I enjoy the luxury of playing DVDs in my home. Especially fun are all the bonus materials that come on certain DVDs such as actor and director commentaries, making-of features, blooper reels, actor profiles, games. So imagine my upset when my RCA DVD player flashed a blue spark and died. It was a gift, and I had only owned it a couple of years. After investigating the possibility of repair, it became apparent that the best option was to purchase a new DVD player.
After much research, I decided to buy the JVC DVD Player (Model XV-N44SL). When mentioning my DVD woes to a family member, it turns out that he owns this same unit and gave it a high recommendation. So I traveled to BJ’s Wholesale and purchased this JVC DVD player for $78.89. I still can’t believe the low price for this fabulous machine.
What formats does this unit play?
This is a versatile DVD player that plays a large variety of formats: DVD Video, DVD-R, DVD RW, DVD-RW, SVCD, Video CD, Audio CD (CD-DA), CD-R and CD-RW. It also views JPEG images and plays MP3 audio.
Now I can take my digital camera images, burn them to either a CD-R or CD-RW and share them with others on my television. Talk about high-tech slide shows! Not only can I play regular music CDs but, should I wish, MP3 audio files. (I haven’t experimented with MP3 files, so I can’t offer personal experience in this area.)
The JPEG feature allows viewing of single images or viewing the pictures in a continuous slide-show mode. You can even select a specific image to start the slide show. Another choice is to set the Repeat feature to automatically replay the images. While in the Pause mode, pressing Zoom causes the unit to zoom in on the image. Each time the Zoom button is pressed, the magnification is doubled (1.8, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 times). On the disc, each JPEG image is considered a “file”, and each folder on the disc is considered a “group”. Each group can contain up to 150 files. A disc can contain up to 99 groups. The manufacturer recommends recording the images at a 640 x 480 pixel resolution and selecting the “ISO 9660" disc format.
Playing MP3s is similar to viewing JPEG images. Simply select the desired group/track. The disc can either start playing from the beginning, or specify the track to start playing. It’s also possible to have the MP3s continuously repeat. On the disc, each MP3 song is recorded as a “file” (or “track”). Each folder is on the disc is considered a “group”. Each group can contain up to 150 tracks. A disc can contain up to 99 groups. The manufacturer recommends recording material at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate, using the 128 kbps data rate transfer, and select “ISO 9660" as the disc format.
Progressive Scan, VFP & 3D Phonics
This DVD player provides an excellent picture. The color is phenomenal with richness and depth, and I can’t believe the added detail I’m seeing as compared to my old DVD player. This machine also starts playing DVDs within three seconds of inserting them.
The JVC DVD player has progressive scan. Digital Direct Progressive Scan Output produces video at twice the conventional speed, which gives high-quality images that enables smoother, crisper, higher resolution viewing. The progressive scan feature only works when the unit’s Component Video Out jack is connected to the television.
The VFP (Video Fine Processor) allows seven different ways to adjust the image: gamma, brightness, contrast, saturation, tint, sharpness, and Y delay.
3D Phonics creates the surround sound effect without actually having surround sound. A digital signal processor simulates this effect using the speakers of your stereo system. This feature only works with a disc recorded with Dolby Digital.
Other Features
Playback
The DVD player memorizes where you left off viewing a disc. The unit memorizes the interrupted positions for up to 30 discs.
Quick Playback with Sound
When this mode is selected, the disc plays back at about 1.5 times normal speed. The sound is not muted. The unit will also play subtitles if they are active.
Slow Motion
This unit can play the disc in slow motion ... either forward or backward. There are four speeds to choose from: 1/32 times, 1/16 times, 1/4 times, or 1/2 times the normal speed. During the Slow Motion playback, the sound is muted, and reverse Slow Motion is not possible when using SVCD or Video CD.
Playback Order, Random Order & Repeat Playback
With this DVD player, you can program up to 99 tracks in any order and even select the same track to play more than once. I love this feature for playing audio CDs; however, the feature is also available for Super VCD and Video CDs. Repeat playback of the current selection (or all tracks) is also available.
Change the Scene Angle
If the DVD Video disc contains Multiple Angle Parts, then you can utilize this nifty feature to view the same scene from different angles.
Zoom
Each time the Zoom button is pressed, the picture is magnified up to 64 times. For about 5 seconds, information regarding the current zoom magnification is displayed in the upper left corner of the television screen. A neat feature of the Zoom is that if you are viewing a Letter Box video, if you select the 1.8-inch Zoom, the black bars of the Letter Box format virtually disappear. According to the manufacturer, if a 1:2.35 or 1:1.85 DVD Video source is played back, you will see the black bars on the screen.
Parental Lock & Limiting Playback by Children
If you have children and are concerned about their watching DVDs without supervision, this DVD player has a Parental Lock with a password feature.
Also available is the function that restricts viewing of discs containing violent or material not suitable for children. I haven’t tried this feature, but the manual says, “For example, if a movie which includes violent scenes supports the parental lock feature, such scenes which you do not want to let children view can be cut or replaced with other scenes.”
This box is light!
In the store, I prepared myself to lift a heavy box. Instead, I wondered if the box contained everything since it was so light. At least I didn’t have to worry about carrying a heavy box to the car and into the house.
The box contains: One DVD unit; One remote control with two AA batteries; One audio/video cable; One 40-page instruction manual. Note the unit does not come with an S-video cable.
What does the DVD player look like?
This DVD player is slim! It’s less than half the height of my old DVD player. It measures 2 1/8" high, is 17 3/16" wide, and is 9 13/16" deep. It only weighs 4.7 pounds.
The unit is a sleek, stylish design in silver. It looks sharp. Along the front of the unit from left to right is a small red light that indicates the unit is on standby. Beneath this is the Standby/On button. As with so many electronic devices today, as long as the DVD player is connected to an AC outlet, the unit is on. When the unit is in Standby mode, it consumes little electric power.
Next is the display window that features a variety of information including: 1) Audio format indicators, 2) Resume/Program/Random indicators, 3) Title, Track & Chapter indicators, 4) Repeat Mode indicator, 5) Play/Pause indicators, 6) and a multi-information window.
Next to this display is a Progressive indicator. Then comes the disc tray and a button to open the disc tray. After this are control buttons: Play, Stop, Pause, Reverse, Fast Forward.
A knob at the far right is a Quick Playback button. This is especially useful if you have limited time to see the end of a movie. Press this button and the movie plays at a faster speed (1.5 times faster than the normal speed); the action and actor dialogue is clear and easy to understand. It’s just speedier. It’s a fun feature if you need to quickly view a section of movie.
Connecting the DVD player to the television
This unit is easy to install. The 40-page instruction manual covers a variety of ways the DVD Player can connect to the television or amplifier depending upon the type of connection desired. Note that the manufacturer states not to connect the Video Out through a VCR. The instructions also say that there could be monitor problems when connecting the unit to an integrated TV/Video system.
I connected the JVC DVD player to my 32" Panasonic television using an S-video jack, which gives better picture quality over the regular video jack. I happened to have the S-video cable from my other DVD player so I did not have to purchase one. On the back of the DVD player is a switch for the Video Signal that I set to "480i", the recommended setting (the other Video Signal choices are "480p" and “Remote”). Then I plugged in the audio cable between the television and DVD player. (If your television has monaural audio input instead of stereo, you need to use an audio cable to convert the stereo output to monaural. This special cable does not come with the unit.) After connecting the video and audio cables, I plugged the power cord into an AC outlet.
Next, insert the two AA batteries into the remote control. The remote control battery cover is easy to open and snap back into place. The instruction manual states the batteries will last about six months with normal use. I have had my DVD player about a month, and the batteries are still working great.
When the DVD is first turned on, the television displays an initial setup screen. Here you can choose the on-screen language (English, Spanish or French), the monitor type, and the digital audio output. Press the ENTER key, and the television screen returns to the opening display. You can change these selections at any time.
The Remote Control
This remote control fits nicely in the hand and is lightweight. A nice feature is the button that opens and closes the disc tray. (My other DVD player didn’t have this convenient button.)
At the top of the remote is the Open/Close disc tray button, the Display button and the Standby/On button. Beneath these buttons are numeric buttons ranging from the number zero to the number ten.
The center of the remote control includes the Enter key, which is encircled by cursor selection Up/Down, Left/Right buttons. There are Top Menu and Menu buttons as well as Choice and On Screen buttons.
Beneath the Enter key are a variety of buttons that control the Play, Pause, Stop, Repeat and Slow features. There are also Zoom, 3D Phonic, Angle, Subtitle and Dimmer buttons.
Summary
I am thoroughly enjoying my JVC DVD player. At the time of this posting, there is no photo of the DVD player. You can view an image of the player at: http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027014 . If you want a terrific picture, a versatile system that plays many formats, and don’t want to pay a lot of money ... then this DVD player is for you. I’m glad I purchased it. Now I just have to decide which DVD or CD I want to play. There are so many choices!
Update -- June 8, 2006
This JVC DVD player is great. I've never had a problem with it. It plays as if new just out of the box. I'm extremely happy with it.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Specifications
Video Format: NTSC, 480i (Interlaced scan)/480p (Progressive scan) selectable
Power Requirements: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption: 10 W (Power On), .07 W (Standby mode)
Mass: 2.1 kg (4.7 lbs)
Dimensions: (Width x Height x Depth) 17 3/16" x 2 1/8" x 9 13/16"
Video Outputs
Component (pin jacks):
Y Output: 1.0 Vp-p
Pa/Pr Output: 0.7 Vp-p
Video Out (pin jack): 1.0 Vp-p
S-Video Out (S jack):
Y Output: 1.0 Vp-p
C Output 286 mVp-p
Horizontal Resolution: 500 lines or more
Audio Outputs
Analog Out (pin jack): 2.0 Vrms
Digital Out (coaxial): 0.5 Vp-p
Digital Out (optical): -21 dBm to -15 dBm (peak)
Audio Characteristics
Frequency Response:
CD (sampling frequency 44.1 kHz): 2Hz to 20 kHz
DVD (sampling frequency 48 kHz): 2 Hz to 22 kHz
(4 Hz to 20 kHz for DTS and Dolby Digital bitstream signals)
DVD (sampling frequency 96 kHz): 2 Hz to 44 kHz
Dynamic Range:
16 bit: More than 98 dB
20 bit: More than 100 dB
24 bit: More than 100 dB
Wow and flutter: Unmeasurable (less than 0.002%)
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 0.006%
Warranty
Limited Warranty: Parts 1 Year / Labor 90 Days.
You must return the product to a JVC authorized service center with a copy of your bill of sale.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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