When working, fine picture and sound.

JVC's support is pitiful. the 800 # listed steps you through w/o an option for DVD's.When you run out of option they refer you to another 800# with no DVD option, which then refers you back to the 1st 800#. The web site noted in the instruction book has no reference to DVD's in the USA. The number listed for factory service in NJ is no longer a working number.

I too developed problems with this unit after attempting to view the alt. ending to "Arlington Road". I could no longerview Saving Pvt Ryan nor "Arlinton Road" at all. The unit just locks up and attempts to reset by unplugging the power cord were useless. Amazingly, the DVD "Bakara" plays just fine and my Yamaha 935a decodes the "Dolby Digital" without a hitch. After calling a local TV repair business they provided me with a direct number to JVC repair. They (JVC)recommended that I send the unit back to them to be recalibrated since they didn't think a local repair facility could handle the problem. The unit is less than 90 days old so all I have to pay is the freight to them. ($37)
What a bargain for a new unit!!! I'm quite disappointed that problems developed so soon but am really disillusioned with JVC's support.

Similar Products Used:

None

Solid performance, good remote, nice on-line features.

Confusing set up due to sparse manual.

Well, I've had this DVD player for close to 3 months and have played everything from The Matrix to Tarzan on it.

Everything worked out fine. Interestingly enough, when I went to play 2001: ASO, the player froze during the initial read.

I didn't have to unplug the machine - simply turn it off and back on. Everything worked fine after that and the movie played back nicely.

My only complaint is that I'm still not sure if I set up the audio correctly to utilize the Dolby Digital 5.1 setting.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Overall, however, it's a solid performer at a great price.

Enjoy

The smoothness of operation, easy remote, DTS, component video

Lack of high oversampling*, no coaxial digital output

I bought the player after reading great reviews from you all and in various magazines. At first I could not find a fault with the player until I attempted to watch "Cruel Intentions" and the player, after "READING" did not play back the movie. After consulting JVC about the problem it appears that several DVDs are on recall for faulty processing (Cruel Intentions, Arlington Road, etc.). I was instructed to reset the microprocessor and since then have had no more problems except for the fact that I cannot watch these movies.

More recently, however I have come across a new pet-peve regarding the oversampling of the player. I 27 DVDs and it seems that every one while in view has "skipped" except on video the picture freezes and the audio keeps on going. The reason for this is the low rate of oversampling in the laser of the XV-511. I am tempted to send the unit back to JVC if the problem persists.

Other than these complaints this unit is probably the best for the money. DTS is one thing that many people under rate and it seems that less DVDs are being released with DTS soundtracks. It is a shame. However if you get a chance to experience DTS I strongly recomend it.

I haven't read many other reviews of later 511s but if there are a good amount of complaints about the "skipping" then I would recommend a different unit. JVC seems to be going through some first and second generational glitches with their players. Hopefully they can get these problems under control because I am a big fan of JVC products.

Similar Products Used:

JVC XV-501, Toshiba SD2109

Very quiet transport

Inferior sound reproduction on CD's. Skipping on DVD's.

I bought this JVC after returning a Pioneer DV525 because off its very loud transport noise. This JVC had the quietest transport of any unit in the showroom. But alas--the sound on classical CD's is definitely inferior to that of the Pioneer--the filtering seems to dull the sound and take out a lot of the detail I could hear on the Pioneer unit. Also, movies did not look as good, and there were definite anomalies from the very beginning: skipped frames, places where a Slow Motion play would end on its own even though the on screen display still signaled 1/2 speed, etc. I am now sorry I returned the Pioneer. Does anyone know if the higher end Pioneers have the loud transport problems?

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Pioneer DV 525

build quality, sound, picture, price...

none so far

this unit is a beauty. we play everything on it and it's in use 3 to 4 hours per day. we couldn't be happier. for the price ($275) we really got a bargain.

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magnavox 825

Great front panel displays.
Excellent sound and picture quality.

Unreliable. Has trouble reading discs. Skips and freezes often.

I'm another one who went for the bait at ubid.com. I got this unit for a song. It was a factory refurbished unit. On initial power-up it would not read any dvd disc. After several power plug disconnects, it started to work. 3 days later it started to freeze the picture while the sound kept playing, requiring a restart. With one day left on the 30 day warranty it stopped reading discs all together. I took it to the local authorized JVC repair shop. After two weeks on the shelf they replaced the optical pickup. It still didn't work. They gave up and sent it to the JVC service center. There it sits today with no resolve. I have my doubts I'll ever see it again. Buyer beware on refurbised units.

Similar Products Used:

None

Picture + Sound

CD-R

I was reluctant to buy JVC, but at the time I am not putting out $400 bucks for a Toshiba. I got this basically by default. Got it about 1 1/2 year now, works perfect.
I am not looking to replace it ever,...well unless, of course, it breaks.

Very Happy

Similar Products Used:

None-First DVD Player

Improvement over prior JVC models

Still a weak, cheap unit that WILL break soon after the warranty expires

To everyone thinking of buying this unit: Be aware that my base electronics store currently has ***3*** of these units sitting on the discounted resale shelf, because people have returned them for severe problems WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE.

The 511 is a slightly newer model than the 501, but is still sub-par in long term endurance. To read about the low JVC quality and HORRIBLE customer service, read all the reviews in the 501BK model.

If you want to buy a new DVD player EVERY YEAR after your prior unit's warranty expires, then this may be the model for you? No? Then don't bother!

Similar Products Used:

JVC, Panasonic

Solid,quality sound, ease of use, time search and audio programming, great audio dynamic range

Great player... Used for sveral hours at a time. Excellent all 'round.

Similar Products Used:

Magnavox 825

Great Picture Clarity

Occasionally can skip, VERY picky about CDR's

I got this DVD player off of ubid.com and have been very happy with it since i got it. as far as clarity and sounds quality it rocks. highly recommended.

since i know i only read these reviews to find out the bad things about the components, i figure i will put them in now. sometimes (rarely) the dvd will skip, even on new dvd's. you must take are of your dvd's, the 511 is not the most forgiving player. secondly, it is very picky about cd's that you might create on your computer. cd's that work fine in my car do not work on the 511.

otherwise i am a big fan of jvc, and if you have all jvc components it can make a big difference. i have it hooked up to my jvc 778 a/v reciever and it sounds and looks great (although dont buy the 778 since the RR surround buzz is a major flaw, get something else like the 7000 or 8000)