JVC HR-S3600U 4-Head S-VHS VCR
Good Value, Not Perfect, but A Perfection for viewing needs
Pros: Excellent value, great picture quality in S-VHS, jog/shuttle, S-Video in/outs, Easy setup, cables included, quality construction, lots of features, OK tracking, Super VHS ET mode, 400+ lines of resolution, Has 19u Heads For Taping In The Extended Mode, Can Record Super VHS On Standard Tapes, do I need to say more?!?!<br />Cons: Tracking problems in EP mode, flimsy, some color problems, Super VHS tapes may be hard to find and expensive, the menu system is kind of complicated, Clunky remote, traditional programming procedure, Front Display Panel<br />The Bottom Line<br />The HR3600U is a bargain  the picture quality, S-VHS ability and features for $ are excellent.<br />Highly Reccommended!!<br />Introduction<br />My reason for purchasing this VCR was simple. I wanted an inexpensive VCR with S-Video inputs. For those who may not know, S-Video inputs allow the transfer of 400 lines of resolution, as opposed to the usual 260 or so transmitted via RCA connections. In theory, the higher the resolution is the better the picture looks.<br />Functionality<br />In addition to the VCR, there are a set of RCA cables and an S-Video cable included as well. Overall the unit is a piece of cake to setup. The unit has both RCA and S-Video jacks on the back, and a set of RCA jacks on the front. This makes it easy to hook up an external source (such as a camcorder or something) and record to VHS. I have my unit hooked up to my computer (it has a video card with S-Video out and RCA audio outs), and I havent actually used the input jacks on the front of the VCR. Another feature I really like is the simple 1-touch recording button on the unit. The way I have it set up, I can just reach up from my computer and hit it, and off it goes.<br />This unit has a jog/shuttle wheel which is used to perform all the rewinds and fast forwards. Ill have to say, this is my first experience with a shuttle wheel. I like it! It just seems more cool than a rewind or fast forward button. Lol The unit rewinds tapes faster than my old Zenith VCR.<br />The clock is easy to set as well. I think this is an area which has been greatly improved upon in recent years. For that matter, all the menu items are laid out in a common sense manner, which makes programming and such even easier.<br />I noticed some were saying they didnt like the remote control, but I think it is just fine. Grant it, I dont use it much, but the times I have used it, I havent encountered any problems with it.<br />Two other things I really like are (1) Having a time code counter display on the LCD so you know how much youve recorded. (2) When you rewind, this little bar pops up on screen and shows you where you are relative to the length of the tape. Its not really super useful, but I just like knowing where Im at.<br />Picture Quality<br />Ill have to say that for $, this unit produces great quality dubs in regular VHS mode. Ive been using it for several months now, and the video productions Ive produced always come out looking very good. And thats the most important thing! I havent dubbed anything in S-VHS or S-VHS ET mode yet because none of my projects have warranted that. I would imagine that the picture quality would be even more outstanding than the regular VHS mode though.<br />Nit Picks<br />While the outer enclosure looks nice, the unit feels- cheap. I dont think it would hold up too well under any kind of rough conditions. Hopefully this VCR will reside either in your home theater or a setup like mine where it stays put and isnt moved around too much.<br />The cheesy glow in the dark keys on the keypad of the remote. I hate it when electronics manufacturers use these gimmicky things. They never work.<br />Conclusions<br />For the money, you just cant beat this VCR. The ease of setup and great picture quality are this VCRs strongest points. I highly recommend this VCR to anyone looking for a budget level VCR.ton. Lol The unit rewinds tapes faster than my old Zenith VCR. <br />The clock is easy to set as well. I think this is an area which has been greatly improved upon in recent years. For that matter, all the menu items are laid out in a common sense manner, which makes programming and such even easier. <br />I noticed some were saying they didnt like the remote control, but I think it is just fine. Grant it, I dont use it much, but the times I have used it, I havent encountered any problems with it. <br />Two other things I really like are (1) Having a time code counter display on the LCD so you know how much youve recorded. (2) When you rewind, this little bar pops up on screen and shows you where you are relative to the length of the tape. Its not really super useful, but I just like knowing where Im at. <br />Picture Quality <BR>Ill have to say that for $, this unit produces great quality dubs in regular VHS mode. Ive been using it for several months now, and the video productions Ive produced always come out looking very good. And thats the most important thing! I havent dubbed anything in S-VHS or S-VHS ET mode yet because none of my projects have warranted that. I would imagine that the picture quality would be even more outstanding than the regular VHS mode though. <br />Nit Picks <BR>While the outer enclosure looks nice, the unit feels- cheap. I dont think it would hold up too well under any kind of rough conditions. Hopefully this VCR will reside either in your home theater or a setup like mine where it stays put and isnt moved around too much. <br />The cheesy glow in the dark keys on the keypad of the remote. I hate it when electronics manufacturers use these gimmicky things. They never work. <br />Conclusions <BR>For the money, you just cant beat this VCR. The ease of setup and great picture quality are this VCRs strongest points. I highly recommend this VCR to anyone looking for a budget level VCR.