JVC HRXVC27U Progressive Scan DVD / VCR Combo, Silver

• Playback formats include DVD, VCD, CD, MP3, WMA, JPEG, VHS, and S-VHS
• Progressive scan, DVD-to-VCR recording, zoom and multi-angle features
• Front-panel A/V input, rear-panel component- and S-video outputs
• Simulated surround sound, hi-fi stereo VCR
• Measures 16.9 x 3.9 x 11.3 inches (W x H x D)

Just a little bit after expiration of warranty the unit died, dvd player stopped working.

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I am very happy with this purchase! Both the DVD and VCR picture image are crystal clear...when pressing Play, the movie comes on immediately (unlike the Sony DVD/VCR combo I have, which simply refuses to play when the "Play" button is pushed, and comes on in its own good time, even after bringing it in to a Sony dealer for repair). I like its Fast Forward and Rewind functions on a DVD movie in that it is unlike the chapter & title still frames which move frame by frame on most DVDs, and more like the old VHS tapes which "flow" when moving back and forth. I find it to be a really good set, well worth the (quite reasonable) price. Actually, I like it so much I am buying another one as well.

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I have fairly simple needs. I want to be able to watch DVD movies and use a VCR to record programs when I am unavilable to watch them. I don't know the difference between VHS and Beta formats and really don't care about the technical details as long as I can do these two main things.

I bought this unit because I had excellent experience with two previous JVC VCR's both of which are still in use. Picture quality and sound are both fine. My only complaint, and it is major, is that the unit did not properly eject the VHS cassette. Instead, it appeared that the cassette caught on the cassette door and "reloaded" itself. The only way to eject the tape was to hold the door open with one hand until the cassette started to eject. (See the review of the HRXVC37U which appears to have a similar problem. Hmm, do you suppose they use the same tape transport mechanism?)

The unit did everything I expected and, as a bonus, also showed my digital snapshots (JPG format.) This can be done either one at a time using a familiar "Windows Explorer" type tree control or one after the other automatically as a slide show. I simply copied my snapshots to a CD and inserted the CD into the DVD player and it worked! Who knows, maybe I'll try some home movies next.

I've returned my unit hoping for one that ejects tape cassettes properly. I'll update my opinion depending on what happens.

Update February 4, 2005

I received my replacement unit today. Much to my chagrin, the replacement unit appeared to have a new and different problem. Specifically, the automatic clock set did not work correctly. However, after several hours it began working properly. I'll wait a bit before reaching a final judgement.

A sidebar -I had never returned a defective item to Amazon.com before. The process worked smoothly and I was generally pleased with it. Any return is a hassle but this was about as painless as I can imagine. Considerably less frustrating and time consuming than returning something to my local retailer!

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Not only was this defective from Day 1, JVC Customer service did not answer the phone for many days. Their customer service center wanted $75 for a diagnostic. Keep in mind that the cost of the item was $99. The original tape in the machine does not eject. I will never buy any JVC product again. Bad product, bad service.

The on screen instructions for recording television didn't match the actual method required. The DVD/VCR switch no longer functions. Now the program I recorded can't be watched because I can't switch it to VCR, nor can I eject the tape. The warranty expired 2-months ago.