Customer Reviews

JVC DF300AU D-VHS Video Tape (300 min.)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The JVC DF300AU D-VHS tape does exactly what it proposes: given a properly set up D-VHS VCR, it makes perfect pixel by pixel copies of HDTV. I cannot see any difference between live and recorded high definition TV when I use these and a firewire connection with my HM-DH40000. You can also tape SVHS or VHS formats on this tape, and those formats come out quite nicely as well.

However, the quiet secret here is that the formulation here is essentially identical to high quality S-VHS tape - at 2 to 3 times the price. The only difference is that rather than having a single hole in the chassis this tape has a second, allowing the VCR to read it as a D-VHS tape rather than a S-VHS tape. There is an obvious workaround to this that can be found fairly easily on the web; search if you're interested.

From my experience S-VHS tapes with the workaround work just as well as this far more expensive tape - at 150 minutes, you should compare this to the 160 minute T-160 SVHS tapes - which is why I knock off two stars. I can't guarantee S-VHS tapes will last as long, but then again, since there's no warranty on the D-VHS tapes either there doesn't seem to be much risk. I also haven't been able to tell any difference between the JVC and Maxwell DVHS versions, which is unsurprising. Data recording - which is all D-VHS really is - either records data or it doesn't.

D-VHS machines are disappearing like low gas prices but I wanted one to transfer High Def programing. The tape works fine so far.