JVC HRS3800U Super VHS VCR - Good Value In Basic S-VHS Segment
Written: Apr 15 '01
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Pros: Great value, excellent picture quality in S-VHS,jog/shuttle, S-Video in/outs, features
Cons: Ease of use, tracking problems in EP mode, Plug&Play issues
The Bottom Line: 3800U provides excellent picture quality in Super VHS or S-VHS ET mode (SP speed).
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| dkozin's Full Review: JVC HR-S3800 S-VHS VCR |
Once again Epinions put the wrong picture – the HRS3800U is black and looks differently.
The HRS3800U is a basic Super VHS ET VCR. Since it currently sells for around $150, it is a very good deal for those who are on the tight budget but want to upgrade to Super VHS. It is very similar to JVC HRS3600U.
S-Video in/out
The VCR has an S-Video in and out on the back panel in addition to a A/V in (composite video, analog stereo audio) and a 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 recording). You have to switch between back A/V composite in and S-video input using the menu. To switch between front and rear inputs you can use “Channel Up”/”Channel Down” buttons.
Jog and Shuttle Control
Although HRS3800U has a Jog/Shuttle control on the front panel (see my review of VCR features), it does not have a “thumb wheel” form (as in HRS3600U), which I like more. Jog control is very useful for finding the exact frame you want to start recording from. The mechanism is pretty quick and works well. The remote has “super shuttle” control that allows you to perform the same function but using buttons.
Picture Quality
It is impressive. In SP mode, S-VHS or S-VHS-ET are noticeably better than "standard" VHS in terms of picture detail. After watching a recording in S-VHS-ET, regular VHS looks blurry and noisy. Of course you have to record from the good-quality source to enjoy the full detail level.
Active Video Calibration
3800U uses so called Active Video Calibration that probes the tape for several seconds before the first recording or playback and adjusts recording/playback parameters accordingly. It delays the actual start of recording for several seconds (unless you start with Pause-Rec mode or the tape has already been “probed” before).
Auto Tracking
Auto tracking is also present, as in all modern VCRs, but in EP (SLP) mode it sometimes does not work well – the problem I saw on some Sony VCRs before. There is a nice feature JVC introduced 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.
Remaining Tape Display
The VCR has an onscreen tape position display that shows you graphically where you are currently located on the tape. And you can see the remaining tape time in hours and minutes. This indicator is very accurate – up to one minute.
The HRS3800U allows you to record in 3 modes: VHS, S-VHS (if you use S-VHS tape that costs at least $5 apiece) and S-VHS-ET that allows you to record in S-VHS format on a standard VHS tape (quality will be better than VHS, but worse than the one made on S-VHS tape, depending on tape quality).
You cannot record at LP speed, just SP and EP (SLP), so you can either record 2 or 6 hours on T-120 tape, but the LP playback is present.
Remote
The remote has 6 main buttons that glow in the dark. It is somewhat big in size. It can control a TV, cable box, DBS and even two JVC VCRs. But 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.
Also some other functions are quirky – to start recording, you have to hold “Rec” and press “Play”, to start recording in pause mode (“Pause/Rec”), you have to hold “Rec” and press “Pause” and to change from “Pause” mode to “Play” mode, you have to press “Play” (not “Pause” again, as in other VCRs I used to).
Plug & Play
It is “Plug & PRAY”! I had the “auto clock set” functionality in my Panasonic PV-8661 3 years ago and it worked perfectly. In HRS3800 it didn’t. When all settings are set to “Auto” it sets the time that belongs to a different time zone (2 hours ahead of my time zone). I even tried selecting “Pacific” time zone instead of “Auto”, no luck. I selected different channels, even “Alaska” time zone, nothing worked – I got closer (1 hour difference), but not enough. I assume it works at least in some locations, but be ready to resort to manual clock setting. The channel setup was fully automatic.
Cable Eye Controller
The HRS3800U comes with so-called “Cable Eye Controller” that allows you to control your cable box or DBS during timer recordings. It 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.
1. Be careful where you plug the controller - there are two similar jacks on the back panel, I accidentally tried to use the wrong jack (AV CompuLink) and was disappointed that the controller didn't work.
2. I have a Motorola digital cable box and, although the controller and remote are not supposed to work with this brand, they actually do work with it (under Jerold code - 06), which makes me vary happy.
3. The cable box should be left "ON" before the timer recording - the controller switches the channel, but does not turn the box on or off.
The 3800U records index marks and has index search capability and instant review (plays the last recorded segment).
Programming
This VCR is not as easy to program as Panasonic models. Up to a point where you “loose the appetite”, so in this department JVC has some work to do.
Bottom Line
3800U provides excellent picture quality in Super VHS or S-VHS ET mode (SP speed). Although it is not as easy to use as Panasonic VCRs, it is a very good value in the basic S-VHS segment– the picture quality, S-VHS ability and features content make it a good buy.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150
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Epinions.com ID:
dkozin
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 in Electronics |
 - Top 10 |
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Location: California
Reviews written: 845
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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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