Built-in 5.1 decoder, speaker configuration, video processor

Buggy video decoder chip, JVC customer support

I am one of the XV-D701BK owners affected by the video decoder problem. I purchased the player new. Essentially, the player suffers from video decoding errors that get worse over the life of the product until any DVD played, new or used, will cause the machine to freeze. I found out today about the class action suit against JVC and Panasonic (dvdsettlement.com) but it is too late to file a claim. This has been a huge disappointment for a product with otherwise good performance and feature set.

Great picture (especially for being non-progressive). Built-in DD Decoder (perfect for my NAK AV-7). Lots of features.

Poor quality control. Unit no longer works. The remote buttons sometimes don't work.

I bought this dvd player about three years ago and paired it with a NAK AV-7 and I couldn't have been happier with the combination. Because of the NAK, the sound was great, and because of the JVC, the picture was great. Unfortunately, about 6 months ago, I started experiencing skipping when watching movies. It only happened every once in a while and with certain movies, so I presumed it was caused by scratches and such on the discs. Well, the skipping got worse, and it started happening with NEW DVDs. Now the player freezes up with almost every DVD and won't even recognize some. Of course, my warranty has expired by now, and it's too late to take part in the class action suit. I'm very disappointed in the JVC's quality control. I have quite a few audio components, and when I purchase a new one, I expect to last more than a year or two.

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Panasonic DVD player. Sony PlayStation 2

JVC AV link, for all JVC components, played DVDs correctly about 75% of the time (it that a strength?)

It has never worked without problems, never played VDC's as advertised

I have had this unit for over 2 years and I am finally replacing it. I ave always had problems with it, mostly the skipping and stopping in the middle of a movie. It seems that after it runs for awhile the skipping starts, also it has never played VCD's or audio CD's correctly. I got a cheap Hitachi (like $49) at a Christmas drawing and it plays all without a problem, but is has no optical out, so I am getting another player. I will buy another JVC, since I have all JVC components. I am looking at the SA-600...but there are no reviews on it yet.

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HitachiDV-p323U

Great picture, excellent soundstage. Realistic 3D phonic. No Progressive scan...great for using with DVDO iScan or other line doubler or HDTV which does not take progressive output from DVD-players. The screen saver is a good protection. Freeze and zoom features are stable and shows good design.

None I can think of.

My "acid-test" consists of the battle scene from Russel Crow's 'Gladiator'. You can every detail of the ash-flakes, arrows flying in from close-up to a distance against white background and the color of bursting flames to the reality of a cinema. If you pause, the image is non-pixilated even on a projector screen. You can advance frame by frame with ease and zoom in accurately. This dvd player comes with 5 channel output. SO even if you do not have a surround procesor, you can use the JVC 701 to do the job just right for you. The remote is fairly easy to use for anyone who knows how to use a remote. There are built in screen savers to protect your LCD or CRT screen from getting burnt..another great feature.

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Kenwood Sovereign, Marantz, Toshiba.

quality and design

glitches but that could be just dirt or my kids.

i have the whole jvc system ,surround,tv,reciver,dvd. It is a floor dvd and runs great. compulink is great ,fibroptics is great too. I broke my first remote so the reciver remote controls the dvd. i would like a new one.anyways it works fine and i use it alot. T he only thing that bugs me is aol. it shuts down too much. well jvc is definitely better than a high priced sony.

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G.E. makes a good dvd to.

As strenghts, I would consider all the performance u get for the little price you pay. It has build in processor for DTS, Dolby Digital and Prologic, if you look around for player of its class, produced during this same time, you will know that its a heck of a deal.

As a weakness: At present time, luck of playing my recorded VCDs and DVD-Rs. Thats all.

Well,... I have no idea what most of you complain about. I have this JVC XV-D701BK player for almost 3 years now!!! I have never, ever experienced any freez frames, skipps, or jitters. NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. All my components are JVC, receiver, VHS, DVD, CD, etc. I guess the key is in keeping your shi* clean, dust free and connected with the best cabling systems available.

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Toshiba, Panasonic, Pioneer, PS: Sony is a overpriced crap!

It would also lockup on the "Hello" screen from time to time..?

Darn! I just hooked up my D701BK to a JVC amp this week. I was so happy to finally play a DVD through the Dolby Digital 5.1 with my new satellite speakers. Had the popcorn and the "Tomorrow Never Dies" DVD ready to go. Dimmed the lights..and off we go. Then 20 minutes into the movie, it happens. The pixelation and dropping of frames. So, I do what one natural does...I curse out the DVD player and load in another DVD, Mission Impossible 2. Same thing happens, but right off the bate. The player choked on the intro. This never happened until now after taking it out of storage for a year. JVC....B*stards. March 22nd...D-Day for you guys. www.dvdsettlement.com

Zoom (cheesy but cool)

Havent found any YET. I dont really like the remote, IT DOESNT CONTROL VCRs!! *$%&^%$*%^*^%$*(()I have a JVC TV and VCR and it wont control the VCR! WTF!?

I HAVE NOT had ANY of the problems I have read about everywhere. I dont have any hiccups, or going through the resetting and all the stuff that has been said about this unit. I have it hooked up to a Denon AVR-2800. It plays beautifully and I have YET to have it NOT play a DVD. Excellent unit for 265.00.

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N/A

Excellent on screen menu system for complete configuration of all features, including complete Dolby Digital 5.1 output configuration for stream type, downmix, number of speakers, speaker size, level, delay time, etc. LCD display is also excellent and displays current speaker mode.

Hard to read faceplate lettering on black background, large dayglow green control button on front panel and, last but not least, what has to be the cheapest looking, feeling and performing remote control I have ever seen. A tremendous minus for an otherwise outstanding feature set. I would consider selling the unit just to get away from the remote.

The JVC D701BK is a solid unit with a number of very useful features, including:

* Full 5.1 Dolby Digital output support with complete output configuration and on screen menus.

* On screen controls during CD music playback.

* Complete set of output options including composite, component and S-video, coax and optical digital audio, 5.1 analog audio outputs, etc. There is also a headphone jack with volume control.

Although several reviewers have complained about reliability, I have had no problem with the unit in the month I have had it. I noticed that JVC has posted instruction on their web site for resetting the EPROM, which may be the cause of some of the problems people have mentioned.

The unit looks OK in the JVC design mold, but the product pictures distributed to resellers show a considerably brighter and more appealing front panel -- brighter lettering, brighter "silver" finish on the disc drawer face plate, etc. In person the unit looks fairly drab and cheap.

Performance for both DVD and audio CDs has been great in spite of the cosmetic and other issues mentioned above. Generally speaking almost all of the current models from all manufacturers have become rather cheap and plastic looking -- a consequence of the ultra competitive market place.

And, once again: this unit has the worst, cheapest looking and feeling remote control I have ever seen on a product from a major brand in the $300.00 Plus price range. It looks like something from a $50.00 boom box, not a top of the model range DVD player.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic, Sony

Excellent sound, picture quality

Of course, the remote looks cheesy(but it works great!)

I've had my unit for less than a month, and I'm still having a great time with it. Incredible sound, I can't stress it enough. I'm not sure about the picture quality, since my TV is terrible. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't break down like some of these people are talking about.

However, looking at the Pioneer, I am almost jealous of their ability to read CD-R discs. I'm going to wait and see what develops in the DVD world before I buy my next player.

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Sony, Toshiba