JVC DRMV100B 1080p Upconverting DVD Recorder VCR Combo with Built In Tuner

JVC DRMV100B 1080p Upconverting DVD Recorder VCR Combo with Built In Tuner | Finally! A user-friendly recorder!

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JVC DRMV100B 1080p...

	JVC DRMV100B 1080p Upconverting DVD Recorder VCR Combo with Built In Tuner JVC JVC average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

This product is a DVD+VHS recorder with versatile compatible formats including DivX(R), featuring ATSC digital/NTSC analog tuners, HDMI output with 1080p/720p up-conversion (DVD/VHS).

Just what I needed

I replaced a DVD player and a VCR with the JVC DRVM100B. I still have an old non-HD CRT TV, and an old Sony AV receiver which will only handle composite video. I have an outdoor antenna on my chimney -- no cable or satellite. (Yes, I know I'm seriously in the dark ages, but we really don't watch much broadcast TV. But the Olympics are on.)

With my old setup, I had to plug the S-Video cable from my DVD player into my TV when I wanted to get best-quality video from a DVD player. Then to watch a videotape or use a game system, I had to unplug the S-Video cable. My kids are not very patient with this and I've had to straighten the S-Video cable pins several times from where they have jammed it in the wrong way.

I was looking for several benefits:
- Acquire Digital TV tuner (ATSC)
- Replace worn-out, failing DVD player
- Acquire ability to record TV to DVD
- Reduce cabling complexity overall
- Leave S-Video cable plugged in all the time
- Provide bridge to a possible future new AV receiver and HDTV

The JVC nailed every one of my expectations. Because it will convert from composite to S-Video, I can leave the S-Video cable plugged in all the time, even when using a composite video source like a game system. The digital TV works great -- crisp, bright picture with no ghosting or other problems.

Unfortunately, a combo box like this is necessarily complex. However, the JVC was pretty intuitive. The only real problem I had setting it up was figuring out how to get into the setup menus (the HOME button on the remote). It took me an hour or two to install it, program it for local channels (the auto-scan picked them all up, but then I eliminated analog NTSC channels which had digital duplicates, and I designated strong English channels as favorites), and set other preferences. However, I thought this was pretty reasonable.

I was also impressed that JVC has a toll-free help line number which is prominently displayed on the manual, quick-start guide, and FAQ sheet. Although I didn't need to use it, I was happy to have it available. And I liked the fact that the entire manual is in English, and that I can easily download PDF versions of the literature from JVC's web site.

Bottom line: Although I'm not pushing the cutting edge of any technology, I found this combo box to be just what I needed. I'm very impressed with its abilities and have no complaints at all.

Note to others who complained that DVD's recorded on this unit won't play on other players -- did you finalize the disk? The manual says this is necessary before you can play it on other players.

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Finally! A user-friendly recorder!

I spent days researching brands and prices for DVD/VHS combo recorders. This JVC model wasn't the cheapest, but it had the most positive reviews. Now it has one more. I didn't know how hard it would be to find a quality, affordable model with a built in tuner. Without the tuner, you can't watch a different channel than you are recording. I found that the manual was easy to read and understand. Even if it wasn't, the screens allow easy set-up and navigation. The remote control is easy to navigate also. I don't remember the brand, but my previous combo recorder was a nightmare in so many ways, including performance. Only one word of caution. Don't buy any blank DVDs until you purchase your recorder. They don't all accept all brands of media.

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Excellent features

So many video recorders today are lacking the built in tuner, but this one has a fine system! I'd rather not pay monthly Tivo costs and this allows us the freedom to leave on vacation and still catch all our shows. Picture quality on vhs and on dvd is sharp! Haven't tried all the features yet, but I'd definitely recommend this brand and model. I've always found the JVC products to be very solid and this is no exception.

JVC DVD/VCR RECORDER