Well this is a followup to my previous review under "Scott". I've had this deck since 2001 and it hasn't seen a whole lot of use compared to my old Hitachi. Anyway the deck still works after 9 years, but is now having that common tape crease issue in EP mode. On todays cheaper quality VHS tapes (I think they are thinner now), when I record in EP at the beginning of the tape, I can hear tape munching going on. It goes away when you later get into the tape, but there was tape damage done to the bottom of the tape with creasing. Basically the transport is needing work, and I have heard this is a common problem with all late TOTL JVC S-VHS decks. So mine needs service to get the transport back into spec. Yes these decks are cheap, but the produce what you will find is the best VHS/ S-VHS picture you've seen. On Ebay these decks go for big money, mainly because of the picture quality they produce. I did notice on a comercially made movie VHS tape made in around 1981, the TBC wouldn't sink up. I had to turn it off to keep the picture from rolling.

Im going to get a D-VHS deck for a backup deck. I hope it doesn't give as many issues as this deck would.

Looks good and works fine in the store. Lots of bells and whistles.

Don't plug it in - bells and whistles start dropping like flies! You start the count-down timer for its doom. Also, this unit has no ground, so be prepared for getting zapped when you hook up audio and video leads. Best to keep it unplugged while making external connections. The ET mode only works with the highest quality VHS tapes, so you may as well spend a few cents more and just buy SVHS tapes. The ET mode tends to have a low signal-to-noise ratio (pix is grainy), and is useless at slow speeds.

This unit worked fine out of the box for a couple months. Then I noticed that I had to unplug the unit for about 10 minutes, because the logic would get screwed up if you hit the play, then rewind, then play in a fast sequence, which is typical if you are using this deck for editing. More bad news. The TBC went out. OK, I'll run it without it. BANG ! OK, now the thing has to be unplugged if there is a power failure, because it would go directly into the play mode, and could not be turned off. The first JVC I ever bought, an SVHS HR-S7000U, sits on a shelf in the corner of the basement. It lasted almost 2 years before the plastic flex printed circuit going to the fold-down front panel became intermittent. That was followed by a JVC SVHS HR-S6900U, which after a year, would only work in the LP mode. I've learned my lesson with JVC, and refuse to touch anything with JVC on it again. PS: I still have an RCA 3 speed docking portable that still works to this day. It was purchased in the early eighties. JVC = 2 years average life!

Looks good and works fine in the store. Lots of bells and whistles.

Don't plug it in - bells and whistles start dropping like flies! You start the count-down timer for its doom. Also, this unit has no ground, so be prepared for getting zapped when you hook up audio and video leads. Best to keep it unplugged while making external connections. The ET mode only works with the highest quality VHS tapes, so you may as well spend a few cents more and just buy SVHS tapes. The ET mode tends to have a low signal-to-noise ratio (pix is grainy), and is useless at slow speeds.

This unit worked fine out of the box for a couple months. Then I noticed that I had to unplug the unit for about 10 minutes, because the logic would get screwed up if you hit the play, then rewind, then play in a fast sequence, which is typical if you are using this deck for editing. More bad news. The TBC went out. OK, I'll run it without it. BANG ! OK, now the thing has to be unplugged if there is a power failure, because it would go directly into the play mode, and could not be turned off. The first JVC I ever bought, an SVHS HR-S7000U, sits on a shelf in the corner of the basement. It lasted almost 2 years before the plastic flex printed circuit going to the fold-down front panel became intermittent. That was followed by a JVC SVHS HR-S6900U, which after a year, would only work in the LP mode. I've learned my lesson with JVC, and refuse to touch anything with JVC on it again. PS: I still have an RCA 3 speed docking portable that still works to this day. It was purchased in the early eighties. JVC = 2 years average life!

Nice looking case

Mediocre picture, poorly designed remote control, cheesy
construction.

Let me start out this review by saying that I own a
commercial video editing and duplication firm; and have
worked full time in the industry since 1987. I have used
literally dozens of commercial and consumer VCRs over the
years; and watched the general build quality of consumer
VCRs slide badly since the early 1990s.
Since this is JVCs "Top of the Line" consumer VCR; I
got a loaner of this model to use for a few days from a
friend who works for a local electronics firm. I carefully
compared the build quality (Yes - I did open it up!),
picture quality, and ease of use to a "throw away" JVC
S3600U S-VHS unit. Although the S9800U is built a bit
better and does have a flying erase head feature; the
picture quality is little different from the S3600U - which
typically sells for about half the price.
Also - as seems to be the case with both JVC models -
the mono audio is recorded at a much lower level than the
Hi-Fi channels. This does not seem to be a "problem" with
other brands I have used, such as Panasonic and Quasar.
Bottom line is that you can probably buy a lower level
JVC and get similar picture quality at a much lower price
point.
As for you folks that thought you were buying a "Top
of the Line" VCR; I have a tip to pass on. If you can
afford it - buy yourself a Panasonic AG-1980. That is
Panasonic's "ProLine" S-VHS VCR. It will cost you about
$1000.00; but has every feature you might ever want -
including real editing features, a true time base corrector,
superb build quality (compared to consumer units), and
has a commercial warranty - 1 year parts and labor (except
video heads which are 90 days.)

Similar Products Used:

JVC S3600U, Panasonic AG-1980

MANY Features, great editing gizmos, groovy color, great picture quality

TOO many features, weak manual

This bites - I just spent 45min writing up a really good review, and then it reset the page.

So here is the short version

Good - picture quality. Great standard VHS reproduction as well as the SVHS . Great audio. VERY cool features, like input level control. I haven't figured out exactly how to work the knob on the front with precision, but if I do I bet it will be cool too. The remote actually has a vcr/tv switch now, so you don't have to hold down the TV button to change the volume on your monitor.

Bad - the manual spends the first 25 pages on how to plug it in and press the play button. Then it blows over all these great features without much detail at all. Oh, and I can find the pause button without a diagram of the entire remote that takes up 1/2 of a page, and is the same as the diagram on the last 4 pages.

Overall - Very nice VCR. Don't have the noisy playback/recoding problem of the lower models. High speed scan and RW/FF is nice (but scary when you hear that tape scream in the player). Good editing features, just wish they were explained in more detail.

Similar Products Used:

JVC HR4600 (svhs), JVC HR-VP610U (older hifi)

MANY MANY features, excellent S-VHS (ET) picture quality, great dubbing features

TOO many features, weak users manual

This deck is a trip. I probably went a little overboard in buying this, but tis the season for impulse shopping. I wanted the HR9600, but could only find them refurbished, and this wasn't significantly more expensive.

I bought this because the noise of the HR4600 really got on my nerves. I tell you, it pays to shell out the extra few dollars to get non-refurbished products. This thing is cool as anything, but I don't know what 1/2 the menu features actually do. The manual really doesn't go into much depth on any one topic, unless it is telling how cool JVC is for packing all the features that automatically set themselves up. The first 25 pages are all about how to connect it, set the clock, and play a tape. If you are dropping this kind of cash on a VCR and don't know how to hook a VCR up you need to be slapped.

I really don't know what to say about this yet, other than I like it. I ran Gladiator through it and the picture was great. It's not a DVD player (which I am quickly getting used to) but on VHS tapes it is about the best picture I have seen. The SVHS-ET feature is as good (or better) than the 4600. It has a FF scan feature that will allow you to watch pre-recorded shows at higher speed. The audio reproduction is pretty good on that... doesn't sound like the Chipmunks Xmas album at all.

The main thing over the lower JVC models is that it is QUIET. The rewind/FF is kinda loud, but it is some super high speed thing, and it rewinds so quickly that it doesn't last long enough to get on your nerves.

I never would have noticed the color of the remote if I hadn;t read this other guys review. I don't think it is great, but it is definitely not bad enough to make me want to get rid of the receiver.

This has gone on long enough. Buy it if you plan on doing a lot of taping (DVD to tape, DSS to tape) buy a $75 HiFi deck if you just rent stuff from BlockBuster.

Similar Products Used:

JVC HR4600

Great picture. Nice not to have a black vcr for a change

Remote clashes with my couch

I purchased this model because I wanted what I felt was the best consumer vcr for the money. I really like the picture. It is the best I have ever seen in any vcr that I have owned. As far as the remote being hard to work or to slow I disagree. It takes a little more time to learn how to use than a regular remote because of all the features but it is time well spent. 1 other thing about the remote. I had to laugh at the review that said the color of the remote looked like baby poop. I really would'nt know bacause I don't spend my time looking at baby poop! If you want the best possible picture get this vcr you will be glad you did.

Similar Products Used:

Sony Panasonic [both junk]

Good picture quality, features, flying erase head, SVHS ET recording and bargain price.

Modest build quality.

The actual model I bought is the GoVideo SDV-650. This is a black version of the HR-S9800U. I downloaded the HR-S9800U manual from the JVC site to compare with the SDV-650 manual to be absolutely certain the VCRs are the same. The SDV-650 is being closed out at uBid and other sites. I have owned many and still own several SVHS VCRs and I consider this one very good. Picture quality at SVHS SP and SVHS SP ET is as good as any VCR I have seen. Picture quality at the SVHS ET EP speed is not very good but I do not consider that as a usable option with any other VCR I have owned. The SVHS EP recording is acceptable and comparable to my other SVHS VCRs. Hi-Fi audio is good and on a par with my other SVHS VCRs.

This VCR is a full featured editing VCR with TBC, noise reduction, and many features found in more expensive VCRs. If you have decided to buy the HR-S9800U and prefer or do not mind the black color you should consider the GoVideo SDV-650. As with most other current VCRs, build quality does seem fragile with the HR-S9800U but so does my HR-S9500U which has been problem free for the 3 years I have owned it. Hopefully this will be my last standard definition VCR purchase. My experiences with JVC VCRs has been very good having owned several. Since I always have several VCRs mine do not get heavy use indvidually and my opinion is JVC VCRs hold up well with such moderate use. I have read reports that the HR-S9800U and previous models do not hold up under heavy use so I will not give this an overall 5 star rating.

Similar Products Used:

Sony SL-VR5UC, JVC HR-S7100U, JVC HR-S9500U, Panasonic PV-S4990, and JVC HR-S4500U.

Works now.

SVHS ES mode is not to hot.

I had a VCR tech take a look and he fixed it and only charged me $50. He said it was an alignment issue?? Ubid did finally come through with a commitment to refund my money and pay for all shipping. Took 2 weeks though. Guess they are real busy. Anyway it's working now and in the end I only paid $213 for what seem to be a top notch VCR. I do like it. Lotta stress though. I'm giving 5 stars now to make up for the bad rating before.

Similar Products Used:

Mitsu

LOTS OF FEATURES, PLAYBACK QUALITY, REMOTE

MANUAL TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO.

ONE THING I DONT GET ABOUT OTHER REVIEWERS ON HERE IS THIS:
IF YOU BUY A PRODUCT FROM A NON-AUTHORIZED RETAILER OR E-TAILER, DONT EXPECT MUCH. FOR STARTERS THE WARRANTY IS INVALIDATED, YOU CANT REALLY RELY ON THE SELLER AND NEVER BUY ANYTHING WITHOUT BUYING AN EXTENDED SERVICE AGREEMENT.
MOST PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT A BAD UNIT OR A UNIT THAT CRAPS AFTER 3 MONTHS OF USE, IF THIS BE THE CASE...ITS YOUR FAULT!! -END OF RANT-

NOW FOR THE REVIEW

BOTTOM LINE, THIS UNIT KICKS MAJOR BUTT

PICTURE QUALITY ON MY OLDER S-VHS TAPES WAS DAMN NEAR FLAWLESS, THE TBC WORKS WONDERS AS WELL AS THE VIDEO CALIBRATION. THIS UNIT RECORDS GREAT TOO. THE BIGGEST PLUS FOR THIS UNIT IS THE GHOST REDUCTION TUNER, I DONT HAVE DIGITAL CABLE OR A DISH, SO I AM STILL STUCK WITH NORMAL CABLE, BUT THIS WORKS WONDERS, MY TV PICTURE IS PERFECT, NO GHOSTS OR ANY OTHER FLAWS ASSOCIATED WITH "BASIC" CABLE, I HAVE THE CABLE GOING IN TO MY VCR AND OUT TO TV AND I ALSO HAVE IT HOOKED UP VIA S-VIDEO, AND WHEN I SWITCH BETWEEN BROADCAST AND "VIDEO 1" YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE.

I BOUGHT THIS UNIT FROM AN AUTHORIZED SELLER AND A EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT AS WELL, I MAY HAVE PAID MORE, BUT FOR THE SERVICE I GET, IT WAS WORTH IT, UNTIL I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS UNIT, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY ITS THE BEST I HAVE TRIED. AND IF I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITHIN...SAY 4 YEARS, IM COVERED.

Similar Products Used:

PANASONIC MOSTLY, ONE OTHER JVC