JVC HR-XVC1U DVD-VCR Combo
By: JVC Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 24
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 On: 2005-09-06
I also began having the incorrect disc problems that Ive read about on here. The VCR still works, but hte DVD side is useless. I understand that DVD players sometimes just quit on you, but after not even one year? To me thats a sign on bad quality. Im giving up JVC after this as well. Im sticking to Sony or giving another brand a shot.
On: 2005-08-16
I love the style of this, but after a couple years, the DVD is giving me problems. It doesnt even work anymore and I use my broken PS2 Now. I wouldnt recommend this, Im just going to upgrade to a recorder now. I wish it would work but I guess im giving up on JVC. I really did like this one... before it stopped working. The dvd player gave me problems probably after a year of having it.
 On: 2004-04-05
This is a nice combo DVD/VCR. Ive had it for a couple of years now and have had no problems. Thats really why Im writing; I want to let people know the ones with problems are probably the exception rather than the rule.The only disadvantages to this product for me:
1) On the VCR, you cant FF by time (a panasonic feature; FF a given number of minutes) 2) Once you set the VCR program, you must hit TIMER (not just power off) to get it to use the program. Okay, hitting TIMER will turn the power off, but lets say you want to record something later in the week. You will turn your deck on and off several times in that period. Do you want to hit TIMER every time? And by the way, hitting TIMER doesnt just turn the deck off, it switches to DVD mode. In theory, this is nice so you can still use your DVD player while recording a show. In practice you just end up turning off two things (VCR via TIMER, DVD via power) most of the time. 3) No S-video input. I had to buy a S-video to composite video adapter to record something from my PC video card. By the way, dont do this; the quality is pretty low. Little advantages to this product for me: 1) Front panel inputs; I use this to dub from my video camera very often 2) Comprehensive remote; for me, the more buttons the better. I hate on-screen menus. How can I see what the picture looks like when I adjust the tracking if 88% of the screen is the tracking menu? 3) Many flavors of A/V OUTPUT: digital audio (coax and optical), composite video (of course), component video (nice for home theater), S video. Bottom line: A good combo deck for the money.
 On: 2004-01-20
I decided to wait over a year to write a review on this unit, and thankfully my opinion since the first day I got it hasnt changed. Its wonderful! I was suprised to find a full feature DVD player included. A friend of mine bought a relatively expensive DVD player and it didnt have some of the features this unit has (albeit its a bit smaller). I have never experienced performance issues while using the DVD player in 12+ months. Zoom feature comes in handy as well, if you rent DVDs and dont necessarily want the whole long apect ratio. VCR works great as well. Recordings done in SP look excellent, colors are great and its not grainy at all. EP recordings look great for being EP as well, if you sit back on the couch you cant tell the difference. Only problem there is sometimes it takes a few seconds to track with EP, but it normally finds the right setting fairly quickly. The remote is easy to use once you learn it. It can be confusing at first, but now I wouldnt use anything else. It can control all the TV functions as well at the combo unit. If you want to take a small step into the world of DVD players, but not let go of your old VHS tapes, this is the player for you. Especially now, with the price quite reduced from when I bought it. You will not be disappointed!
On: 2004-01-19
I decided to wait over a year to write a review on this unit, and thankfully my opinion since the first day I got it hasnt changed. Its wonderful! I was suprised to find a full feature DVD player included. A friend of mine bought a relatively expensive DVD player and it didnt have some of the features this unit has (albeit its a bit smaller). I have never experienced performance issues while using the DVD player in 12+ months. Zoom feature comes in handy as well, if you rent DVDs and dont necessarily want the whole long apect ratio. VCR works great as well. Recordings done in SP look excellent, colors are great and its not grainy at all. EP recordings look great for being EP as well, if you sit back on the couch you cant tell the difference. Only problem there is sometimes it takes a few seconds to track with EP, but it normally finds the right setting fairly quickly. The remote is easy to use once you learn it. It can be confusing at first, but now I wouldnt use anything else. It can control all the TV functions as well at the combo unit. If you want to take a small step into the world of DVD players, but not let go of your old VHS tapes, this is the player for you. Especially now, with the price quite reduced from when I bought it. You will not be disappointed!
On: 2003-10-20
I am a big JVC fan, but I do not like this model, I was suspiscious when I saw several units in the return section of the store. I bought one anyway (new) and must say I am not happy. The unit sends out clicks to the receiver once in a while, the transition between scenes is not always smooth,(like a little pause) and while it is still fairly new I cant get any DVD,CD or even a DVD headcleaner to work. All I get is a "incorrect disc" message.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-07-03
Ive had this for just over a month. I had read other reviews on this product prior to purchasing, and to me it seemed like it had received good reviews as simple-to-use machine with good attribues for not-so-electronic-literate person like myself. It had been working just fine, until few days ago I was playing a DVD and all of a sudden it would freeze, and on the TV screen there would be many different colored squares, completely distorting the image. And now, the Dvd player does not even recognize any format (Ive tried CDs, DVDs, and even VCDs), as it only says "Incorrect Disc".
I just now found another review where the person had the same problem, had to take it to a local service center, got fixed, came back, and the exact same problem popped back up three weeks later. Reading that, I dont even know if I want to even bother taking it to get it fixed. Since it still plays VHS perfectly fine, maybe Ill just invest in a simple DVD player, which defeats the whole purpose of why I bought a DVD/VHS combo player in the first place....
by: Anonymous On: 2003-03-23
I have had this DVD/VCR combo for a couple of weeks and it does the jobs it is supposed to. Some reviews have said the machine was noisy I have not found this to be the case,I dont even notice the DVD player making noise.It was also easy to set up and comes in crystal clear.The most important aspect for me is that you can record a TV show and watch a DVD at the same time.Some reviews stated that the VCR did not play back recorded shows well especialy if it was recorded on another vcr, I have not found this to be the case. If you do you may not have set the tape to the right speed,you have to do it manualy.The one thing that bugs me is when you have the timer program on and you want to use the vcr you have to shut the timer off and when your done turn it on again or your prgrams will not record.
On: 2003-02-22
After reading several reviews on this item, I purchased it as a Christmas gift. My brother liked it a lot, so I decided to get one for my wife and me. Im really glad I did. Its pretty easy to set up and use, and the playback is excellent in both the VCR and DVD modes. The remote also operates my JVC TV. This is a great choice if youre looking for a quality combination player from a trusted name in electronics.
On: 2003-02-21
Im a JVC nut...I have 3 JVC televisions, one VCR, one bookshelf audio system and car audio system. So when it came time to move the VCR player to the boys room and get another one for the old man I knew what make it was going to be. I decided on the combo player because I dont think VHS is going to be around much longer. I like my combo player except for 2 things:(1)no cable box compatability on the remote control (2)no seperate audio video inputs only input for coax cable from my cable box so all of the cable programming is in mono...wife cant tell the difference in the sound so if shes happy then Ill just live with it. VCR and DVD look and sound GREAT!!!!!!!
On: 2003-01-29
BUYNG THIS ITEM COLD I USE DVD AND WHS WITH ITALIAN SYSTEM?
On: 2003-01-06
I purchased this JVC VHS/DVD combo player after my old VCR pooped out and when I decided I needed a DVD player in my room in addition to the one in our family room. I bought this player when it first came out; VHS/DVD combo players were brand new and seemed much more sensible than separate players. However, I had reservations about this unit, wondering if the quality of the DVD and VHS portions would suffer since both were crammed into one box. My fears were unfounded-- this indeed is a fantastic player!First, I really enjoy the chrome finish; it perfectly matches my silver 24" flat-screen TV. Second, I love the units included remote. All of the buttons are solidly formed, and the rew/play/ff/rec/stop/pause buttons glow in the dark for watching movies late at night. Third, the quality of VHS recording is wonderful. I dont know what other reviewers are talking about when they complain of poor quality tape recording; everything Ive taped, even on the "EP" (extra-long play) setting, has come out wonderfully. Sometimes, programs taped on certain VCRs look fuzzy on other sets in the house (i.e. if I try to record downstairs with a different VCR and play it back in my room), but anything I tape with this JVC unit is crystal clear on each set in our house. Fourth, I love the different A/V options the JVC unit is capable of utilizing. The JVC unit allows RCA, composite, S-Video, and component cable connections, so use whatever connection works with your TV. I strongly recommend using the component cable hookup as it offers the highest-quality picture. Fifth, I love the functions of the DVD player. Not only does this JVC player offer standard DVD functions like subtitles and markers, it also offers cool functions like zooming. DVDs, CDs, CD-Rs, and VCDs are supported, but SVCDs are not. Sixth, this quality piece of equipment comes at a great price. JVC makes a great unit, and the price is affordable, so dont buy another brand in hopes of getting a better deal. The JVC VHS/DVD player has several A/V options, provides high-quality recording, looks great, comes with a super remote, supports many popular disc formats, and does all of these things for an affordable price. If youre looking for a high-quality, yet modestly-priced piece of equipment to handle your VHS and DVD needs, look no further than this great JVC unit.
On: 2003-01-01
Simple to set up, easy to operate - a very nice unit. Excellent & clear picture & sound. Havent had a chance to try the VHS portion yet - the twin teens are hogging the machine, & just adore it! Good way to be able to move up to DVD while still having quick access to your VHS tapes, with the same equipment & hookup. A good choice at a reasonable price.
On: 2002-12-31
This VCR/DVD was an early Christmas present to myself after deciding to join the rest of the world in DVD-land but not wanting to let go of my VHS movies quite yet. Based on the reviews and price, and because I own a JVC TV, this was my choice. I agree with the easy set-up. Its a bit awkward to work the whole TV/VHS/DVD selection options but I think Ive gotten the hang of it. Two comments: its not intuitive and actually is pretty complicated (too many buttons on the remote but that might please others who are more technically-minded than me) so Ive had to rely heavily on the how-to manual. And setting the VCR timer is awkward -- you cant enter the start and end time but have to scroll (unless Im missing something)...but those are my only complaints. This is a good product for your $$$.
On: 2002-12-26
Trying to get two audio pieces into one box, offering decent quality, plenty of useful features & low cost may be impossible. I looked at many brands. I needed a unit that has "optical" output for DTS & 5.1 digital to go into my Marantz SR 8000 audio receiver. The cheapest units do not have this, so stay with the better name brands. At this price point I seriously doult that any brand will be very reliable. These units are not being made in Japan, which stood for excellent quality. Instead, China, Tawain, etc. are making them. Making two units into one may save on some costs, but the cost cutting may be the use of cheaper parts inside. So dont expect much from these units. I wanted to replace my older DVD player with one that plays CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3. I purchased the JVC HRXVC1, based on good reviews. JVC is the inventor of VHS vcr, and I have known people to have good luck with their electronics. I also like Panasonic,which makes very reliable electronics. I have had 3 good vcrs with Panasonic, but the clerk said that they were having higher than normal returns on their combo players. Had it not been for that, I would stay with Panasonic.
This JVC HRXVC1 vcr/dvd combo has more than enough features needed to play tapes & discs. At this pricepoint it appears to be one of the best featured units Ive seen. Hooking it up to my surround receiver was difficult, probably just my fault, although the book isnt clear on the hookup of the "optical" setup with the receiver connections with VCR, etc. Once hooked up, it was worth the effort. The setup was quick and easy. The cds sounded great. The dvds are crystal clear. The vcr recorded tapes are playing good, and no problems.... The GOOD: 1).It works & sounds great. 2.) It looks great on the shelf as well. 3.) There are plenty of features for the money such as Skip Search, index serch, zero return, and three step zoom. 4.) There are front inputs for camcorder or mp3 player to record easy. 5.) This unit has "SQPB" S-VHS Quasi playback which will play S-VHS tapes, and makes for excellent looking viewing of standard tapes. 6.) It has 19um head, for better picture quality in EP mode. 7.) It includes "Spatializer N-2-2" surround for people whose sytems are not setup for surround sound yet. 8.) In use, the rewind & forward is very fast. The BAD: 1.) the remote [is not good]. 2.)the buttons on the box seem unorthodox in their layout. 3.) its confusing getting around from vcr to dvd, as some buttons have dual use, and buttons are on both sides of the unit. Petty problems, but at least the unit works fine- so far. If it proves to be unreliable, Ill write back.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-12-17
Overall, this player works great and was fairly easy to set up. However, the display is ugly (orange lettering that reminds me of my alarm clock) and only displays minutes, not seconds. Also, the lack of universal remote is a drawback. Finally, I was disappointed to learn that you can only record on the VCR in SP (2 hr) or EP (6 hour) speeds. Maybe this is standard now, but Ive always liked LP mode for taping movies so you could fit two on a tape. This stuff may seem trivial. Anyway, thats my two cents.
On: 2002-11-20
I like this product because I can use all the VHS tapes Ive accumulated and all the new DVDs there are out there now.
The only problem I have is the remote wont work with my RCA television and my tv remote wont work with the DVD/VCR.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-11-14
I have to say that this is a great DVD/VCR player. The vcr picture is clear and sharp. I wish that it had VCR+, but instead you have to program the tv shows you want to tape mannually. There should also be an eject button on the remote for the vcr. Its easy to set up, although the user manul is a little confusing, and when you are done setting up what you want to record you have to press the timmer button in order for it to record the shows you want, which is a little annoying. The DVD is great, it also had a clear and sharp picture and works great. I would reccommend buying this JVC combo, because it works great, easy to set up and very little trouble.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-11-12
I got this machine primarily for the DVD with MP3 playback. It turns out, that most DVD players with MP3 capability dont allow you to select "random" playing of the tracks!??? I replaced my 12 year-old CD player and my sub-par VCR with this one machine. Im very happy with it so far, although I wish it had another component input in the back. The DVD playback is awesome. The VCR playback seems fine as well, although since getting TiVo, I dont really use it that much. I recommend this to anyone who wants a versatile player of good quality.
by: gobirds2 On: 2002-10-30
Usually anyone purchasing a combination DVD/VCR player has particular criteria they are meeting in order to get both forms of video into their television. Space, convenience, budget among other reasons comes to mind. That aside, looking at an actual unit the person is most likely more interested about the VCR. DVD reproduction at this level looks so good that it is almost a given fact that it will perform up to someones expectations. The VCR is another matter. For my own needs I am concerned about the playback of pre-recorded tapes and playback of home VHS recordings that I made. How the DVD/VCR player records in VHS is also important but to a lesser degree. JVC brand VCRs are an interesting and confusing animal when it comes to playback of tapes. I own two JVC S-VHS recorders with flying erase heads. I also own several SONY and older RCA VCRs from the good old days. The problem with JVC is that they play certain tapes back beautifully and others dreadfully. I took several samples of video tape recordings and demonstrated playback on this unit just to see for myself. (I know salesmen at a local electronics store in the area and they always let me try out equipment. They just love low-end technology guys like me.) Pre-recorded movies looked acceptable and I really mean no better than acceptable. Recordings I made on my JVC units in SP and EP modes looked excellent on this unit. Recordings I made on my other SONY units in the SP mode look very good. RCA recordings in SP look average. Recordings I made on my other SONY units in the EP mode looked horrible. They looked like blurred images without any trace of definition. Recordings I made on my other RCA units in LP and EP modes again looked blurred without any trace of definition. However, I made an actual recording on this unit from a satellite broadcast and the playback looked excellent. The bottom line on this unit is that the DVD side looked very good and the VCR performed just about the same as my stand-alone units which I own. There were really no surprises. When I make recordings at home I indicate which VCR the recording was made on just for the very reasons I mentioned above. After many years I have found that a recording usually looks best when played back on the unit it was made from. The reality today is that VHS is an outdated but necessary technology because many of us have a monetary and/or sentimental investment in tape recordings. I think this JVC unit is good but I rate it based upon how I would be using it relative to my library of VHS recordings and how they are going to look.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-10-24
Reviewed quite a bit of the combo players and was hesitant due to unfavorable reviews and size of machines. I am weaning off my VHS collection, but dont want to replace them with DVDs. This unit is well built, easy to setup and resolution and special effects (no progressive scan for HDTV owners) suitable for many people looking for a versatile product.Cons- No universal remote.
On: 2002-06-25
I bought this unit for one reason - to play back DVDs I write with my HP DVD200i DVD+RW drive. The units specs dont mention DVD+RW but its there. The MP3 quality is also excellent through my Bose system. It would have been nice if the MP3 directory wasnt limited to 200 titles per CD but not really a problem. Great unit.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-04-23
This is a fine unit for DVD playback, and has a lot of great features. But my experience with the VCR side left a lot to be desired. The machine has been saddled with a sub-par tuner which makes for noisy, color smeared VHS recordings, and its playback of factory pre-records isnt all that great either (but I will say that EP recordings dont fall off very much quality wise from SP, although the frequency response at both speeds is pretty atrocious). JVC brags about how its the inventor of VHS. . . shame they couldnt do better here.
On: 2002-04-14
Love this machine! Works great! Set up was easy, although I probably made it harder than it needed to be.
I spent some time trying to understand the manual. I finallly just went for it and found setting up the machine was easy.
I connected the cable to the dvd player, the color coded cords from the DVD player to the TV & TADA! I was done. I was able to view a VHS tape immediately or switch to a DVD. Whats nice about this machine is that I dont have to got through a lot of gyrations to view a DVD or VHS tape. The Sanyo I used to have required all kinds of set up just to view a DVD. (The moon had to be in Aquarious in the seven house and the planets had to be in alignment, just kidding). But seriously, I had to write down the steps for the Sanyo just to remember how to use it. Dont think youll have that problem with this machine. A happy customer.
On: 2002-03-12
This is one of the newest and hottest new combination DVD/VCR combinations on the market today. Upon picking up my purchase of the HR-XVC1U I was impressed. The finish and construction of this product is first rate, and it provides just about every feature one could hope for in a combination unit. Although it does not provide progressive scan for the HD TV owner, for those of us who have a 2 to 3 year old large screen set of 32 - 36 or projection size, it performs admirably. It will play SVHS tapes, and record and play VHS with a clarity I have not seen even on my older SVHS unit. It will also record VHS and show a DVD at the same time. Hook ups and Outputs will impress even the most demanding. The DVD will play all DVD and CD formats. The Remote, it should be noted, is not Universal with the exception of other JVC products, and the Users manual was obviously written by someone with English as a second language. However, if you are able to look past these small limitations, you will not be disappointed. I highly reccomend this product.
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