JVC DR-MV1SL Combination DVD recorder + HiFi VCR

Rating:
Summary: Not a Good modal
Review: 4 months into use......while using ......the display panel blinks and show the word "Loading" and then turns off the power by itself. It can not record on even Fuji Disks. It will only record or read certain brands of disks. Also it is not easy to record VHS onto a DVD disk on this unit.

Rating:
Summary: ?quality
Review: 7 mos into use(average 2 dvd`s a week),unit started to show white sands after 30 mins then totally washes out the picture after another 15 mins. called customer service , lady advices to ship unit to new jersey service center...sucks i have to pay shipping plus possibly labor, only parts are warranted for 1 year. my advice, get another model or brand.

Rating:
Summary: So far , so good
Review: DR-MV1S - Very short review: Excellent features, hit some road blocks with copyrighted VHS tapes, but no problems yet. On disc programing is excellent...timer recordings can be stored on individual discs and then each dvd-rw is then dedicated to an individual set of programs when inserted into the machine. two words-TWIN TUNERS!!! One timer can be on while the other tuner is operating. I have used the hell out of it for about 2 months (at least 100 dubs/recordings), no jams, no failures...guess I got lucky so far....if you get one, just get a service plan with it for peace of mind...get ready to go back to school for studying the operation of the unit...but just like most things, once learned the unit works sweetly...

Rating:
Summary: Seems to be a high percentage of failures for this unit.
Review: I am experiencing the same problems others have noted. I have used this unit for over 3 months (past the 90 days labor and parts warranty). I also get the "loading" message about 1 hour
after trying to transfer VHS to DVD. I will no longer buy JVC products. Now I know why JVC only gives 90 day coverage on labor(the most expensive part of a repair bill). I myself will no longer purchase JVC products. I will only purchase those products that give a 1 year parts and labor coverage.

Rating:
Summary: Don't know if it works or not
Review: I could not get a VHS tape to go into the machine. I am going to try a second time but by the looks of the other reveiws, I am not expecting much!

Rating:
Summary: Defective Unit
Review: I purchased this unit becaiuse it had all the features I was looking for in a DVD-VCR player recorder. I was able to hook it up with no problem and play DVDs right away. Then I tried to insert a VCR tape and the machine would not accept the tape. I have never had this problem with a VCR - you just put the tape in the door slot, it takes the tape, closes the door, and then plays. So thinking this was a new feature, I gently pushed the tape into the machine - it did not play and would not eject. I had to use a screwdiver and knife to remove the tape. I returned the machine. I thought about buying another one, but after checking the reviews on line, I have concluded not to buy this machine, or maybe not another JVC product at all.

Rating:
Summary: Stay Clear Of This Unit
Review: I received my DR-MV1S for Christmas. For starters it did not have the RF Cables or the Splitter. I recorded 3 DVDs from my DV Camera and it seemed to work OK. Last night I tried to dub a VHS video onto DVD. Like others, I could not get the machine initially to accept the tape. After powering on and off and manually fudging it, I was able to get the tape to work and dub on to DVD. However when I attempted to dub my next VHS, the unit kept powering off all by itself after flashing "Please Wait" on the TV screen. I again unplugged the unit, waited 15 seconds, and plugged it back in. Now the unit won't even play a VHS in VCR mode. The tape will load (occasionally still getting stuck), and indicate it is indeed playing but it never in fact does. It does play DVDs. One other note, my experience is that when I play recent movie titles on DVD in Progressive mode, the picture is actually worse than normal. I have component video cables and I know everything is hooked up correctly. Bottom line, a lot of nice features but quality is sorely lacking. I am dumping this for another brand/model as I don't want to wait around for the incessant "Loading" error that seems to plague these units from reading prior reviews.

Rating:
Summary: Way too complicated
Review: I received this item as a gift last month. Before I opened it, I came here to read the reviews. Although most people were unhappy, I figured I'd try it out anyway, since there was an extended return policy in place for the holidays.

I wanted to record my precious VHS tapes to DVD but I needed to try it first on unimportant material. After a long time of trying to figure which button to use to program the unit, I successfully recorded a DVD. I did not get the "LOADING" message so many people described except for the first few seconds when it really was loading.

It looks really sharp with my big new wide-screen HDTV but the instructions are so complicated for every process and the warnings here prompted me to return it.

I'm going to wait six months or so, until the technology is more advanced and less confusing and the price drops somewhat.

Rating:
Summary: JVC is normally good, but this product is not
Review: To begin with a positive, to this point in time I have had wonderful experiences with JVC products. I have a 27 inch JVC television that has worked flawlessly since 1994, a 13 inch JVC that has worked perfectly since 1997, and a 27 inch flat screen JVC that has been perfect for one year. And all have great quality pictures, and were purchased at very fair prices.

Now, to continue relevant to this product's review, I just received the DR-MV1S for Christmas. I had little intuitive difficulty with the cabling set-up, even though the user manual buried information about connecting with a home theater system on page 72. I was disappointed to read Plug & Play for clock and tuner settings does not work with a digital cable box, but found the manual set-up process on page 21 quick and painless.

I immediately played a DVD with no difficulty, and high quality.

However, in testing the VCR in preparation for dubbing and recording operations, the very first tape inserted into the machine became stuck before completely entering the play mechanism. I haven't had a video tape stick in a VCR since the 1980's. Through turning the machine on and off, hitting eject, and with finger adjustment, the tape did eventually come free. Bravely, I attempted to insert another tape. To my surprise, it entered with only minimal hesitation, and began to play with fine quality. However when I began rewinding the tape, the machine seemed to labor and "whine and grind," seeming to change speeds multiple times before "It's a Wonderful Life" was successfully returned to the beginning. Afer a successful ejection, I haven't wanted to make a potential sacrifice of any other tape for further testing.

When I inserted a recordable DVD to test the TV record function, the machine presented a "disk error" message. I tried the disk formatting tips an earlier reviewer pointed out on Page 78 of the manual, with the same "disk error" message.

I agree with many of the previous reviewers regarding the strong need for detailed reference to the User Manual. If one must go to page 78 for initial use, and if indeed a page 78 even exists, the product is usually not very user friendly.

I suspect that if I worked at it, I could make this machine function at least adequately for my personal use. A concern however is that my other family members might hit "brick walls" in use without my troubleshooting presence. My greater concern is that on day one and two of use, I have already experienced the significant VCR difficulties other reviewers have mentioned.

Therefore, I will be exchanging the machine. I'm currently researching the SONY RDRVX 500 which seems to be readily available for just over $450. I note another reviewer's good experiences with a Toshiba model I will also check out.

Presuming Best Buy works well with me on the exchange, which I suspect they will, I will give JVC the benefit of the doubt on this one bad product experience. I will still consider JVC to be normally good providers of quality for the dollar spent.

Rating:
Summary: DR-MV1S Can't be Fixed By Factory Service
Review: Well, it has happened. The unit came back from repair at JVC Aurora and I tried to dub from VHS to DVD and surprisingly it when through the whole transfer without going into the flashing "loading mode" as before but when the transfer was completed there was evidence of burning on the disc but nothing plays back. STILL DEFECTIVE!!!!! I called and talked with Lorenzo at New Jersey he checked with some else to verify the DVD should play back without being finalized and they and concurred the unit is malfunctioning. Lorenzo told me to call Jun at Aurora service, I did and left voice mail - TWO times with no returned call. I called Craig Peters voice mail (he has never answered or returned a call yet but what to heck no has ever answered one of these Emails either) and left message - no return call. I talked with the receptionist at Aurora, Angelica, and she offered to take a message, but still no call back. Please tell me what I need to do to get a unit that works, IT IS VERY APPARENT TO ME THAT REPAIR IS NOT THE ANSWER. Please help me and at least respond to my communications surely you can't think I am being unreasonable and just trying to blow me off especially after 3 CONTINOUS FAILURES. This unit has not worked since the first of December. Previous leters to JVC below:
The letter below was included with the unit a copy was in an envelope on the outside of the box and a copy taped directly to the unit. AS OF 1/26/05 9:00 pm there has been no response to it or the numerous messages I have left on Mr. Peters' voice mail and Kelly Rahn's voice mail. The unit is now waiting for parts and has been out of service a total of more than 45 days.

The unit first failed while dubbing VCR to DVD after about 30 minutes of transfer - the blue light bar was flashing and the display was flashing "loading" and the power and open/close buttons were non-responsive even after unplugging the unit. The open/close button did respond one time after leaving the unit unplugged overnight. This was the first time I had tried to use this feature! I would say the total use time of this unit has been less than 6 hours total (I have another DVD player). I sent this unit in for repair 12/15/04 after talking with Ralph on the 800 number 12/3/04 and waiting for his "authorization" letter to arrive (11 days later). I received the unit back from the service center 1/6/05. After getting the unit back from repair (invoice # FC187771, Receipt # C034889) I used it to watch one DVD on 1/8/05 and started a VCR to DVD dub on 1/9/05, about 45 minutes into the transfer the unit failed exactly as it did previously, only this time I have been unable to get the open/close button to respond even once to get the DVD out. I believe this unit has something inherently wrong with it and it should be replaced rather than repaired. I called the 800 number 1/10/05 and talked with 2 different people (Anthony and Raul) and they both said they could not make that decision and would have someone contact me - no one had called by 1/11/05 at 3:30pm so I called again and was able to get connected with Kelly (who Raul had said would call me). Kelly said she had tried to call but received no answer or recording - I am not aware of any problem with the phone or recorder at home or work. I asked Kelly to replace the unit instead of trying to repair it again. Kelly also said she was not authorized to make that decision and I asked her who was and Kelly said "Craig Peters, who is out of the office until Thursday". Kelly suggested I go ahead send in the unit ASAP and she would reimburse me for the UPS charges when she received a copy of the bill from me.

Mr. Peters, please send me a NEW DR-MV1S so I can use and enjoy the product. The only time I have to make use of the dubbing feature is during the winter months as I am too busy the rest of the year. I have already lost over a month in getting it repaired to only have it immediately fail again with the exact same problem. This has not been "The Perfect Experience" JVC was intending I am sure and you have the ability to make the best of what so far has been a Bad Experience. Hopefully, the HD-52z585 I purchased last week will be more dependable, so far I am very happy with it. I look forward to your quick and favorable response. Sincerely, Ken Martin

Again I am requesting the unit be immediately replaced, in the automotive business this unit would qualify as a LEMON! I must also say I have become very disappointed by the lack of communication of your service staff and the run-around tactics of your customer service personnel "you need to talk to XXXXX" and XXXXX says you need to talk to who I just talked to - and so on. When you boil it all down it appears Mr. Peters is the one to make the decision on whether to satisfy this customer and he has not even provided the courtesy of a returned phone call or a response to my letter. They say word of mouth advertising is the best and the people at JVC are working very hard at creating advertising that is negative for JVC instead of positive. The "Perfect Experience" is far far FAR from what I have endured.

Also here is a copy of my previous email to this site that promised a response within 5 days - I am still waiting.

"The following information has been sent to JVC Customer Service. First Name: Ken Last Name: Martin
I sent this unit in for repair 12/15/04 and received it back 1/6/05. The unit failed while dubbing VCR to DVD after about 30 minutes of transfer - the blue light was flashing and the display was flashing "loading" and the power and open/close buttons were non-responsive even after unplugging the unit. The open/close button did respond one time after leaving the unit unplugged overnight. This was the first time I had tried to use this feature! I would say the total use time of this unit has been less than 6 hours (I have another DVD player). After getting the unit back from repair I used it to watch one DVD on 1/8/05 and started a VCR to DVD dub on 1/9/05 about 45 minutes into the transfer the unit failed just as it did previously only this time I have been unable to get the open/close button to respond to get the DVD out. I believe this unit has something inherently wrong with it and it should be replaced rather than repaired. I called the 800 number this morning and talked with 2 different people (Anthony and Raul) and they both said they could not make that decision and would have some contact me - no one has called yet. Please send me a replacement unit so I can enjoy the product. Hopefully the HD-52z585 I purchased last week will be more dependable, so far I am very happy with it. I look forward to your favorable response.

Thank you. A representative will contact you within five days."

Please do not make me wait any longer to have a DR-MV1S that I can depend on, send a new replacement now.