Great picture

Tuner inconsistencies, features

The picture on this set is gorgeous, particularly if using S-VHS inputs, although the VHS picture (through composite video) is also surprisingly nice. The price was also great - $550 delivered (from Mercata). Finally, the service menu is easy to get to, and basic picture settings can be easily adjusted there for all three modes.

When watching cable TV, the picture varies quite a bit from one channel to another, and is often (but not always) too saturated, with somewhat blooming colors (particularly red). Strangely enough, the same channels look great when tuned through the VCR (Panasonic, connected via composite input), and the consistency among channels is much better. To me, this indicates tuner shortcomings, but I am not much concerned with it. The lack of some convenience features bothers me more.

This TV was bought as an exchange for the awful Philips (Mercata was great in the exchange process), which replaced the student-days RCA. Amazingly enough, in terms of features, the ancient small RCA beats the other two handily (and still has great picture). The thing that bothers me the most is the "automatically switchable" S-Video vs composite on "Input 1." This way, the 3 RCA inputs (1 video and 2 associated audio) are wasted, as the DVD, connected through S-Video, needs no audio connections to the TV. If the old RCA could have had remote-switchable S-Video vs composite input on the "shared audio" input (giving me, in essence 3 video inputs), why could I not have the same feature on newer and larger TVs? I had to buy an A/V switch instead. The second problem is lack of video-out on the back panel. Not as much of a pain as limited inputs, but still, if you have to use the TV and not the receiver as the hub, necessitating purchase of a multiple-in, multiple-out switch. Finally, the A/V inputs cannot be put among the scrollable channels. You need a remote with TV/Video switch button. If you want (your kids) to use a simple remote that came with the VCR, or to simply switch to VCR from the front panel (without going through menus), you are out of luck.

An additional disappointment is not really a weakness, but a lack of a feature that was present on older JVC models. On this series (and, from what I hear, newer "D" series) you cannot perform the "anamorphic squeeze." You could do this on older "020" models, but on this one the squeeze goes halfway only, leaving the picture about 15% too high. Had I known this in advance, I would have bought the older model.

Although it may seem I have a lot of criticism for this unit, I am still very happy with it, mainly because of the picture quality and the price. Let me reapeat that - the picture is great! If your primary concern is watching movies through S-Video and/or composite inputs, or if you can use a good VCR as a tuner, this set is definitely a great buy. If, however, you have technophobic spouse/kids and need both flexibility and simplicity (i.e. simple watching of TV/VCR/video console without turning the receiver on), you may have to go through some creative wiring schemes with this set, but it is not impossible to do.

I am giving it five stars for value, and four overall, because of the features limitations.

Similar Products Used:

10+ - year old 20" RCA
27" Philips "84" series

Great Picture, built in 2 tuner PIP

built in speakers are so-so

Enjoying this set after years of watching a 27". Great resolution, contrast, & easy to use. My DVD's look fantabu;ous on this set !

Looked at Sony, but horizontal curvature was too extreme.

Got this set for 585.00 at Best Buy with my 10% Preferred Customer discount coupon they sent me by snail mail. Not a bad little deal.

Hi-resolution picture, easy-to-use setup menu

The alarm (wake up) failed to come on twice, therefore i dont use it anymore.

I considered buying several other brands (Panasonic, ProScan, and even [head hung in shame] Sony)and the 700 lines of res. + the sound quality devestated the other 32's Circuit **itty had displayed. Because of the meager out/inputs on the rear, I seriously considered the ProScan because it had 2 s-video ins, but i kept looking and listening to the differences (because i made the salesman put then side-by-side)and decided the lack of i/o's could be duplicated for $29, bought the JVC.

Similar Products Used:

Old GE, RCA (both 19") and RCA 52"

Clarity of picture and ease of use. I love the TV Guide +

The extreme curvature of the CRT makes reflection of the room's lighting quite annoying.

I'm still pleased to have purchased this as our primary TV. It is large enough to see without dominating the viewing room when it is off. I'd buy another.