JVC DR-MV1 Standalone dvd recorder/vcr

[tommyoz]

Thanks guys for taking a look.

Only tommyoz can tell us how it looks on his tv for sure.

Well, I saw what everyone else saw on the computer. As far as on TV, both recordings look about the same.

So my thinking is if this recorder gives me the same kind of recording as the external VCR does then I should return this one and get just the DVD recorder. After playing around with this recorder, it has also made me realize how great it would be to be able to record to a hard drive and transfer what I want to keep to DVD.

I'll keep my eye open for the DR-MH30s. Rather expensive though. Looks like i'll be heading back to best buy.

[GregN]

It does "punch up" the color, but only on display during recording. On the actual recorded disc, this effect is not seen. I'm assuming this is a byproduct of maintaining the color. Since it is not shown on the final DVD, I've not worried much.

The VCR sucks. Like I said, it's about as good as a JVC HR-S2901, which may be better than many VHS systems, but it's not a compliment.

Any recommendations on a good VCR to use for tape conversions? (I have a feeling that this is a common question.. scold me accordingly if a search would have yielded me many answers).

[tommyoz]

Any recommendations on a good VCR to use for tape conversions? (I have a feeling that this is a common question.. scold me accordingly if a search would have yielded me many answers).

Not to try and speak for lordsmurf, but I’ve seen him recommending the JVC HRS-9800 which is no longer made. You can try and find one used.

I know you need to start with a good VCR but I don't know about spending between $300 to $400 on a VCR that I will no longer use. We all want the best quality but where do we draw the line. I only have about 50 VHS tapes to transfer to DVD. I have a JVC HRS-3800 and as you saw it was somewhat equivalent to the VCR that was in the combo unit. You can't fool lordsmurf, he picked that one up right away.

Another higher end JVC unit is the HR-S9911U. Good luck.

[tommyoz]

I doubt if they'll update the firmware any time soon since the model(s) aren't even on their U.S. website yet.

It's on their website, they just list it as a DR-MV1SUS.

http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027221

[Neuron]

...Another higher end JVC unit is the HR-S9911U. Good luck.

Excellent machine with bunch of useful options. Great picture quality.
I use it mostly for S-VHS/VHS-to-DVD conversion. Outstanding results. Recommend it.

[GregN]

thanks guys.

So Neuron, do you think using this machine provides you with better results than say, using a decent/average vhs player (one without all the impressive features of this JVC 9911 unit, but which are mostly non-relevent to VHS transfers) in combination with a video enhancer, like the Sima SCC or the like?

In other words, spend the extra money on something that strictly relates to image quality control.

I've read some people having great results with a enhancer/processor like this and others who think they introduce more problems than they solve.

[Neuron]

.... So Neuron, do you think using this machine provides you with better results than say, using a decent/average vhs player (one without all the impressive features of this JVC 9911 unit, .... .

GregN,
What do mean by saying "decent/average vhs player"?

IMO of course!
Today's average of consumer-level VCRs are absolute junk. Ugly cheap-looking design with very very poor quality. Based on my experience with VCRs I can only say that the last consumer VHS vcr with an excellent Japanese quality and durability was Sony SLV-696HF (model year ~ 1989/91) and S-VHS VCRs such as JVC HR-S5000U, HR-S5800U, and HR-S7000U. The best prosumer S-VHS editing vcr I ever deal with was Panasonic AG-1980
The picture quality of HR-S9911 is the same quality as I saw on old HR-S5800U. That 's why I went with this machine because I dealt with HR-S5800U in a past and was very impressed.

[quasar1963]

thanks guys.

So Neuron, do you think using this machine provides you with better results than say, using a decent/average vhs player (one without all the impressive features of this JVC 9911 unit, but which are mostly non-relevent to VHS transfers) in combination with a video enhancer, like the Sima SCC or the like?

In other words, spend the extra money on something that strictly relates to image quality control.

I've read some people having great results with a enhancer/processor like this and others who think they introduce more problems than they solve.

I don't know about the JVC 9911 but if you're interested in really good picture quality from a vcr, the Mitsubishi PerfecTape™ series units from the mid-1990's are great choice. I own/have owned several of these and the pic quality is really pretty outstanding. The good model #'s that are in this series include the 590/680/760/770/780/781/790/and 795. All but the 590 are S-VHS. Anyway, it's hard to go wrong with any of those. There is one key feature that all of them lack however: a TBC. Thus, they will work great for you but only if your DVD recorder has a good TBC built-in (Panasonic/JVC)

Regarding the JVC 9911, does it have an adjustment for tint or hue to its output picture? Any adjustment for audio output level? I would think not on both.

Also, what does anyone think about a setup where you are using say a JVC 9911 VCR and then inputting into a Panasonic or JVC DVD recorder? In this case, you have a TBC both in the VCR and the recorder. Would it be best to have the TBC activated on the VCR as well? In other words, would it be overkill to have both TBC's working in this scenario or preferred?

Sima SCC: Not a bad piece of equipment but I find it necessary to adjust the brightness down a few notches below the default. It's enhancing features are really not that great and I only use it when video requires color corection: too saturated, washed-out, too-pink or too-yellow.

[CEF]

How does a D-VHS recoder compare, like the latest $600 (street price) JVC model (HMDH40000U) ?

It has built-in TBC, and the LSI 8600 encoder chip that everybody likes.

Could it be used as a tool to create MPEG-2 streams from VHS analog playback and capture the streams via firewire on a PC (then later burn to DVD) ?

[GregN]

Also, what does anyone think about a setup where you are using say a JVC 9911 VCR and then inputting into a Panasonic or JVC DVD recorder? In this case, you have a TBC both in the VCR and the recorder. Would it be best to have the TBC activated on the VCR as well? In other words, would it be overkill to have both TBC's working in this scenario or preferred?

Sima SCC: Not a bad piece of equipment but I find it necessary to adjust the brightness down a few notches below the default. It's enhancing features are really not that great and I only use it when video requires color corection: too saturated, washed-out, too-pink or too-yellow.

In response to neuron, and as an expansion to quasar's question, let me clarify.

The really good VCRs (9911, etc.) have loads of quality features, but MOST OF WHICH ARE IRRELEVENT if used only for the purpose of transferring VHS tape to DVD. Talking from strictly a playback sense, giving you the optimal picture from which to transfer, is it still a good choice to use one of these as opposed to taking a run-of-the-mill VHS player combined with a video processor/TBC? Going the second route allows you to pay extra only for those features that would serve to enhance your transfer quality. While the 9911 I'm sure would provide a quality playback signal, you're still paying lots of money for features that the unit includes that has no bearing on doing transfers. Hence, my question.

Oh, and am I wrong here?.. I thought this JVC DID have a TBC included? Is that incorrect?

[GregN]

I bought one of these today.

edit

This is by far the most perfect PAL player I've ever seen in the USA. It played a homemade progressive 352x240 MPEG2 PAL DVD that would not play anywhere else.

edit

.

dear lord, are you saying this plays PAL VHS too, or just PAL DVDs?

I have access to some non copy-protected PAL video tape that I would like to copy over to DVD, if I knew that it was going to work.

thanks.

[lordsmurf]

When it comes to the above comments on the 9911, I think you're way off the mark. A VCR of that caliber is almost a requirement to do perfect transfers, to get the best you can from the tape before it jumps onto the next medium. I don't know about anybody else, but I personally want the VERY BEST version of that tape put onto DVD. Not the badly-played version.

As far as PAL, I meant DVD. I tried to put in a PAL tape. All that did was jam the combo unit door into the open position. Oh well, I'm taking it back anyway (non-combo unit taking its place).

[tag]

Talking from strictly a playback sense, giving you the optimal picture from which to transfer, is it still a good choice to use one of these as opposed to taking a run-of-the-mill VHS player combined with a video processor/TBC?

I don't know about transfers to standalone DVD recorders but can state that I used one of the, much dreaded by lordsmurf and others, cheaper JVC VCRs (the 2902) for transferring some home video shot on regular VHS to miniDV.

All I know is I can't tell the difference between the original VHS material and the miniDV tapes when viewed on a 36" Wega. I can't image what I would have gained by using a high-end VCR or a TBC.

[GregN]

All I know is I can't tell the difference between the original VHS material and the miniDV tapes when viewed on a 36" Wega. I can't image what I would have gained by using a high-end VCR or a TBC.

That's the $10,000 question. I suppose I can order the JVC 9911 unit as it's available via Amazon, which I can return in 30 days. If I see no improvement from the transfers as compared to what's achieved by my existing 4-year-old, 6 head Toshiba VHS player, then I won't have to fret, forever wondering if I could have have achieved a better result.

[xiaNaix]

As far as PAL, I meant DVD. I tried to put in a PAL tape. All that did was jam the combo unit door into the open position. Oh well, I'm taking it back anyway (non-combo unit taking its place).

That's been happening to me alot as well. I think you need to have the deck in VCR mode before inserting a tape or it gets stuck. More than once, I've had to pry out a tape that was stuck halfway in. Then, the only way to get the auto insert working again was to unplug the unit and plug it back in.

This is a great DVD recorder but I can't recommend the combo setup based on these little problems. You'd be better off with the DR-M10 unit.

[GregN]

xiaNaix, are you saying then that you have used/transferred PAL video with this recorder?

Or, are you only talking about problems you're having with NTSC tapes?

[tommyoz]

I think you need to have the deck in VCR mode before inserting a tape or it gets stuck.

This is correct, at least I have experienced the same thing.

[xiaNaix]

xiaNaix, are you saying then that you have used/transferred PAL video with this recorder?

Or, are you only talking about problems you're having with NTSC tapes?

It doesn't work at all with PAL tapes. Tapes in general get to stuck.

[tag]

I suppose I can order the JVC 9911 unit as it's available via Amazon, which I can return in 30 days. If I see no improvement from the transfers as compared to what's achieved by my existing 4-year-old, 6 head Toshiba VHS player, then I won't have to fret, forever wondering if I could have have achieved a better result.

So, rather than reading back through this thread, please allow me to get the facts straight:

You have an MV1, have done transfers from VHS to DVD with the MV1 alone and, also, using your Tosh VCR but haven't noticed any significant difference between the two? Regardless, you're somewhat satisfied with the transfers but believe they could be a bit better?

If the foregoing is the case, then I have to wonder whether another DVDR would be the answer (as opposed to a higher-end VCR). If you're thinking about ordering a $369 VCR to use for your VHS transfers, have you given any consideration to trying something like the Panny E55 recorder with your Tosh VCR?

Just a thought.

[lordsmurf]

Why would you buy an inferior Panasonic recorder? They limit you in media (sorry, but -RAM really sucks), lose color and are quite blocky beyond 2-hour mode. A JVC suffers none of these issues.

If you don't want to spend the money, then that's understandable. But for the best transfers possible you MUST have a top end VCR and a good encoder (whether it be PC hardware/software or a DVD recorder hardware).

What I'm seeing is a person with a decent VCR (but nowhere near perfect) and a good recorder (though the combo should be ditched for the DRM10SL). Only take this combo if you have nothing to start with and/or refuse to spend much money (to that end, the combo unit is perfect).

I can only guess that you've never compared some of these units back to back. I have (or have had) them all sitting on my desks here.

[GregN]

If the foregoing is the case, then I have to wonder whether another DVDR would be the answer (as opposed to a higher-end VCR). If you're thinking about ordering a $369 VCR to use for your VHS transfers, have you given any consideration to trying something like the Panny E55 recorder with your Tosh VCR?

Just a thought.

Yes, you summed it up pretty well. A very slight improvement in quality with the JVC VCR part of the recorder as opposed to my standalone Toshiba VCR.

I figure I was probably going to give the Panasonic E85H a try next.

But, based on two or three people, one being LordSmurf, who's always railing about the relative inferiority of the Panasonics vs. the JVCs, I've been having second thoughts. I know there was another recent poster (to this forum?) who had used both this JVC and a Panny unit (could've been the E55) who said the result was much better with the JVC.

I was also considering giving the SIMA SCC-2 video enhancer/processor a try. It supports both PAL and NTSC as well, which I will need that feature on occasion.

[GregN]

In response to Lordsmurf's recent post, it would either be a JVC DRM30SL (if it shows up in the USA) or the Panny E85H. I've only got the combo unit in order to get a feel for what the JVC HDD unit might be like. Plus, figuring it would be easier for VHS transfers, when in actuality, it's not. Hooking up a second VCR via cable is no biggie.

I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get the best transfers, well, within reason. I'm not going to spend an extra $500 on some part of the "transfer chain" if the improvement is hardly noticable. I want to spend as much as I need to, but only up to the point where the law of diminishing return kicks in.

Pioneer HDDR (510, 810) units get great feedback on their intuitive design, and overall feature sets, but they suffer from occasional blackouts on marginal VHS tape transfers. Therefore, those are out.

The Toshiba X32 something, looks to be the king of features among all brands, at a very reasonable price too, but because of the occasional washed out black level problem, I have to stay away from that unit. Too bad, as that is probably THE HDD DVD recorder to get.

And maybe I'm being unnecessarily biased, but I'm not getting near any of the goofy unknown name brands that get talked about in this forum (Lite-on, Maxent, etc.)

I'm really hoping that the JVC DRM30SL will be the answer to my prayers.

[tag]

Why would you buy an inferior Panasonic recorder? They limit you in media (sorry, but -RAM really sucks), lose color and are quite blocky beyond 2-hour mode. A JVC suffers none of these issues.

It was just a thought (as I indicated in my post). Greg didn't appear to be overjoyed with his transfers using his MV1 alone or his Tosh VCR. I had read, in another forum, an account by a Panny user (can't recall if it was an E50/55 or E80/85) that the VHS transfers were outstanding.

Also, I'm aware that you're doing comparisons primarily beyond the 2-hour mode and have stated that the Panasonic recorders really suck in that area. Problem with that is I have absolutely, positively no use whatsoever for a 2+ hour mode. Whichever recorder I end up buying will be used strictly in the HQ and SP modes.

Lastly, here, I've read seemingly myriad opinions from users of DVDRs and have noticed that there are very few complaints about the reliability of the Panasonic models. I wish I could say the same for some of the others, LiteOn, for one, comes immediately to mind. Considering Panasonic sells an absolute buttload of DVDRs, I think that says quite a bit. I mean, one thing I don't want to do is have to keep returning whatever machine I buy (I've already returned a 5001, which I couldn't even get to play a commercial DVD.....thing just flat out died almost right out of the box).

If you don't want to spend the money, then that's understandable. But for the best transfers possible you MUST have a top end VCR and a good encoder (whether it be PC hardware/software or a DVD recorder hardware).

No, that's not what I was saying (or even implying). There's a cost-benefit thing going on here. If spending an extra 400 bucks yields a HUGE improvement, then it's definitely worthwhile. OTOH, if the improvement is more like, say, 10% better (i.e. barely noticeable), then it's a waste of money, IMHO.

Although I obviously have not done any transfers from VHS to DVD using a standalone, I have transferred a ton of VHS to miniDV. As I stated in an earlier post, I used a JVC 2902 and the transfers all are indistinguishable from the source material. So, the gain from using a "top end VCR" would be ________??????

I can only guess that you've never compared some of these units back to back. I have (or have had) them all sitting on my desks here.

Nope, you're 100% correct. I'm here primarily to glean whatever I can about these units. Thus far, I've learned a lot from the collective input of the users on this board (and another one), including your input (which, is much appreciated, btw). However, you have gone on record, several times, that these machines are basically all the same in the 1-2 modes. Since I don't ever plan to use any mode beyond 2 hours, I have included a Panasonic model (E65, actually....but not yet released) on my list. That list would be:

JVC M10SL
Pioneer 320
Panasonic E65

[tag]

One more thing about the,

Pioneer 320 v. Panasonic E65 v. JVC M10SL thing:

I KNOW I'll be able to buy the E65 from Circuit City, Best Buy, Costco, and various other B&M stores. If and when I experience an anomaly, I kind of like to have the ability to walk into a store and throw the thing onto the return desk. I found that came in real handy with the LiteOn 5001 I bought at CompUSA.

It's beyond my comprehension why some manufacturers seem to prefer that their machines only be available via mail order. In that regard, although I feel JVC machines are terrific, that company really sucks at distribution. That may be a lame excuse for choosing one model over the other but it's certainly a valid one, particularly considering the overall flakiness of some of these machines.

[lordsmurf]

When you just want 2 hours, you have less to concern yourself with. The only one I can think of is how well does it filter the signal, and how well does it maintain color quality (also IRE). You've got it easy in the 2-hour group. You can pretty much pick any recorder for quality.

As far as reliability, every single recorder has some fundamental flaw. I've not found the one for JVC, but I'd be shocked if it were a flawless machine (looks that way so far). There is a Panasonic mechanial error I was talking about with some Panasonic fans the other day, but I have no idea what that was anymore. You'd have to find one. Ask SPIDERMAN2K1 here and then look around on the avsforum.com site too for info into that (that's where I met the people and/or saw them talking).

Top of the line VCR is one with digital noise reduction filters, often accompanied by a TBC, as well as other filter options for both audio and video. JVC has some, as do other companies (though their's often come at a higher price and with even more features never needed by people like us). I like my 3800 a lot, but it hasat least 3-4 fundamental flaws in the unit, as does your 2900. Then again, I may just notice errors more than others.

Places liek Crutchfield seem to have excellent return policies. I think it's just so new that it's not hit mainstream stores yet. Products are often out for many months before manufacturer contracts are picked up by stores. I would bet money Circuit City or Ultimate Electronics will eventually have it (being a JVC store to some degree). LiteOn only recently hit mainstream stores (aside from CompUSA), but it's been out for 6 months.

[gates69]

I just picked up a JVC HR-S5902 S-VHS model and was curious if anyone had one and what their opinions of it are??
I heard good things about the new JVC recorder and lordsmurf has echoed that so that is why I upgraded to a S-VHS machine for some transfers I want to make.
I agree that most if not all vcr's are junk these days and I still have one of my old Mitsubishi 4-head Hi-Fi units that was built like a tank and never gave me a problem.I just worry that it isn't going to give me the best picture quality in comparison to a newer S-VHS unit.

[tag]

I just picked up a JVC HR-S5902 S-VHS model and was curious if anyone had one and what their opinions of it are??

I don't know about that model but I have a 2902 and the PQ is great, IMHO.

Per lordsmurf's admonitions, and considering the price (under $100), I don't expect the thing to last all that long but, so far, I'm satisfied with the machine.

[lordsmurf]

I just picked up a JVC HR-S5902 S-VHS model and was curious if anyone had one and what their opinions of it are??

I don't know about that model but I have a 2902 and the PQ is great, IMHO.

Per lordsmurf's admonitions, and considering the price (under $100), I don't expect the thing to last all that long but, so far, I'm satisfied with the machine.

You can extend the life by cleaning it often and realigning the heads often. Outisde of that, maybe 2-3 years at most before things start to really go sour and parts break. They have lube issues too.

[tag]

You can extend the life by cleaning it often and realigning the heads often. Outisde of that, maybe 2-3 years at most before things start to really go sour and parts break. They have lube issues too.

2-3 years is okay by me (actually, more than enough). I mean, I paid just under a 100 bucks for it and the CompUSA guy must have screwed up because he offered me the 2-year extended warranty for $9.95 (I think it should have been at least double that amount). Anyway, I took it since I figured I'll probably be getting my 100 bucks back within the next 2 years.

I won't have much use for it after that, anyway. I've already used it to archive all of my shot-on-VHS home videos onto miniDV. In the future, I'll be using it exclusively (if at all, since I have the miniDV backups) to feed some sort of DVD recorder. Whether that winds up being an SL machine, DL, or, God forbid, BluRay, remains to be seen. Regardless, after that, the machine will pretty much be a dust collector.

[tommyoz]

Lordsmurf, You have mentioned that you don't see any evidence of TBC on these JVC DVD Recorders. Are you talking about written evidence or physical (seeing with your eyes) evidence?
If it's the latter, then have you experienced a DVD recorder that has had one?

Also just to be sure, The VCR's that have TBC are they located at the input or output? and how about the DVD recorders are they on the input or output?