JVC HR-XVC20U Hi-Fi DVD-VCR Combo , Black

• Space-saving DVD/VCR combo player with MP3, WMA, and JPEG CD support and hi-fi VHS sound
• Quasi S-VHS playback allows viewing of S-VHS tapes (in standard VHS resolution)
• Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround outputs for immersive surround sound (when used with compatible receiver and speakers)
• RF video output accommodates older TVs
• Multi-brand remote control operates the combo player and most televisions

I'll start off with the good points -Playback is uniformly excellent, and I've had absolutely zero problems with playing DVDs, VCDs, even SVCD on CD-RW. The remote took over most of the functions of my TV remote after extremely minimal setup. The system itself looks nice, and is generally well laid-out, with a few carefully chosen controls on the front panel. The MP3 playback mode is a particularly nice feature. I've owned this for several months now, and so far it's been perfectly reliable.

Now the disappointments. The remote is frequently a pain to use -the labels on most of the option buttons are tiny, confusing, and occasionally misleading, and there seems to be no logical order to them. The most forehead-slapping example would have to be the buttons which choose subtitles and audio tracks -they're *miles* from each other, and neither one is clearly labeled as to its purpose... Audio switching is done by repeatedly pressing "A. Monitor", for example, and subtitle switching is the alternate function of a button whose primary function I don't remember since I've never used it. Glow-in-the-dark buttons would also have been a nice feature for those of us who like to watch movies with the lights out.

DVD+/-R is iffy at best, with some sound problems, and some discs completely refused. If playing home-burned movies is a priority, look elsewhere.

One more thing I wish I'd known -I had been hoping that with the S-VHS emulation mode, that I'd be able to play the VCR through the S-Video port. As it turns out, this is impossible. This made wiring this thing to my TV and stereo a serious logistical challenge. Effectively this is two seperate appliances sharing the same case and a few of the same outputs -it will save you some room in your entertainment center, but it won't save you any wiring. This is the case with most, if not all, of these VCR/DVD combos, though, so it's not exactly a strike against it, I'd just like to know why it's apparently so difficult to handle S-Video gracefully on these things.

This is probably not a good choice for anybody serious about home theatre, but is certainly a good performer for folks who just want a reliable, up-to-date replacement for an aging VCR, say.

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We were not looking to push the limits of the home entertainment frontier. We just wanted a reliable combo player due to our limited space. This player has worked out very well. Nothing has fallen off or started rattling since we purchased it several months ago, contrary to another review I've read. Not to mention, it has received much use (more Teletubbies than any human should have to endure). This has been a very affordable and reliable player for us.

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I have had this unit for 2 months now. I love love love it! No problems. Works like a top and it has been used almost 24 hours a day during that time. Bought a Magnovox similar unit and hate it. I like this one some much I'm online buying another for my bedroom to replace the Magnovox.

This unit plays ANYTHING! that spec that made me buy it in the first place. Check before buying because many units are limited in what they will read on the DVD side. The second reason is the JVC name.

The person that had the bad DVD door, so sorry. Any manfacturer can have a lemon. Don't blame all of this model.

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After about six months, had the same problems as other buyers DVD player freezes. Sometimes restarts, sometimes doesn't. Emailed their customer service, but only got a line that my warrenty was up. There must be some systemic problem with how JVC is putting these together I can't believe they don't know this. In either case, I have given up on using it as a DVD player and I'm in the market for a new one. Of course, I will never again be purchasing anything JVC.

We've had this device for five months now, and have not had any problems with it. It plays all of our videotapes, CDs, and DVDs, including home-made CD-Rs and DVD+Rs. The VCR accepts and ejects tapes smoothly with no hang-ups. My only complaint is that the remote is a bit of a headscratcher sometimes. I think it could have been laid out a little better, and that's the only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars. But the machine itself functions fine. We aren't electronic experts or anything, but we rent a lot of DVDs, and this machine has suited our needs perfectly.