Best Damn SVHS for under $1000.00
Written: Mar 06 '01
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Pros: Picture Quality!
Dynamic Drum System
TBC
Shuttle Remote
Volume Level Control
Cons: Some functions are not remote-controllable. No manual index mark.
The Bottom Line: Overall though, its a super deck with a few shortcomings. Picture quality is unbeatable!
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| magnusmx's Full Review: JVC HR-S9600 S-VHS VCR |
This product's model year is 1999 and I have used it for over a year now.
Originally reviewed : 3/10/00 5:42:41 PM after 3 months of use. Updated with in depth remarks.
Strengths: Picture Quality. SVHS ET. TBC. Dynamic Drum System. Jog Shuttle Remote.
Weaknesses: No Manual commercial advance marking. Inefficient, but cost effective menu system. Some functions uncontrollable by remote – like 1 or 2 bug me (nit picky here --- eject and SVHS-ET, rec-link, audio dub – these are mostly editing features, but I’m a total control freak ;)
Similar Products Used: JVC SVHS 3600. Mitsubishi SVHS. Sony VHS models. Pro VHS Editing / Beta Units. Fisher SVHS. JVC SVHS 4600U
Review Summary: [Review of JVC HR-S9600U (S-VHS) ( VCRs)]
I've only had the deck for 6 weeks, but I've found it to have super picture quality and great sound at half the price of comparable models from other Japanese manufacturers. I cannot say much for the build quality of this VCR when compared to those back in the 80s and early 90s, but I haven't had any mechanical problems with the unit thus far (unlike reports I've heard about the 4600U).
Picture Quality:
(update) Had it for over a year now. I’ve put at least 200 tapes through the machine through its entirety. I’ve only had some problems playing back some really old 1980s tape that was heavily used. Problems include very minor skips (like when a CD player skips?) Strange enough it maintained consistently beautiful near DVD quality picture on my Sony XBR2 serious 32” screen in between the skips. This was expected, but I thought I’d just point out that even with the rave review on the picture quality improvement for your old tapes, there are limitations to the miracles you hear.
Also you should know how to take advantage of the wide variety of filters provided on the unit. Take off the filters when you record or playback for editing purposes. Put them on for playback! Its that simple. No more grainy SVHS etc, or poorly made picture quality video dubbing. Read the manual – its pretty well written.
Commercial Advance:
Although some of the features found on this unit were not well thought out. Commercial advance is great, but it would have been nice to be able to manually initiate a CA marking on tapes recorded on other machines -- and there's no way (that I've found) to fool it into marking tapes recorded on other machines. I heard that some older RCA units can do manual marking.
TBC:
The Digital TBC featured on this deck works only in playback (I think). So if you want to make a backup of macrovision protected material, you still have to go through an external video stabilizer like the Sima SCC Pro. The picture is absolutely fabulously stunning. The best I've seen. ET on high standard tapes also looks much better than on regular VHS mode with a VHS tape. (I’ve since used the drill a hole in a high quality tape trick – seems to give better quality than SVHS – ET.)
Auto Setup!:
The auto-set feature on this machine knocked the socks off me when I just plugged it in, and it set the time, date, channels, tuner, etc all by itself. However, now I can't seem to get it to set the time correctly by itself. It keeps insisting that its one hour later than it really is! (update) Perhaps its just my area or DST setting which I opted not to play with. I’ve decided not to fidget with the time and manually set it – I’m not the type of guy that leaves my VCR blinking, so it was no big deal.
Missing Features ;(
There really should have been a second button for the skip search feature. One that initates commercial advance, and one that skips 30 seconds every time you press it. Instead, there's one button for commercial advance and commercial skip. To switch between them, you have to go through an on-screen menu. Too much of a hassle since I use both.
Why don’t these darned things have a Sleep function? On the plus side, the unit is energy star compliant, and if you leave the VCR on too long, it shuts off the video head motors so that your Tape and your video heads aren’t getting unnecessary wear and tear.
VCR Programming:
VCR Programming is straightforward. I wish it allowed more than the limited 8 events, but that's pretty standard these days. So far, I've only seen Go-Video's deck to have more. they have 16 events. I don’t see how it could be so difficult to add a measly 8 events more to a top of the line unit? Hopefully the day will come when I can have enough events to program the automatic recording of something months in advance to ensure that I don’t miss something when I’m out on an appointment etc.
VCR+ works. Enough said.
Time Scan:
What really made this VCR worthwhile for me is the Time Scan feature that allows you to scan the tape at 1.5x, 2x, 3x, 5x, 7x the normal speed but still have audio (and video) playback at intelligible rates so that I could just condense a 30 minute show in 15 minutes and get everything I want out of it. Also works in reverse (sound is still in proper playback). This feature is just incredible – and you won’t find it on any other brand of machine.
Ghost Reduction Tuner – can’t tell a difference with it on or off. But I have cable, and the channels were already clear.
Editing:
Shuttle control on the VCR with frame-by-frame advance, with flying erase heads made editing on this deck painless. I like having control on both remote and deck.
Connections:
It would have been nice to have dual SVHS and dual composite outputs. And why limit the gold plating only to the front input jacks? Also a SVHS and video/audio passthrough while the unit is off would have been a nice touch – Mitsubishi does this.
As far as editing goes, Sony and Panasonic interface links beat the JVC in terms of compatibility. I don't have much use for a JLIP (Joint Level Interface Protocol) connector when I can only deal with Panasonic's 5 pin and Sony's Control-L interfaces.
After a Year of use:
As for reliability – I personally have yet to have any problems with my unit that are the fault of the manufacturers. It has not eaten any tapes, creased any tapes, or refused any of my tapes. Albeit I usually use tapes that are 5 years old or younger for the most part, and transfer the rest to digital VCDs for future enjoyment. I’m the type that makes the use of ALL the functions whenever necessary and or possible. I use it for editing on a regular basis – wedding videos and DVD backups to tape. Zero problems.
*I think* that the raving mad reviews of the unit stem from lower quality control than most would expect from a company’s flagship unit. And I believe that if you get a good unit that you put through the tests initially, then it will last you at least a year (mine has).
The unit is surprisingly light, but the tape transport mechanism has not failed me yet. It has soft, careful loading that you’d expect at this price range. (Recently when I stuck a tape in a friends $199 Sony VCR I was shocked at how rudely it handled my tape! It literally spits the tape out!) When the tape transport does fail, at least I know how to fix it but I’m certainly glad it hasn’t come to that.
I move my unit about an average of twice a month from location to location. It has held up well so far, but don’t mistake it with an true industrial machine like the Panasonic AG series. I’ve had to tighten the screws on the outside to make sure it doesn’t flex the circuit boards inside. Yes I’ve opened the unit up. Much more simpler than I imagined for such a complex task! But have you opened up your DVD unit?
Overall though, its a super deck with a few shortcomings. Shop around for the best price with a return policy. I'm very happy with my purchase. Thinking about buying another one. I’ve heard that the 9800u (the new model that replaces the 9600u) is a more cost efficient model with some features missing, like commercial advance and volume meter display. If you can, get the 9600u.
PS. I hope that you’ve enjoyed my review. I try to give a good clear picture to potential buyers. If you have any comments feel free to write. I’d also like to hear comments from unhappy users and problems you’ve had with the unit.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 450
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Epinions.com ID:
magnusmx
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Member: Mike Mu
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 7 members
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