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

5 comments

1. 

   Harry Butler on February 5, 2010 at 11:10 am

   Have had this unit for for about 2 weeks not enough time to rate it properly.. seems to be fine product works the way it should… has some cofusion on wording in instructions.. you have to get used to what words they use to describe functions… and on screen operations does not show when it is recording… but I need to use it for some time to be comfortable with it.. uses some other seperation to disply digital stations not dot.on dot 2 dot 3 etc.. hard to find the diff. between digital and analog they seem to be displayed in seperate files.. but soon we won’t have to be concerned about analog, since all will be digital..I am sure things will be easier once get used to word confusions.. since sony wide screen tv and jvc recorder are some what different.

2. 

   R. VanDrew on February 5, 2010 at 1:40 pm

   I really was not up to messing with the set-up and did not need all the goodies.

3. 

   D. Stephens on February 5, 2010 at 2:42 pm

   * The one I own is DR MV100.

   I wish I could get my money back. Note: I did not buy this from Amazon. Actually I did not buy this, but I own one. Please note my model number is slightly different. The one I own is DR MV100.

   One can not watch a DVD AND have the VCR record a show. It can only do one or the other at the same time. For that reason alone, to me, it is worthless.

   I does allow for more programmed recordings than my mold VCR, which is why I think my bought it for me. It has 2 pages and the first page has 8 slots so I’m guessing there are a total of 16 different shows one can have programmed to record.

   The front of the unit does not have a rewind or fast forward. You will need to have the remote in hand do perform those.

   If playing a video or a DVD, and you pause it, after a while it turns the player off and automatically switches to the tv. This may seem innocent but what if you have children present an the tv station it is currently on, has a violent and/or verbally unacceptable show on? What channel doesn’t these days? My last VCR just went to a blue screen.

   The last 2 VCR’s (including this one) had a design flaw that I’m surprised no one is complaining about so as to have the designers ‘fix’ this. One has to press a few buttons on the remote several times just to get to the programming area. That is one of the main purposes of a recorder, to record. It should be the top level, first area entered, location. How often does one set up or change the settings on a recorder? I’d much prefer to have to do press several buttons several times to get that area. The one I originally had back in the 90’s seemed to understand this. So I know it’s not a new concept.

   Why don’t DVD players have a heat sink and cooling fan?

   I believe all Engineers should have to use the products they design. I am confident that the user friendliness (and maintenance – when applicable) of all electronics would be increased by 90% if this happened. I used to work with Engineers and the only time a design was scrapped is when they were forced to assemble, use and do maintenance on their designs. Otherwise, it was good on paper and everyone else who reported problems “wasn’t doing it right”.

   JVC is forever off my “will consider buying this brand name” list. Now, I just need to gently tell my BF that I’d like to be the one buying the electronics in the family. (The toaster doesn’t toast very well either – but that’s another review)

   UPDATE: I forgot to report that when one is watching a tape and is fast forwarding through the commercials, and one presses the play button, it takes a while to stop fast forwarding. My last one did it almost immediately so I know it’s possible to not have such lag. I am constantly having to rewind.

4. 

   ROBERT SAND on February 5, 2010 at 3:47 pm

   This would have been the perfect replacement for my old dvd/vhs recorder except for one major problem.It does not allow you to record ANYTHING that is copy protected video. All the average person does when they do record programs is to keep them for private use only. Most consumers are not video pirates, therefore we should have the right to make our own choices of what we want to record. With this model JVC is showing they don’t really care about the consumers needs. I have had numerous JVC products over the years and they are always of great quality, and this dvd recorder is also. But to only be able to record mostly basic programs almost renders this product useless! Consumers, you have been warned. Do not waste money on this product unless you want to see “copy protected cannot record” when you want record your favorite program because you won’t be at home or want to add something to your dvd library.

5. 

   Catharsis on February 5, 2010 at 3:50 pm

   I’m not that familiar with DVD/VHS Combo components to really comment on “functionality” (This is my first one – bought on the advice of consumer report mag) the DVD movie “creating stuff” I still need to familiarize myself with… I’m giving it five stars because consumer report said it was a good buy… (what do I know – I mean they test this things and compare – no?)

   HOWEVER, between you and me: the only way you can play this component on your TV is through RCA cables (those red, white and yellow ones). Yes (it has a tuner) your cable wire does go trough it, enabling it to record and watch “cable” channels – BUT it doesn’t ******* PLAY ******** through THE cable wire. You need to use RCA cables – WHY? Don’t ask me. I even went to a few local stores and asked if that was how ALL DVD/VHS combo’s worked? (What do I know – being my first one, right?)…… They all thought too – that it was “unheard of” – so the jury is out on that issue…

   Also you don’t see the channel on the front of the unit itself – only through the readout on the TV screen… Which is a HUGE NEGATIVE in my book (you can’t record on the fly) also if the “Channels” aren’t displayed on the front of the unit – then also the SPEED of the recording isn’t displayed on the front of the unit, still a HUGE NEGATIVE in my book (all because – when you wanna record on the fly – like yesterday, you gotta turn the TV on and get to the right channel and set the speed through the menu’s on screen)…. Also getting it to play after fast forward (like going through commercials) it’s got a slow “start” – meaning it slides to a stop (not sharp, quick, on the spot) this also is a big negative in my book…. Also if we’re splitting hairs – when you program the channels in (for timed recording) you gotta scroll through channels (you can’t “pop” them in using the number key pad) so like when the cable’s got over a hundred channels (give or take) I gotta SCROLL…. Needless to say, NEGATIVE…

   To me, it seems to be a little on the cheap “die plastic cut out” side of the fence… Meaning it wouldn’t surprise me if it shows problems down the road (like, the DVD door or the VCR tape getting stuck – or like what others have written)…. I haven’t had any problems with it – but I’m walking on egg shells and holding my breath if you know what I mean…

   So in closing: I’ve kept it because at least Consumer Report has done some testing (I think) – in an area I know very little about – it was rated high (at the time)… But for my next one (we’ll need more than one around here) I’ll probably follow CNET`s opinion when that time comes around… Just between you and me (I think Panasonic is the better brand to buy)… I wouldn’t buy this product again – if given a second chance – but then I don’t know how all the other machines are – meaning it could be one of those “it’s the lesser of two evils” out there…

   DVD recording is great if you wanna make a gift or some kind of project etc…. But when you just wanna record basic cable for the next day – DVD is just really a pain, having to format and whatever else you gotta do… And then why get TiVo for just watching a handful of channels when I belong to Netflix…

   Addendum: also (get this) because it uses RCA cables only, to watch it on TV you can’t use any other peripheral device LIKE YOU CAN WITH A REGULAR VCR MACHINE because it plays through the coaxial cable (are you with me?). Because I have iRecord a device that will convert video into digital – how can I use it? So now I gotta see if there is such a thing as a RCA cable splitter (like for coaxial cables). SO STAY AWAY FROM THIS MACHINE – if I could be assured that it possessed feelings – I would run it over with the car so I could here it scream….