JVC HR-S3910U - Want Super VHS ET VCR For Cheap ?
Written: Feb 21 '02 (Updated Feb 21 '02)
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Pros: Price, picture quality in SVHS mode, features, value, quick mechanism
Cons: Programming is unnecessary complicated
The Bottom Line: If you need an inexpensive SVHS VCR that provides excellent picture quality in Super VHS mode, the S3910 is a very good choice and ...
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| dkozin's Full Review: JVC HR-S3910 S-VHS VCR |
The JVC HR-S3910U is one of the cheapest Super VHS ET VCRs. It sells for less than $170 and is available in black color (S3900) or silver (S3910).
The S3910 is silver and looks well in conjunction with other silver components – DVD players, TVs, etc.
Picture Quality
People buy SVHS VCRs to get better picture quality than standard VHS. And S3910 impresses - in SVHS mode on the SVHS tape (the tape is not cheap though). Recordings in S-VHS mode look much more detailed and crisp comparing with regular VHS, which looks blurry.
The SVHS-ET mode is the same as SVHS, except you use cheaper regular VHS tapes. It is not the same thing as quasi-SVHS, unlike what some reviewers say. Quasi-SVHS playback is ability of some regular VHS VCRs play SVHS tapes at VHS resolution.
In SVHS-ET mode the results largely depend on the quality of the tape used and are worse than SVHS overall - there is video noise and some “color bleeding”. Still they are better than VHS in terms of detail level. It is especially noticeable when recording from high-resolution sources like digital cable, digital satellite or a DVD (non-copy-protected).
The VCR also features Hi-Fi stereo sound recording and playback, which is also suitable for recording/playback of Dolby Pro Logic encoded programs.
Inputs
The VCR features an S-Video in and out on the back panel in addition to an A/V input (composite video, analog stereo audio) and an A/V out. You also get an additional set of gold-plated RCA-type A/V jacks on the front panel (to connect you camcorder, for example).
You have to use the menu to switch between composite video input on the back panel and S-video input.
Shuttle Control
The front panel has a shuttle control, which is useful for finding the exact frame you want to start recording from. The remote has “super shuttle” control that allows you to perform the same function but using buttons. The VCR’s mechanism is pretty quick. You might know that I like shuttle controls, since rotating them makes me happy :-) .
Active Video Calibration
The S3910 has so called Active Video Calibration features (can be turned on and off), which tests the tape for several seconds before the first recording or playback and adjusts recording/playback parameters to suite it.
Although this delays the actual start of recording for several seconds (unless you start with Pause-Rec mode or the tape has already been “tested” before), it is nice-to have feature. And if it annoys you, you can turn it off. Does this produce any improvement in picture quality? I can’t see any difference, but hope it does.
Did You Know About This One?
JVC introduced a nice feature years ago – it allows you to combine two operations, example: press “Rewind” and then “Power” and the VCR will rewind the tape and turn the power off. I also tried this on my Panasonic VCR and it worked there too, even though the manual says nothing about it...
Remaining Tape Display
The S3910 features an onscreen tape position display that shows you graphically how much is left on the tape. You can also see the remaining tape time in hours and minutes, this indicator is very accurate and depends on the tape length (T120 or T160) as well as on the speed (SP or EP).
The VCR lets you to record in 3 modes: VHS, S-VHS (if you use S-VHS tape that costs about $5) and S-VHS-ET. You can record at two speeds SP and EP/SLP, so you can either record 2 or 6 hours on T-120 tape, but the LP playback is also present. The T160 tape holds 8 hours in EP mode.
Cable Eye Controller
The mail-in certificate for so-called “Cable Eye Controller” that allows you to control your cable box or DBS during timer recordings is included. The “Cable Eye” is placed in front of your DBS or cable box and sends the IR signals fooling the box into thinking its being controlled by its own remote control. It works well, but make sure the cable box is left on before the timer recording - the controller switches the channel, but does not turn the box on.
Remote Control
The remote has six main buttons that glow in the dark, it is somewhat big in size. Although it can control a TV, cable box, DBS or two JVC VCRs, the way it does it is somewhat annoying – you have to press and hold down the “TV” button while controlling your TV, same with other devices.
The programming process is overly complicated and is much less intuitive than, say Panasonic VCRs provide. The S3910 records index marks and has index search capability and instant review.
Bottom Line
If you need an inexpensive SVHS VCR that provides excellent picture quality in Super VHS mode, the S3910 is a very good choice and definitely a good value.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 169
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Epinions.com ID:
dkozin
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 in Electronics |
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Location: California
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About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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