JVC DRMV99B DVD Video Recorder & VHS Combo with Built-In ATSC Tuner

• Playable Formats: VHS Hi-Fi, DVD-Video, DVD-RW, DVD-R, +RW, +R, +R (Dual), CD, SVCD/VCD, CD-R/RW, WMA/MP3/JPEG Digital Still/DivX(R) (CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, +R/+RW)
• Recordable Formats: VHS Hi-Fi, DVD-RW, DVD-R, +RW, +R
• ATSC (Digital) Tuner: 8 VSB (2-69), Clear QAM (1-135)
• HDMI Output with 1080i/720p Up-Conversion (DVD/VHS)
• Progressive Scan Output

I don't love it, but I do like this recorder. I think if you bear in mind the purpose of a combination DVD/VCR, it's close to as good as one can expect.

I bought the combo recorder because there are times I still need VCR recordings from TV signal, and don't want to pollute my AV system with set-top boxes and added connections that degrade signals. The ATSC/QAM tuner solved that issue. While there's no way to make a VHS tape look great, at least I am now recording digital broadcsts and maximizing the benefit with upconversion (to Samsung LN-T4661F). There clearly is a significant improvement. Original VHS recordings are noticeably better. I think upscaling is best when I set the recorder's output to 720p and let my TV upscale from there. I'm not sure if it's because of the JVC's upscaling, or if it's a basic limitation of the unit, which simply isn't meant to be 'high end'. Live HDTV viewed via the JVC tuner isn't quite on a par with HDTV viewed directly through my TV tuner. It's good; it's close; but not quite as sharp for HD broadcasts. DVD recordings of HD broadcasts are also a bit less crisp than the live, but it's not an HD recorder. Store-bought DVDs look great.

It's user-freindly simple, intuitive menus; options to make the most of a combo recorder. Other than changing the output (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i), everything is accessible from the remote. You can watch a disc while recording to the VCR, and vice versa. Timer recording and labeling is a breeze. There is no EPG, but I have no problem with that. More and more recorders are eliminating it due to compatibility issues with various cable and satellite services. Discs, tapes and TV can be output at 4:3 or 16:9. DVDs can be formatted for VR or DVD-Video. It has all the choices of both analog and digital inputs and outputs needed to connect to any home theater system, old or new.

On the downside, it doesn't record to DL discs. This isn't an issue for me; I will leave that to my computer when needed. Also, there is no code currently available for universal remotes. According to JVC, all the manufacturers update and share their new codes annually, so in theory there will be a code available shortly after January '08. I hope so.

Buy JVC DRMV99B DVD Video Recorder & VHS Combo with Built-In ATSC Tuner Now

I bought this item because I wanted to have an ATSC/NTSC tuner and it has both a VHS and DVD recorders. After that, it lacks alot. Because I have a JVC system and this is such a new product, I assumed that it would have a compulink cable, so I could control it with my system. It does not, this dropped my rating 1 star. The other problem is that all the connections are very loose, so if you move the DVD player, your optical cable will come out and your electrical cable will come out. This dropped my rating another star. It does have an HDMI cable which is what I want for my Panasonic Plasma TV and this is nice. But the IR Blaster cable I have from my Panasonic, does not have a code for the JVC DVD Recorder that works. When I called Panasonic, they said if it is not in their list of codes, they do not have it. This is frustrating me with Panasonic for not having a way to update their TV, but I will check with JVC to find out what the code should be. This allows me to run the TV guide from my Plasma TV so it will turn on the DVD or VCR Recorder. Fortunately, I can just have the VCR or DVD record by using the Timer function. It would be easier with my TV Guide.

One last hing that is just slightly irritating. When you go through the channels, it first goes through your ATSC channels, then through your NTSC channels. Unlike my Plasma TV that can go through them in order. So on the Panasonic, I go to 4-1, 6-1, 10-1, 28-1, 51-0, 51-1, 53-0, 53-1. On the JVC, I go to 4-1, 61-, 10-1, 28-1, 51-1, 53-1, 51-0, 53-0. I just have to get used to it.

Read Best Reviews of JVC DRMV99B DVD Video Recorder & VHS Combo with Built-In ATSC Tuner Here

I recommend buyers look at the Amazon reviews for defunct JVC VHS/DVD

dual deck products before they purchase any current dual deck model.

They have a proven history of extremely poor build quality. JVC keeps

rapidly changing model numbers, which makes this more difficult for

the consumer to discover. However they all look very similar with

only slight cosmetic differences.

Search on these item numbers and see for yourself:

JVC SR-MV40US

* Built Defective, I bought and returned three of these units (12/2007)

* Faulty DVD Drive is a known inevitable problem on every unit (11/2007)

* Worked well while it worked (10/2007)

* Disk Error on most discs after 5 months of owning the unit (08/2007)

* No luck with this (06/2007)

* Problem unit (05/2007)

JVC HRXVC27U (5 1-stars out of 8)

* 1yr and 1/2 and it died (02/2005)

* Worst home electronic device I've ever owned (03/2006)

* Barely outlived the warranty (10/2005)

* the J must stand for Junk (05/2005)

JVC DRMV5S (8 1-stars out of 16)

* Do Not Buy The JVC DRMV5S DVD ... (09.2007)

* JVC DRMV5S is defective! (03/2007)

* Total Junk and they Know it ! (12/2006)

* There's got to be something better (03/2006)

* JVC should be ashamed! (01/2006)

* Died after two weeks (10/2005)

A search on "Jvc Hi-fi Vcr/DVD Combo" search yields the following models:

JVC HRXVC29S

* I had the unit for under a year, and one day ... it just froze (04/2006)

* What a disapointment after only 2 years (03/2006)

JVC HRXVC15S (1 1-star, 1 2-star out of 2 reviews)

* Factory Defect....Look Elsewhere (09/2007)

Here are some model numbers that WILL NOT come up on a search but CAN be

accessed by working through "see all of my reviews"

JVC DRMV1S (>>> FIFTY-TWO