Here (http://www.avforum.co.kr/bbs/view.php?id=comt_7&no=295) is the Japanese version of the new JVC deck.

The tape loading is on the left rather than centered, so it's obviously a brand new mechanism. Maybe JVC has been able to eliminate the 30Ks/40Ks dropouts problem.

could be that the transport was moved off center...... the transport isn't that big !!!

:cool:

When VCR manufacturers all went to the center tape load design, I read it was for technical advantages. Although I read the reasons, I wasn't convinced that there was any real advantage and don't even recall the theory. It is surprising to see a left hand tape load design again.

At least JVC is trying to improve on their less than stellar reliability with previous D-VHS decks.

Chris

We do not for sure know how US decks will look. What was shown at 2004 CES looked very similar to 40K. Nothing can be assumed when it comes to JVC.

The Victor HM-DHX1 has exactly the same look as the US 40K, so it's logical that the HM-DHX2, with its HDMI output, will be similar the future US model.

It's not a certainty though...

So when are these things going to street? I'm waiting patiently for the 5-U. The only good news is that until my local Comcast upgrade the firmware on their Motorola 6208 boxes, my need for a D-VHS machine is not urgent.

Kurt

Here is the fish translation for the Korean page listed above. It is a classic (and a gaudy thing)!

Actually the reason I'm appending is that right at the end there is a mention of the new JVC U.S. models.

"If once design, from the DHX1 (40000 series) it sees far high class be it seems. Function the point which is added is not is not many so and it will be able to expect a sickle cryptogamic quality and a sound quality with adoption of the HDMI which is a new generation interface little more it appears. "

"Also the IEEE1394 gearing with the cam is coming out with the hazard whole surface. Also as much as 525 i sources of general broadcasting or the VHS/S-VHS back, pro yes by a sheave circuit 525p with the output is possible with one feature."

"Attitude it sees with the DHX1 differently LCD addition reel mouth remaking condition (HS mode, Channel, remaking hour) the possibility of seeing the back in look in order to be, indication it does as a favor. It was a too much inconvenient point from the DHX1. 3 image outputs (khem it ladles and it spreads out and thu, the HDMI and the D terminal) the output possibility is viscosity is important in this same time. Case of the DHX1 only the AAC 2.0 decoder becomes loading but and 5.1 case direct confrontations are not but Uss even place DHX2 the AAC 5.1 decoder should not have been included with sameness, the bedspread where the confirmation is difficult still."

"The cancer with the HM-DH5U/ DT100U where also the come into the market which sprouts is the North America model almost simultaneously it will be a come into the market and it will hang and to see the North America model the design will be same and it will hang with it is visible. The D-VHS the VCR the minutes when it will purchase the gaudy thing wait and short time they are same."

It has a sort of retro look to my eyes. Maybe the next model after this one will be a two piece top loader like the old Hitachi VHS decks of the mid 1980s. :D

--Jerome

And just for fun...here is a jive translation of the Korean translation...

If once design, fum de DHX1 (40000 series) it sees far high class be it seems. Funcshun de point which be added be not be not many so's and it gots'ta be able t''spect some sickle cryptogamic quality and some sound quality wid adopshun uh de HDMI which be a new generashun interface little mo'e it appears. " "Also de IEEE1394 gearin' wid de cam be comin' out wid de hazard whole surface. Also as much as 525 ah' sources uh general broadcastin' o' de VHS/S-VHS back, pro yeah man by some sheave circuit 525p wid de output be possible wid one feature." "Attitude it sees wid de DHX1 differently LCD addishun reel moud remakin' condishun (HS mode, Channel, remakin' hour) de possibility uh seein' de back in look in o'da' to be, indicashun it duz as some favo'. It wuz some too much inconvenient point fum de DHX1. 3 image outputs (khem it ladles and it spreads out and du, de HDMI and da damn D terminal) de output possibility be viscosity be impo'tant in dis same time. Case uh de DHX1 only de AAC 2.0 decoda' becomes loadin' but and 5.1 case direct confrontashuns is not but Uss even place DHX2 de AAC 5.1 decoda' should not gots been included wid sameness, de bedspread where da damn confirmashun be difficult still." "De kinca' wid de HM-DH5U/ DT100U where also de mosey on down into de market which sprouts be de No'd America model mos' simultaneously it gots'ta be some come into de market and it gots'ta hang and t'see da damn No'd America model de design gots'ta be same and it gots'ta hang wid it be visible. De D-VHS de VCR de minutes when it gots'ta purchase da damn gaudy doodad wait and sho't time dey is same."

Originally posted by ktoolsie
So when are these things going to street?
The Japanese model has been announced for beginning of August.

The US model should be available at the same time.

Well, I have a Mits 2000, a 30K and a 40K. But I am very much liking the idea of sending D-Theater and any HD from D-VHS to my Projector via DVI. But there is no way in hell I am buying this thing out the gate. I'll wait for the price to drop, as I did with the 40K (paid under $500 brand new, with an extended warranty) and I must also be sure that it's not another badly designed, cheaply built machine. Two of those in my rack is enough.

I'll let you guys test it for me.:D

Well if one has a TV/projector with DVI or HDMi but no firewire connection and one wishes to archive HDTV material from some like a Motorola 6200/6208 then the JVC decks are the only single-box solution. The alternative is a Mits D_VHS deck coupled to something like a samsung 165, but the samsung box alone costs about as much as a new JVC deck.

So if I can get one of these (5-U) for about $600 I'll jump on it.

After all, it can't be worse than a 30000/40000, right?

Kurt

Let me know how the beta goes guys ;)

TM

I just saw the information on the Sony KV-34XBR960 which is replacing the KV-34XBR910 34 inch 16:9 HDTV that came out last Fall.

It retails for about 10% less, adds cable card, firewire and a ATSC Tuner.

With that said, I still find something very wrong with the more expensive JVC D-VHS costing an additional $500 (or almost 100% more) for the addition of only a ATSC tuner.

It seems there has to be something else in there for that price.

Wasn't there supposed to be two new JVC deck models, one with an ATSC tuner and one without?

That's what these are...

Does anyone know what the US street price is likely to be on these models??

I've been following the price of the JVC DH40K. It looks like PC Mall and MacMall have followed ecost to the $449 price.

Evidently this is in anticipation of the new models. The obvious question would be "is the new model worth the price difference?"

I've seen it pre-advertisied for $599 online... expected arrival date of mid-July.

Originally posted by HDTVFanAtic
I just saw the information on the Sony KV-34XBR960 which is replacing the KV-34XBR910 34 inch 16:9 HDTV that came out last Fall.

It retails for about 10% less, adds cable card, firewire and a ATSC Tuner.


Figures, since I bought my 34" XBR910 last fall, thinking it was so advanced it wouldn't be obsolete for a few years at least. Who knew? Anybody want to buy a slightly used (just broken in!) 910? :rolleyes:

Dang, sometimes I hate this insatiable hobby!

I called the national headquarters of JVC and asked when these decks would be released. The office that is supposed to provide information on new product releases had no information on the HM Dt100U or the DH5U. In fact the rep indicated that he had no knowledge that any new D-VHS deck would be released this year.

Sometimes/Often, customer service people are the last to know so they don't leak out information early.

Very true. Like I said, everything I hear from the retailers in mid-July. But who knows...

I am so sick of people calling customer service for these companies. Please stop! These people never know anything. Most of them handle calls for multiple companies.

If there is any info on any product, it will be posted on AVSforum as soon as it is available.

Will there be a D-VHS deck with Cablecard? This would be useful if I want to tape one thing and watch another at the same time.

“I am so sick of people calling customer service for these companies. Please stop! These people never know anything. Most of them handle calls for multiple companies.

If there is any info on any product, it will be posted on AVSforum as soon as it is available.”


I am surprised that my offer of information – despite what one may think about its reliability – would provoke such hostility. Just for the record I called JVC out of desperation. I need to make a purchase by the middle of July. I am trying to obtain specific information about the release date of these decks and have not been able to find it anywhere – even here at AVS.

I called all of the local brick and mortar stores in Sacramento but their reps knew nothing about the existence much less the availability of new D-VHS decks from JVC. I was not surprised by their ignorance because of the horror stories that appear here and from regularly dealing with sales/consumer representatives. I have one contact at JVC in the professional division and e-mailed him on the off-chance that he might know something. He didn’t know what might be coming but he gave me the phone number of an office that in his words “usually” knows about new product releases.

I passed on what I was told because the rep I called was not the first rung of the consumer information ladder. Moreover, he made noises about how “he should know” if something new was in the works. I fully expect that he was poorly informed but I thought it might be worthwhile to post. I now know that the prevailing norm on this forum at least in the view of some contributors is when in doubt keep your mouth shut.

dillon

Sometimes, you just have to ignore some of these post. We all have bad days. ;)

It looks like both the component and HDMI outputs will be active at the same time...hmm.

Simultaneous output of the hi-vision image signal is possible from three output terminals. For example when the projector is added to the hi-vision television even, connecting simultaneously, it can enjoy.

Troy

Originally posted by dillon2
“

I am surprised that my offer of information – despite what one may think about its reliability – would provoke such hostility.



Unearned

Stick with us. We like people that take the initiative to research.
Even if we get steered wrong, the value is in knowing if we are ALL getting steered wrong! Sometimes any info is better than no info.

Hang in there, and keep up the quest!!

I'm glad to see from the JPG that they's restored the basic display functions to the front panel of the unit. I assume the OSD is also still available since the remote looks very much like it has similar buttons to the one which comes with the 40K.

Stereo Advantage claims to have the HM-DH5U available. I don't know if it is true or not. Amazon still has the "coming soon" stamp.

http://www.stereoadvantage.com/homevideo.htm

JVC (http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027314&pathId=50) now has the HMDH5U on their website. MSRP $799.

Troy

Re: HMDH5U

The description on the JVC website does not say anything about DTS for this model it only indicates Dolby Digital. Does that mean that this unit can not output DTS?

Regards
Frank

Originally posted by Frank D
Re: HMDH5U

The description on the JVC website does not say anything about DTS for this model it only indicates Dolby Digital. Does that mean that this unit can not output DTS?

Regards
Frank

The stereo advantage website sure mentions it in the description:

Built-in MPEG2 Decoder for Direct Connection to HDTV via Y/Pb/Pr or HDMI™ (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
Digital Set-top box ready with Digital-to-Digital connection via i.Link (IEEE 1394) terminal
MPEG-2 CODEC encoding/decoding for digital recording of NTSC sources
HDTV Digital Broadcast Bitstream Recording/ Playback
D-Theater compliant with the advanced D-VHS security system
Can Record Any Type of Broadcast including HD, SD or Analog
HS mode (28.2 Mbps) for up to 3.5 hours* HDTV recording STD Mode (14.1 Mbps) for up to 7 hours* SD recording LS3 Mode (4.7 Mbps) for up to 21 hours* long-time recording * and LS5 mode for up to 35 hours* long-time recording *per DF-420 cassette
Frame Synchronizer for pristine analog-to-digital dubs
D-VHS (HS, STD, LS3) S-VHS (SP, EP) S-VHS ET (SP, EP) HiFi VHS (SP, EP) VHS (SP, EP)
Full Spec HDTV Compatible (with all 18 ATSC broadcasting formats)
DigiPure Technology for high resolution analog recording and playback
5.1 Dolby Digital Output (optical)
2 channel Linear PCM Audio Output capability
1080i, 720P, 480P and 480i
2 Sets of AV inputs
S-Video inputs
2 Sets of AV outputs
2 S-Video Outputs
1 Component Video Output (Y, Pb, Pr)
1 x Optical Digital Output
2 x I.Link Terminal (IEEE 1394), DV input only for camcorders
Front Inputs ( AV, S-Video, i.Link)
Video Navigation- Tape Number, Record date and Category sorting
MTS Decoder for SAP programs
VCR Plus+ with provided cable box controller
Express Programming
Plug and Play for automatic tuner and clock set-up
1-year / 24-event programmable timer
Av Compu Link
Multi-Brand TV/Cable/DBS compatible Glow Key Remote Control
1 Year Parts, 90 Days Labor
Weight: 13.5 lbs.(6.1kg)
Width: 17.1?(435mm)
Height: 3.8?(97mm)
Depth: 13.7?(348mm)




Availability: Usually ships the next business day.

JVC-HMDH5UManufacturer's List Price: $799.95Sale Price: $599.90

Still unclear -- does the unit include the hi-def tuner?

The DH5U doesn't have the tuner- That model costs twice as much (don't ask me why).

Why does the 40K have a higher MSRP?

Originally posted by DaveFi
Why does the 40K have a higher MSRP?

Because prices have come down and it is an older model, the same reason the 30K has a higher MSRP than the 40K. This is of course the same reason my 12 year old 486 computer had a higher MSRP than a current Pentium 4. Manufacturers usually don't reduce the MSRP on discontinued products when new products are released. The 40K can be found for a much lower price than the 5U despite the higher MSRP.

Chris

HDTVFanAtic,

I don't see any mention of DTS in what you quotes either. Are you implying that since it's "D-Theater compliant" it also works with DTS? The 30k was D-Theater compliant, but it couldn't output DTS. They specifically list Dolby 5.1 below, but not DTS.

Maybe that will be another differentiator between the 2 models? I hope not. I also hope they're not dropping DTS. Anyone have any info?

Originally posted by HDTVFanAtic
The stereo advantage website sure mentions it in the description:

Built-in MPEG2 Decoder for Direct Connection to HDTV via Y/Pb/Pr or HDMI™ (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
Digital Set-top box ready with Digital-to-Digital connection via i.Link (IEEE 1394) terminal
MPEG-2 CODEC encoding/decoding for digital recording of NTSC sources
HDTV Digital Broadcast Bitstream Recording/ Playback
D-Theater compliant with the advanced D-VHS security system
Can Record Any Type of Broadcast including HD, SD or Analog
HS mode (28.2 Mbps) for up to 3.5 hours* HDTV recording STD Mode (14.1 Mbps) for up to 7 hours* SD recording LS3 Mode (4.7 Mbps) for up to 21 hours* long-time recording * and LS5 mode for up to 35 hours* long-time recording *per DF-420 cassette
Frame Synchronizer for pristine analog-to-digital dubs
D-VHS (HS, STD, LS3) S-VHS (SP, EP) S-VHS ET (SP, EP) HiFi VHS (SP, EP) VHS (SP, EP)
Full Spec HDTV Compatible (with all 18 ATSC broadcasting formats)
DigiPure Technology for high resolution analog recording and playback
5.1 Dolby Digital Output (optical)
2 channel Linear PCM Audio Output capability
1080i, 720P, 480P and 480i
2 Sets of AV inputs
S-Video inputs
2 Sets of AV outputs
2 S-Video Outputs
1 Component Video Output (Y, Pb, Pr)
1 x Optical Digital Output
2 x I.Link Terminal (IEEE 1394), DV input only for camcorders
Front Inputs ( AV, S-Video, i.Link)
Video Navigation- Tape Number, Record date and Category sorting
MTS Decoder for SAP programs
VCR Plus+ with provided cable box controller
Express Programming
Plug and Play for automatic tuner and clock set-up
1-year / 24-event programmable timer
Av Compu Link
Multi-Brand TV/Cable/DBS compatible Glow Key Remote Control
1 Year Parts, 90 Days Labor
Weight: 13.5 lbs.(6.1kg)
Width: 17.1?(435mm)
Height: 3.8?(97mm)
Depth: 13.7?(348mm)




Availability: Usually ships the next business day.

JVC-HMDH5UManufacturer's List Price: $799.95Sale Price: $599.90

I don't think they list DTS for the 40K either, but I think it supports it. Maybe it's an "undocumented feature".

Sorry - second time I've screwed up DTS an D-Theater - guess I need to read slower :(

This site indicates the HM-DH5U has DTS capability. I don't know if it is right or not but I can't imagine that JVC would drop DTS from the current models.

http://www.dotcities.com/dotcities_products-input_item-B0002J6LA2-input_search_type-AsinSearch.html

Chris

Check the 5u photo on either the JVC or the above referenced web site. The second logo to the left on the bottom right of the 5U appears to be the DTS logo.

alk3997, I just noticed the same thing. Also, the Viktor HM-DHX2, the Japanese equivalent to the HM-DH5U has the DTS logo prominently displayed in the same spot.

I might be getting one of these in the next week or two so I can verify by then.

I seem to be going back and forth on ordering one of these.....i probably would have done it from etronics this past weekend who claim they are in stock for $549 if i hadn't read some bad reviews on them saying things were in stock that werent.

I think I have $150 worth of amazon certificates somewhere as well. Might take the plunge if I could find it there at a reasonable price.

Anyone KNOW of anyone that REALLY has the deck at a decent price?

seams no one have it truly on stock.
reason is may that jvc not have released the units till today.

I am hoping the new model has an improved MPEG decoder and improved component out quality. Has anyone heard anything in this regard?

Well Folks,
I am looking at the mauals front page and it shows the DTS insignia saying Digital Out

the specs page lists the Optical connector passing both the Dolby Digital Out stream and the DTS digital output stream.

Lastly the glossary specifies that there is no digital decoder just that it will be glad to pass it along to your decoder.


Stereo Advantage has them in stock..



HM-DH5U that is


Kevin

well Kevin, as you don't list a location, I can't exactly tell where Stereo Advantage is located. Where are they and what are they charging for the unit. Did you purchase one?

I am new to this forum.

I do computers for living and assume everyone can read my mind.
I actually figured everyone on this forum would know much more than me and would get it.

I got it from one of the subscribers on the forum.
Took about a week.
Not enout posts yet to place a URL PM me
But the address is in this thread.

Kevin

Take Care

I placed an order with Stereo Advantage for a JVC HM-DH5U last week Thursday.

My unit was shipped today, scheduled delivery is on the 27th of this month.

Kurt

Kurt, we'll be eagerly awaiting your impressions of the HM-DH5U.

Big time. I am very curious about the new deck.

Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
Big time. I am very curious about the new deck.

Me too and in a couple of years we will know if it is any better than the earlier models.

Chris

So what the consensus on the best blank tape to use?

I've got some old high quality S-VHS tapes lying around which I can (maybe) use until my order of JVC D-VHS tapes is delivered.

Kurt

Fuji S-VHS tapes rock. I have a failure rate of maybe 0.05% tops.

I like JVC's D-VHS tapes as well. I use them for the more important recordings.

Any D-VHS tape works great and any high grade SVHS tape I have tried works great. Fuji H471S tests out best on my equipment. Standard grade SVHS has been hit or miss for me so I quit using it. H471S is often more expensive new than D-VHS tape but I use it whenever I can find it in great shape used at a great price.

Standard grade Fuji has been the worst for me, much worse than Matt's .05% if he is talking about standard. Based on my experience with SVHS, I would expect JVC standard grade SVHS to be bad also but I have never tried it for D-VHS.

Chris

That is odd, Chris. I and a good friend of mine use them all the time. We have recorded hundreds, if not thousands of times onto these tapes and have almost no problems. I think I have had 2 bad tapes all year.

I've had great success w/Fuji SVHS tapes as well. This was when I had my Panny HD1000 deck & now w/the JVC 30K.

Kurt:

Did your Stereo Advantage order ship? I want to place an order myself.

Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
That is odd, Chris. I and a good friend of mine use them all the time. We have recorded hundreds, if not thousands of times onto these tapes and have almost no problems. I think I have had 2 bad tapes all year.

If I recall, I had about 3 or 4 bad D-VHS recordings out of 10 using Fuji standard grade SVHS. I reused the same SVHS tape for SVHS recording and it worked fine and I have never used it again for D-VHS. I have never had a bad Fuji H471S. I tested the standard grade Fuji using my Hitachi D-VHS VCR which has a tape quality reading that has proven reliable for testing D-VHS tape suitability and the tape failed to get an acceptable reading so it won't be used by me. Since I have several different D-VHS VCRs, I know that some are more SVHS tape friendly. I would expect my Mitsubishi D-VHS VCR would work fine with standard grade SVHS while some of the others will not. Just to simplify, I use tape that works well with all of the VCRs.

Chris

Has anyone compared the pictrue quality yet to the 30k or 40k? I have the 30k right now, if the mpeg decoder is any better, I will like to pick one up.

Just received HM-DH5U. Etronics didn't lie in availability. Was delivered a couple days after order. Have to replace a motherboard then I can play.

Tim, you have a digital cam? Want to snap some pics?

Have to replace a motherboard then I can play.

huh? i guess you don't happen to have dvhs to report the firewire workability?

I have had great success with Sony SVHS tapes. The Fujis seemed to have a bit less color saturation. I would'nt bother with the JVC SVHS. I was lucky enough to have a couple of hundred SVHS tapes that I had used to record from laserdisc over the years. Is is amazing how free of noise and red bloom the recordings I make with my JVC 30k are. Hopefully the HDMI output on the new JVC decks will result in a picture with less grain and better black levels.

Originally posted by rudolpht
Just received HM-DH5U. Etronics didn't lie in availability. Was delivered a couple days after order. Have to replace a motherboard then I can play. What?! I assume you mean a motherboard to some OTHER device?

It's funny how grammar can play tricks like that. I strongly suspect the topics are independent of each other.

Can't wait to hear Tim's report - DVHSTool functionality is a must...

It will also be interesting to see what happens with the LG DVT, since it appears to give 'unsupported 1394 Device' messages if it doesn't like the receiving device...

Cheers!
DAve.

It was more work flow than a relationship between my broken computer. I did stay up the night and got the computer working.

Unpacked the the new JVC deck, it is sharp in a still retro kinda' way. There's the HDMI jack on back (only optical digital audio though). It gets time from local OTA stream and tries to get analog channels for what it is worth (nothing to me).

There is an Xfiles type blue blow on the center fascia. HDMI lights up.

My intent (despite unrelated compouter work) was to use primarily as a playback device for now. I am nearly unique in that my 30K worked well out of the box and has taped 100+ movies with no fault of the deck.

Why I thought I should play with fire I have no idea (but I LOVE my JVC HX1U so I know JVC is capable of quality products.

I thought I might have an issue in starting up with the HDMI but it came up on the source fine, but in a kind of 14x9 mode (wider thgan the 30K 4:3 with grey bars). That never bothered me as I usually have it snap into correct aspect whren the HS stream is selected.

After rerouting remapping my inputs (basically it was as simple as moving my Voom optical to coax, but there was a lot of swearing and nashing of teeth in the interim. I would have though coax+3 optical+USB audio+firewire+RF (AC-3) would be enough but no. My existing cable actually I routre through the 30K deck just to keep everything else working concurrent. Om enough side discussion.

There are 4 addresses for deckls but I cant get the unit to go into B, C, or D mode, ie same power etc as my other deck, which worst case I'll use emitters if necessary.

So the moment arrives. Insert a recent tape for the girls, What a Girl Wants, and try to rewind. It rewinds for about 2 seconds and powers down. OK, let's try a DTheater tape, Master & Commander, want to kick the tires on a DTS stream. Easy Audio Stream button on both unit and remote. Cool. 2 seconds in, it shutsdown. Check projector, HDCP enabled. Check cable path. Fine, but my problem MAY by my Dtronics DVI 4x1switch. It gives my HTPC no quarter.

Basically I shut down everything before I start throwing tools and sharp instruments. Will try to go direct to projector from VCR but it is a real hassle and just finally got it perfectly situated (as in don't want to jostle it around if I can avoid it, but in this case I'll have to trouble shoot the switch out of the equation.

Now I haven't tried component out as I never intended to use component.

It does appear that you can set timer on Firewire link (yay). Good on deck and in remote controls (remote is more "normal" too).

Doesn't playback (booo).

Needless to say, disappointment all around. The price (of a non-working VCR) was good at least :( It was packed well, incidentally (or adequately I should say).

Tim

Amazing. The very first one out there and BAM! It ain't working. (yet).

probably something screwy like unplugging it, kicking the cat, then plugging it in again. ;-)

Are we into "So sad it's funny" territory yet?

My 5U arrived this afternoon also.

I connected the coax from my cable company into its antenna input and plugged the unit in. The VCR started auto-setting channels and the clock so I went upstairs for dinner. After dinner, I noticed that the date and time was being correctly displayed, so I coupled the fire wire interface to a Motorola 6208 usinga 6-pin-to-4-pin firewire cable that I had lying around, hooked the component video outputs to my projector and the optical output to my A/V receiver. I don't have a HDMI-to-DVI adapter, so I'll have to make do with component until I can pick one up.

Anyways, I fired everything and got a 1080i picture displayed on my projector. No sound though. Soon figured out that the optical output is defaulted to 2-channel PCM. Set it to "Stream" and when I exited the menu, the 5.1 audio started coming in from the HBO HDTV channel.

I've ordered some D-VHS tapes but they don't get here until Monday so I dug out an old S-VHS tape to experiment with. Hit the D-VHS button hidden under the front flap and tried a recording. I noticed about 3 freezes in the first minute. I figured that maybe the unit was getting confused as I had something recorded in analog already on the tape.

Replaced the tape with an unused (I think) Sony S-VHS Pro tape. Went to record Star Trek - First contact which I captured on the hard-drive of the 6208 a couple of nights back. Hit DVR on the 6208, but nothing happened. I realised that the menu of the 6208 is being lost along the firewire-to-component path. Changed my projector to DVI input so I could view the signal straight from the 6208, and started playback. Started recording on the 5U and so far everything seems fine.

Will report back when I've had a chance to view the recording to see if any drop-outs are evident.

Early impressions: The unit feels quite solid and is very large for a VCR, about the size of the Motorola 6208. The 2 large blue leds give out quite a coll glow and the unita s a whole looks much better than the image on JVC's web-site. The front of the unit actually has that mirror look which is currently in vogue.

Kurt

Oh, and I'm not sure about the timer-recording using fire-wire. There is a section in the manual devote dto this topic so I figured that they must have added this functionality that was missing on the 30Ks and 40Ks. Anyways reading more it looks as if they still rely on the set-top box to control the recording which rules out the 6208. I'll try and see if I-1 is an allowable option when scheduling a manual recording, and report back.

Kurt

Well I added the part about kicking the cat, and that still didn't solve. Tried bypassing switch. That didn't solve it.

The unit just correctly identifies it's a DVH tape, whether it is DTheater or not, and then either kicks out the tape and powers down or simply powers down.

I guess I should try the components to see if HDMI is even related to being the culprit, but I may have to find some more cats first.

Lights, buttons, etc., it's a much more usable system, if it played tapes...

Well, 3 cats later... Components out (HDMI removed & not lit up) exhibits same behavior. RMA here I come. Disappointing. Kurt, glad yours is working.

General dimmensions approximate 30K but not as high, probably an inch shorter.

Well my recording of Star Trek First Contact seemed to work flawlessly. I did a quick playback and everything looked great.

However, I've already seem some funny goings on.

On a couple of my other HDTV channels, I got the message "CANNOT DECODE VIDEO OR AUDIO USE SET TOP BOX OR HDTV TUNER" after a few seconds, followed by a complete loss of picture and sound.

I'll have to experiment some more to see what the deal is.

Kurt

Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
Amazing. The very first one out there and BAM! It ain't working. (yet). How did I know you'd be all over this one....

I'm interested in purchasing one but am using the 169time system with DirecTV. If anyone tries it using the 169time system please let us know how well it works. I know there's some issues with even the 40000 so am not sure if I should even try using this newest D-VHS.

CANNOT DECODE VIDEO OR AUDIO USE SET TOP BOX OR HDTV TUNER
Remember seen that on premium hd as well with 40k. Turn on/off 6208 solved the error message. If i remember correct, i won't get this message if jvc was first turned on before 6208.

Does anyone have any definitive knowledge of what MPEG decoder is in the new JVC decks as opposed to the 30/40k decks? Other than HDMI output and improved reliability (hahahahaha, 2 guys have them and 1 is already dead) why would I want one of these if my two 30k's are working fine? Is the component output less soft? Less noisy or grainy? I know there won't be timer recording from the 1394 port, it goes against the 1394 spec, so I'm stuck with the Radio Shack thingy. C'mon guys give me some reasons to buy this thing. I really want a new toy!

The JVC 40K and the new JVC D-VHS decks all use the LSI Logic (formerly C-Cube)
Domino processor for HD decoding, SD encoding, audio decoding, audio encoding
and 1394 (and a bunch of other stuff).

The JVC 30K is an older design with seperate HD decoder and SD encoder devices.

Ron

Ron, do you know if any of the tape transport has been redesigned to improve reliability?

Originally posted by Ken H
How did I know you'd be all over this one.... Sorry, Ken. It's an addiction.

I AM very much hoping this new deck is an improvement. If it is, I will buy one.

I think the 40K is inferior in many ways to the 30K. It is so twitchy with Firewire that it's near impossible for it to keep sync with my local cable co's signal. The 30K and the Mitsubishi 2000U don't even burp with it.

I was talking with an engineer from TeleMedia Cable yesterday and his 40K is the same way, on a different cable co (he has Comcast). Meanwhile his Mitsubishi deck has never had trouble seeing the Firewire signal.

Well the new 5U is definitely "twitchy" as well when it comes to aquiring the firewire signal. The good news is that once it does it is rock solid until you change channel or something like that.

I've archived two movies so far, both recorded from HBO-HD recently onto my 6208's hard drive. Both archives appear to be perfect. In both cases I used a S-VHS tape not an official D-VHS one.

I've verified that I can aquire the HDTV signal on all three of my Comcast locals that I tried (NBC, CBS, FOX).

Also verified that I can get the signal on the two most important movie channels (HBO-HD and Sho-HD).

Similarly, it seems to work with Comcasts own channels (INHD-1 & 2)

So far I haven't had any luck with Cinemax-HD, Starz-HD or ESPN-HD.

Haven't tried the local UPN-HD station.

Even with the channels I can get I do sometimes have to play around to aquire the signal. When the 5U failes to get the firewire signal I try changing the channel on the 6208 or going up to channel 2 on the 5U and then back to I-1. Usually, one of these will work. It may take a couple of minutes of futzinga round to get a signal to be recognized, but thereafter it's solid. You definitely can't use the 5U as a pass through, to avoid having to swith between the DVI output of the 6208 and the HDMI output of the 5U. It's far to fussy for that.

I'm waiting until I feel comfortable that the 5U is a keeper before I get a HDMI-to-DVI adaptor. In the meanwhile I'm using the component video connectors of the 5U, with the output set to the native mode of the signal (i.e. it varies between 1080i and 720p dependant on the format employed by a particular channel).

Kurt

Kurt,
With these trouble channels (Cinemax-HD, Starz-HD or ESPN-HD) can you first record with the 6208, then dump to D-VHS? Kind of a workaround, but that might be a solution, since you seem to have no problem dumping HBO recordings from the 6208.
Also, what have you learned about timer functions for the firewire input?

Thanks,
Bryan

When I lose sync on my 40K, I have to unplug it for 20 seconds or more. Otherwise it will not sync back up, no matter what I do. This happens every time I finish a recording and many times when I turn the deck back on. I F'n HATE it.

Originally posted by bferr1
Kurt,
With these trouble channels (Cinemax-HD, Starz-HD or ESPN-HD) can you first record with the 6208, then dump to D-VHS? Kind of a workaround, but that might be a solution, since you seem to have no problem dumping HBO recordings from the 6208.
Also, what have you learned about timer functions for the firewire input?

Thanks,
Bryan

I'm going to record The Missing tonight onto the hard-drive of the 6208, and then try and dump it to D_VHS tape on Sunday.

I'll let you know how it goes.

With HBO, Showtime etc I have no trouble (apart from the general fussiness in aquiring a HDTV signal through firewire) in monitoring the live signal. Thus, I would expect that I could also record this live signal but I have not tried to do so, so far.

With the 3 problem channels I listed, I have not been able to even monitor the signal. It may be just that I haven't played around enough to force a firewire handshake.

Kurt

Kurt - do you work with PC / DVHSTool at all?

It all sounds good so far - if it works with DVHSTool it sounds like a good purchase...!

Cheers!
DAve.

Originally posted by Phloyd
Kurt - do you work with PC / DVHSTool at all?


No, my PC is an another room away from my home-theater equipment, so I can't say if these new JVC decks are compatable.

BTW, I did manage to handshake the 5U with a Starz-HD signal.

However, I tried to dump a fairly old recording off my 6208 to the 5U (Spiderman) and I'm seeing infrequent drop-outs. They may be related to the tape I'm using.

Kurt

One other thing: I've figured out why I get drop-outs when I try and dump some of the movies I had stored on the hard drive of the 6208. It is a function of when those movies were recorded. Any movie that I stored prior to time when my 6208 got the new firmware update to version 7.15 will not record properly to D-VHS.

Any movie that I recorded to my hard-drive after 7.15 was installed, dumps fine to the 5U.

Kurt

Mine is still Tango Uniform. Kurt, did you get from Etronics?

Tim

No, mine came from Stereo Advantage, who are listed on JVC web-site, so I assume they're an authorized dealer.

Now that I know that the problem with drop-outs was related to the old firmware of the 6208 at the time the recording was made to it's hard-drive, the only issue with my unit is making the handshake with the firewire. Either, I'm learning the routine or the unit is improving because it only takes me a few seconds of messing around to to achieve success now.

I guess it's a keeper. It's recording The Missing from Starz-HD as I speak (type).

Kurt

I'm hoping one of the owner's can clarify something about the 5u clock setup...Is manual setting of the clock still permitted? In other words on the 30K/40K the clock can be set automatically but there is an option to set it manually (for those of us whose stations are hours off). Is that still an option?

Yes, according to the manual you can still set the clock manually and I've verified that there is a menu setting that corresponds to this. The manual recommends that the clock is set manually if you do not have a cable system connected to the VCR via the rf-antenna input (e.g. you're using a cable box).

I used the auto setting on mine which I believe gets the time from the local (analog) PBS station. These setting are usually very reliable unlike the times conatined in the HDTV streams, which the 5U ignores.

The Mission was recorded successfully last night and I no longer have any significant problem synching with either the Cinemax or Starz HD channels. I haven't gone back and tried the ESPN-HD channel but I would be very surprised if this one is still a problem.

Kurt

Kurt -

Can you verify that timer recordings do work for the firewire input (there seemed to be some uncertainty in the earlier posts).

Ron Jones
www.dtvmax.com

The Firewire handshake between the JVC DVHS & the Motorola 6208 is definitely finicky, at least w/my JVC 30K. As someone already mentioned, turn the DVHS unit before the 6208. This always works for me.

Firewire timer recording will never happen on any Dvhs deck. We need to get Motorola or any other manufacturer to add 1394 control to their HDTV set-top boxes. JVC will noy go against the IEEE1394 spec just to make us happy. Bottom line. Nobody wants to make it convienent to record HD content. It's a conspiracy I tell ya.

Now can someone tell me if HDMI looks any better than component out on a 30k? The 30k is kinda soft.

well, i just upgraded to CC premium package and tested all HD recording inlcuding stazHD and showHD to Mits 1100U without a single drop. This is awesome. JVC40k, on the other hands, keep posting the 300 error message when tunes from 6208. Look like the 5U is seeing the same problem as well.... and most irritating is the loud spike audio noise when shifting channel or signal drop out via optical out.

For 5U early adopter, do you have this spike noise via digital optical out?

I wonder how thew picture compares to the 30 and40k?

I have a replacement unit en route. Will compare to 30K and check SPDiF optical only. I think the recording improvement, if it can be verified is simply to setup a timed recording but leave it on the I- ?channel?. The manual indicates yes. The set top box would still need to be set independatly. But it could be improvement to schedule the settop and VCR independtly, but I think using the R/S VCR programmer remote is still the ergonimically easy kludge to do time based recodings including setting channel (at least on the 6200.).

With my JVC decks and the SA 3250HD STB, I have to turn the STB on first, or the JVC's rarely see the signal.

I do not get any audio spike when changing channels, either on the 6208 or on the 5U itself. I would guess that the spike you're hearing is some interaction between the 5U and your receiver.

I have'nt tried to set up a timer recording yet with the channel/input set to I-1. My reading of the manual was that this was not possible. I'll try and confirm this in the near future.

Given the problems the 5U has with handshaking with the 6208 over fire-wire i wonder how useful it would be to have this option. It typically takes a couple goes to get the firewire synched up and if one set a timer to record remotely, there would be a good chance that nothing would be recorded due to a failure of this handshake.

Kurt

I do not get any audio spike when changing channels, either on the 6208 or on the 5U itself. I would guess that the spike you're hearing is some interaction between the 5U and your receiver.


I ruled out my preamp problem as it's working just fine with MIT MDR200 and 6208 optical out. I meant it's very loud spike, it hurts me listen to that speaker tearing noise whenever i change channels or audio drop off. Anyway, it's good to know 5U doesn't has this problem. I may give it a try.

I've tried it both ways and I'm leaning towards turning the 5U on before you turn the 6208 as being the most reliable way to establish a steady firewire connection.

Kurt

My daisy chain 6208>Mits1100U>40k.

If 40K on before 6208, everthing is fine. 40K is playing 1100 and tuning 6208 just fine. BUT.... it will throw same error again after playing tape on 1100 then tune to 6208. Either 300 or not many IEEE Devices crap... now you have to reset everthing. I don't suppose 5U correct the problem?

When are we going to get a review or comparison versus the 30/40k models???

There are dozens of them. But you will have to search for the posts.

I think he means the "5U" vs. the 30K and/or 40K. Not 30K vs. 40K.

Too early for that.

Too early for that.

How is it too early for that? The units are out, people are taking delivery. For typical electronic components most reviewers get pieces months before they're out.

It's not too early, we just need someone to pull it together.

Troy

The point is, it's shipping, but to compare properly takes time.

These forums have made us all impatient people & magazines all but outdated/useless. Having said that, where's a proper 5u report already?!!! ;)

Troy & Brajesh,

Suggest you buy one and post :)

I have a 30k but never intended to use the 5U to record (until my 30K dies), and w/ other posts not compelled to try. Don't know if any other current owners (numbering in the handful at least on AVS in this thread) other than myself has an earlier unit, and I don't have a working 5U yet.

That said I usually sit it out to first reviews myself, but price was good. Typing this on a blackberry. Apologize I'm on vacation.

Personally, I've been to busy making a collection of tapes recorded in HDTV on my 5U to indulge in lengthy reviews or even to exercise many of the features of the 5U.

Suffice to say that it works, and apart from some difficulty in establishing a firewire handshake it works damn well.

This is my first d-VHS deck so I can't compare it to the 30K or the 40K.

We probably will not know whether the transport is any more reliable than its predecessors until there are a number of units out there with substantial hours on them.

I did buy a Monster HDMI-to-DVI adapter today, so I will finally be able to test the HDMI output functionality of the 5U.

I still haven't verified that the 5U supports timed recording on the I-1 (firewire input) as I haven't had to use that feauture. I just record whatever I want to tape onto the hard-drive of my Mot 6208 and then dump it to the 5U at a convnient time. My reading of the manual is that,as with the 30K and the 40K, you are dependant on your cable box being able to wake up the 5U and set it to recording via the firewire control. The 6208 does not support this functionality.

Kurt

Apparently the number of businesses with 5u's in stock has increased significantly this week...(unless they are all getting them from the same distributor)

http://www.streetprices.com/cd/79/SP2420980.html

The following is a link to the standard JVC press release on the 5U/100U decks that are being discussed in this thread. What makes this interesting is that there is a photo of the 100u included (click on the spyglass icon).

http://www.dtvmag.com/Products/New-Products/Video-Electronics/JVC-Introduces-High-Definition-D-VHS-Digital-Recorders-with-Advanced-Future-Ready-HDMI-Connection.asp

I wasn't sure it was the 100u until I saw the "Integrated HDTV" logo on the right side of the unit. Similar styling to the 5u, yet different.

Apparently the number of businesses with 5u's in stock has increased significantly this week
Only this morning and they are all from the "NY-rippers". Similar web site layout, offers and same neighbourhood. They are all good and great prices if you receive a working unit. But if it comes to return, refund or exchange. GOOD luck. I'll wait for a reliable source......

[edit : add link]
NY-Rippers (http://www.streetprices.com/cd/79/SP2420980.html)

Well, here's an update and it's mixed.

5U number 2 has a tape transport that actually works.

The bad news is I can't get the player to send greater than 720x480 to an HDCP projector, i.e., no HD on HDMI. There may be a trick but I can't find it. No permutations of the options will trigger it and I obviously looked at all of them, changed startup order, etc. The documentyation says that it will go to the highest supported resolution of the interface... not (1400x788 or 1280x720 or 1080i etc.

Interested to see how Kurt does with his cable, I assumed you were going HDMI all along.

As far as ergonomic the VCR is a leap ahead of the 30K. Actual buttons for transport control so no running between rooms for the remote. The unit has intuitive stream controls. It was a treat to hear Master & Commander in DTS, except for the DVD video resolution :(

We'll I may have to do a temporary slide in of the 5U for the 30K, but that limits the comparison.

So to answer an earlier question, at least for my JVC HX1U, the answer is the 30K soundly beats the crippled 5U HDMI output.

Tim

OK, going through components looks (from memory) identical to the 30K in PQ (though the HDMI to DVI enhanced darkness artificially adds to that aspect, assumably intended for devices w PC vs video range).

DTS sound again is fantastic, even more so in the rears, though likely the samre matrixed DD EX vs ES discrete.

Display recognizes, displays 6200, and records fine as long as 6200 powered up first.

The fit, finish, ease of use, etc. is what the first gen product should have had and much slicker. Enough to tradeup for ergonomics alone, not necessarily for me. Will try some timed recordings & VCR Programmer remote tapings.

HDMI still a huge disappointment (particularly in mating the same vendors HDCP components.

OK, the program timer is pretty slick, but I- does NOT come up as a source. Will investigate more. It would have been so easy to just add it as a source. There are guides for analog OTA, cable AND DBS that can be set up, but the easy add of an I- source is skipped. The VCR does recognize the i.linked unit perfectly, so I'm missing the hard part, actual control of the STB wouldn't be required.

Thanks Andy for the HM- DT100U link.

Better styling than the "5U", IMHO, and more along the lines of the 40K. The integrated tuner (and whatever else) sure adds a lot to the price. Maybe it will be heavily discounted.

Can anyone verify that BOTH the HDMI output and the Component output work at the same time? With my setup I need two 30k's, one for my Sony 30hs420 and one for my Z2 projector. If both work at the same time, I can use the 5U for both.

So I guess the image improvment over the 30k is non-existant? Is that the consensus? Better built. Same picture? Am I accurate here?

My credit card is waiting your answers!

Well, I don't know if consensus of one counts, and I would wait for a more critical (technical review).

I can say thanks for the push for further investigation. After using the component outs the HDMI seemed to correct itsel to 1080i res in switching between inputs on my projector.

Here's what I did find. In playing a tape from a 6200 with both plugged in I would get fine playback on HDMI (maybe very subtlely better) but I kept getting HDCP messages on the component out which stopped showing the content. In switching between outputs fed from a 6200 box, never got the message for the live stream (but it was InHD of the convention so maybe not flagged?)

If using VCR to drive both, switching between both seemed live but I would suggest that arrangement may not work depending on content being streamed, recorded, or played back.

Tim,

Are you saying that after your HDMI was limited to 480p, you switched over to the component input on your projector, and then on going back to the HDMI input, it gave the correct 1080i resolution?

I tried hooking the 5U up to the DVI input of an Infocus 5700, with a Monster HDMI-to_DVI adapter in the path. The resulting picture, from the HDMI output, was a measly 480p resolution. Worse, when I switched over to the component inputs/outputs, the resolution there was also 480p. So conncting up to the HDMI port on my 5U, resulted in a crippled picture not only on the HDMI output but also on the component output.

Well I just read the manual and basically it says that if you have trouble displaying your desired resolution to press the HDMI button on the front panel. This turns of the bright blue HDMI LED and forces the 5U to output the resolution selected in the set-up menu.

I'm making a recording right now, so I don't want to monkey around with it now, but I'll give this a go tomorrow and see if I can get the output resolution of my 6208 (720p or 1080i, dependant on the specific channel selected) to display on my projector via DVI.

Kurt

Originally posted by ktoolsie
Tim,

Are you saying that after your HDMI was limited to 480p, you switched over to the component input on your projector, and then on going back to the HDMI input, it gave the correct 1080i resolution?


Correct. Makes no sense to me why the HDMI started to actually work, but connecting up the components did something. Have you seen the messages about not being able to view content or only noticed the downrezzing?


Well I just read the manual and basically it says that if you have trouble displaying your desired resolution to press the HDMI button on the front panel. This turns of the bright blue HDMI LED and forces the 5U to output the resolution selected in the set-up menu.


My understanding was the button actually shuts off the HDMI output so it should toggle back. I would powerdown and pull the HDMI and power up to see if it helps. Are you connecting to an HDCP TV?

Tim

Well, I reconnected the HDMI output of my 5U and, as before, the image was 480p and looked pretty crappy.

Hit the HDMI button behind the right flap on the front panel, and voila, full 1080i HDTV resolution. As an additional benefit I no longer have the distraction of that very bright HDMI light. THe normal blue leds give a soft pleasant glow but the HDMI LED was annoying.

Whew, I was worried there that one of the main reasons for buying the 5U over its cheaper predecessors, namely the digital HDMI connection, was wirthless. All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase.

Kurt

Kurt,

Thanks very much for the feedback.

How does the HDMI picture quality compare to the Component picture on your projector? I have a 40k now, but if the PQ is that much better I might just have to get me a 5U for my Z2 projector.

- Tim

I would love to know the answer to Tim's question as well.

Originally posted by tbabb
Kurt,
How does the HDMI picture quality compare to the Component picture on your projector? I have a 40k now, but if the PQ is that much better I might just have to get me a 5U for my Z2 projector.


Well I haven't really looked at this critically just yet, only having got the HDMI connection working yesterday. However my initial impression was that the picture quality on the HDMI port was identical to that which I get when I connect my Motorola 6208 directly to my Infocus 5700 via the 6208's DVI .

Which is to say that the picture quality is a significant improvement over the component connection. Now the picture quality using component connections is outstanding, but going with the digital connection just removes a subtle haze of video noise. It is as if the video grain dissapears, giving a more cinematic presentation.

I did not notice any black level or white crush issues. In addition there are a couple set-up options which allow you to alter the image coming over the HDMI output. I'll play with these later on and see what they do to the signal.

Now that I've got the HDMI output working I have no doubt in my mind that getting the 5U for an additional $100 or so over a new 40K was money well spent. However, that does not necessarily mean I would upgrade if I already had a 40K that was working in a reliable fashion. I would be tempted to though, no doubt about it.


Kurt

Has anyone compared the component out on the 5U versus the 30k or 40k? I recall reading an article in WSR that indicated that the there were issues with the quality of the component outputs of the 40k, but that by sending the 40k signal through firewire to a Samsung SIR-T165, that the 165 component signal was "perfect." I wonder if JVC fixed this issue with the newer models?

Originally posted by johnovox
Has anyone compared the component out on the 5U versus the 30k or 40k? I recall reading an article in WSR that indicated that the there were issues with the quality of the component outputs of the 40k, but that by sending the 40k signal through firewire to a Samsung SIR-T165, that the 165 component signal was "perfect." I wonder if JVC fixed this issue with the newer models?

I read somewhere that the 5U uses the same MPEG decoder as the 40K so it is doubtful component video will be better. I can't tell my SIR-T165 improves component video over my JVC 30K so I suspect those kind of comparisons will always just be an opinion and vary from one setup to the next.

Chris

The subtle haze is subtle enough to be negligible in my setup, with both Component & HDMI outputs professionally calibrated. If folks want to spend 500 on a 1-2% improvement, agin gated by individual setup it may vary more greatly on other setups. The only real difference I have seen on a 123" screen (when it finally worked) was the geometry, specifically less overscan (ie no overscan) on HDMI.

Vanns has the 5U in stock for $539.99 with Free ground shipping!

Troy

I just ordered a 5U and know that others as well as me have wondered how it'll work on a 169time system. I should get it by next weekend so will be testing it out and letting everyone know how well the two work together.

The Vanns price is a great one, $60 less than when I bought mine two weeks or so ago.

As for the improvement of HDMI vs component, it is subtle, but still noth significant and immediately noticable if you look for it. However, the quality of HDTV is still quite spectacular over the component outputs.

For CRT projectors, or even smaller digital sets like a typical rear-projection unit, the improevemt will likely be ahrd to see. However, if one has a digital projector and a large screen (over 100" diagonal) one is really selling oneself short by making do with the component connections when a superior connection exists.

The same is true for the 6208, and even for a DVD player. when I want the best quality I go with the digital connection.

Kurt

Originally posted by ktoolsie
However, if one has a digital projector and a large screen (over 100" diagonal) one is really selling oneself short by making do with the component connections when a superior connection exists.How did you conclude the differences are based on the connecting equipment versus the projector? On my previous projector RGBHV looked much better than DVI with several devices such as the Sony HD300. With my current projector it's about a draw with DVI leading the tie.

How did you conclude the differences are based on the connecting equipment versus the projector? On my previous projector RGBHV looked much better than DVI with several devices such as the Sony HD300. With my current projector it's about a draw with DVI leading the tie.

I agree with Charles R. My Z2 looks better connected to the Panasonic RP82 dvd player than connected to the Samsung 841 via DVI upconverted to 720p. Conventional wisdom would suggest the later being the better connection. The reality is the component connection looks better.

My concern lies with the widely supported opinion that the JVC 30k has inferior analog component outputs. If this is the case, I want to know if the JVC 5U has improved with the addition of an HDMI output. I'm probably going to order one and let all of you know what I find.

Originally posted by Charles R
How did you conclude the differences are based on the connecting equipment versus the projector? On my previous projector RGBHV looked much better than DVI with several devices such as the Sony HD300. With my current projector it's about a draw with DVI leading the tie.

I agree with folks above. While it is intuitive that the digital connection would be better, many experiences and professional reviews suggest otherwise or varying mileage depending on the combination of components. On my best in the biz calibrated projector to a 123" screen it's a dead heat, aside from differences in overscan. The only point being your mileage may vary, even as the issues with HDMI & DVI become more steadily improved.

As a new data point, despite an earlier issue, the kludgophonic r/s vcr programming remote method did work this AM.

Originally posted by lilsteveo
I agree with Charles R. My Z2 looks better connected to the Panasonic RP82 dvd player than connected to the Samsung 841 via DVI upconverted to 720p. Conventional wisdom would suggest the later being the better connection. The reality is the component connection looks better.


No, in your application your picture quality will be heavily reliant on the quality of the scaler used in a DVD player that retails for just over a hundred bucks.

I use a Bravo D1 player, and I always set its output to 480p. I'm still reliant on the de-interlace used on the DI, but at least the upscaling to match my PJ native resolution is handled by the Farodja chip on my Infocus, rather than the sub-par scaler of the Bravo. The RP-82 has an excellent de-interlacer and is overall a far superior machine to the Samsung. When using the latter, I would recommend that you stick to 480p, despite the obvious intellectual appeal of going with a "HDTV" resolution.

For cable I find the improvement with DVI to be slightly more significant than with DVD. Basically, cable includes a fair amound of noise, usually most eveident on very dark pictures. The DVi connection has none of that noise, only a beautiful signal that is both smooth and detailed.

Of course I can't say that this will be the same for every projector. Indeed, as the set-up ids usually different on each conector, the component connections may well be better optimised. However, in my case I see a sublte but undeniable benefit of going with DVI, enough so that I held of purchasing a D-VHS machine until one became available that supported that output.

Kurt

One more report from the Deck front. This thing is driving me crazy expecting an HDCP device hooked up to the HDMI just to get high res out of the components. It is a pain in the a$$. I may go back to the simplicity of the 30K (dependable for me, but in the minority).

And the kludematic R/S VCR Programmer did OK with Untouchables last night - Untouchables, Underworld, and Bourne Supremacy concurrent (actually overlapping) HD last night, who woulda' thought.

As an aside to the aside, a Bravo or Motsumi (have both on a shelf), gives bith my RP82 to HD Leeza & DV59ai a run for their short money with scaling to 1400x788 (native rate on the Bravo/Mitsumi, SDI to Native Rate on the HD Leeza, and 720p to native in projector on Pio).

Tim,

If you are getting a downrezed 480p out of the HDMI connection, just hit the HDMI button behind the right front panel. It defaults the HDMI output to whatever was selected via the menus. It does not turn the HDMI output off. Even better, it remembers that you have done so, so you do not have to hit thebutton every time you turn the unit on.

Kurt

Ordered the 5U from Vanns today. I Need to get an adapter to connect to my 9M DVI cable. I assume the 5U has a HDMI female connector, is that correct?

Could not find the online manual to verify this.

Tim

Originally posted by tbabb
[B]Ordered the 5U from Vanns today. I Need to get an adapter to connect to my 9M DVI cable. I assume the 5U has a HDMI female connector, is that correct?


You are indeed correct. Monster sell a solid HDMI-to-DVI adapter witha MSRP of $30. It works flawlessly, but you'll need to ensure that you have adequate clearance in your rack, behind the 5U to fit the adapter.

If your clearances are tight you might be better off just getting a whole new cable with HMDI on one end and DVI on the other.

Kurt

Originally posted by ktoolsie
Tim,

If you are getting a downrezed 480p out of the HDMI connection, just hit the HDMI button behind the right front panel. It defaults the HDMI output to whatever was selected via the menus. It does not turn the HDMI output off. Even better, it remembers that you have done so, so you do not have to hit thebutton every time you turn the unit on.

Kurt

Kurt,

I actually wanted to just use the unit from components, but the copy protection scheme requires the HDMI connection for the components to work so I'm faced with: 1) making sure the DVI switch is on the correct input, reconnecting the HDMI and hitting the button, turning the player, turning the player on, switching to component, or 2) just using HDMI hoping my DVI switcher actually takes the right input ahead of time, or 3) going back to the 30K as primary player.

One may ask why one would get a 5U and not necessarily use the HDMI and expect it to just work. I guess my expectations were too high, but I'm glad I have an HDCP device or I would be up the proverbial creek. I hope JVC fixes this for folks not as luck as I in having the right devices. Most people buy the latest models of something particularly if they are priced comparably or lower.

Personally I wanted to check the HDMI output (underwhelmed in my setup) but mostly wanted to have a second player if need arose to watch while taping or do some DVHStool archiving, etc. Caveat Emptor.

Tim

Originally posted by rudolpht

Personally I wanted to check the HDMI output (underwhelmed in my setup) but mostly wanted to have a second player if need arose to watch while taping or do some DVHStool archiving, etc. Caveat Emptor.


Tim,

Did you try the 5U with DVHTool yet? Compatibility here is key for me...

Any news appreciated...

Cheers!
DAve.

Dave,

It was actually trying to play a DVHStool tape that sent me into the above contortions, but ultimately it did play. I'm new to the VOB to TS via VLC followed by tstoatsc, but it did finally work. DVHStool tapes just like my 30K, ie reliable.

Excellent.

The only remaining obstacle... the WIFE! :D

Cheers!
DAve.

Originally posted by rudolpht
I actually wanted to just use the unit from components, but the copy protection scheme requires the HDMI connection for the components to work I just hooked up my 5U. I purposely have not yet hooked up the HDMI. So far, the component outputs have been putting out 1080i and looks great. I have tried test recordings of all the Cablevision HD channels have have not had any issues.

One of the main reasons for getting the 5U is to play back old HBO tapes recorded from the old 8VSB signal Cablevision used to have. The 30K would not pass the audio on those tapes. I had to watch them through my Hipx computer. The 5U does play these tapes with proper audio.

EDIT:
Hooked up HDMI to the DVI input of a Fujitsu P50. No issues going back to component. It stays at 1080i.

Tried Dvhs tools. No problem.

I am extremely pleased with the 5u so far.

Originally posted by Bogney Baux
No issues going back to component. It stays at 1080i.

Same with me. Problem is leaving HDMI unhooked, not the other way around. For certain tapes (actually new ones more problematic than 5000 ones) it will not play 1080i correctly unless it checks HDMI HDCP first. Should it - no. Is my unit unique, maybe. It at leasts works better than my first 5U that shut down after a couple seconds and transport didn't work.

I just got the 5U today and had used the 30K for some time and am using the 169time system. So far I can't get the 5U to recognize either the STB or the AVX1 and assign I#'s. Anyone else had luck?

Well I started having a little luck with my 169time system with the 5U. First, originally it woudl not recognize either the Toshiba STB I have for DirecTV or the AVX1. Now it does recognize the Toshiba as I-1. It also apperas to now recognize the AVX1 as I-2. Then again I"m not 100% sure becuase sometimes when the AVX1 isn't on it still shows I-2 and I know the 30K never would show I-2 unless the AVX1 was on.
Well thats' the positive part. The bad thing is when the STB is on but not the AVX1 the screen says "Video signal is not found for this program (303)" Then when I run the AVX1 (I turn that on after the STB) it says
"Can not decode video or audio. Use set top box or HDTV Tuner (300)". I hve been unable to get any video.
As for how I have it connected, I have a firewire cable going from the AVX1 to the front of the JVC and then a firewire cable going from the Toshiba STB to the back of the JVC. I used this setup with the 30K and never had problems.
As well, I used the original most recent release software with the AVX1 but have tried both of the betas (C and D) that were released in the last week with the same results for each. Any ideas of what I can do to get this to work?

Well the good news is I now have my 5U working with the 169time system. I"m using the newest pre-release, 08D6. The only thing I had to change is the wiring of how it was wired, one firewire connection going from the Toshiba DirecTV STB to the back of the VCR, the other wire going from the Toshiba STB to the AVX1. Originally I had it hooked up so one wire went from the STB to the back of the VCR, the other from the front of the VCR to the AVX1 which seemed to be stable with my 30K.

Well anyway, it did take some time to get a firewire connection. I had to hook everything up and then unplug and plug in the VCR, then unplug the STB (which I think is what did it) and then plug that in, same with the AVX1 and then it established connection. Well the system is working better than ever. It actually did seem harder to get a connection than with the 30K but once it has it's far better in that I'm not losing it. As well, for playback I far prefer the 5U over the 30K. I like the looks of it but as well I like the placement of controls on the unit and overall it just seems to operate far better. As well, I have hooked up the HDMI and it appears to work fine, maybe a slightly better picture than the 30K's component. As well, what I like is the components and HDMI output at the same time. The advantage of that is I have the HDMI going to my TV next to the VCR and the component going to a TV in another room and both have a good picture.

Now the downside, there seems to be some issues with quality when recording from 169time. I recorded Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle off of HBO-HD this afternoon and played the first hour tonight. Some times it went quite awhile without any glitches at all. Other times it would have a split second audio dropout, other times pixelization of the video at certain times but once again for a split second and only a small part of the screen. I had issues with both of these when I first hook up my 30K months ago and at that time the audio dropouts and video pixelation were more common and longer and as well would cover teh whole screen. I have recorded approximately 30 tapes with the 30K and only have had the time to watch 3 so far (and these were older tapes) and noticed no problems at all so my reaction is the 30K was recording flawlessly so these are specifically 5U issues. I don't want to give up on using the 5U since I like it so much but as well for now I will have two VCR's, the 5U for playback on both TV's and the 30K specifically on the main TV for recording from 169time. I hope 169time is working on this. I know there have been 40K issues for quite some time so I'm concerned it won't be fixed soon but I can only hope so I can go strictly with the 5U. I have contacted them about this.

5U Arrived today!

Review to come, but so far, it looks and works fantastic. No issues getting firewire to recognize. No issues of any kind. My only complaint is setting the time takes forever. I only wish my 30K was having the problems that others were complaining about because I don't see what the difference is other than HDMI connectivity. The picture may be a TAD better, but just a tiny tiny bit.
The menus are cooler. It has a blue neon light, Whoopee.

BTW, what's up with all these electronics companies adding neon blue lights to everything? I currently have a neon blue light on my Samsung DVD841, JVC 5U, HP Notebook PC, Antec Sonota HTPC desktop case, and even my modded Xbox has a blue light for when the chip is turned on. I turn out the lights and all I see is BLUE!!!!!!

My 5U arrived today, or so I thought when I got home and seen the Vanns box at my front door. Vanns messed up and shipped a Samsung SV-5000W in place of my 5U. I'm a bit miffed at the mess up.

argh.


Tim

Originally posted by rudolpht
Problem is leaving HDMI unhooked, not the other way around. For certain tapes (actually new ones more problematic than 5000 ones) it will not play 1080i correctly unless it checks HDMI HDCP first. Should it - no. Is my unit unique, maybe. It at leasts works better than my first 5U that shut down after a couple seconds and transport didn't work. I unhooked the HDMI connector and had no problem with the component output playing the Cablevision recordings.

How many d-theater tapes are recorded with the HDCP protection?
What titles?
The old d-theater titles like "The Hounting" and "Ice Age" pass without problems through the HDMI output of the 5U?
Thanx a lot,
Actarus.

Originally posted by lilsteveo
5U Arrived today!
It has a blue neon light, Whoopee.

BTW, what's up with all these electronics companies adding neon blue lights to everything? I currently have a neon blue light on my Samsung DVD841, JVC 5U, HP Notebook PC, Antec Sonota HTPC desktop case, and even my modded Xbox has a blue light for when the chip is turned on. I turn out the lights and all I see is BLUE!!!!!! You can turn off the blue light (and the others) on the 5U via the menu - I checked it out at CEDIA.

Yup, not only can you turn off the "neon" blue light, but youc an turn off the entire front panel display.

Kurt

Originally posted by Actarusfleed
How many d-theater tapes are recorded with the HDCP protection?
What titles?
The old d-theater titles like "The Hounting" and "Ice Age" pass without problems through the HDMI output of the 5U?
Thanx a lot,
Actarus.

Excuse me but is there some one who knows what i'm talkin' about?
Or is there any reasons to ignore me?
I'm wrong about this forum section?I must to put my questions in another part of it?
Actarus.

They are all encoded the same way.

Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
They are all encoded the same way.

So The 5U always gets a digital encripted HDCP stream on its HDMI output when it is playing a d-theater tape.
Ok, thanx a lot.
Actarus.

I would assume so. I cannot imagine it not.

The 5U requires connection to an HDCP device for any protected content, i.e, D-Theater (pre-recorded) and/or copy protected Firewire content. It actually even requires it (mistakenly) on clear content in some cases....

Does anyone know if these new players can deal with Pal??

I was thinking to myself that I might go D-VHS if a cheapish DVI/HDMI player arrives and its only compatiblity and reliabaility concerns that stops me buying the new release, the near death and price aspects dont really bother me having been and kinda still being a laserdisc fan.

i using a sony qualia pr. with the new jvc.
one problem from the qualia is the huge over scan when you feed him 720p.
so i select in th menu at the jvc 720p to 1080i conv.
but it not works at all at the hdmi out.
the jvc still send 720p.
then i try ed the analog out and there it convert the 720p to 1080i.
did someone know how to get the
720p to 1080i working at the hdmi out?

Originally posted by Krobar
Does anyone know if these new players can deal with Pal??

I was thinking to myself that I might go D-VHS if a cheapish DVI/HDMI player arrives and its only compatiblity and reliabaility concerns that stops me buying the new release, the near death and price aspects dont really bother me having been and kinda still being a laserdisc fan.

30k, 40k and 5u play PAL, but only from tapes recorded digitally and output is converted to NTSC. They do not play analog PAL tapes at all.

Originally posted by W.Mayer
i select in th menu at the jvc 720p to 1080i conv.
but it not works at all at the hdmi out.
the jvc still send 720p.
then i try ed the analog out and there it convert the 720p to 1080i.
did someone know how to get the
720p to 1080i working at the hdmi out? Try pressing the HDMI button under the right flap. The blue HDMI light should go out. In this mode the 5u supposedly controls the output format rather than the monitor.

CKNA,

Thanks for the info. So I could record and playback pal but only on the Firewire inputs? Can 1080I/50Hz be recorded over firewire?

So really It will only be of use for D-Theater tapes and my Firewire Pal DV camcorder?.

Originally posted by Krobar
CKNA,

Thanks for the info. So I could record and playback pal but only on the Firewire inputs? Can 1080I/50Hz be recorded over firewire?

So really It will only be of use for D-Theater tapes and my Firewire Pal DV camcorder?.

Yes, you can record PAL only thru firewire. 1080i/50Hz can be recorded , but plays at 60Hz so you get some jerkiness on panning shots.

Well my 5U was demoted today. It messed up the 3rd VCR Programmer initiated recording in a row & I am back on the 30K as primary deck.

Originally posted by rudolpht
Well my 5U was demoted today. It messed up the 3rd VCR initiated recording in a row & I am back on the 30K as primary deck.

Tim

What's a VCR Programmer , or, is that a VCR Commnader from your cable company?

I may have to demote my 5U as well. It will not dub from a 30k properly, and overall seems very picky when it comes to the recording source. My 30k was a rock when it came to reliable recordings and dubs. Also, if AC power is cut from the 5U it defaults back to channel 2, not I-whatever. My 30k always stayed on the digital input. Throw it the fact that the pciture isn't any better through the finicky HDMI output and I think I'm sticking with two 30k's for the same price as one 5U!

I must say, for playback the unit is great, and for recording it may be fine for most, but for me it's a huge disappointment.

I always use a Mits (playback) and a 30K (recording) for duping tapes. The 40K is totally unreliable for duping. I use my Mits for almost all of my recording HD from SA3250HD Firewire. The 40K is terrible about losing sync with Firewire. I have to unplug the deck and plug it back in to reset it every damn day because it constantly forgets it is hooked up to the 3250HD STB.

The 30K is great, but cannot record tapes from the 3250HD STB without having random audio dropouts. This is a flaw in the 30K decoder. :( If I had the money I'd buy another Mits 2000U.

Originally posted by CKNA
Yes, you can record PAL only thru firewire. 1080i/50Hz can be recorded , but plays at 60Hz so you get some jerkiness on panning shots.

Does this mean it replays faster than it recorded - or that it repeats the 50 fields of a 1080/50i second as 60 fields in an 1080/60i one?

I guess from you mentioning judder it does the 50 to 60 conversion without a speed change - as if it replayed the 50 fields cleanly 1:1 at 60 fields, there would be no judder. (Just a major speed increase)

Presumably the firewire MPEG2 data is clean and judder-free - with only the component analogue outputs dodgy as they are fixed at 60i?

Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
The 30K is great, but cannot record tapes from the 3250HD STB without having random audio dropouts. This is a flaw in the 30K decoder. :( If I had the money I'd buy another Mits 2000U.

The 30K decoder should not have nothing to do with recording. Can the 30K decode recordings made by the 40K or Mits? Can the 40K or Mits decode recordings made by the 30K? I almost ordered a 40K when I read that the new 169time software has improved compatibility with the 40K but I can't get comfortable with that decoder. My 30Ks decode everything I record with 169time or my Samsung SIR-T165 whether recorded with a 30K or Mits. Sometimes I think I want another decoder to give greater certainty of decoding all D-VHS tapes going forward but the 40K and 5U if anything seem much worse than the 30K in that regard.

Don't hesitate to buy an 1100U if you find a good deal, it seems identical to the 2000U for D-VHS and I have both.

Chris

Chris, if you have your 1100U on a D1 or D2 input when you turn it off, will it be on that input when you turn the deck back on? Some have reported their 1100U will not stay on the D input and instead goes to channel 2 or L1. My 2000U defaults to whatever I leave it at, making timered recordings (via the Radio Shack timer remote) a snap.

RE 30K: If I use the 30K to record from the SA 3250HD Firewire box, all recordings have sound dropouts when played back on the 30K. When those same tapes are played back on the 40K, there are less dropouts, but enough to cause annoyance.

Any tapes recorded with the Mits or the 40K from the SA box have audio dropouts played on the 30K.

There is a well known flaw in regards to the 30K and the audio buffer. CKNA can explain this much better than I can.

The Mits can't decode anything, since it does not have a MPEG2 decoder on board.

In spite of all the problems with the 30K in the early going (and I know because my first deck gave me nothing but trouble), it has proven itself to be a workhorse--at least my 30Ks have. The deck that JVC gave me to replace my original 30K is still going strong after 18 months of heavy usage. That said, the Mits has a much better tape transport and loading mechanism. Having been aware of that for some time now means I handle my 30Ks with kid gloves.

It seems I have enjoyed a much better experience with my 40K than many posting on this forum. It has been a very reliable deck so far (I bought it in February), and it is my principal playback unit for D-Theater and D-VHS tapes. I also have a RAID storage array connected to a PC with about 125 movies on it that I stream to another 30K. It's mostly for stuff that I recorded with from the Dish 5000 to a PC using a MyHD card. Tapes recorded on the 30K have been playing fine for me in the 40K, and that is with tapes made with a 169time setup using 08A5 AVX-1 software. If I had it to do over again, I would have still bought the 40K. At the time my main reason was to get DTS support for D-Theater.

I also have a Mits 1100U and it sits in a dedicated dubbing setup connected to a refurbished JVC 30K that I bought from eCost a number of months ago. It's a great deck to use as a playback source, and it's relatively inexpensive to boot. Don't ask me how it fares as a recording deck, since I haven't used mine to make any recordings.

I was going to order a 5U, but I decided to pull back at the last moment. I think I will wait it out. Too few people have them and the comments I am reading are a mixed bag. I can afford to sit tight for now, though I probably will eventually buy one in preparation for the purchase of my next projector, which will most likely be a Sharp Z12000U. We'll see.

--Jerome

Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
Chris, if you have your 1100U on a D1 or D2 input when you turn it off, will it be on that input when you turn the deck back on? Some have reported their 1100U will not stay on the D input and instead goes to channel 2 or L1. My 2000U defaults to whatever I leave it at, making timered recordings (via the Radio Shack timer remote) a snap.

My 1100U is used with a Samsung SIR-T165 which turns it on and records using the proper input so if the 1100U does not stay on the selected firewire input I guess I wouldn't know that as it works identically to the 2000U for me when used with the T165. My 2000U did not stay on the proper firewire input when I tried it with 169time so I quit using it for recording with 169time. My T165/1100U use the D4 input although I don't know why since no other devices are currently attached to either. It may be I need to reset the T165 or 1100U to reflect that but I don't even know how to reset firewire devices on either. In any event it works fine except for the inherent timer shortcomings with the T165 which happen regardless of D-VHS VCR I use.

Jsaliga,

Yes I am well aware that the Mits D-VHS VCRs do not have decoders but meant will whatever decoder is used with the VCR decode the tapes? That isn't what my question reads like now that I re-read it however.

Chris

I finally got my 5U and I'm a bit dissapointed.

I cannot get any tapes recorded with the JVC 40K to play through the HDMI output to my Sanyo Z2 Projector. I keep getting error 305 "Cannot output to non HDCP device" which makes no sense because the Sanyo Z2 projector is HDCP compliant.

Anyone having this issue or know of a workaround?


Tim

Originally posted by lilsteveo
I must say, for playback the unit is great, and for recording it may be fine for most, but for me it's a huge disappointment.

That sums it up pretty well for me, too.

Murray,

The VCR Programmer is the $35 Radio Shack remote that turns on your cable box, switches to correct channel, turns on VCR, and initiates recording for a timed duration. It's a kludge, but for me an easier kludge than trying to rig up mapped guide chjannel info from an STB and hope things work. I don't set the timed recording on either the cable box nor the VCR (stays on I-whatever). It effectively emulates starting a manual recording for a timed interval then shuts both box and VCR off. Many threads here.

Tim

thanks bogner baux!
it works!!!
now i can see 720 material without a very big overscan.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by W.Mayer
i select in th menu at the jvc 720p to 1080i conv.
but it not works at all at the hdmi out.
the jvc still send 720p.
then i try ed the analog out and there it convert the 720p to 1080i.
did someone know how to get the
720p to 1080i working at the hdmi out?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Try pressing the HDMI button under the right flap. The blue HDMI light should go out. In this mode the 5u supposedly controls the output format rather than the monitor.

know someone if the new jvc can
handle (record and show the picture on the hdmi out)
the 1394 signal coming from the upcoming
3 chip sony hdv hd camcorder?
from my understanding it should because the jvc single chip hdv is the same system and it can record it on the new deck.

Tim, I also have a Z2. My cable box, the SA3250HD, gives a similar wanring, saying the Z2 is not HDCP compliant. Maybe the Z2 is actually out of spec? Time to call Sanyo.

Originally posted by sneals2000
Does this mean it replays faster than it recorded - or that it repeats the 50 fields of a 1080/50i second as 60 fields in an 1080/60i one?

I guess from you mentioning judder it does the 50 to 60 conversion without a speed change - as if it replayed the 50 fields cleanly 1:1 at 60 fields, there would be no judder. (Just a major speed increase)

Presumably the firewire MPEG2 data is clean and judder-free - with only the component analogue outputs dodgy as they are fixed at 60i?

No DVHS speed-up on anything. 50Hz is simply output at 60Hz but it is not judder but jerky picture. It is mainly visible during panning shots. Judder is different.

You are correct that Mpeg2 50Hz data is fine.

Why would you call analog output dodgy?. Just because it does not output 50Hz as 50Hz does not mean it is dodgy. These machines were made for 60Hz market so if they play 50Hz at all is a success.

Your probably correct.. You have a number for Sanyo? I can't seem to find it on the web. Now that I think of it, I could never get my Denon DVD player to work with the Sanyo either so I returned it. The Bravo D1 has no issues working with it, but then again, it does not require HDCP either.

- Tim


Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
Tim, I also have a Z2. My cable box, the SA3250HD, gives a similar wanring, saying the Z2 is not HDCP compliant. Maybe the Z2 is actually out of spec? Time to call Sanyo.

Originally posted by rudolpht
That sums it up pretty well for me, too.

Murray,

The VCR Programmer is the $35 Radio Shack remote that turns on your cable box, switches to correct channel, turns on VCR, and initiates recording for a timed duration. It's a kludge, but for me an easier kludge than trying to rig up mapped guide chjannel info from an STB and hope things work. I don't set the timed recording on either the cable box nor the VCR (stays on I-whatever). It effectively emulates starting a manual recording for a timed interval then shuts both box and VCR off. Many threads here.

Tim

Tim

You know you have too much HD and A/V gear when you can't even remeber their names.

Truth is, I have the VCR Programmer $35 Radio Shack remote, but, found that for 169Time to DVHS, I prefer VCR Record programming the Dish 6000 to START and STOP the 30K through it's IR dongle.

No DVHS speed-up on anything. 50Hz is simply output at 60Hz but it is
not judder but jerky picture. It is mainly visible during panning shots. Judder
is different.
The D-VHS MPEG-2 video decoder will just follow the timestamps in the stream.
Since the video timestamp will be advancing too fast (3600 ticks per frame
instead of 3003), the decoder will repeat a frame to stay in A/V sync
when the timestamp difference is more than some threshold. However, repeating
frames to do 50 to 60 Hz conversion looks horrible. The same problem exists
for 1080p@24 playback.

Ron

Originally posted by CKNA
Yes, you can record PAL only thru firewire. 1080i/50Hz can be recorded , but plays at 60Hz so you get some jerkiness on panning shots.

I think Im right in saying there is no component input on this player? Im wondering if its worth it for me, I really want D-Theater which I know will be fine but recording wise things are less clear. My SD Satellite/Terrestrial digital combo box will convert to NTSC but the only spare output I have is composite :(

By the sounds of it recording from 50hz DV or in the future European HDTV is not going to be too brilliant either.

Is the HDMI output effected by the Jerky/Judder problem?

Matt_Stevens:
I am currently having an audio problem with the 30K recieving the FOX local -- network feed is fine, but local interjections are silent -- is this the audio buffer problem you refered to? Interestingly, if I play a network show with local commercials and start tape in the middle of local commercials, they are silent, whereas if started from network material will play through with sound. Also one of the other locals went silent about two weeks after I got the unit -- this phenomenon was never explained, it spontaneously corrected. I was always able to recover sound on these "silent" recordings through the firewire-through-T165 (thereby using the Samsung decoder), so I knew it pointed to the JVC decoder, just never heard anything about it.
Where is this audio buffer info and what is CNKA?
Thanks!

That sounds like something different.

CKNA is a poster here. Look aboveand he made a post.

Originally posted by mkerdman
Tim

You know you have too much HD and A/V gear when you can't even remeber their names.

;) I know. Sometime I havve to wade through cables and orphaned switchers, etc. just to get to the equipment rack. (At least it's now in a back room)

Originally posted by Krobar
I think Im right in saying there is no component input on this player?

Only component input is on WVHS deck for HD input. Likely one of the last devices with them at HD resolutions.

The 5U on my setup seems to have an aspect ratio change when switching between Component and HDMI on my Z2 projector. The Component output seems correct, while the HDMI seems squeezed in the vertical direction like a 2.35:1 format.

Really annoying and really making HDMI unusable in my view.

- Tim

Tim, I have the Sanyo number somewhere. But where is the question. Send me a PM tomorrow to remind me to look, otherwise I might forget.

Matt

I received a 5U and using the HDMI output versus the component on the 40k I didn't see any "real" difference. My image is 110" and I wouldn't bet I could pick which was which in a A/B test.

Of course since it's new I thought it looked better... or maybe I just wanted it to. Anyway, for someone thinking of upgrading for a better image your return might be fairly small.

The video/audio did breakup a few times on tapes that I have never had an issue with on my 40k so it's going back for a replacement. Hopefully, I just wasn't lucky with my 40k as I never had any issues outside of one bad tape (for a few seconds).

I am using O8E6 now for the 169time system with a 5U. With both 08C6 and 08D6 I was having a high number of dropouts of audio and video (using a Toshiba DirecTV receiver) but now after 2 movies recording with 08E6 and the 5U I've had no problems at all yet.

Originally posted by markwco
I am using O8E6 now for the 169time system with a 5U. With both 08C6 and 08D6 I was having a high number of dropouts of audio and video (using a Toshiba DirecTV receiver) but now after 2 movies recording with 08E6 and the 5U I've had no problems at all yet.

That is good to know. I just started using 08E6 and although I don't have a 5U, I want tapes that are compatible with as many decoders as possible. Based on a viewing of a single 08E6 tape, it appears to work the same as 08D6 and 08C6 with my decoders, and that is really well in comparison to 08A5.

Chris

.The 5U on my setup seems to have an aspect ratio change when switching between Component and HDMI on my Z2 projector. The Component output seems correct, while the HDMI seems squeezed in the vertical direction like a 2.35:1 format.

People, at least read the other posts in a thread before you ask a question.

If you're having trouble with your HDMI output, hit the HDMI button under the right flap on the front panel. The bright blue HDMI light wille extinguish and the 5U will output over HDMI the signal resolution/aspect ratio that you specified in the set-up menu.

Kurt

Originally posted by ktoolsie
If you're having trouble with your HDMI output, hit the HDMI button under the right flap on the front panel. The bright blue HDMI light wille extinguish and the 5U will output over HDMI the signal resolution/aspect ratio that you specified in the set-up menu.It wasn't that easy on my 5U. Turning off the magic blue light resulted in no image at all and with it on I was getting 480p (I believe) letterboxed on the sides along with the top/bottom.

Since the unit was displaying the occasion audio and video breakup I sent it back with only a couple of hours on it so I didn't get to play around a lot. I finally got 1080i out of it and I believe the magic step was hitting stop either before or after pressing the magic button... can't remember. But one way or another I got it to work twice in a row that way. I am using a HDMI to DVI cable and a DVI Distribution Amp so these may complicate matters.

In my case I can get 1080i output with non copy protected content, but the aspect ratio is different than the component. It's 16:9 formatted, but it's more close to 2:35:1 aspect ratio, whereas the Component is more close to 1.85:1. The 5u is setup for 16:9 BTW.

I am using a Monster HDMI to DVI adapter, but I doubt this has anything to do with the issue.

I've put a call into Sanyo Technical support to see what they have to say about the HDCP noncompliance issue I am having with the 5u connected to my Z2. Waiting to hear back from them.

Tim


Originally posted by Charles R
It wasn't that easy on my 5U. Turning off the magic blue light resulted in no image at all and with it on I was getting 480p (I believe) letterboxed on the sides along with the top/bottom.

Since the unit was displaying the occasion audio and video breakup I sent it back with only a couple of hours on it so I didn't get to play around a lot. I finally got 1080i out of it and I believe the magic step was hitting stop either before or after pressing the magic button... can't remember. But one way or another I got it to work twice in a row that way. I am using a HDMI to DVI cable and a DVI Distribution Amp so these may complicate matters.

The link below appears to be an updated JVC press release on the HM-DT100U and the HM-DH5U. The 5U is listed as already released and the 100U is listed as being available at the end of the month (September).

http://www.jvc.com/press/press.jsp?item=419

Thought I'd also add a clean link to the photo of the HM-DT100U. I haven't seen an image on a JVC site yet, but this must have come from an official source,

http://www.dtvmag.com/Products/New-Products/Video-Electronics/asset_upload_file678_5261.jpg

So I just want to make sure that I am understanding. Is it a concesus that the 5U's picture is no better that the 30K or 40k? Even with the DVI outputm there is still no significant difference in picture?

I find that hard to believe, especially on a large screen. On my 96" screen using the Panny AE500U projector, DVI is sharper than component. Not a night & day difference, but definitely noticeable. I don't have the JVC 5U yet, but I can see the difference with DVI vs. component using my hi-def cable box & upscaling DVD player.

Matt,

I connected my Motorala 6208 box today to my Z2 projector via DVI and was able to display all HD Channels and also recorded programming from Showtime etc. without any issues whatsoever. This would seem to indicate the issue is with the JVC.

Nevertheless, I have spoken with JVC in NJ and they asked me to send them a tape so they can duplicate the problem.

I only get answering machines at Sanyo and no return calls so far.

- Tiim



Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
Tim, I also have a Z2. My cable box, the SA3250HD, gives a similar wanring, saying the Z2 is not HDCP compliant. Maybe the Z2 is actually out of spec? Time to call Sanyo.

I have experienced problems with audio losing synch with video on playbakc of recordings made by the 30k, but not on playback of DTheater or recordings made on the Mits DVHS.

If anyone has also experienced similar problems, have they been rectified on the new 5u (or the 40k), perhaps due to the new MPEG decoder?

Since I am sending off a tape to JVC I though I would document the aspect ratio differece I am seeing for HDMI vs. Component. I noticed the resolution also seemed to drop down to 480i as well.

Component vs HDMI on JVC 5U (http://home.comcast.net/~tim.babb/5ucompare.jpg)

Tim,

Looks like the projector is seeing the 480i image thinking it's 4:3 and stretching it to 16:9? I see something similar on my projector trying to get the HDMI output working.

My player starts in 480i via HDMI and I have to play with the 5U to get it into 1080i by turning off the blue light and stopping the restarting the tape. When the image is displaying in 1080i the player's menu shows up stretched.

Charles,

Sounds logical. When I have some more time to fiddle with it I'll try some of those tips.


Tim

Originally posted by lilsteveo
Firewire timer recording will never happen on any Dvhs deck. We need to get Motorola or any other manufacturer to add 1394 control to their HDTV set-top boxes. JVC will noy go against the IEEE1394 spec just to make us happy. Bottom line. Nobody wants to make it convienent to record HD content. It's a conspiracy I tell ya.

Now can someone tell me if HDMI looks any better than component out on a 30k? The 30k is kinda soft.

I've been using Firewire timer recording with my JVC 30K and the Mot 6200 box. It's done by using any Dishnetwork receiver, which turns on and off the JVC at a specified time

I believe lilsteveo was attempting to say that DVHS-deck initiated timer recordings would not be possible from a DVHS deck. The capability of set-top boxes to timer control the 30K (or other DVHS decks) is well established and can work well with the right set top box.

The best reason I can think of why the I.Link spec would not allow for the sink (DVHS deck) to initiate a timer recording is that it sets up a situation where the timer on the source (set top box) could override the timer on the sink (DVHS deck) if they were both set to the same time. This could setup a sitation where a recording is started by one box and then stopped by the other. In order to eliminate this from happening, giving the source the only capability to set a timer is one way to do this.

I guess another reason would be so that one set top box could control multiple DVHS decks. If you want to send all recordings from one channel to one deck and then all recordings of another channel to another deck, this can be done with a properly implemented set top box with the present I.Link spec.

Again, the biggest problem is that, for whatever reason, the set top box manufacturers haven't implemented the standard properly. The Samsung T-165 would have been great if it knew how to keep time properly (and was still available).

Brajesh -

i'm with you. I really see a difference using DVI wth my motorola cable box and my dvd player with my projector - which is why i was so excited to hear about the new decks using DVI.

I should have noticed this earlier, but JVC has posted a high res image of the HM-DT100 DVHS deck. It is at:

http://www.jvc.com/Resources/DocumentImages/00/00/00/52.JPG

The one thing I've found interesting in the image and the press release is that the unit is shown as an HM-DT100 rather than an HM-DT100U. This is also true on the front panel of the image. I guess I've just become accustomed to a U at the end for U.S. models that I didn't think to look earlier.

The HM-DH5U is a bit more confusing in that the press release lists it as an "HM-DH5" but the front of the unit shows it as a "HM-DH5U".

I guess none of this really matters as long as the decks function properly and we can find them. From now on I'll refer to the decks as HM-DH5U and HM-DT100.

Is it the general opinion that the HM-DT100 will be the last D-VHS VCR? It looks good and the integrated tuner makes it attractive to anybody that wants to limit the number of components in their rack. If the tuner is a good one, it should be a success.

Chris

Originally posted by speters
So I just want to make sure that I am understanding. Is it a concesus that the 5U's picture is no better that the 30K or 40k? Even with the DVI outputm there is still no significant difference in picture?

I may be hard to fathom, but expressed repeatedly, pending the output device used, in my case professionally calibrated 123" front projector, the difference is negligible, except for slightly less overscan on the HDMI out.

Originally posted by Charles R
Tim,

Looks like the projector is seeing the 480i image thinking it's 4:3 and stretching it to 16:9? I see something similar on my projector trying to get the HDMI output working.

My player starts in 480i via HDMI and I have to play with the 5U to get it into 1080i by turning off the blue light and stopping the restarting the tape. When the image is displaying in 1080i the player's menu shows up stretched.

It takes more than the blue light on mine too, I have to go to component, and come back to DVI, assumably causing the HDCP device to resync. Whacky framing goes away.

I'd like to know about anyone using a JVC 5U with an HDMI-to-DVI converter and a DVI input on a DLP digital display, and, whether the conversion presents a problem, and further, how the DVI output compares with the 30K/40K/5U component video output, and lastly, comparisons to playing a 30K/40K through an LG 3410 MPEG2 Decoder-DVI output.

Originally posted by alk3997
I should have noticed this earlier, but JVC has posted a high res image of the HM-DT100 DVHS deck. It is at:

http://www.jvc.com/Resources/DocumentImages/00/00/00/52.JPG

The one thing I've found interesting in the image and the press release is that the unit is shown as an HM-DT100 rather than an HM-DT100U. This is also true on the front panel of the image. I guess I've just become accustomed to a U at the end for U.S. models that I didn't think to look earlier.

The HM-DH5U is a bit more confusing in that the press release lists it as an "HM-DH5" but the front of the unit shows it as a "HM-DH5U".

I guess none of this really matters as long as the decks function properly and we can find them. From now on I'll refer to the decks as HM-DH5U and HM-DT100.

I believe that HM-DT100 has on U in model number as it will only be sold in US, so there is no reason to differentiate. There is no Japanese version with built in tuner.

Nice looking machine, but too pricey. Cheaper to get a 5U & a separate OTA tuner w/Firewire. Unless the DT100 will be sold heavily discounted.

Originally posted by mkerdman
I'd like to know about anyone using a JVC 5U with an HDMI-to-DVI converter and a DVI input on a DLP digital display, and, whether the conversion presents a problem, and further, how the DVI output compares with the 30K/40K/5U component video output, and lastly, comparisons to playing a 30K/40K through an LG 3410 MPEG2 Decoder-DVI output.

I use the 5U, with a Monster HDMI-to-DVI converter to the DVI input of my Inofics 5700. I prefer the image this way as opposed to the component connection. However, the improvement on my 106" screen is very subtle. The image is any sharper but there's just a bit less video noise. Of course, a lot will have to do with how well your different inputs have been calibrated. i do all my callibrations myself using a Motorola CL-200 chroma meter.

I can't compare the 5U to the 30K/40K never having owned one of the older models.

Kurt

Originally posted by ktoolsie
I use the 5U, with a Monster HDMI-to-DVI converter to the DVI input of my Inofics 5700. I prefer the image this way as opposed to the component connection. However, the improvement on my 106" screen is very subtle. The image is any sharper but there's just a bit less video noise. Of course, a lot will have to do with how well your different inputs have been calibrated. i do all my callibrations myself using a Motorola CL-200 chroma meter.

I can't compare the 5U to the 30K/40K never having owned one of the older models.

Kurt

Kurt

Thanks.

I am trying to determine if the pro/con desicion betwen a 30K and 5U favors one or the other.

My concern is how the 5U's DVI ouput compares with a 30K> LG 3410, when used with a Monster HDMI-to-DVI converter.

The 30K has a very robust error correction MPEG2 decoder and iLink circuitry, but, has had well documented glitching from head cleaning issues.

Originally posted by Brajesh
Nice looking machine, but too pricey. Cheaper to get a 5U & a separate OTA tuner w/Firewire. Unless the DT100 will be sold heavily discounted.

Yes, I guess there are some options for cable customers. For the rest of the OTA world I think all of the tuners with firewire that control DVHS have been discontinued (T165). Are there any other manufacturer alternatives (beside a modified unit)?

Originally posted by mkerdman
The 30K has a very robust error correction MPEG2 decoder and iLink circuitry, but, has had well documented glitching from head cleaning issues.

Any D-VHS VCR suffers from glitches with dirty heads, the fix is to clean the heads. The glitches I suffered with were fixed by the firmware upgrade and my 30Ks decode my tapes with fewer glitches than my Samsung SIR-T165/Mitsubishi D-VHS. The glitches I do see, I don't attribute to the 30K but I don't have a newer JVC to compare.

Chris

I've had great luck with the JVC 30K refurb.'s at $259, and, my current projector is a DVI input and I use my LG 3410 to watch D-VHS and D-Theater tapes.

Since I already have several JVC 30K's and Panasonic HD1000's, I am wondering if I should get another JVC 30K for $259, or, a JVC 5U for $599 as a backup or load balancing deck for archive/restore/record/play duties.

Originally posted by CKNA
I believe that HM-DT100 has no U in model number as it will only be sold in US, so there is no reason to differentiate. There is no Japanese version with built in tuner.


That makes sense - thank you!

Yeah another big door on the DT100!

Originally posted by mkerdman
Since I already have several JVC 30K's and Panasonic HD1000's, I am wondering if I should get another JVC 30K for $259, or, a JVC 5U for $599 as a backup or load balancing deck for archive/restore/record/play duties.

Murray,

Because of the quirks my new 5U has been demoted to playback only, 30K is primary deck again.

Tim

Originally posted by rudolpht
Murray,

Because of the quirks my new 5U has been demoted to playback only, 30K is primary deck again.

Tim

Tim,

Yeah, I bought another 30K Refurb. as a spare/parts for $259 today.

I don't need the HDMI of the JVC 5U for playback as I can use my LG 3410 for DVI-HDCP.

I have so far watched parts of Master & Commander and Meet the Parents. My A-B comparison on these two movies the nod goes to HDMI. Only on the "enhanced" mode though which can be set during the menu. It gives the picture a more Vivd look. I am glad I read these threads because soeone else had the same problem. I couldn't get the output to 1080i no matter what I did. I finally tried hooking it up with component then switching back to HDMI and that did indeed do the trick. Thank God for AVS FORUM..Tomorrow morning I will do more comparisons. I actually have two copies of T2 and Xmen2 and plan to run both at the same time (40K and HM-5). That will be the ultimate test....I'm out, Joe

I'm convinced that I have a lemon. Under no circumstances can I get 1080i output with the HDMI. Hooking both Component and HDMI up to the same projector at the same time and switching back and forth results in 1080i output on Component, but only 480p on HDMI. In one case the HDMI button did "NOTHING" and the picture stayed on the Component mode. Even though the HDMI light was lit, the output remained on Component. This was after I set the HDMI "RGB Fix" in the menus. This particular 5u is buggy, period.

Tim

Originally posted by joerodcowboys
My A-B comparison on these two movies the nod goes to HDMI. Only on the "enhanced" mode though which can be set during the menu. It gives the picture a more Vivd look.I believe this settings changes the RGB video level data ranges. With Normal being 16 to 235 and Enhanced 0 to 246. The biggest difference should be in the black level and more than likely you would need to calibrate your display to each setting.

I just got my 5U and am pretty happy so far.

I have it working with the LG 3410 and also DVHSTool, so I am a happy camper.

I also like the OSD with the audio (2.0/5.1,etc) which seems nicer than the 30k...

I guess I should read back through the thread to see what issues people have had, such as Tim's quirks :)

Cheers!
DAve.

joerodcowboys, thanks for your impressions. So, what's the deal w/getting HDMI to work? I want to set the 5U to send out "native" (like the 40K) so that I can watch 1080i & 720p on my projector. I'll be using a HDMI-to-DVI connector to my projector. So you have to use component first, then switch to HDMI?

Unless someone else knows a faster way, then seemingly yes. I will be on the phone with JVC first thing in the morning. For some reason you have to go COMPONENT first, then hook up the HDMI cable to get either 720p or 1080i (depending on how you set the JVC menu). My monitor lets you change pic options when it is in 480p or 480i and not in 720p or 1080i. I was not to surprised when I went HDMI first and could tell it wasn't HD. I could also change the wide mode options. Then I remembered reading hear about COMPONENT first to enable the HD. More on this subject later, Joe

When I lose sync on my 40K, I have to unplug it for 20 seconds or more. Otherwise it will not sync back up, no matter what I do. This happens every time I finish a recording and many times when I turn the deck back on. I F'n HATE it.
Matt, my 40K started doing the same thing. Quite frustrating, especially when the 40K loses the Firewire handshake in the middle of a recording. At first, I had thought the Firewire handshake was better w/the 40K, but I now think the 30K was better in this regard. I have a 5U coming tomorrow, which I hope works better.

you know what's weird? my 30K has been acting better with age. it never has a problem syncing up now. before it was hit or miss.

Contrary to the experience of many, I believe as a first generation 30K (original $1,299 MSRP) deck has more discreet components and compatibility in the area of MPEG Decoder and FireWire iLink, the 30K is actually the best DVHS deck JVC has made.

As such, the eCost $2XX refurb. 30K's represent a great value.

I think the JVC refurb. is very complete.

I have bought two and just ordered third as a spare/parts and playback insurance for my 500+ DVHS library.

I use them daily to record, play, archive and restore with a PC, 169Time STB and an LG 3410.

I sometimes, but not often, need to use the non-abrasive Maxell VP100 head cleaner.

I have never had FireWire breakdowns, especially during a recording, and, everything meant to work with DVHS works with a 30K.

Aside from FireBus, I doubt we will ever see another Windows compatible DVHS driver. DVHS on a PC is not politically correct anymore.

The MPEG decoder in the 30K has the best error correction of any deck JVC has ever built.

Since I play my 30K's through an LG 340, DVI at native resolution and aspect ratio is never a problem, and, as such I save a DVI connection to my digital display which does not have an HDMI connection.

Even if it my digital display had an HDMI connection as well as DVI, since my display does not have any audio capabilities, DVI would still be preferable for me.

You never need to unplug a 40k to reset the Firewire bus. I have never experienced handshaking problems during recording, but on power up it will sometimes lose sync with the cable box.

To reset the firewire link on the 40k just hold down eject and the D-VHS button as described in the manual. Unplugging and plugging back in to reset the firewire is overkill.

I am having great luck with the JVC 30K as well and believe it is the best value of any D-VHS VCR, especially for use with 169time. It does run hot and requires special treatment in that regard, but otherwise is preferable to any other I have used.

Chris

The only problem I have with the 30K is audio dropouts. These occur on material I record using a SA 3250HD cable box with firewire. I don't know whether the problem is with the cable box or the 30K. The dropouts don't occur when viewing material live through firewire, just during playback of recorded material. And then the droputs aren't consistent. Many times I can rewind a little, then replay the same portion of the program and the dropout will occur in a different place or not at all.

Would like to see a 100U and what the typical retail price works out to be.

I've been quite happy with the 40K -- just love the gorgeous HD recordings.

Just reconfirming my earlier opinion. I had a 40k for a year or more with around 30 DTheater tapes. I bought a 5U using a HDMI to DVI cable and really didn't see any difference though the unit displayed a few audio/video breakups at times.

I swapped this 5U for another and after a couple of movies I still feel that upgrading for HDMI/DVI over component isn't a "big" deal. I'm displaying the deck on a JVC D-ILA at 110" and I pretty much can see the opening of X2 with my eyes closed.

Charles,

I couldn't agree more. In fact, I think the 30k does a far superior job with audio encoding than the 5U. Until the movie studios start downrezzing HDTV over analog component outputs, I'm not going to worry about HDMI. Also, HDMI in theory is supposed to be for audio and video. Until we all have receivers or preamps with hdmi inputs it's really not worth the extra expense.

even though i am a huge DVI freak when it comes to my projector, i might not upgrade to the 5U now that my 30K is stable.

i *do* notice a slight softening in picture when i switch between the DVI content from my motorola hd-pvr and the same material recorded on dvhs with my 30K over a component connection, but i wonder : am i seeing the difference between component and DVI or just the slight loss of quality with the dvhs recording? on my smaller HD i see ZERO difference between recordings and live HD...but that's an all component cable setup with a far more forgiving TV when it comes to PQ.....

i'm talking about a 2%-3% loss of sharpness on my projector using component....probaby not worth worrying about.

Got my 5U last night. I didn't have much time to play w/it, but so far I like what I see.

The build quality is similar to the 40K, but a little lighter. It's a sleek looking unit. I opened it up & it's cleaner & less cluttered inside compared to the 40K & 30K. I'll try & post some photos tomorrow. I easily cut off the D-VHS pin as I'd done w/my 40K & 30K, so the 5U also now recognizes all tapes as D-VHS. Got the 5U all connected. I used both component cables & a HDMI-to-DVI cable to my projector.

When I fired up the 5U, the auto clock set started to do it's thing, then just stopped. I started to worry, but going into the Menu & re-starting the auto clock & turning off the unit did the trick. The 5U still takes damn too long to set the clock. The menus are similar to the 40K. I left the HDMI/DVI options at default. The cool thing was that the 5U had already recognized my Motorola 6208 cable box even though it was off (granted it's really on stand-by), which the 30K & 40K never did. With the latter two, I had to turn them on followed by the 6208. Also, with the 5U, it appears it doesn't matter which unit gets turned on first for firewire to work. Hope it stays this way as I use both units.

When I tried HDMI, I got nothing. Hit the HDMI button on the front panel (under the right flap) to de-activate HDMI (as some have suggested). Only got a 480i picture. My projector (Panny PT-AE500U) is HDCP compliant. When I get home tonight, I guess I'll try switching to component & back to HDMI to see if that'll indeed do the trick (as some have suggested). The manual says connect either the component or HDMI--maybe you using both disables 720p/1080i via HDMI/DVI? The manual also says that the TV output resolution & 4:3 normal/16:9 wide settings are disabled when HDMI is used. I don't know, I guess I'll just need to experiment. It sounds silly that switching to component & back to HDMI is the only way to get 720p/1080i to work via HDMI. What about the other HDMI settings like standard/enhanced & the other one I can't remember right now?

Okay, I re-read the whole thread. Here's what I got w/regard to HDMI-to-DVI . I'll have to try tonight...

Use the ENHANCED mode via the menu for a more vivid picture
Set the HDMI RGB FIX in the menu
Go to COMPONENT first, then hook up the HDMI cable to get 720p/1080i
If you're having trouble with your HDMI output, hit the HDMI button under the right flap on the front panel. The bright blue HDMI light will extinguish & the 5U will output over HDMI the signal resolution/aspect ratio that you specified in the set-up menu. Maybe try turning off the 5U & back on to re-sync
Via HDMI, the projector may only see a 480i image & think it's 4:3 & stretch it to 16:9. Try turning off the blue light & stopping & restarting a tape. When the image displayed is 1080i, the player's menu shows up stretched

Originally posted by Brajesh
It sounds silly that switching to component & back to HDMI is the only way to get 720p/1080i to work via HDMI. What about the other HDMI settings like standard/enhanced & the other one I can't remember right now? On my setup I have to stop/restart the playback with the light off to get 1080i via HDMI. The HDMI settings are only video level adjustments.

Originally posted by Brajesh
I easily cut off the D-VHS pin as I'd done w/my 40K & 30K, so the 5U also now recognizes all tapes as D-VHS. Hi Brajesh, could you include a pic of the pin area? I had not heard of this mod before and would love to eliminate the delay with SVHS tapes. Is the pin metal/plastic? What tool did you use to remove the pin? Thanks.

The pin is plastic. You just need to cut off the top part (thin), not the bottom part (thicker). It's a little hard to reach on the 30K & 40K, but I held the pin with plyers & just cut with scissors. Have a look here for instructions. (http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/learnabout/generaltips/dvhs_budget.html)

The mod described of course voids the warranty so my advice would be to wait until the warranty period is up.

Chris