JVC XV-511BK DVD Player

JVC XV-511BK DVD Player

JVC XV-511BK DVD Player

Product Description
Amazon.com Review
Although multidisc changers are convenient for long, afternoon music-listening sessions and all-night movie marathons, we still appreciate the simplicity of single-disc DVD players like JVC's XV-511BK. In fact, this swinging-single machine has a less cluttered design, better internal component isolation, a more stable disc platter, and a superior laser-pickup assembly.

Perhaps what impressed us most about the XV-511BK, however, is the fact that it shined with every format we played. Images looked good in composite, component, and S-video, and the optical digital output delivered great sound in PCM stereo, as well as multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS.

Listening to well-engineered acoustic music, including some great steel-drum jazz by Andy Narell and some folky new stuff by Neil Young, we couldn't help but notice the extra detail, sweetness, and sense of "air" around the instruments.

Although not quite as obvious, we also felt that the Pro-Logic Surround soundtrack playback (via these same analog outs) displayed a refined quality, with excellent channel separation and dynamic range.

Player ergonomics are pleasing with the XV-511BK. The button lay out on the remote is less cluttered and more logically arranged than on other players we've reviewed of late. The tracking information is easy to read thanks to the player's larger-than-normal, front-panel fluorescent display (though we could do without the constantly spinning disc icon.)

What really grabbed us with this JVC model, however, was its onscreen operating guide. When you access the guide midway through a disc, a picture-in-picture-like display shrinks the still-moving and still-audible program down to quarter-screen size so that it occupies just the upper left quadrant. The operating guide fills the rest of the screen with a menu of player-control functions and disc-tracking information. The latter includes not only chapter and time, but also fluctuating bar graphs that show the current position of the disc program (between beginning and end) and the current video data rate. For CDs, there's a nice sampling mode that plays just the first nine seconds of each track, then moves on.

JVC has also built in a great "digest" feature. On cue, the digest mode quickly samples a frame from the beginning of the first nine film chapters, and shows them sequentially on screen in a nine-panel layout. Select your choice with the cursor and press Enter to immediately access that chapter. Or move past the bottom-right panel and into the next screen of nine stills.

We also loved the clean, multispeed fast scan and slow-motion visual play options, accessible from the remote. With the variable-speed jog shuttle dial on the front of the player, you can study the credits in slow motion or whisk through scenes with amazingly sharp, noise-free pictures. The variable-speed, fast-scan mode works surprisingly well on audio CDs, too.

If you're thinking about replacing your current CD player with a more versatile DVD spinner, we recommend you consider JVC's XV-511BK, which offers superb ergonomics and excellent build quality.

Pros:

Cons:



Product Description:
Enhance your home theater with this full-featured JVC DVD player. It features an easy to operate on-screen GUI menu, a multi-brand remote, resume function and digest function. A theater position control is also provided for adjusting the picture to your personal preference. A fiber optic digital audio output with Dolby Digital & DTS pass through offers easy connection to any system. The JVC XV-511BK is compatible with DVD Video, CD and Video CD. Component Video Output, 10bit/27 MHz video D/A converters & Video Fine Processor are included for the best video quality. Component video is superior to both composite and S-video because it provides improved color purity, superior color detail, and reduces NTSC artifacts. JVC's acclaimed 1-bit P.E.M. D/D Converter system assures the absolute best musical fidelity. The power supply, digital circuits, analog circuits, video and audio signal paths feature separate construction for optimum performance. This player features 3D-Phonic for virtual surround sound, Digest function for visual access to desired title/chapter; Slow, Repeat, Zoom and Strobe functions for greater flexibility and multi-brand remote control.

JVC XV-511BK DVD Player
JVC XV-511BK DVD Player
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Perfect for over 2 years...
  • Don't Waste your Money JVC 511BK
  • a great buy
  • Great picture.. poor layer switches
  • An Excellent Buy
JVC XV-511BK DVD Player

Manufacturer: JVC
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

DVD PlayersDVD Players | Home Video | JVC | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Audio & VideoAudio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
AllAll | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
DVD PlayersDVD Players | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
Product Features:
  • Dolby Digital and DTS compatible
  • Component video outputs
  • Optical digital-audio output
  • 24-bit audio D/A converter
  • Special effects include digest, strobe, zoom

ASIN: B00004RG4Z

Product Description

Enhance your home theater with this full-featured JVC DVD player. It features an easy to operate on-screen GUI menu, a multi-brand remote, resume function and digest function. A theater position control is also provided for adjusting the picture to your personal preference. A fiber optic digital audio output with Dolby Digital & DTS pass through offers easy connection to any system. The JVC XV-511BK is compatible with DVD Video, CD and Video CD. Component Video Output, 10bit/27 MHz video D/A converters & Video Fine Processor are included for the best video quality. Component video is superior to both composite and S-video because it provides improved color purity, superior color detail, and reduces NTSC artifacts. JVC's acclaimed 1-bit P.E.M. D/D Converter system assures the absolute best musical fidelity. The power supply, digital circuits, analog circuits, video and audio signal paths feature separate construction for optimum performance. This player features 3D-Phonic for virtual surround sound, Digest function for visual access to desired title/chapter; Slow, Repeat, Zoom and Strobe functions for greater flexibility and multi-brand remote control.

Amazon.com Review

Although multidisc changers are convenient for long, afternoon music-listening sessions and all-night movie marathons, we still appreciate the simplicity of single-disc DVD players like JVC's XV-511BK. In fact, this swinging-single machine has a less cluttered design, better internal component isolation, a more stable disc platter, and a superior laser-pickup assembly.

Perhaps what impressed us most about the XV-511BK, however, is the fact that it shined with every format we played. Images looked good in composite, component, and S-video, and the optical digital output delivered great sound in PCM stereo, as well as multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS.

Listening to well-engineered acoustic music, including some great steel-drum jazz by Andy Narell and some folky new stuff by Neil Young, we couldn't help but notice the extra detail, sweetness, and sense of "air" around the instruments.

Although not quite as obvious, we also felt that the Pro-Logic Surround soundtrack playback (via these same analog outs) displayed a refined quality, with excellent channel separation and dynamic range.

Player ergonomics are pleasing with the XV-511BK. The button lay out on the remote is less cluttered and more logically arranged than on other players we've reviewed of late. The tracking information is easy to read thanks to the player's larger-than-normal, front-panel fluorescent display (though we could do without the constantly spinning disc icon.)

What really grabbed us with this JVC model, however, was its onscreen operating guide. When you access the guide midway through a disc, a picture-in-picture-like display shrinks the still-moving and still-audible program down to quarter-screen size so that it occupies just the upper left quadrant. The operating guide fills the rest of the screen with a menu of player-control functions and disc-tracking information. The latter includes not only chapter and time, but also fluctuating bar graphs that show the current position of the disc program (between beginning and end) and the current video data rate. For CDs, there's a nice sampling mode that plays just the first nine seconds of each track, then moves on.

JVC has also built in a great "digest" feature. On cue, the digest mode quickly samples a frame from the beginning of the first nine film chapters, and shows them sequentially on screen in a nine-panel layout. Select your choice with the cursor and press Enter to immediately access that chapter. Or move past the bottom-right panel and into the next screen of nine stills.

We also loved the clean, multispeed fast scan and slow-motion visual play options, accessible from the remote. With the variable-speed jog shuttle dial on the front of the player, you can study the credits in slow motion or whisk through scenes with amazingly sharp, noise-free pictures. The variable-speed, fast-scan mode works surprisingly well on audio CDs, too.

If you're thinking about replacing your current CD player with a more versatile DVD spinner, we recommend you consider JVC's XV-511BK, which offers superb ergonomics and excellent build quality.

Pros:

Cons:

Amazon.com Product Description

The JVC XV511BK is single-disc DVD player. It features a high-bit, high-sampling (10-bit, 27 MHz) video digital-to-analog converter; a 1-bit audio D/A converter with 96kHz, 24-bit audio resolution; and 3D-PHONIC virtual surround sound. It offers component video, composite video, and S-video terminals.

Other features include a multibrand remote control, optical digital-audio output for PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS compatibility, and easy screen control with digest, strobe, angle, list, and zoom functions. The XV511BK includes two forward and reverse speeds, a trilingual graphical onscreen display, and a special theater position. It comes with a warranty of a year on parts, 90 days on labor.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Perfect for over 2 years..........2002-09-14

This was my first DVD player and in many ways the begining of a new video era for me. At the time I had a 32" Sony analog set with no digital inputs and not a clue about most of the DVD terminology, progressive scan, interlaced, it all sounded like the adults from the Peanuts cartoons to me.
It was by luck that I chose this particular player which is still working perfectly after more than 2 years of regular use. In fact, it's the only component in my video system which I haven't upgraded. My 32" Sony was less than a year old when I replaced it with a 34" Sampo HDTV monitor which now serves as the centerpiece of my system which also includes an HD cable box, a DV VCR, a ReplayTV unit, an external line doubler and digital surround receiver.
I've spent more hours researching current and future video technology than I could possibly count and while I'm not an expert I know a lot about all things video. I know enough that people pay me to help them set up their systems or sometimes just for my advice. I'm not saying this to be arrogant since I'm the first to admit that there's a lot I don't know.
I'm saying this to show that anyone who is willing to take the time can learn about the equiptment they own which often leads to solving problems quickly and easily without even a call to customer service. I've read several posts and reviews from people who have encountered problems with newer discs on this player and therefore gave it terrible reviews. I too encountered the same problem but solved it in under 15 minutes using instructions provided by JVC on their website.
This is a top notch player for anyone looking for a non Progressive sacan player. It's easy to use and offers digital audio output, interlaced comonent video output as well as DTS and many other features not found on lower-end players. There is even a very simple way to convert this player to region-free or to any region if you need to do so and there is no limit to the number of times this change can be made.
I would recommend this player without hesitation. I've never once regretted my decision to purchase this unit and that's after wathing hundreds of movies over several years.
User reviews are extremely valuable but it's important to remember that they are only as good as the user who writes them.

1 out of 5 stars Don't Waste your Money JVC 511BK.......2001-08-13

I tested this out with the MATRIX it worked great so I bought it. Plays old movies but it is hit or miss with new releases. Mostly Miss. Will never buy a JVC product again.

5 out of 5 stars a great buy.......2000-07-26

I recently purchased this DVD player through an online auction and was naturally somewhat skeptical. However I discovered that this is a great buy. The picture quality is very sharp. It does a great job with audio CDs too. The best feature of this DVD player is definitely its connectivity. It has both analog stereo and digital(optical) outputs as well as an S-Video output. It was trivial to hook this up to my existing equipment. However if you have an older model TV you may need to purchase a modulator to convert the DVD signal. A common complaint is that this is only a single disc player but that hardly matters given the features and overall usefulness of this unit.

3 out of 5 stars Great picture.. poor layer switches.......2000-06-30

I have had this player for a year and a half now and must say that i have been very pleased with the basic performance of the unit. The picture is more than acceptable, and the sound is above average for an entry-level unit. The problem with the unit is that it has a real problem with layer switching. Patton, Matrix, and Nightmare on elm street are three movies that have all given me problems. The service from JVC is also poor, and many of the problems that i have had do not exist according to them. The only other problem i had is the remote, which has a joystick the the enter key incorporated.. so pushing enter can be difficult and annoying. All in all.. it's a good entry unit. But if you want a more consistant player with better support, you can do better.

4 out of 5 stars An Excellent Buy.......2000-06-23

I recently purchased this DVD player and am enjoying it immensely. The picture clarity is just outstanding, and I'm only using a composite signal. I wish my TV set had S-video capability. For the money, I doubt if you could find a better product. My one gripe is that it doesn't play CD-R disks. I put one in and all I got was a "NO DISC" error. To be fair, the manual says it won't play CD-R, but it would have been a nice feature to have, since I am using this for my music CD player as well as for DVDs. Other than that it's been just great.

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