Low price for a DVD changer

no CD-R capability, doesn't play some DVDs

I bought this because of the low price on the auction to replace my Panasonic A110 DVD and Harmon Karndon CD changer. Turns out there are a few things less than acceptable with this unit. The picture quality was not as crisp and clear as my older Panasonic DVD. This unit plays regular audio CDs but not CD-R, and the sound quality was not as good as my Harmon Karndon CD changer. I also found that some DVDs just won't play in this changer (about 5-10% of the DVDs I tried), but play just fine in my Panasonic. Also after about 1 month, the second tray started to malfunction. It would have difficulties ejecting a disc at times, requiring me to bang on the top of the unit as it was trying to eject. But the price was real low for a changer, so I guess I got what I paid for.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic A110

affordable, especially for 3-disk changer.

picture occasionally cuts out.

This is my 5th dvd player. I started with a JVC 511 VBK (and probably should hae stuck with it), it had the same problems with Arlington Road that another reviewer mentioned. I think it's an epprom (?) problem that causes it. I moved on to a Philips(junk), followed by a GE (even worse), and then the Sony 330. It didn't work well, either. I even had it repaired and it still didn't work right. Returning some of these was a hassle, but hey, all I'm asking for is what they're supposed to do. No less. Finally, I decided to go back to the JVC. I already have a JVC receiver and VCR, and since the 511 gave me the least amount of problems I figured I'd go back to it. They didn't have the 511, so I went for the 555. I got screwed on my price though, $350. It was worth though, after the humiliation I put the shop manager through (long story).

As far as this unit, and most others I've tried, the problems I get is the picture will cut out very briefly whenever a movie goes from a scene that is dark to a scene that is bright. Explosions are a good example, so is the movie Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood). I'm only guessing, but I figure it has to do with the amount of info that gets compressed onto these areas of the disk. It's too much for the player to process and it cuts out. As I've said, this has happened to all 5 dvd players I've owned, so maybe it's my setup, but you'd think that since it's all JVC that this sort of thing shouldn't be the case. I will say that JVC's do it the least, and ther's no other problems like "lip synching" and such that occur with the other models (Sony).

In the end, if you want to buy a DVD player today, and you don't want to spend too much money, I recommend this player without reservation. The wise thing to do would be to wait a little while, they're making DVD players with a differnt type of laser that allows them to read highly compressed information (which DVD's are). These will have the infamous blue laser, instead of the red kind.

Also, I would recommend owning a digital receiver (or at least an analog one) and some surround speakers first, otherwise you're wasting your money. DVD is about clearer picture and better sound. If you're just going to hook it up to the tv without the stereo equipment you're only getting half of what you paid for. And believe me, hearing a movie in Dolby 5.1 digital surround is worth it.

Similar Products Used:

JVC 511VBK, GE something or other, Philips-Magnavox Something or other, Sony DVD S330

Features and picture

Lame remote

have used this unit for 8 months regularly, and I must admit it works great. I just dont know what these people are talking about.

Similar Products Used:

none

NA

Useless within 1 day

Worked for about 5 hours. The first DVD movie I watched was fantastic, but after playing a music CD it would no longer play DVD movies. It was all distorted. The salesman I bought it from warned me against it, saying the lasers get out of line and are a major problen with all DVD players. He also tried to sell me the extended warranty because of this. I told him that I would return it well short of that, if there was a problem. I did. However, Circuit City would not return any of the films I bought with it. They lost a customer. They said, " just buy a different DVD player ".

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This was my first DVD player

Great Picture, sound.

Remote

Haveing this as my first DVD I am impressed, using S Video dircetly to the TV, the picture is grat. Have had no problems with Matrix, or after playing audio cd's. This machine has been on for the last 2 weeks and have been watching 3-4 dvds a day, all rentals. Audio is better then my satillite system and still need to go out and buy a good reciver. Only using a dolby surround sound reciver not a 5.1 digital yet.
Only complaint which is minor is the remote. Need to memorize the keys so I dont need to turn the light on. As for noisy motors or whatever, dont have anything to compare except a Carousel cd player which was noisy also. But during playing of dvd's or music cd's the sound is up enought dont hear a thing.....even the phone ringing.

Similar Products Used:

none

3 trays, good picture

no 5.1 outputs

I think what the previous reviewer was saying was it would be nice if it did have 5.1 audio outputs (read that it does have a dolby digital decoder). I would agree that it is a valid weakness that the 555 DOES NOT have the built in DD decoder. It is just one less option on an otherwise solid unit. But what do you expect for less than $350?

I purchased this unit online just as it was being introduced as a "new product" in the JVC line. I would assume I would have a model that is probably in the first or second production run as the model went on to public sale. I have read these reviews and I can say that I have NEVER ONCE experienced the problems listed with titles (arlington rd, matrix), noise, lockups, eprom resets or problems after playing audio CD's. I use the unit at least 2 days a week for playing movies and almost every day for playing audio titles and it has worked fine. Picture quality is great. Worth buying.

Similar Products Used:

none

Plays Audio CD-RW.

Doesn't play Audio CD-R's(as most other DVD players)

Used it for 3 months and everything works. Every DVD disk plays just fine. Picture quality is very good on my Trinitron. It's connected to Yamaha receiver using optical cable and sound is just incredible. Got it for $299 and think it's very good value for DVD-changer.

Three trays, price, compulink integrates with other JVC components

shuffles one CD at a time, 16x9 doesn't convert to PAN/SCAN; compulink turns on the TV when playing an audio CD

Bought this unit from crazyg.com for $230.00 I wanted a JVC to go with my 32" JVC television and JVC 884 receiver. Plays DVDs with good sound and picture. I use an s-Video connection and a Toslink cable for DD5.1.

My main gripes are as fiollows: it won't shuffle music amongst the 3 CDs, but picks from one CD at a time, in order of the trays. I can't imagine getting much use of this feature. Also, it doesn't intelligently discern between an audio CD and a DVD, since the compulink turns on the TV when switching from tray to tray, even when I'm just trying to listen to music. This wouldn't be so bad except I have RCA cables running from the vack of the DVD to the TV, and for some reason the audio doesn't synch!! (This is just an interim solution until I buy a center channel). I guess the solution is to disconnect the compulink from the receiver to the TV, but that was the main reason I went with all-JVC components. Otherwise, I would have bought Sony or Denon. If you aren't already invested (fiscally, emotionally or otherwise) in JVC, you might try another brand, although it will most likely cost a bit more.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic A120

3 disk changer, picture, sound

can't play CDR's
can't turn off parental lock when playing some movies
gets stuck sometimes

Thank goodness I didn't pay for this player at full price.

Was running fine until I got Arlington Road. For some reason, the parental lock kicks in when I try to access the special features....can't turn it off. CDR's don't work either. Also, it's very hard to control VCD's.

The player also gets stuck when I'm on pause.

All in all, this is a good entry level player. Buy it, but for not over $300.

Similar Products Used:

first DVD player

Easy to use, clear instructions, good picture

Cannot play cd-rs and cannot switch to normal view vs. letter box view

I liked this player ok but my only complaint is really not being able to get out of letter box view for dvds. I found a Sony that has the option and will take this one back. I just bought a big screen (hitachi ultra-vision--10!!!) and not having the entire screen filled sucks. Some movies have the option some don't, but sony does. No player i have found for under 500 bucks will play cdrs. No other probs with player. Notice the price i payed--$175. This was an open box item at sears, which i would reccomend you purchase everything. They will match and beat others prices, return policy is liberal, and they will haggle. Salesmen on commission always haggle. Just don't haggle with some kid, get experienced personnel. There are 3 sears within 30 miles of me and if you find the experienced guys they will work with you. I would not reccomend this player even though i got a hell of a deal

Similar Products Used:

sony s530