The JVC DRMV100b is a DVD+VHS recorder. It is compatible with DivX(R) format among others, offers both digital and analog tuners and features HDMI output with 1080p/720p Up-Conversion. Amazingly, the following formats are all playable on this machine: DVD-RW, DVD-R, +RW, +R, +R (Dual), WMA/MP3/JPEG Digital Still/DivX(R), CD, CD-R/RW, SVCD/VCD, VHS Hi-Fi, DVD-Video,and DVD-RAM.

It can record in VHS Hi-Fi, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW and DVD-R, +RW, +R formats and also features progressive scan output. Additional notable features include an i.LINK connection with DV input, a Super MPEG encode pre-processor and post processor, 12 hour DVD recording, High resolution GUI, a Manual timer programming, and One touch recording.

All of this functionality comes in a neat little package in the JVC DRMV100b, less than three inches high. There are pros and cons to this technology so let’s get into some of the positives and negatives that have occurred with this piece.

First of all, the JVC DRMV100b machine gets the job done. Converting VHS home movies onto DVD is at the top of many peoples to do list. On the down side, the machine has needed to be rebooted several times so apparently there are still some bugs with the technology. If you have any trouble you can always call up JVC and they will help you get it sorted. I also recommend reading the user manual very carefully because if you aren’t operating it right it is likely that you will run into problems that could have been prevented. The manual can be confusing in parts so again, call JVC for some help if anything is confusing or you can’t get things working right. Once it is set up and you know how to use it, it should be very simple to operate.

Some have experienced the machine freezing randomly during recording TV shows and stopping during the middle of a copying project to complain about illegal copying – even if you are just doing your own home movies or something. The upshot is, this machine does a great job when it is working and most of the time it works fine. There may be a few problems with it but I think most people would agree that the general consensus on the JVC DRMV100b is that it is better than most of the competition out there. I have heard of several people who tried and returned one, two or even more other similar units before settling on this one so it is probably a good bet despite its glitches.

Features:

• Playable Formats: VHS Hi-Fi, DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, +RW, +R, +R (Dual), CD, SVCD/VCD, CD-R/RW, WMA/MP3/JPEG Digital Still/DivX(R) (CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, +R/+RW)

• Recordable Formats: VHS Hi-Fi, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, +RW, +R

• ATSC (Digital) Tuner: 8 VSB (2-69), Clear QAM (1-135)

• NTSC (Analog) Tuner: VHF (2-13), UHF (14-69), CATV (1-135)

• Progressive Scan Output

• Dolby Digital/DTS Digital Output (DVD) and Digital Output (VHS)

• i.LINK Connection (DV Input)

• DVD Recorder Combo Advantage — VHS Playback via Same Output Connection as DVD

• Super MPEG Encode Pre-Processor

• Super MPEG Post Processor

• 10-bit/54MHz Video D/A Converter

• DVD< —>VHS Dubbing

• One-Touch Recording

• Manual Timer Programming

• Playlist-based Editing (DVD)

• 1.5x Quick Playback with Sound (DVD)

• High-Resolution GUI (English/French/Spanish/Portuguese)

• Composite Video In (1 front/1 rear)

• Audio L/R (1 front/1 rear)

• Component Out (rear)

• S-Video In/Out (rear)

• Optical Digital Audio Out (rear)

• Coaxial Digital Audio Out (rear)

• HDMI Digital Output (rear)

• DV In/Out (rear)