JVC AV-27D302 27" TV
a good set which could be better
I have used this set over a month and wish to update my earlier review. Let me start with the positives:1. The variable audio outputs are very useful. These allow controlling volume of the home theatre system using the TV remote control. If you have an older amp without a remote, you would find this feature even more useful.2. The remote control is very well designed and easy to use. It will control not only a VCR and DVD player but also (to some degree) a Satellite tuner! By inputing these devices to the TV you also have volume control of them all using the TV remote. 3. Using the s-video connection from my Webtv unit (which is integrated with my Dishtv receiver) has made the text images on the Web much more readable. And the RCA cable hookup has improved the picture from my VCR. 4. Video shielding is good. I have my upper speakers about 8\\" from the set without interference. Now for the Negatives:1. The level of 'hum' is noticeable. This noise comes from rear of the set, not the speakers. Perhaps this is typical of other brands as well, but I would advise other buyers to pay attention to this when comparing sets.2. The sound system is mediocre. Also, the internal speakers generate some hum when used. Since this set is easy to connect to an external AMP, I did not find this to be a major problem. 3. Default Picture Settings were too dark for my taste. I reduced the 'picture' setting and increased the 'bright' setting. Once adjusted, the picture was good. 4. There is some distortion of the upper corners of menu images like program guides as well as the Webtv screen. This is a minor annoyance. The normal programming display is fine. 5. Since I have both a DVD player and VCR hooked up, I must use the front A/V inputs for the VCR. This is somewhat unsightly. An improved design would place the inputs in one of the lower corners of the front (or perhaps the sides) to be less obtrusive. I experimented with the BBE sound enhancement system which JVC touts. I switched back and forth between routing my VCR audio output cables through the TV and connecting them straight to the system AMP. My subjective results follow. The sound routed through the TV (which is of course ultimately connected to the AMP also) with BBE on was essentially equivalent to the sound obtained by connecting directly to the AMP. However, turning BBE off results in a decidedly inferior sound. So what BBE achieved was to get me back to the sound quality I had in the first place with my non-BBE enabled AMP. I don't really consider that an 'enhancement.' The real question for JVC is \\"why is this an ON/OFF option?\\" Who would turn BBE off? Presumably someone whose listening preference is inferior truncated sound. I find this to be a good product and a good value with some tolerable flaws. Though frankly, if I had it to do over, I would order a toshiba 27a41.