JVC XV-BP1 Blu-Ray Player

Did you ever get one of those deals where you couldn't afford NOT to buy something? Yes I know that sounds silly, but the JVC XV-BP1 Blu-Ray, is such a player.

JVC USA, indicates that this player was and is $229.95. That is the nominal sweet spot for medium priced Blu-ray players today. You can get for quite a bit less without trying too hard.  Using the internet, I saw one for about $144.00 USD.  I bought mine at H.H. Greggs, for
the unbelievable price of $50.00 USD plus tax. 9.25% here in Tennessee.

This was a closeout display unit. Missing manuals and other documentation, no remote control, or power cord. No big deal, power cord from Radio Shack $7.95, and a remote control from my
 JVC XV-bp10 JVC Blu-Ray player from my bedroom evidently is the identical remote for the JVC XV-BP1 Blu-Ray player here.

Before I go further, this sample has been updated to 7.169 version software or firmware. Updates are performed via .rom files on a USB flash drive from a file downloaded on a Windows compatible computer. Update took less than 5 minutes to accomplish using the USB port on the front of the unit.

The USB port unlike many other devices I have used, will actually detect card readers, hard disc drives USB devices. I don't have any FAT 16 or FAT 32 USB drives to put to the test so they get a pass on that one. Since card readers maybe used along also with AVCHD camcorders. The JVC makes a dandy media hub of sorts for your entertainment.

Specifications.

MECHANISM XV-BP1 System NTSC BD Live(TM) Yes Playable Media* [1] BD-ROM / BD-RE / BD-R Yes DVD-Video / DVD-R/-RW, +R/+RW Yes BD-ROM Yes BD-RE Yes BD-R Yes DVD-Video Yes DVD-R Yes DVD-RW (Video/VR) Yes +RW (Video) / +R Yes/Yes CD / CD-R/RW Yes/Yes Playable Formats (Image) MPEG-2 Yes MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) Yes VC-1 Yes AVCHD Yes JPEG Digital Still Yes Playable Formats (Audio) LPCM Yes Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital+ Yes Dolby TrueHD Yes DTS Yes DTS HD Yes MPEG-1/-2 L2 Yes MP3 Yes (PCM Only) WMA Yes (PCM Only) Track Playback Fast Play (Forward/Reverse) Yes (BD/DVD[VR]/CD) Slow (Forward) Yes (BD/DVD[VR]) Skip Title/Track (BD/DVD[VR]/CD) ; Chapter (BD/DVD[VR] ; Time (DVD[VR]) Pause Yes (BD/DVD[VR]/CD) Step (Forward) Yes (BD/DVD[VR]) Repeat Title/Track, Chapter, A-B, ALL Last Condition Memory Yes (DVD[VR]) Resume/Stop Yes (DVD[VR]) Random Play Yes (CD-DA, MP3/WMA) Book Marker / Book Marker Search Yes/Yes JPEG Slideshow with Music Yes Quick Loading Yes Subtitle Still Yes Progressive Scan Yes VIDEO XV-BP1 Video D/A Converter 12-bit/148MHz Noise Reduction Yes VBI WSS / CGMS-A / Closed Caption / Macrovision Yes NTSC -- PAL Conversion Yes Deep Color Yes http://av.jvc.com/products/glossary.jsp?gId=403 Yes 1080p Upscaling Yes AUDIO XV-BP1 Audio D/A Converter 192kHz/24-bit Dynamic Range Control Yes TERMINALS XV-BP1 HDMI Out (Audio/Video) Yes (Ver.1.3) Video Out Component Yes Composite Yes Audio Out Analog 2ch Yes Coaxial Digital Output Yes Optical Digital Output Yes USB Host* [3] Yes (Front) Network (Ethernet) Yes MISCELLANEOUS XV-BP1 On-Screen Display Yes GUI (Graphical User Interface) Yes On-Screen Language 3 Languages (Eng./ Fre./ Spa.) HDMI 1080/24p Output Yes Deep Color Yes http://av.jvc.com/products/glossary.jsp?gId=403 Yes HBR Audio Bitstream Out Yes Screen Saver Yes Remote Control Yes Auto Power Off Yes GENERAL XV-BP1 Power Requirements AC 120V/60Hz Power Consumption Power On 18W Standby Under 1W Dimensions (W x H x D) inches 16-15/16 x 2-3/16 x 9-11/16 (without foot) mm 430 x 54 x 245 (without foot) Weight lbs. 6.2 kg 2.8
Got my money's worth.

Oh yeah, and then some. Used in my 2 channel media room, my Sony BDP-S360 still flies in my Home Theater room with its 5.1 setup, the JVC sits under my Sony Playstation 3 unit.

Loading times are excellent. Faster than my Sony BDP-S360, and very close to my Playstation 3 load times. Note I am due to check firmware updates on the 2 Sony units I have since the Blu-Ray format is constantly evolving, and feature set etc. changed all the time.

You don't say...

Since this IS in my 2 channel analog system, comments on the Dolby Digital True HD, and DTS HD/Master will be nill. Your processor, or Audio Video Receiver do all the heavy lifting anyway with the player bit streaming anyway. As a reminder all digital high resolution non compressed audio may only be enjoyed via the HDMI connection.

I am using the RCA phono plugs left and right supplied on the rear apron of the JVC XV-BP1 Blu-Ray player. Since I was back there I note the accessible HDMI 1.3a compliant connector, and the SPDIF optical, and coaxial connections all grouped close to one another with the component and composite video close by as well. The power cable is a detachable what I affectionately call a peanut connector type 2 conductor affair.

Back to the front, we see a unit that looks more like CD player than a Blu-ray player with the requisite loading tray mechanism to the left, with a center LED scrolling status panel with large script I might add, and blue round halo transport controls. Very spiffy and more expensive looking than my clanky Sony BDP-S360 in comparison.

The look of Love??

With the JVC XV-BP1 Blu-Ray player connected via HDMI port 3 on my still new Toshiba 40 inch television, I was ready to setup the JVC, and put it through its paces.  Setup by the way is like some folks have noticed, very "LG"ish in approach. Large square blocks modes for Movie,Pictures,Setup and Media. You can't go wrong with this easy not overly nested menu setup routine.

I was setup in less than 5 minutes.  Props to JVC for not over doing a menu that needs to help the user, and just not showing off with its overly busy graphics, and confusing steps.

I setup for 1080p 24hz or frames set, and 1080p overall resolution. My Toshiba of course 1920x1080p in RGB is ready to roll. Of course
since I am running analog 2 channel, no audio options are necessary or possible.

Of note, I wish the remote was bigger. All those confusingly small buttons, and too many of them are a bother to use. I don't need a remote festooned with so many controls, besides I wouldn't always have the same manufacture of TV, so that remote is doing me no favors. At least it will drive both my JVC's. That is worth something.

The eyes have it....

In a word, stunning!  This JVC is absolutely the business in detail, Star Trek J.J. Abrahms version my reference, though with other discs already out, I know this disc well. I almost still watch this movie everyday on my macbook pro at work with the digital copy, or in our theater room at work, or at my own home. I just love this movie.

The lens flare, and the contrast is excellent. Deep space with bright contrasty objects are amazing tests for video performance, and the JVC in my humble opinion is up there.  The Oppo BD-83 sure will have it for lunch, but remember it is double the price of the JVC.  Also remember I got this one for $50.00 USD. (trying not to be jaded).

 The video really is tremendous on my Toshiba LCD. No motion derived artifacts that I could see. Everything the Blu-Ray format promises in picture quality at least on my Toshiba LCD was handily delivered.

As an aside..
This just furthers my argument, why would anyone buy an up-converting DVD player anymore. Even if you don't buy Blu-ray discs like a religion, it comes with up-conversion too via the HDMI to 1080p on displays so equipped.

Facial features are rendered pretty good. Not the same as the best I have seen, but I still get the clue of Mr. Spock's stubble. Other players just smear it. The Oppo does a terrific job on details. It is the player everyone should be chasing.  It is $500.00 sure, but no one beats it in picture and sound quality.

So love the film/video quality. The analog output for audio get a less than glowing remark from me. While it is good, it can get a bit raucous as the complex climax of audio passages are played.  Rather than layering them nicely. It is like when you mom says clean your room, you hurriedly shove everything under the bed, and throw everything else in the closet.  The sound is sort of that way here too.

While not awful, it just isn't tidy, and articulate as it could be. Now I will cut it some slack since most of the main use of the JVC XV-BP1 Blu-Ray player will be on a 5.1 Home Theater solution of one kind or another. Still if you are going to offer an analog output, it should be better sorted than that. So as the cleaning of the room analogy goes, it does get cleaned, but not nicely.

Tonality wise it is a bit weak in the mid bass from time to time, the midrange is actually its best part. Very clear there when not asked to do the complex.  So about a C+ to a B- is about right on the audio.

Video a good B+ solid. Just misses out on an A grade due to its still not quite as sharp scaling as some the best I have seen, I mean real edge detail. Color, and motion performance keep the grade solid along with good contrasty detail, or shadow detail.  In some ways it is better than my Sony's, others about the same. 

Again..
I have to be critical here because I am weighing the JVC on its merits of performance, and not being jaded by the ridiculously low price I attained this player for.

So here is the matrix. I want to use this because I saw another review system used this and it is pretty to useful a gauge.

10 is perfect, to 0 well, not so perfect.

Build quality....7
Video quality...8
Audio quality...6
features..........8
ease of use.....9
updating.........9 (that is firmware updates)
facilities..........8
remote...........7
value..............8
support...........9 (website support from manufacturer)

Parting words and thoughts...

So in the final analysis, should you go and buy this player, and will you be happy with all it can do.  I say absolutely! This player will compete with the likes of the Sony, Pioneer, LG, and Samsung, and Panasonic, and I think at least do well. While not class leading in any catagory, the JVC is honest performance, and reasonable build for the
money.  The Sony in direct comparison just lacks the build quality of the JVC, at least outwardly. The only distraction that makes the JVC sound a bit cheap is the whirring of it transport as it spools up.

You don't get the clank and clunk of the Sony though as you load the discs. Load times are again very competitive I think.

Ultimately, I like the JVC XV-BP1 Blu-Ray player. In balance it does my system proudly. I may at some point maybe swap the JVC into my 5.1 rig instead. I think it would be exceptional there, and I also
would be able to use the high resolution, non compressed audio.

The JVC XV-BP1 gets my Recommendation.
Thank you for reading. V.C.

Viewed material for this review.

Star Trek J.J. Abrams version ASIN :B001AVCFK6

Ronin ASIN: B000OPOAJS

Associated equipment.

Emotiva XPA-2 2 channel power amplifier 500 watts per channel.
Emotiva USP-1 2 channel analog Preamplifier.
Emotiva ERC-1 CD player
Sony PS-3 40 gig version 2.21 firmware.
Apple TV take 2
Apple Macbook Pro Core 2 duo Intel 13 inch notebook.
Apple Imac 24 inch Core 2 Duo Intel.
Magnepan MMG Planar speakers.
NHT SW12 Subwoofer.

All products and terms are owned by their respectable manufacturers.