Rating: 
Summary: 5-Star DVD Player at a 2-Star Price
Review: I am going on nine months with this player and could not be more pleased. Honestly if it froze up on me tommorow I would still give it high marks simply because it has performed so well and offers so much for the money. My main reason for purchasing this player was to get a DVD-Audio player without breaking the bank, reasoning that I would rather spend my money on DVD-A software. I also wanted a progressive scan player to go with my HDTV for excellent video playback quality, again at a reasonable price. With the XV-SA75 I got it all for the incredible price of $...! I see no-frills VCRs selling for more. DVD-Audio playback is EXCELLENT. I have it matched with the JVC RX-8020VBK AV Receiver (another excellent buy) and the sound from the 24-bit/192kHz decoders from this player is nothing less than stunning. It sounds like it should cost $1000 or more. Really, I would pit the sound quality of DVD-Audio from this player against a high end CD player from a $10,000+ system--and probably blow it away. I know it sounds like an exaggeration but believe me it's not. DVD-Audio when properly set-up is THAT GOOD. Like most DVD-Audio players, this one does not offer bass management for DVD-Audio playback. You will need five full range (or close to full range) speakers and a decent subwoofer (10"+) to maximize your listening experience. But with the money you save you can invest in a set of good speakers. Preferably floorstanding, from good speaker makers like B&W, Dynaudio, Energy, Paradigm, PSB, etc. Progressive scan DVD playback on this player is excellent also. Movies like The Fellowship of the Ring, Star Wars Attack of the Clones, actually almost any well made DVD movie look incredibly sharp and theater-like on a high definition/widescreen digital TV. Combined with the Dolby Digital EX or DTS ES capabilities of the RX-8020, I get 6.1 surround sound and stunning progressive picture quality for a truly movie-going experience--in my living room. It never fails to impress my friends & neighbors, who think I spent a fortune on this system. If they only knew the truth. As for the downside to this player, there are very few. I don't particularly like the CD playback quality with this player because on certain lo-fi quality CDs I will get an occasional drop off in sound during playback. I use a dedicated CD changer for CDs so this is not an issue for me. I think this saves on the wear and tear of the DVD player and I personally think this is the way to go anyway. This player also plays MP3s, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs for maximum flexibility. It really is amazing all the things this player can do. The only discs it won't play are Super Audio CDs (SACD) and DVD-Rs. You will also need to invest in a LOT of cables for this unit, what with six analog connections for DVD-Audio, digital (coax or toslink) connection for DVD-Video sound, component cables for progressive video... but of course this would be the case for any DVD-Audio/Progressive Scan player. I really can't say enough good things about this player. Other JVC DVD players take hits for laser problems and lock up issues, but so far this player has performed like a champ for me. The best investment I have made in a piece of electronic equipment by far.
Rating: 
Summary: Good DVD and cheap
Review: I bought this DVD player because I like the JVC brand. I am in no way an Electronics expert but I do alot of research before I buy. This DVD was about everything I needed. i wanted a CD/MP3 player, so I didn't have to get a CD player. It also has progressive scran which seemed great but I have an HDTV and it hasn't seemed to work. The DVD player is inputted to the Component of the TV but the DVD never recognizes it, so the player never uses the progressive scan mode. That's pretty much my only gripe with the player. The MP3 player doesn't have a random option but I can deal with that. I don't know if the progressive scan doesn't work on every player but I couldn't seem to get this one to work.
Rating:
Summary: All That's Gold Sometimes Does Glitter !
Review: I have had the pleasure of owning this JVC product for almost a year. What caught my attention was the progressive scan technology and the DVD-Audio feature along with the slim and sleek updated gold "high tech" appearance. JVC is one of a few handful of companies willing to give the owner a decent and legible on screen guide for video/audio set up complete with nifty and colorful graphics (love that picture in window screen display so you don't miss the action). JVC's earlier DVD models did have some serious lock up issues as I was the unfortunate owner of their big bulky model XV-501 ( had to have that one repaired in less than 3 years due to laser/motor burn out and lock up disfunction). It looked very expensive and sported a video fine processor feature which allowed you to really sharpen the picture detail quality by a large noticeable degree, which is simplified in the newer models.
On the XV 75 model, while the user can really fine tune color, tint, etc. without having to go through the tv's own picture controls, tweaking the picture to complete and preferable sharpness cannot be done to noticeable extremes like the older models. It allows for some sharpness but there is very subtle change or differences to make the viewer go wow ! Overall, the picture produced is very clean and substantially detailed on my 27 inch RCA (the poor man's Sony Wega) analog set, though. I have not had the luxury of trying the progressive scan feature on a high def set, yet (that's another item for my Christmas or B-day gift list of things I want BADLY !)... The DVD-Audio decoding portion takes awhile to get used to (though it claims to be high resolution and of higher calibre than regular 2 channel stereo, the sound is rather soft).The dedicated .1 bass is wonderful when connected to the right sub (Velodyne, JBL, Infinity, anyone ?)Excellent DVD Audio discs to audition for the aural workout are The Blue Man Group Audio Surround Mix, Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales in DTS and a limited JVC Free dvd audio sampler ! Again, don't expect the earpiercing highs or mids. The sonic characteristic of DVD Audio is meant to have a "soft" and warm almost high resolution analog sound rich in deep bass (unlike that heard or felt with normal stereo). And the different effects or instruments to be heard placed around you will blow the mind (hopefully not the eardrums). The new DVD Audio format is indeed a new venue that requires getting aurally accustomed to. Also, heed my warning, YOU MUST HAVE A DECENT SUBWOOFER CONNECTED for the .1 LFE bass; otherwise you will get a very hollow soft sound not worthy of trading for regular stereo. Also, another major important ingredient is a voice matched and powerful center channel (3 way preferred). You will be amazed how many dvd audio recordings put the singer or instrumentalist dead center (another debate for another time). One drawback is that you cannot use a graphic equalizer on these newer digital receivers that must accompany dvd players like the JVC Dvd-audio player; you shouldn't need to, the sound produced by this new digital equipment is almost sonically perfect ! The reason for the 4 stars is that the laser can be sensitive meaning that if there is a microsopic scratch that is ignored by other players it may be picked up by this one and cause lock up or major macro blocking/tiling. I found this out with my Chasing Amy dvd which has a flaw on it's surface yet plays that same flawed section effortlessy on another dvd player.This may be due to the player's small or limited correction error buffer circuitry. Also, when I first bought the machine the system would lock up and not start up again or shut off unless i unplugged it (rebooted ?). Must have broken in properly because the problem has disappeared ! Overall, this JVC player wins my vote of approval in both video and audio processing functions. Remember, this player is packed with all sorts of goodies that previously were only exclusive to the Denons, Yamahas, etc. etc....
Rating:
Summary: SWeeeet !!!
Review: I looked at all the great reviews of the similar model from
JVC's XV-S65GD..I figured you can't go wrong with a similar
product...I would of given it 5 stars but the Cheezy remote
needs a face lift..The Gold finish ..very nice
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't look that gold
Review: I love it. Plain and simple. It's sleek and stylish and has so many features I've still yet to figure it all out. Not to mention there isn't anything this baby can't handle that you throw at it, or at least so far for me. The remote main buttons (play, stop, fast foward, etc) are all glow in the dark buttons on the remote control and it's well layed out. About the only bad thing I can say is there is a lack of on consol button function. Which isn't a bad thing but if you loose your remote you're screwed. Perhaps the only other bad thing is that I have to learn how to use all the nifty features it comes with.
Rating:
Summary: Works great, lasts a long time
Review: I purchased the JVC about 7 months ago, prior to getting my knee replaced. After surgery, I watched an average of 25 to 30 dvd's a week while I was recovering. With the exception of bad or dirty dvd's the unit did not lock up once. Although I do not have an hdtv, I do have a high end analog TV and a 5.1 surround system. The dvd works perfectly, picture and sound quality are excellent. It does a great job on cd-rw's and mp3's. I am glad I purchased the unit
Rating:
Summary: Good, but....
Review: I think this is a good product, but mine doesn't play DVD audio disks recorded at 96kHz through the digital out. Most of the DVD audio disks that I have won't play on this machine through the digital outs. Even the two samplers of DVD audio music that came with the machine don't play. If you want this feature, I would suggest buying a different model. If you don't care about DVD audio, this is a really nice DVD player. Goodluck!
Rating:
Summary: DVD Audio and Progressive Scan
Review: I was looking for a player for a future HT setup. This player has the progressive scan for HDTV and DVD Audio. I let it repeat a CD for 12 hours with no lock up or any other problems and it played Fast and Furious 3x non stop with no dropouts or any problems. Crutchfield by the way has it for [price].
Rating:
Summary: Buggy out of the box vs. Great Bang for the Buck
Review: I'm keeping this simple. This DVD player plays DVD audio and performs well once updated, includes progressive scan and MP3 playback. It's a great DVD player and I would give it a 5 star review if it weren't for some major issues. JVC needs to upgrade the firmware so it is compatible with all DVDs. You will have to upgrade a subtitle problem with the Phantom Menace DVD and other DVDs. The player gets really hot and is reported to lock up on people. I think it might have to do with the heat, so keep it well ventilated. I haven't experienced lockups yet. In other words, buy it, send it immediately back to JVC to have the firmware or the eprom replaced while it's covered under warranty (sorry, this can't be updated using CD-RW) and then you'll own a great DVD player for the money.
Rating:
Summary: Buggy out of the box vs. Great Bang for the Buck
Review: I'm keeping this simple. This DVD player plays DVD audio and performs well once updated, includes progressive scan and MP3 playback. It's a great DVD player and I would give it a 5 star review if it weren't for some major issues. JVC needs to upgrade the firmware so it is compatible with all DVDs. You will have to upgrade a subtitle problem with the Phantom Menace DVD and other DVDs. The player gets really hot and is reported to lock up on people. I think it might have to do with the heat, so keep it well ventilated. I haven't experienced lockups yet. In other words, buy it, send it immediately back to JVC to have the firmware or the eprom replaced while it's covered under warranty (sorry, this can't be updated using CD-RW) and then you'll own a great DVD player for the money.
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