JVC HR-XVC33U Progressive-Scan DVD/VCR Combo , Silver

• Space-saving DVD/VCR combo player with MP3, WMA, and JPEG CD support and hi-fi VHS sound
• Progressive-scan video output renders seamless, flicker-free images on high-definition and HD-ready TVs
• 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)
• Multi-brand, full-function remote control operates the combo player and most televisions

The JVC HR-XVC33U is amazing! I've played several DVDs, store-bought videos, audio CDs, and a CD-R that contained audio and JPEGs. Everything played beautifully. At first I had some problems playing DVDs but after cleaning the DVDs it worked fine (whew!). After reading about so many lemons out there involving combo DVD/VCRs, I consider myself lucky! [knock on wood]

Some other nice features are DVD Zoom (very cool!), diff. FFWD/RWD speeds, bookmarking, index skipping, front A/V inputs, excellent remote that controls TV/VCR/DVD, and VCR timer recording (up to 1 month).

I did some serious research and price comparisons on several combo DVD/VCR players before deciding on the JVC HR-XVC33U. In the end I picked the JVC model because it seemed to be plagued by *less* problems than the other models, had a huge feature set, and was cheap compared to other models in its class.

The Sony SLV-D300P has almost identical features plus Flash Rewind and looks nicer but costs about $25 more. The Sony SLV-D500P has identical features and VCR+ and an illuminated remote but costs about $35 more. Other competitors in its class were: Toshiba SD-V391 (different model had very low rating on Consumer Reports bad sign), Panasonic PV-D4743K/S (can't record DVDs, about $10 more than JVC, but plays DVD Audio which is rare), and Samsung DVD-V3650 (the consistently bad ratings on every Samsung model told me to run away fast).

One thing you need to be careful of is that combo DVD/VCRs sometimes skimp on features you would expect in a standalone DVD or VCR player such as VCR+, front A/V inputs, VCR timer recording, and DVR-to-VCR recording. Also, I suspect that the many reviewers who reported DVD playback problems (I'm talking about for ALL combo DVD/VCR players not just JVC) didn't try cleaning the DVD first.

I would definitely recommend getting the JVC!!

Buy JVC HR-XVC33U Progressive-Scan DVD/VCR Combo , Silver Now

I bought this unit from Circuit City about 5 months ago. The first one I took home had a problem with DVDs skipping until the display read "no disk" I tried every DVD I had, even new ones. I took it back and CC seemed sceptical, but grudgenly replaced it. The second unit played DVDs fine, but sometimes the remote would switch to VCR and sometimes it wouldn't. It always plays the DVD in the unit when you turn it on, and if there is no DVD in it, it says "no disk" and sticks there until you turn it off and back on, with a disk. You cannot get it to go to VCR so you can tune the TV with the unit, and it makes using the remote more difficult. It is impossible to get it to play a tape now. I don't know what the warranty is, but I really do not want to screw with CC again. I am kicking this unit to the curb and going to look at what Sony has to offer tomorrow. JVC, do better.

Read Best Reviews of JVC HR-XVC33U Progressive-Scan DVD/VCR Combo , Silver Here

I haven't yet had a problem with the DVD player on this unit. The VCR seems to work OK too, and I figured out how to program timer recording easily. A cool feature is that it reads your tape and tells you how much time you have left on it to record when you aren't sure if you have room for a program. The only real drawback I had was the hookup instructions. They were needlessly complicated and could have been written a lot simpler than they were. Once I figured out what I needed to do, hookup was a breeze. But the reading the directions made it harder, not easier.

Want JVC HR-XVC33U Progressive-Scan DVD/VCR Combo , Silver Discount?

I have owned this unit for about 15 months now. I bought it as a bedroom unit. I wanted a good DVD player and a VHS to transfer TiVo content onto tape. I was especially interested in getting a high-quality DVD as I have a high-end Panasonic 20" LCD TV in the bedroom. I am very happy with the picture quality of the DVD player to say the least. I watch 4-5 movies per week due to a large DVD collection and NetFlix. In fact, I do the majority of my DVD viewing in the bedroon, not my main LR HT setup. I watched "The Incredibles" on this player a few nights ago and it looked stunning. I appreciate the front AV connections to connect my TiVO to the unit to transfer recordings onto tape. I have had no mechanical problems with this player in all the time I've owned it. The remote is good, there is a good setup\adjustment menu. It gives me everything I want and I get it for a very inexpensive price!

-Mike

I have owned this unit for over 4 years now and I can say that it has not failed me yet. In fact I am buying another one for my Girlfriend to replace her Sanyo Combo unit. It has great features and wonderful video and audio quality. I highly recommend this unit.