S-VHS, S-VHS ET, 3D-DNR, 3 video inputs, Front S-Video input

Remote

This is a pretty decent unit I picked up at Netmarket.com for $200. It's last years model, and I'm not sure what the differences are between this one and the VC-S101U other than the new one doesn't have 3D-DNR. Since DNR makes a huge difference on older tapes, I'm not sure why they removed this feature, maybe it was too expensive to implement at the low price point.
Everything works well, it's a good SVHS deck for the timeshifter, much better than the crappy 3600 JVC deck. The only thing lacking is the remote, which is clearly a rush job. It's the most poorly designed remotes for a VCR I've ever seen. (I immagine this is what they replaced in the new unit).
All in all, a good buy. Grab one if you can, because this years model without DNR will be all you can get soon.

Similar Products Used:

JVC HR-S3600U

Nice picture. Three A/V inputs, two of which are S-video, one being on the front panel. Rewinds freakin fast.

Goofy looking remote. Sharp brand.

I'm looking to get all new home theater equipment eventually, and while researching I noticed how inexpensive SVHS players are now. Five years ago was the last time I bought a VCR and SVHS was expensive.Not anymore.
Anyway, this is one cool VCR. I like the extra inputs. I have this hooked up to a 27" Sony TV that only has one S-video connection. When I ordered this VCR I figured I would have to swap out my S-video hook up to my Sega Dreamcast, and jump back and forth when I used one or the other. I was surprised to find not only one, but two S-video inputs on this cool little VCR! So now my Dreamcast is hooked (via S-video) to my input1 on the VCR and my VCR is hooked to the S-video input on my TV. Neato. The picture when watching video tapes is really nice, too. You really can see the difference S-video makes. And the price makes this thing an excellent value.

Similar Products Used:

Various other VCRs, none being S-video.

Picture quality




Picture quality

Remote control

I was surprised at the picture quality of ths Sharp vcr.
Picture is actually better than my JVC9500. It is outstanding in ET mode. It has three switchable inputs,almost qualifies as switcher. The Digital noise reduction is very good on old and standard quality tapes.
It has operated without a glitch and I would recomend it to anyone looking for an SVHS-ET vcr. I wish it had flying erase heads,but that aside I'd say Sharp has a winner hear.

Similar Products Used:

JVC4500,JVC9500

Picture quality; noise filter on 100U model at this price point; SVHS-ET

no flying erase heads; Sharp name?

This is my first exposure to a SVHS VCR. Obviously, the quality difference using SVHS and SVideo is remarkable. For $200, this is worth the extra bucks up from a standard VHS VCR of any brand. If you time shift, this is a worthy purchase.

Also notable is the 3D noise filter, and reportedly, a 3D Comb Filter. In any case, the standard cable signal routed through the svideo output with the VCR on cleans up the standard analog cable derived picture tremendously. The color bleed issues and other artifacts of the NTSC standard are mostly compensated. Colors are more lifelike and the picture takes on a film-like quality. Its noticable even to the most inexperienced viewer.

Its quite a bonus to get an improved TV picture, and a high quality time shifter, and improved playback on recorded cassettes. Get one now before they are all gone... as Sharp has removed the expensive noise filter from the year 2000 models.

Similar Products Used:

Magnovox

Recording Quality in ET mode, NO MATTER what speed. Excellent Playback on ALL tapes I've played

Maybe a little different menuing system would have been nice.

Well to sum it up, GET ONE WHILE YOU CAN! I'm not sure how much longer you'll be able to get the 100, they've updated to the 101 for this year. From what I understand they took away the nice DNR on the 101s. The 100 is AWESOME. I've used all the JVCs listed above, and the Sharp 100 beats them ALL, hands down for picture guality. Even the tape that I recorded in ET mode on the JVC 7600 looks WAY Better on the Sharp. It's very hard to tell the difference between the picture on the tape in EXTENDED PLAY ET vs. the Satellite broadcast. Very nice looking unit also. I definately agree with Robert that the picture beats JVC. Also, thanks Eric for the tip on Netmarket.com. They're the only place I found that still had the 100s in stock. I don't know how the 101s compare to the 100s, but if they kept the same picture quality without the DNR, then it's my top pic for a VCR in the under $700 price range.

Similar Products Used:

JVC 3600, 4600, 7600, 8400 and 9600. RCA 725HF.

The picture, the picture, the picture. Whether in normal mode, slo-mo or still frame, this is the best picture I've seen in any S-VHS machine. Also, it handles EP recordings from other machines just beautifully.

The unit is very light, so who know how long it will last? And the remote is goofy.

Get this machine NOW, TODAY -- because they'll be gone very soon! This $200 VCR is an absolute classic and will, I'm sure, we discussed fondly at audioreview.com many years from now. Think of it as the 1957 Bel-Air of VCRs.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic AG-1980, Mitsubishi U790 & U795, JVC 9500U & 9600U.

Picture, stability, sound, speed of FF & Rewind.

Unit automatically ejects and shuts off at end of rewind.(Big deal.)

Because of Kasica's recommendation, I bought this and he was right on! This thing stabilizes the oldest EP crap. I had old SCTV recordings in LP mode that no machine would play. This one did -- and gave me a good picture to boot. One strength not mentioned is the easy and sensitivity of the machine's manual tracking(in any mode). I've noticed over the past month that some websites that used to carry it, carry it no more. Better hurry.

Similar Products Used:

JVC 9500