After three attempts at repairing a JVC xv501 that I had received in April from The Web Shop, JVC decided to replace the 501. I was surprised with the 511 shipped to my door. In comparison, the 511 is a much simpler and better machine than the 501. The manual for this unit is about 1/2 the content and is easier to navigate. One problem that both units may have stems from the fact that if you don't read ALL of the manual, an owner may not be aware that the digital audio output has to be selected in the preference folder. JVC places this info way in the back of the manual. There have got to be a number of people who plug & play these units without realizing they default to PCM audio output and consequently they don't get six channel sound. Even if you select Dolby Digital 5.1 output as the language choice on a DVD you will only get Pro Logic - 4 channel with the PCM default setting. Also, any time the units are unplugged or lose power for an extended period, this output setting has to be reset in the preference folder. My receiver is a JVC 884. It lights the surround indicator red for Pro Logic and green for Dolby Digital. It took me several hours to figure out what to do to get the green light.
I have to say that I prefer the 501 remote (I still have it) over the 511 remote. The 501 remote joystick is touchy, but the 511 remote cannot control my receiver, vcr and tv (all JVC) and it doesn't match my other remotes. The 511 remote is a little too basic. I threw it back in the box.

I'm holding my breath on the reliability of this machine as I've only had it two weeks. It does seem to perform smoother than the 501 it replaced. So, for the time being I'll rate this player at 4 stars.

I stayed loyal to JVC for ONE REASON- Nothing beats the one touch operation
of their A/V Compu Link system. Coupled with a very versatile receiver remote that operates all the components - my family doesn't have to do much more than sit back and enjoy the experience.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER DOLBY DIGITAL.

System components-
RECEIVER JVC 884VBK
VIDEO JVC 32 920
VCR JVC HR S3500U
DVD JVC XV511
SPEAKERS ENERGY TAKE 5 SYSTEM
SUBWOOFER ENERGY ES-10
VIDEO BUS IS S CABLE - PREMIUM MONSTER
DVD AUDIO OPTICAL CABLE 18" PREMIUM MONSTER -Do not put a kink in it.
speaker bus is 12 gage low carbon

Hmmm, what should I say about this product? The casing is great, doesnt look cheesy at all. Too bad (if I'm not mistaken), there's no coaxial digital output. The picture quality is great, so is the sound. One obvious problem I have is it skips for 1-2 secs when I play it for too long (on the 3rd movie or so), or maybe it's just my unit. Other than that, this player is a budget winner!

In response to the Cruel Intentions issue. The original Cruel Intentions DVD pressing was flawed and has been recalled. The new pressing can be identified by the part number 04827
on its keepcase spine versus 03827 for
the original flawed pressing. You should
be able to get a free swap of the old
recalled disk from the shop you bought it
from.

Quality picture, audio

Playback flaws on many dual-layer discs, lousy remote

Grat when it works. But it doesn't play dual-layer "gold" discs well. When they are played, you must reset the player for anything else to play. Ex: Private Ryan, The Matrix, Enemy of the State. Some problems with Rob Roy, Highlander, which seemed to go away after a reset. Frustrating! Does not play CD-Rs at all.

Excellent picture and sound

None

Used it for 2 month. This is great unit. No problems so far. Watched about 25 movies and all of them sound and look great.

DTS Sound is incredible

Broke the first day I bought it

I purchased the unit in Nov 99. The day I got it home I put in Apollo 13 in DTS. Wow the sound and picture was incredible! However after about 10 minutes into the movie it locked up and the picture froze. I tried putting in another movie and it still wouldn't work. The next day I took it to the JVC repair center. Almost two weeks later they called me to inform me that they couldn't repair the unit. So I asked the service technician if I could pay to upgrade to one of their better dvd players. Mr. John Zonkoski at JVC service centerin Cypress California told me that they didn't have any other dvd players to upgrade to. After visiting their website I saw 3 other dvd players as well as the 511! They offered to give me my money back on the player and that's it!! Way to go JVC their junk is so bad they would rather give you your money back then give you a new one. Not to mention the fact that he lied to me.
Now I know why I still have my Sony DVPS7000! If you are thinking of buying a dvd player the sony 7000 is a great player although this particular model doesn't play DTS the picture and sound in incredible.

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Great price for the performance.

Have had several that will not play dvd's after a while.

great sounding, but after awhile it ceased to play dvd's it had played previously. all together it was a great unit for the price!

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classy styling, ultra-reliable, terrific sound -- plays titles others can't [the matrix]

Just as a sound only unit for music, this player would be an excellent buy... QUIET!!! -- mechanically and musically.

works great for the first year. clear picture and sound.

after the guarantee expires, you might as well trow it to the dumpster.

this product worked great for the first year. right after the damn guarantee expired the unit started freezing up and not reading DVD's. I am really disappointed in this product and will never, ever, ever buy another JVC product again.

excellent picture quality coupled with brilliant colors . the deepness of the black textures on movies Eg. deep space flicks adds resounding depth to the experience . buck for buck is a fine product worht purchasing

minor remote hassles but an experienced user has no probs

I first added the jVC dvd player to my home system four months ago .The quality that it has displayed for the price has been excellent . I did alot of shopping around before I layed any cash down .....its the only way to go ...never be afraid to ask the questions either . What I found was that alot of players had flashy remotes and features that you really don't require if you are a mild enthusiast. this unit has dts dolby5.1 a digital optical output and a few options to keep you content .

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