JVC HR-S2901 S-VHS VCR - It is Lacking Something Important ...
Written: Jun 06 '03 (Updated Jun 19 '03)
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Pros: Features, good picture and sound quality, low price, S-Video out, front A/V in
Cons: Lacks S-Video input, rear A/V input, flimsy construction, could be easier to program
The Bottom Line: The S2901 is a decent, although a bit flimsy, VCR that can record and play in S-VHS. For better S-VHS recording quality...
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| dkozin's Full Review: JVC HR-S2901 S-VHS VCR |
The JVC HR-S2901 is very cheap for a S-VHS VCR (under $100). And it lacks a very important feature, which makes it less efficient for recording in S-VHS or S-VHS-ET mode, but does not prevent it from good playback of S-VHS or SVHS-ET tapes.
The feature I am referring to is an S-Video input. The S2901 doesn’t have it, although it has an S-Video out. This is quite uncool, since the VCR has a front-panel A/V input (for which the manufacturer found money). Given the choice between an S-Video input or a front A/V input, I would prefer to have an S-Video input.
Since there is no S-Video input, the recording quality will suffer (provided the source has an S-Video out). Although the S-VHS VCR provides better resolution and video quality even when the “regular” composite video input is used, it is worse than when using an S-Video connection.
For this reason, if you plan to use the VCR in question to make S-VHS recordings of good quality (using S-VHS tape and from S-Video output-equipped sources), I suggest you pay $20-30 more for a JVC HR-S3901, which has an S-Video input.
Connectivity
The S2901 has front A/V input (stereo analog audio and composite video), S-Video out on the rear panel along with RF in/out and A/V out only.
Once again, there is only one A/V input. It has no S-Video and is located on the front panel. No rear A/V input is present. Evidently, the emphasis was on playback with only occasional recording.
SVHS and SVHS-ET
The SVHS (Super VHS) provides noticeably better picture quality over "regular" VHS. It produces 400 lines of horizontal resolution versus the VHS’s 240. The S2901 also promises to allow you to use high-grade VHS tapes and record 400 lines on them in SVHS-ET mode.
I found that there is too much video noise involved and if you need good picture quality, you need to use S-VHS tapes and use “real” S-VHS mode. Good tapes (I use Fuji and JVC SVHS tapes) last quite long in time-shifting recording use and also can be used for archiving of important videos.
Video Quality
The video recording quality is better than that or a regular VHS VCR (provided you use good SVHS tape), but is a bit worse than when a SVHS VCR with an S-Video input is used.
Sound
The VCR can record and play back Hi-Fi stereo sound. The sound quality is excellent with low noise and CD-like fidelity.
Features
The S2901 has auto clock set (which may or may not work for you), child lock, active video calibration (delays recording for several seconds while probing tape to optimize recording parameters for the particular tape), instant timer recording (OTR).
The timer programming is not as easy to use as in Panasonic VCRs. There is an index search mode, which allows you find the beginning of the recorded segment. The VCR has 4 video heads and can record and play in SP and EP modes. EP speed is 3 times slower than SP and lets you record 3 times more on the tape (6 hours on a 2-hour tape) at the expense of picture quality.
Bottom Line
The S2901 is a decent, although a bit flimsy, VCR that can record and play in S-VHS. For better S-VHS recording quality, get a model that has a S-Video input.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99
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Epinions.com ID:
dkozin
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 in Electronics |
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Location: California
Reviews written: 839
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About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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