JVC HMDH40000U D-VHS HDTV Digital Video Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)The JVC HMDH40000U D-VHS DVR is a great next-generation VCR and high definition media player. Under certain circumstances it's a good archival system for HD broadcasts. Unfortunately, between the recording industry's paranoia and JVC's mistakes those circumstances are rare. But it's now cheap enough so that you're basically paying for a great VCR with a HD option. On that basis, it's worth 4 stars.
While wonderful to watch, HDTV is clearly still in its early adoption stages. One problem with early adoption is that until standards settle down it's very hard to find critical support technology - like storage. Currently, the main option is to buy or rent a cable/satellite-brand specific integrated DVR/HDTV tuner. This also presents severe limitations: the box is useless if you switch providers, there's typically little storage space (typically 8 hours - HD takes about 4x the space of regular broadcasts), you can't burn programs to DVD, and they're wildly expensive. Until Tivo and others finally figure out the technology and come out with standalone HD units sometime in late 2005-2006, your only real alternative is a DVHS recorder.
For neophytes, DVHS is a remarkable update to 30 year old technology - it uses the the same tapes that VHS always did but records digitally. This is wonderful for backwards compatibility as VHS and SVHS tapes play and record perfectly in a DVHS VCR (and if you've got money to burn you can record an outrageously priced DVHS tape with a VHS signal.)

The good news is when it works it's a perfect digital copy of HD content. The bad is that after losing billions on pirated DVDs the recording industry put so many restrictions on digital recording it basically cripples this VCR and the DVHS format. In very simple terms they nerfed things so badly that it's: 1. very hard to record in HD format and 2. even more difficult to copy HD media.
So why bother with the JVC HMDH40000U?
First, you can in fact record HDTV broadcasts, and when it works its spectacular. The problem is that JVC is so paranoid at offending the studios that the only HD input is a Firewire/I-Link digital one - there are NO component video or HDMI inputs. Only a couple manufacturers provide I-Link outputs from HDTV tuners (Hitachi and Mitsubishi, along with a handful of models from others like Samsung and Sharp) which means for many people subscribing to cable or satellite HDTV this is useless. In addition, there are numerous documented cases where an tuner or camcorder has a nominal I-Link connection that's incompatible with this VCR. Even with a compatible I-Link connection, you can still run into periodic crashes with this largely due to poor compatibility with copy protection standards; I have hard reset (unplugged for 30 minutes) this unit more times than I can count to get it working again. But...when it works the results are a perfect copy and while DVHS tapes are outrageously expensive they're still cheap compared to what it would cost for 5 hours of HD stored on a hard drive.
Second, there is a very small (about 100 or so) selection of extremely high resolution (1080i) movies in a format known as D-Theater. Between this and the 25 or so Muse-HiVision laserdiscs that ceased being produced in 2001 and are only playable on obscure Japanese-only equipment which costs 10 times this VCR, this is about the only way you're going to see a movie in more than 480p on your home screen until HD-DVD/Blu-ray comes out in late 2005/early 2006 at initial prices that are 5-10x that of this VCR. Unfortunately it looks like D-Theater is going the way of Muse, but I've seen a couple movies this way and your jaw will simply drop if you find a movie you like in this format. Even when you lose a ton of resolution by letting the JVC downscale a D-Theater movie to 480i to play on your old Trinitron, this brings out details you won't see in a DVD. Most HDTV broadcasts simply don't compare to the detail you'll find on a D-Theater movie.
But the real reason to buy this is that it is what a 2005 VCR should be. It has component video outputs, an optical digital output, multiple SVHS inputs and outputs, and a range of features (like marking chapters on tapes so that you don't have to find scenes by time) that even good VCRs don't. Better yet, playback and recording in regular VHS and SVHS mode (and you can do both) are noticeably better than my 5-year old SVHS model. (And while it doesn't display video except in spurts while fastforwarding in DVHS mode, in VHS and SVHS mode it does it just as well as any standard unit.) As a VCR it's sleek and highly functional.
Unfortunately, there's a good chance that if you're buying this for HDTV recording its not compatible. Check very, very carefully first before buying. But now that JVC appears to be ready to give up on this model as it doesn't have an HDMI output, it's available at prices directly comparable to good SVHS VCRs. As such you get next generation technology for the same price. And if you're lucky, you get a lot more. For laser disc fans I'd compare it to a bargain basement HLD-X9 - the new technology didn't catch on but the upgrades on the old made this well worth it. Just know what you're getting!

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Record high-definition television broadcasts with the JVC HMDH40000U D-VHS digital video recorder. Using special D-VHS tapes with a 50 GB of capacity, you can record up to 3.5 hours of high-quality video and Dolby Digital audio. Features include 5.1-channel Digital Dolby audio, FireWire/iLink connectivity, VCR Plus+ instant timer programming, and playback of D-Theater prerecorded movies.
Thanks to its high read/write speed (28.2 Mbps in HS mode), D-VHS produces up to six times better quality than DVDs. And you'll get powerful home theater sound with the 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio output (and support for 2-channel linear PCM output). With the JVC HMDH40000U, you can record any type of broadcast, including HD, SD (standard definition), and analog. You can also play your old VHS and S-VHS tape library, as well as record analog video signal to those older formats.
The JVC HMDH40000U has two FireWire/iLink ports so that you can connect to a digital set-top box. If you have a digital camcorder, you can download video footage to a D-VHS tape (using the MPEG-2 video standard) via the second FireWire/iLink port. The Video Navigation System feature enables you to store title, date, and storage information on up to 2,000 tapes.
Other features include:
Time Base Corrector removes jitter from fluctuating video signals
Digital YNR/CNY improves signal-to-noise ratio by 3 dB
Record up to 24 events, up to 1 year in advance
MTS stereo reception
Remote control featuring multibrand compatibility and glow-in-the-dark buttons

Recording modes include:
HS (28.2 Mbps; 210 minutes max with DF-420 cassette)
STD (14.1 Mbps; 420 minutes max with DF-420 cassette)
LS3 (4.7 Mbps; 1,260 minutes max with DF-420 cassette)
LS5 (2.8 Mbps; 2,100 minutes max with DF-420 cassette)
SP (210 minutes max with S-VHS or VHS cassette)
EP (630 minutes max with S-VHS or VHS cassette)

Tech Talk D-VHS: The D-VHS (or Digital VHS) format offers the highest consumer video resolution for recording and playback. It stores digitally encoded video signals and accompanying multichannel audio from high-definition TV (HDTV) to a tape format. You can record up to 3.5 hours of video at either the 1080i or 720p HDTV formats. For audio, D-VHS encodes Dolby Digital at 576 Kbps (compared to DVD's 384 Kbps and 448 Kbps data rates), which can mean higher sound fidelity due to less compression.
HDTV formats: There are two common video formats for HDTV. The 1080i format displays video at 1080 vertical by 1920 horizontal pixels and it is interlaced (which means that a video screen scans the odd-numbered video lines first, then the even-numbered lines). The 720p format displays video at 720 vertical by 1280 horizontal pixels and it is progressive (which means that all video lines are filled at the same time).
What's in the Box JVC HMDH40000U D-VHS player/recorder, remote (LP21036-013), two AA batteries, S-Video cable, RCA audio cable, coaxial cable, head cleaning cassette, and instruction manual.

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PC Remote Control - Plug and Play Microsoft Windows Vista Media Control Review

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(More customer reviews)I did not try software, since this was for my linux box, so I cannot comment on the compatibility that the previous reviewer had with the software. However, The remote uses basic IR codes that any third-party remote key remapping software should be able to handle even if the software included does not work. I used Lirc on linux to set it up to work with XBMC media center software under ubuntu. The remote does seem to have some issue with not sending a gap signal after each keypress, so the automatic button assignment feature in LIRC did not work for this remote, which is why I took off one star, But I was able to run LIRC in debug mode, start the remote test client that comes with LIRC, and press each of the buttons to find the proper codes, and set it up manually in the config file. after wich the remote works like a charm.
The only other negative I had with it is that aside for the volume control buttons, holding down the buttons does not repeat, which could be a minor annoyance with the directional buttons to navigate alot of files in the media center software.

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Reston's PCV-2007 is a versatile remote control for your PC. With it, you can control all the media functions on your Micrsoft Windows Vista operating system, all from the comfort of your couch! This work- and play-bridging remote is completely plug-and-play, without the need for any drivers or software. Just install the USB Remote dongle and you're ready to rumble! You can play movies, TV shows, music, photos, and other media stored on your. Skip tracks, change the volume, fast-forward, rewind, and pause like you do with your other home video or stereo systems. So, if you'd like to make your computer a true home entertainment center, get this cool PC gadget today!

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MONSTER ML LD300 Illuminessence Remote-Controlled Light Station Dimmer Review

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(More customer reviews)We're using this to control the reading light and television in our six-year-old daughters' room. Our first inclination was to purchase a cheap outlet timer to turn the "forbidden devices" off at bedtime, but reality prevented us from doing so. On non-school-nights, we try to be flexible with her reading time; when she's sick, we'll give her extended TV time to encourage her to rest in bed longer. It became obvious we wanted control over them without having to enter the room (not to mention that she's on the second floor and we're typically downstairs when she goes to read...yes, sad to say, laziness is part of the lure of this device).
It would get a perfect score except for the price. The remote is simply amazing, but suffers from the same disease -- the "some Americans will always equate 'best' with 'most expensive'" syndrome. The limitation here is that we would buy many more dimmers if not for the cost.
I still recommend it if you don't mind parting with some serious money.


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"Create the ideal lighting mood anywhere in your home and save energy by using precise lamp brightness settings. Simply plug the LD300 into any 3 prong outlet, then plug your light into the LD300. Now you can wirelessly control dimming with the Monster IWC600 master switch or with Monster Central’s Lighting and AV Controller. Instantly dim lamps for watching a movie, or brighten the setting for entertaining guests. Monster IlluminEssence light dimmers and switches feature built-in memory that stores lighting presets so you can instantly set many lamps to different levels according to your mood: - Good Night: all lights off except selected security lights- Turn on selected lights for security- Set the perfect mood lighting for entertaining, reading and moviesWith the touch of a single button, you can instantly set multiple lamps no matter where they are in your home. Monster IlluminEssence dimmers and switches have built-in wireless ControlNet™ RF technology that extends remote control range throughout your entire home. The Monster and Leviton partnership brings you the ultimate reliability in whole home lighting systems. "

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Logitech Harmony 670 Universal Remote Review

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(More customer reviews)Prior to getting this remote, I have had a separate remote to control my TV, VCR, DVD Player, AV Receiver, and Cable box. I had gotten used to having to switch between remotes to do different things. My TV, DVD, Receiver and VCR are all Sony, so I did get multiple uses out of some, since each remote could be programmed to control another Sony device; however it was still a bit cumbersome.
That was until I got this remote. I have messed with universal remotes in the past, and only got so-so performance and functionality out of them, but this one was different. The set up was long, but was pretty easy to do; the hardest thing in fact was getting behind my entertainment center, and having to lift up some of my peripherals to get the model numbers which is essential in order to have this remote work properly. Another thing about the setup is that you need to be a bit technically savvy because the software does ask you questions about what input your TV needs to be on for different devices to work, as well as what settings the receiver needs to be on. It was pretty simple for me, but others who are not familiar with how the devices work together will have problems. The literature says that it has over 5000 models, and for me all of my devices were recognized, even my XBOX 360 is now able to be controlled from this remote, something I did not expect it would be able to do. For me I can control every one of my devices directly from one remote, while all buttons on the remote do not match up directly with all the buttons on my receiver remote, the Harmony has a bright LCD screen to control every function on my receiver and every other device in my setup, for example because of the DVD player model number I supplied it, it knows my DVD player is a 5 disc changer the remote's LCD screen has the ability to switch between each DVD.
The Harmony comes with setup software and a USB cable so you can connect it directly to your PC in case you need to run the setup software again to tweak the settings and actions on the remote. If you want to control a different device in your setup, all you have to do is press the "Device" button on the remote and scroll through the LCD screen to select the device you want to control, and the remote basically turns into the remote for the selected device. If you choose to control the cable box, then remote knows to turn the channels through the cable box, and not the TV, if you control the DVD player, the remote can play the DVD, eject, go to the DVD menu...you get the point. While this is cool, the coolest thing about the Harmony is the one touch activity buttons, which is perfect for people who are tired of having to do many things just to do one thing, or for people who simply don't know what to do. These "Activity" buttons do everything that needs to be done by only pressing a single button. For example, before the Harmony, if I wanted to watch a movie on my TV, I had to have

1) The receiver set to DVD,
2) The TV set to input 5
3) DVD player needs to be turned on.
Now I am able to do all of this with the simple press of the "watch movie button" on the remote, pressing this button will do all the above steps for you. The default action for these buttons is turning all other devices off, so pressing the "watch movie" button turned my cable box off, which is not what I wanted to happen, no problem, I just went into the setup software and tweaked the DVD action to leave the Cable Box on. Plugged my remote to my PC, pressed "update remote" and after few moments, the new actions are programmed to the remote.
What about other activities that don't have a specific button on the remote for it, say for example, I want to play the XBOX 360. No problem, Just press the "More activities" button and the LCD screen displays all the actions you can do with your given devices. So for me to play the XBOX360, I just press "More Activities" scroll down to and select "play XBOX360", and the Harmony does the following automatically
1) The TV goes to Input 5
2) The Receiver goes to "TV"
3) The XBOX 360 turns on
4) The Cable box stays on
5) And if they are on, the DVD, and VCR player turns off
pretty cool huh?
I am very satisfied and pleasantly surprised with the performance and functionality of the Harmony. It is literally replaced all of my other remotes, which will save me in batteries. I originally thought I would still need my other remotes for not so obvious things I might want to set, but it seems like the Harmony can control everything you might need to do. Of course there would be a slight learning curve in figuring out the buttons, but all of the basic and even some not so basic things can easily be controlled through the Harmony.
If you are getting this for someone who has no idea how TV's, receivers, DVD, VCR players work together then they will have problems setting the remote up, and if you are able, do them a BIG favor of setting it up for them. After its set up properly, I think anyone would be able to use it with the ease of the one touch activity buttons. Now even my wife can watch a DVD when I'm not in the house without having to call me all the time.
I originally was going to give this remote 4 stars because of the potentially complicated setup process for some consumers, but once the remote is set up properly, I don't think it could get any simpler. The ease of use and functionality after the setup process is near perfect, therefore the Harmony 670 gets 5 stars! What a great product.

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Designed specifically for Digital Video Recorder (DVR) users, the Harmony 670 features convenient controls that make it easy to command TiVO. and other popular DVRs.Essential buttons including "Record," "Play," "Pause," "Advance," "Rewind," "Skip Forward," "Skip Back," and a directional pad are centrally located, and convenient "Sound" and "Picture" buttons help you tame tough configurations such as switching aspect ratios or sound modes. Harmony's activity-based control makes it easy to manage your entire home entertainment system; just press a conveniently color-coded activity button (?Watch Movie?), and the remote will power on your TV, DVD, stereo receiver, set all the inputs and even press "Play"! There's also a handy ?Help? button so that anyone from the kids to the babysitter can access programming.Software for Windows and Macintosh computer Includes - Logitech Harmony 670 remote control; USB cable; Installation CD; Installation guide; 4 AAA batteries; 1-year warranty

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Wireless USB PC Remote Control Mouse for PC Review

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(More customer reviews)Got a Logitech Harmony universal remote? Want to control your home theater pc with it along with everything else in your living room? Then this is the remote you want. I actually only needed the IR adapter and i was able to control my pc with the Logitech Harmony 880. I tried the remote pictured here and it works perfectly but i didn't need it. If you want a cheap IR to control your HTPC then here is a good solution. Oh and to program the Harmony to work with it you'll need the model name and number which is: Chinavision CVSB-983

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Watch movies, view photos, and listen to music from your computer without having to touch your mouse or keyboard. This remote acts like a wireless mouse, but has the functionality to control your PC's media software. PCs are becoming our personal entertainment centers, the place where we store our music, movies, & photos. Now you can bring those files into your life without having to be at the computer all the time.

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