Video Reviews

I have to admit that this is a very good VCR in the case of dupilicating tapes. However, this VCR comes with WAY too many features that makes the operations relatively (actually, unneccessarily) difficult. Taping from tape to tape is very easy and the result is very sharp, however, taping from TV doesn't seem that well. The picture sometimes shakes even I tape on a brand new tape (I know it is not tracking problem). However, it is not a bad VCR at all, especially a Dual Deck Super VHS at this value.

For starters, the Go-video has enough surface area to support alarge TV directly on top of it. The value of having two decks goesway beyond bootlegging, and promulgating your edited camcorder masterpiece. Its the luxury of putting in two different movies, and deciding which one to watch at the last minute. Or rent Braveheart, put 1 and 2 in at the same time- no need to mess around at halftime. With The Godfather, you'll have two switch once. The 4 head action allows for clean slow-motion and visual fast forwarding, and it goes from "stop" to "play" in under two seconds. When copying a tape, don't be afraid to hit slo-mo for your favorite scenes (this goes especially for home videos) It will be a good laugh the second time around. The Go-video is pure horsepower under the hood. In an era where DVD's will inevitably put VHS to rest, it's one of the few VCRs out there that you will get compliments on. It may be excessive for some people, for others its really functional and HiFi, justifying the cost premium over the single-shooters.

Absolutely fabulous! As a former retail electronics manager I can't say enough about the value this product provides at such a low cost. Disney films for the kids, recent releases, and old favorites can all be copied with fantastic quality of picture and ease of use. This is the greatest VCR value online or anywhere else for that matter.

This camera is well made and capable of creating very high quality images, if you take the time to learn to use it. Some of its functions are less than intuitive, but it will reward your time spent with the manual with professional quality images. In particular, the metering, white balance and macro capabilities are pro-quality. However, due to shutter lag, this isn't a good choice for shooting sports. The 8 megapixel resolution lets you make 13X19 inch prints or larger that are photo quality. Using a tripod will also pay off with razor sharp close ups and excellent color saturation. This is a wonderful camera for portraits, scenics, and especially close up shots,where the fold out, tilting LCD screen really can be helpful in getting unique angles on your subject. This camera also allows you to use many of Nikons Speedlights (electronic flashes) to get the light on your subject when it is too far for the built in flash. This is a very flexible and capable machine. I do recommend getting a second battery and the lens hood to eliminate lens flare under most conditions. I highly recommend this camera to those who choose not to go with a digital SLR. It is the next best thing and it is MUCH more portable and flexible.

Dont misunderstand, this is no dought a wonderful Camera, but I have to compare these Images to My Sony 5meg all the time and this camera is just not as easy and doesnt take photos of people as well. I have studied the Manual since day one, and have taken over a thousand pics...The Sony has Very rich fleshtones, Nikon is Blue, thats the only way I can describe it, I have to Import alot of the images into photoshop to get rid of the Blueish cast, probably my fault and need to study the book more but why should I have to?..The Sony has much better AUTO features, and way better focusing abilities...I bought this camera because of the power and size of the lens...It will fit through a chain link fence, where as the Sony will not, and I am constantly behind fences at sporting events, The Size of the Sony 8meg was just too big to throw into my pack, the Nikon is easier to carry and has an unbelievable lens range for a camera of this size...35-280 is the best of the bunch in the 8meg range...So..my humble opinion, if you want a compact 8meg...this camera is a good tool, just be ready to study and practice with it...If you want 8megs and an easy auto camera, with better focus and much better pictures of people then get the Sony8meg...This Nikon has frustrated me from day one and I am pretty good at photography...I own six digital cameras and this is my first Nikon...Nikon does have an incredible range of accesories for this camera and it is a keeper, I will just have to keep practicing with it and try to figure out why the Hue seems too blue for me...It takes incredible photos of landscapes and the outdoor shots are wonderfull, the lens range is worth keeping it alone...It is so much smaller than my Sony F717...8megs is better for printing 13x19 high quality...No pixelation with my Canon S9000...So...Nikon=serious tool and learning curve....Sony=Auto mode point and shoot with not much study/practice...I now own both so I know...If you aint gonna practice with the Nikon then Get the Sony 8meg or 5meg...Hope this is helpful...cause these are thousand dollar choices.

Okay, I tested all the 8MP out there and so far this is the one I have to say is the best. It is a little bit harder to get used too, but believe me. Once you get the hang of it, there is no going wrong. I do recommend getting the fastest memory card there is. I am shooting "raw images" and the faster the card the faster you get the picture. It is a NIKON.

Like other reviewers, I looked at many other models before choosing this receiver. My local audio shop had a great lisenting room set up with multiple receivers for comparison, and compare I did! I found that for the price, this receiver could not be beat in terms of sound quality, and sound field choices. You can choose to let the receiver auto-detect the best sound field for your DVD movies, or you can choose your own if you wish. I've found that leaving it on Auto is perfect.

Another great thing about this unit is that you can re-map the inputs on the back to different functions. For instance, maybe your DVD player has digital audio out via a coax cable - not the optical digital out found on newer players... no problem, there's a spot for that on the receiver, and with a simple menu, you can set the receiver's DVD audio input to use that coax digital input, instead of the default optical input. With other reciever's I looked at, you'd just have to remember that you plugged your DVD audio input into the 'CD in' on the back of the receiver, and always pick 'CD' on your remote instead of DVD when you went to watch movies. Plus, if you're passing your video through the receiver, this would also cause problems on other units.

There are also a number of other great settings... if you don't have a powered subwoofer, you can set this in the simple menu system, and the receiver will send the bass, as appropriate to you main speakers. Plus, you can tell it if you have large or small main/center/rear speakers, so that the amp uses the correct amount of power for your setup.

Also, you can go to Yamaha's website and look at pictures of the back panel on this amp... there are a plethora of connections for just about anything you'll need... I have a complex setup with a digital cable box, Tivo, VCR, DVD player and a computer all hooked up to this, and I still have open connections for more stuff!

If your budget is in the <$ 500 range, this is the reciever for you.

The Sound is crisp and clear. The Amp section really shows itself with a good speakers. The setup is very easy. Great Job by Yamaha for the price.

Yamaha builds some of the longest lasting amps out there in the market, I'm not sure what this guy below is talking about. I own one HTR 5550, and it's been working nothing but wonders for my system. If one experiences problems, I'm sure Yamaha would be more than happy to deal with it, providing you did buy from an authorized dealer.

Yes you have to buy from authorized dealer to get warranty. But even without warranty, this receiver should last you at least 4-5 years no problem (unless of course you abuse it).

Great Volume, FM is average but I've droped it many times and never had a problem. Very Great purchase!!

If you're buying an Intel Pocket Concert, save yourself some time and get the accessory kit right off the bat (or choose the package that includes it with the player). You'll want this kit...

For a start, it adds rechargeability to the Pocket Concert, sporting a pair of nickel metal hydride (NiMH) "memory free" AAA batteries. The docking station featured in this kit serves as your desktop charger... Just insert the Pocket Concert, and it'll begin refreshing your batteries.

The docking station doubles as a fancy (and more practical) USB connection to your PC for downloading your tunes into the player. And while I question the value of the feature, the docking station also has a pair of RCA connectors providing line-level output for your stereo system (or to the line inputs on your computer, presumably).

The carrying case is superb. According to the brand legend on the zipper pulls, this is a Case Logic case -- a fact that Intel doesn't bother to present. But typical of Case Logic products, it's a well made and useful way to carry around your Pocket Concert.

Finally, the standard issue cassette adapter provides you an easy way to play your Pocket Concert on the move in your car, or anywhere a standard cassette deck is available.

The reason I rate it 4 stars, not 5? Price... At late-2001 "ballpark" pricing, this kit boosts the overall price of the Pocket Concert ..., which is at the high-end for 128 Meg audio players. (By the time you read this, no doubt pricing and competitive issues will likely be different, so make your own assessment.)

But price aside, it's still an important thing for any Pocket Concert user to have.

The accessory kit is awesome!! I have the dock set up by my home stereo with a cord running to my computer. It is nice becasue you can send songs directly to it from your computer and then play them through your stereo. The only minor complaint is the rechargable batteries do not last as long as real batteries but I was able to go over six hours on a plane with them. I only wish it had a remote.

I purchased the camera as a gift for my husband in July of 2002. As new parents, we expected that we would want a camcorder to record important moments in our children's infancy and toddlerhood. We have not been able to do so, as the camera has been out of commission or in the repair shop for most of the time we've owned it.

In September of 2003, after approximately 15 total hours of normal use, significant digital noise / pixel distortion and a "head cleaning required" message began to appear. We followed the prescribed procedure and cleaned the video heads with a MiniDV cleaning tape. The problem was not corrected, so we sought repair of the camcorder (to the tune of $240). A rebuild of the drum assembly, supply and takeup reels was performed by a JVC-authorized repair center.

Since then, we have recorded less than two hours of tape, and the digital noise problem has again reappeared. Some research suggests that we are not the only ones who have had this difficulty with our JVC camcorder. Since my difficulties, I have found hundreds of consumer comments that suggest that this and several other models of JVC digital camcorders and DV recorders are riddled with digital noise problems.

I have never been so dissatisfied with such a major purchase and am currently seeking a full refund from JVC. Wish me luck.

This is an excellent camcorder.

The 920U (this camcorder) is much better than the 720U/820U. The earlier versions had a constant buzz on the recorded audio that appeared to come from the DV tape motor. The 920U is very quiet and the audio is crystal clear.

Video quality was much better, too, with sharper colors probably due to the improved lens. (The colors on the 720U/820U were washed out and dull.) On the 920U, I couldn't tell much difference between real life and recorded video in well-lighted conditions. Also, the viewfinder is color whereas the 720U/820U have B&W viewfinders.

Zoom is smooth and well-positioned. The menu is easy to use. Overall the ergonomics of the camcorder are excellent.

The 3.5" LCD is VERY nice. I'm definitely hooked on that feature.

...

I used it for the first time during my vacation with my family to Southern California last December and it satisfied me very much. The manual is really easy to follow. It felt good in my palm during action. I took some pictures because the 920 is also equipped with memory card. I really proud of this camcorder...

I'm currently using this card in two of my machines (Both using high speed AMD CPUs), and I have yet to see another machine significantly outclass the gaming performance of either one. Before installing the second card, I briefly tried a Diamond S540 (Savage 4 chipset), and while at high resolution (1280x1024, 1600x1200) was slightly faster in redrawing the Windows environment, the 3D Blaster killed it everywhere else. I don't even let ATI or Voodoo cards near my machines... :]

I did have some stability problems with the included drivers, but this has been fixed in the updated drivers. You can't go wrong with this card...

For the current crop of games, this graphics card is the best of the best. It outperforms the Voodoo3 in both image quality and raw speed. It allows resolutions of 1600x1200 (which I haven't tried because my monitor can't stand that resolution) and runs Quake III smoothly at 1024x768@32-bit color on a PII-350 with 128M RAM. It even outperforms the newer GEForce256 chip in the current crop of games because it is run at a high clock rate than that chip. However, it lacks "Transform and Light" acceleration that the GEForce has, which is more for future games. I would recommend this card over all the other cards (even the GEForce), simply because it is cheaper, faster and that by the time games actually make use of the newer features of GEForce, the next-generation cards will have arrived.

I would not recommend this card for CAD and other 3D modelling though. Though it is competent in those tasks, it is nothing compared to the professional cards made by 3DLabs and other companies.

(If you are have fussy image quality-related problems I would recommend the G400 from Matrox which has the best quality around, though not quite as fast as this card)

I don't have it yet but I saw it on my friend's computer and WOW it kicked ass. I even think it's better than Voodoo 16mb. If you want the best performance, graphics, and quality get it.

This camera is great while recording in bright light scence. The video quality is amazing. When I play it on my Sony WEGA TV, the color blue, green and red is so vivid. It looks just like DVD at all!! I am really satisfied about this. But unfortually when you use it in a low light condition, indeed, like previous reviews said, the color just washed out, the forcus can't stop changing. I really don't get it why a bright len like this (F1.8) has such poor performance in low light.
There are several more constraints I want to mention. The email (mpeg4) quality is really .... Even in a bright daylight outdoor condition, the email clip looks almost black and white. It's totally unacceptable. Further more, if you want to use its still image funtion. You had better buy another one. The still image quality is so poor. It looks like the camcorder just capture it from its video mode. I hope that you can understand what I said. I believe it just a function to "simulate" the digital still camera. I guess this is why its shutter speed is only available in 1/250, 1/60, 1/30. I am so glad that I didn't buy another bigger memory card, because I will never use it from now on. Turely, the still image function is really nothing but junk at all. As for battery, 700 mah is just not enough, you can use it to record around 40 mins with LCD on. Another backup battery is necessary or you can buy the car charger. It will take about half hour to fully recharge it. Or you can buy the 1400mah one but it's too expensive. (Other third party battery is much cheaper but poor quality)
Conclusion:
Best "video" camcorder I have ever seen. Execellent video quality in bright light. It is so small, campact and light weight. I can even put it in my canon powershot s30 digital camera carrying case. If you don't plan to use it as digital still camera, then go for it. Definitely worth it. Right now I am quite happy with the combination with JVC DVP7U and Canon S30. I can get great video and photo picture from them

After a week of heavy use while travelling in difficult lighting conditions and varied temps (0 - 40 deg C), indoors and out, shooting action, I still love this camera. Great pictures with honest color and no jaggies, fast reaction to subject moving in and out of shadow/sunlight, good sound, and easy to use even with gloves on. Battery life is short from monitor but recharges fast/easily with inverter in car and changes fast on fly. Spares are lightweight and fit handily in tiny belt-sized camera bag, so I still vote for convenience factor (I carried 2 spares). Downloads to hard-drive a snap. Menus easy to work and intuitive, and the blank search feature a plus to prevent broken timecode. Major improvements from previous top-of-line Sony. Purse-size will make it a constant companion, so no photo-ops missed. Highly recommended.

This camcorder has passed my test, very successfully. I give it very high marks and is well worth the price! I brought it for my Philppine vacation and...boy, did I make the best of it!

I played around with all the feautes, ended up using what suited me best, e.g., widescreen format (awesome), night owl (so,so, need to keep camera still), framed photo capturing, fade to black inbetween shots (great feature-makes your shots seem professionally filmed), and wind reduction, are along the others I learned to use and have adapted. Being able to switch from video mode to memory mode (for taking digital stills) has never been easier. It takes a few seconds to adjust but its quick enough. What I would do is capture some events in video and wish to also capture it in digital stills so that I can develop it. Just a small switch allows me to do this.

The functions/features may seem complicated at first, but like anything else, you got to "grind" the info at hand and get use to it. Hey, its the only camcorder on my trip, so I had to make the best of it! The only disadvantages it has that I found, but easily tolerated, is the image focusing. The camcorder sometimes has trouble auto-focusing when it can't seem to find its target or focal point. Its also hard to take sharp dark video and image shots when the "Night Owl" is set. Its required that you keep the camcorder still as best possible, or else it will come out blurry. As you'll find out, its hard to keep a camera very still! But in the brightest of days, especially found in the Philippines, the outcome of pictures and video, is impressively sharp. Outstanding, digital quality video!

Overall, the advantages very much outweigh the disadvantages unanimously! Its very stylish, would just place it in my pocket and ready to shoot whenever. Its got a full load of features that are very much necessary and impressive, allowing a professional outcome. Most important of all, the camcorder produces great quality digital video!! Can't say much about the digital 1.02 Mpx, but its good enough for a camcorder. The emphasis of this review is pretty much its digital quality video, it is quite impressive!

I've personlly returned to this site to make this review because I feel that I owe it to other fellow customers of how much I appreciated this camcorder. I do own one and will not return it, unless in need of repair, of course.

I purchased my unit in December. The picture and the DVD were great. Right up until the 90 day warrantee ran out.

The DVD unit will not return the disc. The disc remains inside the unit. This is not an uncommon problem with this unit.

I have just been informed that the on-site repair will run [expensive], if I am lucky.

If I had it to do over again, I would buy the DVD as a separate unit.

I bought this combo after initially looking for just a DVD player...after being veered off into the television area, this one caught my attention. The screen is not flat, but provided a great picture on the display model. The size was perfect for my entertainment center, clearing the sides by about 1 1/2inches all around. The built-in DVD worked smoothly with the TV, and the price clinched it for me (I got it at an electronics store, where it was being cleared out to make space for newer models).

This TV has front & back AV inputs, which is wonderful for those who have many things plugged into their TV...I have DirecTV, a VCR and two game systems, and the continual plugging and unplugging from my old tv was becoming tiresome...now I can plug the GameCube into the front when I want to use it, while keeping the DTV/VCR plugged into the coax port (or move them into the rear AV) & leaving the PS2 (now being saved from use as a DVD, hopefully extending it's life) in the rear, or even plugging the PS2 in front and doing a quick & easy swap when I want to switch game systems. I'm no techno-phile, but setup was very easy on this TV...the hardest part was carrying the 80LB monster in!

The only real drawbacks are that while it will play CD-RW's, it won't play CDR's (!!!); also, the remote is a bit confusing, and takes a lot of getting used to. You have to remember to press the appropriate TV/DVD select button before using that devices' features, which can get very confusing.

Overall, easy set-up, excellent out-of-the box sound and picture make this a great value.

I purchased this TV a year ago ~ as a moving out on my own/birthday gift;) ~ initially I went looking for a small TV/VCR combo & compact stereo/CD player... and then I saw her ~ the sliver/gray case is very attractive (and expensive looking) & the front input (as well as back) a great for when I decide to dust of & use the VRC & video game systems.

The biggest selling pint for me was the ability to play DVD & Audio Cd's (but not CDR's) the "screen saver" is kind of weak (blue DVD logo) compared to some others I have seen (cool graphics), but not a huge issue for me. And it has a front headphone jack!

Picture quality is exceptional, compatible to a flat screen for considerably less $$$! DVD play looks phenomenal & (antenna - no cable for me) TV is surprisingly good. Also, its weird but, it appears to be bigger being bigger than 27" I have concerns about the DVD tray breaking & opted for an expended 2 year warranty (in home if you can get it ~ she is very, very heavy!) ~ which I have not had to use. Treat it kindly, press button to open & close (don't push close ~ that's a safety lest it gets bumped ~ not for normal use). Sound is fantastic ~ if you set it to expanded stereo.... Setting this TV up can be simple as plugging it in & going thought set up (under 5 minutes) or take time to read the manual & set all the additional features to you preferences ~ it's worth the time & effort! ...

The remote is great (kind of complicated ~ you will have to read the manual to figure it all out ~ the manual is very user helpful with step by set instruction on how to do things) with light up buttons for easy use in the dark (I love that!).

Panasonic's toll-free customer service was also excellent ~ quick & very helpful, helping with the DVD screen saved problem I had ~ I didn't have a problem; I just expected something a bit more exciting .

I love this TV & so do all my friends ;)

This VCR works just fine, but randomly, when I'm playing a movie, it will come out with a loud, annoying BUZZZZT! sound. I've rewound movies part way, and the BZZZT sound happens in different, random parts of the movie. I don't know how to stop it. I don't know how to predict it. And occasionally the machine just won't accept a video that I push into it. It spits it right back and refuses to play it.

I won't get an RCA next time.

...it's noisier than the than the one it replaced. The automatic features were just annoying, so I turned them off. It does everything I expect a VCR to do, the quality of the playback is very good.

This is the third RCA VCR I've owned and if I get as much use from number three, I'll be happy.

All of your reviews that I have read describe the unit in glowing terms - BUT IS IT CABLE BOX COMPATIBLE & does it have a RELIABLE, EFFECTIVE COMMERCIAL ADVANCE???? - The reviews don't addrees these high end features even though I am almost certain that all the VR-650 series units have these capabilities.

The "Harman Kardon AVR-500" Surround Sound Receiver,
is, without a doubt, The finest receiver I've ever had the privilege to experience "Over the Top!! Being a classical Violinist, I listen to various aspects in music mostly from the perspective of a "live performance". The dynamic and transient responces of the AVR-500, offer the listener who is unfamiliar with accurate "True to the Source" Sound Re-Creation, a most shocking and delectable surprise!! What I look for in home music listening, are the subtle nuances of a whisper and the thunderous rage of an immensely powerful organ, tearing up the Earth. Without these characteristics, it quickly becomes tedious to listen to. H/K's High-Current design, is meant to express these delicate and votile surges without fatigue, all the while preserving the intimate details underlying the music's "hidden harmonics". The H/K AVR-500, handles this effortlessly and with aplomb. +)*(+ If this sounds like a description of a fine musical instrument, it is. The H/K AVR-500 is easy to set up, and the remote is straight-forward, you will not find divergent discrepancies prompting constant visitations to the unit proper. After initial set-up, you can relax, everything else is handled via remote, which also has an attractive "Blue-Green" backlit illumination. H/K is known to be ultra-conservative in their Power Ratings, as well as THD (total harmonic distortion). With the AVR-500 at no more than .07% THD, that's driven "Wide Open"! A very Very Clean Machine Indeed!! I could say much more, but its better to let H/K's AVR-500 tell you!!

Harman Kardon AVR-500. Elegant, Understated, Smooth

Highly Recomended *****

Stan Slonski

+)*(+

Harmon Kardon by far is the best in home theatre there quality of receivers is almost as good as the movie theatre
sound itself.If you only have 1000 dollars to spend buy this
baby and when you get it home it has enough power to blow you out of the house , with crystal clear dynamic Dolby Digital &
DTS sound incredible power this is the top of the mountain for
below a grand if you own Gladiator slip it in turn it on DTS
and crank it up and you'll see it dosen't even phase it at all.

When I, invite my friends over they think iv'e purchased an
actual movie theatre system.All receivers come with a midnight
setting incase your in an apartment and your bothersome lanlord
complains about the sound it is useful for when people are sleeping.Enough options to keep you busy figuring them out but
one things for sure when you buy this you know exactly how awsome this receiver is when you get it home it's a good deal.

I purchased this amp/receiver about a month ago and had it hooked up the night it arrived. The setup is kind of confusing at first but once you figure it out (what the manual is saying) it isn't too much trouble. I am a big believer in amps over watts because you can create high watts with low amps and hence no sound but if you reverse the order; high amps and low watts the neighbors come a knocking. I also like to be able to "feel" my sound ie. the rumble of a tornado in the movie Twister. This receiver does/has all of this and more. The one con I have for this receiver is that it is short of inputs by 2. 1 is phono which I don't listen to alot so it wasn't a big con. The 2nd missing input is one for my satelite which has digital outputs which would have been nice to hook up but this was overcome by entering through the VCR. Oh well can't have everything on a buget. Overall this is one of the best AVR's I have seen for the price. If you like the artificial sound stages of other systems then don't buy this AVR but if you want the sound that came with the DVD, CD or Tape then this one is for you. You won't complain about the price when you get it set up.