low contrast, red-tinted picture. Oh, and you can't just hit the button again to get your picture settings back. You have to start from scratch to get your picture adjusted. (I learned the hard way) The "video status" button works the same way, but will ruin your picture settings in one of four different ways. You do NOT want to hit these buttons by accident. That's why I'd suggest you not use the original remote, and remove the batteries from it. The sound quality is kind of disappointing, as it has very little power driving two tiny speakers with no subwoofer. (Think: low-end boombox sounding) But this won't matter if you are buying it for home theater use, as you will never use the built-in speakers. I think JVC really designed this for home theater use. It has an excellent mix of audio and video inputs AND audio outputs. You should be able to use it with just about any A/V receiver and/or DVD player on the market at the moment. And the picture quality is quite good, especially considering the price. The factory warranty is generous compared to the competition. Bottom line: Good budget buy for non-HDTV home theater use.
Rating:
Summary: Good cheap 32" monitor for home theater use
Review: OK, this was mostly an impulse purchase, but I did weigh my options before buying. I decided that, at this time, it doesn't yet make sense to upgrade to HDTV. There just isn't that much HDTV programming available yet. So I bought this TV expecting it to last about ten years. By then, it probably will make sense to go the HDTV route. This model has good picture quality with no frills, so it makes a good monitor for a home theater system. (That is, assuming you use an A/V receiver and multiple speakers for sound)... Before you buy, keep in mind that it's HEAVY. You will need two strong people and an appliance dolly if you have any stairs to climb with it. My wife and I managed to install it on the second floor, but it was difficult. The picture quality is excellent, after it's adjusted correctly. The user's manual isn't much help in getting it adjusted though. It is confusing and inaccurate. Reading the descriptions of the various picture adjustments, you could easily jump to the wrong conclusion that there are two "brightness" adjustments, as two of the picture adjustments adjust overall brightness, according to the manual. To get the TV set up quickly, use "picture" to adjust the LIGHT colored (especially white) areas of the picture, and use "bright" to adjust the DARK colored (especially black) areas of the picture. I don't know why so many TVs (such as this one and the Philips model it replaced) are missing a CONTRAST adjustment. That's like a stereo with no bass control. To be fair, you CAN choose one of four preset contrast settings, but doing so will wipe out all your other adjustments like color and tint. The remote control works OK, but I'd strongly suggest you program basic settings in a universal remote and remove the batteries from the original JVC remote control that comes with this TV. That's so you won't accidentally hit the "theater pro" button. This button is supposed to make it look like a movie theater. It results in a very dark, low contrast, red-tinted picture. Oh, and you can't just hit the button again to get your picture settings back. You have to start from scratch to get your picture adjusted. (I learned the hard way) The "video status" button works the same way, but will ruin your picture settings in one of four different ways. You do NOT want to hit these buttons by accident. That's why I'd suggest you not use the original remote, and remove the batteries from it. The sound quality is kind of disappointing, as it has very little power driving two tiny speakers with no subwoofer. (Think: low-end boombox sounding) But this won't matter if you are buying it for home theater use, as you will never use the built-in speakers. I think JVC really designed this for home theater use. It has an excellent mix of audio and video inputs AND audio outputs. You should be able to use it with just about any A/V receiver and/or DVD player on the market at the moment. And the picture quality is quite good, especially considering the price. The factory warranty is generous compared to the competition. Bottom line: Good budget buy for non-HDTV home theater use.
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