JVC RX-888VBK A/V Receivers

JVC RX-888VBK A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

DD/DTS Receiver

USER REVIEWS

Showing 61-70 of 172  
[May 28, 2000]
Joe
Casual Listener

Strength:

Features, Price, Specifications, and Remote

Weakness:

Just one - an issue with the compulink feature. When I hook up a non-S-video VCR to the receiver, and play a tape, it switches the tv to video2, which is the input from the DVD component video cables. There seems to be NO WAY to switch the default for the VCR (and every other source via the receiver) to video1. Brilliant . Otherwise, it's a great feature!

I like it - can't say I love it, because I haven't the experience to say it's head over heels better than anything else. But for home theater and occasional music, it fulfills its promise.

The weakness I mentioned will only impact those who wish to use the compulink feature. I find now that in order to make it properly work, I now need to plunk down $$ for a VCR from JVC that has S-Video out - starting around $200!!! Makes you wonder if it wasn't planned from day one.

Otherwise, a great receiver.

Loses one star for poor foresight (or was it too much?) regarding the compulink thing.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 28, 2000]
Pete
Casual Listener

Strength:

Price,inputs,functionality,performance

Weakness:

manual confusing,

Finally got digital cable through Adelphia-they use a scientific atlanta receiver-explorer model 3000.
The cable reciever has rca composite outputs for video and audio and also a "digital audio" output , which
is a digital coaxial cable output. I tried it with rca out to my jvc receiver and the sound was so-so.
I went down to my local audio store and talked to someone who is experienced and he encouraged me
to try digital coaxial cable-I went with monster cable-13' digital cable --$60.00.
I hooked it up, digital out to the digital input into my receiver-no sound???
I called JVC support and found out-that you must address the digital DBS by holding down the loudness
button until "DBS" appears when you have selected TV. That did it-the sound in DBS digital is superb-clear,
no distortion that I can hear. This only works if you are recieving a digital signal (will not work with analog
signals). I also use rca composite for the analog stations by using one of the vcr audio inputs.
I am very happy with this result.

Similar Products Used:

20 year old pioneer receiver

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 28, 2000]
Pete
Casual Listener

Strength:

Price,inputs,functionality,performance

Weakness:

manual confusing,

Finally got digital cable through Adelphia-they use a scientific atlanta receiver-explorer model 3000.
The cable reciever has rca composite outputs for video and audio and also a "digital audio" output , which
is a digital coaxial cable output. I tried it with rca out to my jvc receiver and the sound was so-so.
I went down to my local audio store and talked to someone who is experienced and he encouraged me
to try digital coaxial cable-I went with monster cable-13' digital cable --$60.00.
I hooked it up, digital out to the digital input into my receiver-no sound???
I called JVC support and found out-that you must address the digital DBS by holding down the loudness
button until "DBS" appears when you have selected TV. That did it-the sound in DBS digital is superb-clear,
no distortion that I can hear. This only works if you are recieving a digital signal (will not work with analog
signals). I also use rca composite for the analog stations by using one of the vcr audio inputs.
I am very happy with this result.

Similar Products Used:

20 year old pioneer receiver

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 28, 2000]
Pete
Casual Listener

Strength:

Price,inputs,functionality,performance

Weakness:

manual confusing,

Finally got digital cable through Adelphia-they use a scientific atlanta receiver-explorer model 3000.
The cable reciever has rca composite outputs for video and audio and also a "digital audio" output , which
is a digital coaxial cable output. I tried it with rca out to my jvc receiver and the sound was so-so.
I went down to my local audio store and talked to someone who is experienced and he encouraged me
to try digital coaxial cable-I went with monster cable-13' digital cable --$60.00.
I hooked it up, digital out to the digital input into my receiver-no sound???
I called JVC support and found out-that you must address the digital DBS by holding down the loudness
button until "DBS" appears when you have selected TV. That did it-the sound in DBS digital is superb-clear,
no distortion that I can hear. This only works if you are recieving a digital signal (will not work with analog
signals). I also use rca composite for the analog stations by using one of the vcr audio inputs.
I am very happy with this result.

Similar Products Used:

20 year old pioneer receiver

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 28, 2000]
Pete
Casual Listener

Strength:

Price,inputs,functionality,performance

Weakness:

manual confusing,

Finally got digital cable through Adelphia-they use a scientific atlanta receiver-explorer model 3000.
The cable reciever has rca composite outputs for video and audio and also a "digital audio" output , which
is a digital coaxial cable output. I tried it with rca out to my jvc receiver and the sound was so-so.
I went down to my local audio store and talked to someone who is experienced and he encouraged me
to try digital coaxial cable-I went with monster cable-13' digital cable --$60.00.
I hooked it up, digital out to the digital input into my receiver-no sound???
I called JVC support and found out-that you must address the digital DBS by holding down the loudness
button until "DBS" appears when you have selected TV. That did it-the sound in DBS digital is superb-clear,
no distortion that I can hear. This only works if you are recieving a digital signal (will not work with analog
signals). I also use rca composite for the analog stations by using one of the vcr audio inputs.
I am very happy with this result.

Similar Products Used:

20 year old pioneer receiver

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 27, 1999]
David Middleton
an Audio Enthusiast

I've been very pleased with my RX-888 receiver. One feature that I really like is the way it keeps the settings separately for each source. The FM Tuner does not pick-up stations very well; it's usable for medium to strong stations only.
The sound quality with Polk Audio RM5400 speakers is great. While the unit gets a bit warm, I've had no problems from it. For those that have complained about the volume setting: Who cares what number the volume is set to when you're listening? The great thing about it is that it has sufficient granularity so one count up changes the volume only a small amount.

I use this unit with all JVC equipment including a TV that has two video inputs all connected via compulink. The receiver switches the JVC TV to the correct video 1 (S-VHS) input for for the DVD player and S-VHS VCR and video 2 (RCA) input for the VCR 2 source. The TV also has audio outputs to connect back into the TV/DBS source. Having all relatively new JVC components makes all this tie together nicely.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Sep 27, 1999]
David
an Audio Enthusiast

After much contemplation, I purchased my 888 last weekend. For the money, the features and performance are awesome. I am not an audio geek, so I won't even try to compare it to the other units that cost 2-3 times the price of this unit. Dolby and DTS decoding are great. I hooked it up to my Polk Audio RMS6500 and it delivers plenty of volume with no hiss or hum. I use the unit to control all of my video and audio components with relative ease. I will concur that the instruction manual is week but I called the 800 number and received decent help. Overall, you simply can't go wrong with this unit unless of course your ear can decipher the miniscule difference between the high-end receivers and this gem.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Apr 04, 2001]
Matt Fisher
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Lots of features, tons of inputs, and very easy to use. Very functional remote. On screen programming is great. Price is very reasonable.

Weakness:

No digital audio outputs, this is something that the RX8000 adds but isn't a big deal to me. Small hiss in right rear channel.

Overall I'm really happy with this unit. I shopped around online quite a bit and thought this price was great. It has all the A/V, S-Video, and digital audio inputs that I could ask for. For the features and inputs, I don't think there's a better unit out there in this price range. The remote is easy to use, and in conjunction with the on-screen programming, I can do anything I need while sitting on the couch.

Specifically, the 888 gives you the ability to control the output levels in all 6 channels, which is nice. Since my room setup is far from ideal, this allows a lot of freedom. It also gives center channel tone control, as well as the loudness feature which provides good bass. Another nice feature is the ability to listen to any audio source while watching a different video source. Additionally, the 888 lets you program which digital audio source corresponds to which input, so the two optical inputs and one coaxial input can be used for whatever you want. Finally, the "One touch operation" feature memorizes virtually every setting for each source, which is a must. These are the features that are most important to me.

The hiss in the right rear channel has been noticed by other users - I'm not brave enough to crack my receiver open and fix it. It's really not a big deal unless your ear is on the speaker. Also watch out for the significant heat, I have about a 6 inch separation from the next closest component, just to be safe.

Overall, I love it and would recommend it to anyone looking for the foundation of a solid home theater system.

The rest of my system:
Zenith 25" TV
Samsung VCR
Samsung DVD Player
RCA CD Player
Sony Playstation
Yamaha 100XT Mains, JVC center, Infinity Rears

Similar Products Used:

None, this is my first receiver.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 17, 1999]
Sid
an Audio Enthusiast

This one is definitely a winner. Comparing it to the other low price contender, the Pioneer 608, this one wins hands down. Good clean sound, center channel voices sound clear, the center channel tone adjustment allows adjustmentment to individual taste, and 5-way binding posts on all speaker connections (One review mentioned that you need banana plugs, not bare wire as specified in the manual, but the 5-way binding posts actually lets you use either. Also, there is no hum or cross-talk in the rear speakers above volume 60 as has been noted in reveiws of the JVC 884.) Sound quality is comparable to the Yamaha 592 that I am upgrading from. Wonderful price, Excellent features, Good sound. It doesn't get any better than this. Quite a surprising and delightful bargain.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Feb 25, 2000]
Trevor Paul
Casual Listener

Strength:

Cheap...lots of features

Weakness:

none...

This is a great item for everyday folks. It has all the features you could need... if you need something special, than go buy something special. This is like buying an Accord fully loaded and driving home satisfied with a decent product at a decent price.

For those with hissing problems... let's explain something. The amp runs up to level 90. Whenever you take a MOSFET amp (which this is), and close the gates on the FET's all the way (level 90), you drive the amp into a saturation region which increases noise levels. If you don't understand this... go get an electrical engineering degree (which I have), or buy a different unit....

Some people are either 16 years old... or stupid.

BTW.. I am only 23 and don't need the level up to 90.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 61-70 of 172  

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