JVC HR-S7900 VHS / S-VHS playback VCR

I've been in the market for a new VCR for a couple of months now. Having a need to update my existing 6 year old JVC Hi-Fi component to an more up-to-date model, I quickly went searching for VCRs that met my high demands for quality, features and the latest technology.

Now, for the most part, I use a VCR to record and play back TV shows. I rarely use it to view rented movies since I leave that effort to my DVD player. So for me, I was looking for a VCR that had solid recording capabilities with a good playback feature, an easy menu and programming set up and a flexible system that would be nicely incorporated into my existing home theater system.

As I've always been a fan of JVC, I quickly looked to them for their latest offerings. Knowing I wanted to utilize the newer S-VHS technology (Super VHS - I'll get into the specifics of that in a moment), I scanned their available models. The one that caught my eye, and eventually my money was their latest model, the JVC HR-S7900U. It had everything I was looking for: S-VHS Hi Fi, Plug and Play features, VCR Plus programming abilities, and more. After doing some research online, and talking to several members here at Epinions, I decided to go with this JVC model.

After using it now for a little while, I must say that I'm impressed with this VCR. All of the claims that JVC has made seem to be accurate. Not only is this a S-VHS VCR, but it allows what JVC labels as Super VHS ET recording. But what is S-VHS or Super VHS? Well, putting it simply, standard VHS VCRs record images at approximately 240 horizontal scan lines. With S-VHS, the recording resolution is increased to 400 scan lines. Result? A far sharper image than you typically get when playing back recorded shows. Now, because the format is different, a S-VHS recorded show can only be played back on a S-VHS VCR. Also, it's recommended that you use a special, more expensive, S-VHS specific tape to gain the most out of this feature. Use of a normal VHS tape is okay, but you will lose some image quality. The Super VHS ET mode is just that - kind of a pseudo S-VHS recording on normal VHS tapes. Quality is better, but not drastically so. Many other VCRs allow playback of this recorded format while they're not specifically S-VHS VCRs - they're more of a hybrid.

Ok, end S-VHS lesson. Continue with the review on the JVC HR-S7900U.

The VCR box is a nice, black unit that should match well with most other components out there. The digital display is bright and informative and smacks of high quality. The sides of the unit are covered in a relatively nice looking wood grain - a departure for JVC, but rich enough looking for most tastes.

The front of the VCR contains standard AV inputs plus an S-Video in. The rear contains the same AV and S-Video inputs and outputs, plus the other normal cable/antenna leads. Hooking up any existing system to this VCR is simply a breeze and should pose no problems to anyone.

The unit offers a host of features including various play-back effects (slow-motion speeds in both directions, freeze frame, tape scanning, and more). Additionally, it offers some impressive editing tools for those of you who plan to do some video editing on this deck. The inclusion of its Insert Editing with Flying Erase Head and Audio Dubbing system is a rare find on a VCR of this price range.

And for those of you who hate to set the clock on VCRs, that's one thing you need not worry about on this model. It grabs a signal from a local PBS station to set and adjust the time automatically. Plus it scans your cable service to set all of the channels automatically as well.

Programming is a breeze with the VCR Plus settings and the intelligent manual recording process. You can record a single show, the same show on a daily basis or the same show on a weekly basis - all with relative ease. This VCR is clearly very flexible to meet the demands of all.

The combination of the on-screen displays and very useable remote control makes setting all levels of options on this VCR a no-brainer. Even the most basic user will find it easy to use and program on a regular basis.

But when it comes down to it, the picture, recording and playback quality is what really takes the cake with this VCR. Using the S-VHS setting, the quality of the recordings I've made so far are clearly a step above standard VHS. If you're getting a clear, strong signal from your cable/satellite provider, you'll see very little image degradation when recording onto a S-VHS tape. And if you're not happy with the image, JVC gives you multiple options to tweak the output in various ways.

Essentially, JVC has thought of everything and produced an extremely high quality VCR without pricing it at an astronomical level. VCRs today can range from anywhere between $50 to $500 or more. The JVC HR-S7900U is affordably priced at $250 - clearly a bargain for everything you get in this model.

Full VCR specifications and features are listed below.

Thanks, as always, for reading...

-John

VCR Specifications

* Super VHS High Resolution
* Super VHS ET Recording
* Hi-Fi VHS Stereo with MTS Decoder
* DigiPure Technology with 2MB Frame Memory
* Digital Wide TBC
* Precision 3-D Color Circuit

* Pro-Cision 19 micron width EP Heads
* Digital 3-D YNR/CNR
* Precise Digital 3-D Y/C Separation
* Digital R Picture System
* Insert Editing with Flying Erase Head and Audio Dubbing

* VCR Plus+ with "Cable Eye" Cable Box Controller
* Advanced Jog Dial on VCR to control video footage lust by push-and-turning operation of the Jog Dial
* Plug & Play with Auto Clock/Auto Tuner Setting
* Active Video Calibration to optimize recording/playback picture performance
* Picture Control
* Multi-Brand TV/Cable/DBS Compatible Remote with Glow-Keys
* Child Lock
* Gold-Plated Front AV Inputs
* AV Compu Link
* Shuttle Plus for one-finger multi-function control on the remote
* Dimensions: 17 3/16" (W) x 3 3/4" (H) x 11 3/16" (D)