The new JVC HR-S7500 Super-VHS VCR is flat-out the best performing VCR I've ever seen or owned (it's my sixth S-VHS deck since 1987). The picture quality is a quantum leap over all my previous units (from JVC, Panasonic, and RCA). The picture has exceedingly low noise levels, resulting in a smooth, clean image. In comparison, Panasonic's PV-S7680 (an S-VHS deck in the same price range), which I recently used at home for a week, has a rather grainy picture. The Panasonic's build quality is also rather flimsy relative to the JVC.
This VCR also has JVC's new ET circuitry, allowing one to record in S-VHS mode using regular (as opposed to S-VHS) videotape. To my surprise, the picture quality on TDK EHG (approx. $2.50 ea.) blank tape is virtually indistinguishable from that on S-VHS blank tape (Fuji, TDK, or Maxell).

Another surprise was the picture quality at the EP speed. I have never liked the picture quality at this speed and thus have never used it. But the S-VHS ET picture on TDK EHG tape (at EP speed) is actually very good--almost matching the SP performance from my two other JVC S-VHS decks.

The HR-S7500 is one dandy VCR. Once you live with the exceptional picture quality this VCR provides, you will never want to use your previous deck again. This new JVC is that good.

Overall JVC HR-S7500 produce the best picture from a VCR I have seen short of Digital. The with Digital Time-base corrector and noise reduction the picture noise was significantly lowered to the point that SVHS picture starts to look like DVD. Even ordinary VHS picture possesses a smoothness and lack of noise that's striking. As a bonus feature the Time-Scan feature allows to play-back high speed 2x, 3x, 5x, 7x without the streaking horizontal lines that's commonly associated with fast-speed playback - great to go through a boring newscast recording in half the time! (With Audio too even at 2x).
Finally having flying-erase head is great for video editing / seamless insertion of new video segments.
Overall this is the best VCR you can buy for $400 (mail-order price).

I've been using the S7500 for about a month now, and I'll have to say I am very impressed. I had been using a mid-model Toshiba Hi-Fi VCR, and the picture quality on the JVC, even in basic recording in EP mode is significantly better. I just recently recorded a movie in S-VHS in EP on a "normal" tape and the quality was almost as good as if it were a newly purchased recording.
Its a good looking machine that comes with Rosewood side panels (OK, they are probably plastic, but they look nice anyway). I only give it 4 stars because I haven't compared it to other S-VHS VCRs or to digital, and no matter how good something is, there's always room for improvement. But, if you are looking for a vast improvement over your Hi-Fi VCR this piece would be a great choice!!!

I've had this VCR for about 3 months now, and I have to say overall it is a mighty impressive piece of equipment for the price. In addition to the picture quality you get with S-VHS and S-VHS ET (which some others have already commented on), I found this model gave new life to my old VHS tapes due to its Digital Noise Reduction and Time Base Corrector. I was literally blown away when I put in one of my low-quality pre-recorded store-bought tapes - where I had previously seen a grainy, noise filled picture (on my old VCR), what I now saw looked totally pristine. This VCR can even make old tapes recorded in EP mode look as good as new tapes recorded in SP mode on another VCR.
I take off one star because of two related niggling complaints I have - the TBC and DNR functions are linked and cannot be switched independently, and the tape heads themselves are not the best quality. This is normally not a problem, but I have several tapes (maybe 5-10) that have been apparently stretched in my old VCR, and the TBC/DNR function actually introduces flagging (a bent portion of the top of the picture) - TBC alone should correct this, but the DNR mixed in apparently makes it worse. If I switch off the TBC/DNR, the flagging goes away, but without this function playback on this VCR looks slightly worse than on a normal VCR from another brand. Apparently JVC skimped a bit on the tape heads because they knew the TBC/DNR would clean up any problems with the picture, but this doesn't apply when you have to turn this function off.

I use the 7500 for taping off of DSS . It is a excellent SVHS machine . I do see a definite difference form DSS original and when it is played back on SVHS tape . My XBR is color corrected and gray scale calibrated so i expected to see a difference from DSS and SVHS recordings BUT this does not detract from the recordings at all, as i cannot compare the 2 and be critical of the VCR . As what the 7500 was designed to do it does VERY well ! Very clean picture back and forth at all speeds, nice circuitry within, fairly sleek looking machine (i prefer the look of the SONY 1000 SVHS) but for the price the 7500 is worth it (i paid substaintly less than MSRP). the only problem i have encountered is the CA function it works once and that is it ???? This problem has been reported before with 7500 users . Also the plastic rosewood panels (pretty bad here) especialy when it is within 2 feet of my Pioneer Elite with real rosewood panels Other than these 2 gripes a very trusty SVHS machine if it can be had for $500 or less go for it . It is not worth the $600 MSRP if i had to pay that much i would get the SONY 1000 instead .ENJOY !

I purchased this unit a week ago and I am still surprised that it can clearly play back my old videotapes almost as if they were brand new. This machine is very easy to operate because of it's on-screen display. This machine is significantly superior to my old Mitsubishi VCR. I also noticed that colors are richer using the built-in tuner of the VCR vs. my Mitsubishi TV's tuner. I'm not sure why, but it is.

Just bought this unit from onecall for $300. Excellent picture and nice features. Only problems: faux panelling cheapens the vcr, loud rewind, fake feet and clunky remote (you have to hold down a button if you want to control the tv with the vcr remote). But you can't beat the price for a svhs vcr with all the editing features.

Since it's the end of the model year (the newer 7600's are out) I was able to pick up a JVC HR-S7500U for $350. I too was impressed with how well the noise reduction processing works, very crisp pictures off of high quality VHS tapes. However, I took it back because in scenes where there is high contrast, e.g. against white walls or on bright days, the playback showed significant "tearing" with many horizontal white streaks between light and darker areas of a scene. I tried out many different tapes, same problem. Turning off the 7500U's noise reduction and sharpening circuitry had no effect. Even took the same tapes into the store and tried it on an HR-S4600U, it showed no problems (but it lacks the noise reduction and sharpening circuits). Could be I got a lemon. I'll be trying out the 7600 soon.

clear picture, good recording quality

cheap remote, no S-Video input at the front, slow mechanism

I have the machine for 3 months now. So far I don't have a chance to try out a S-VHS tape yet. I can say that the SVHS-ET does work as promised. It provides very good picture
even at the EP mode. The video memory helps to enhance lousy pictures. It is rich in features, but honestly some of them are hard to use (may I say commercial advance...?)
When you press Play, you have wait for a sec or two before it will activate. Very slow compared to my old Mitsubishi 4 head HiFi. Also, when you play, it will automatically switch to the VCR mode, screwing the picture if you are watching TV. (because it borrows ch 3).Has to press the TV/VCR button again. (that really sucks) As some has said before, the remote control really sucks. First I think it is illuminated, but then I find out it is only "glow in the dark." It looks cheap. I expect to a better remote for a CDN$560 machine.
One last comment: want to get the best of the SVHS-ET? go get some high-grade tapes. Also, it provides screwy pictures for the first 30 minutes of my newly-purchased Saving Private Ryan.

Great picture quality.

Bad design. Seems cheaply built

I was lucky enough to get one of these for a very low price. Which is good, as it seems rather cheaply built. there's a few too many clicks and whirrs for my taste, indicative of mis-fit parts that may not last through the years. Setup was a little annoying and the remote control seemed designed for someone with seven fingered hands.

Picture quality is excellent. Sound would probably be more impressive if I had a better sound system myself. I hope the picture quality can last until the death of VHS, but I'm not sure this is a machine for long-term use.