Best I've Used

Before receiving the JVC HR-S9800U S-VHS VCR in the mail today I used older models and consumer-level VCRs. Nothing compares to this VCR.

First, take a look at it! Champagne colored and futuristic-looking. It's a good conversation piece and it looks like a car. It performs just as well.

The JVC HR-S9800U is a Ferrari, and consumer products are Pintos. This baby can do everyone and then some. It accepts S-VHS format, VHS, can insert edit, (try that on a regular VCR and you'll end up with erased tape) audio dub and so much more!

Super VHS ET mode is something I'm used to, and this has been kept intact. For the best quality picture on VHS tapes you have this option. You cannot use the tape on other VCRs that don't support Super VHS ET, but that's the only down-side.

For the best quality, use Super VHS formatted tapes. The picture and sound will be excellent and delightful. They are expensive, but so is this VCR.

The new DigiPure technology is great. When they say try to see a difference between the source tape and the recorded they are nominal. At this point I can say that no other VCR that I've tried beats the JVC HR-S9800U JVC's picture quality. Even SLP mode looks and sounds great!

The navigation system is a feature that proves DVDs chapter selection can be implemented into analog tapes. Have you ever recorded several programs onto one tape and just wanted to get to that point? Now you can! This VCR saves it into memory and keeps it, even after you turn it off!

Rewinding and fast-forwarding couldn't be crisper. No distortion on SP recorded tapes and great freeze-frames.

A gold-plated input on the front panel of this VCR tops it off. Gold conducts video and audio signal better than standard connectors. In conjunction with gold-plated cables (not included) you'll be setup with the best quality possible. I recommend Monster Cable. Using the included cables are okay but not the best, obviously.

All features of the VCR are great and are pluses. Ghost reduction, video calibration, video stabilization, AV CompuLink, audio level display for left and right channels,
child lock, (no more "accidental" erasures)


Shop around on the web to find a good deal on this VCR. I tried pricegrabber.com, found a NEW VCR and got the cheapest price, even beating the re-furbished VCR prices!