JVC HX-GD8 Compact Audio/Video System with 5-Disc DVD Changer

by JVC

Product Details

• Item Weight: 72 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 84 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00021UKPM
• Item model number: HXGD8
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,334 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With a cutting-edge design straight from the sci-fi cinema, the JVC HX-GD8 certainly looks powerful. Fortunately for users, the housing isn't just for show, as the 550-watt portable AV system includes two 195-watt subwoofers for huge bass performance and two 80-watt main speakers that cover the mid and high frequencies. The speakers and main unit combine to deliver rich, full-bodied audio for everything from CDs to MP3s, while also displaying crisp video and lush surround sound on the included DVD player (other compatible formats include DVD-Audio/Video, DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW, Super Video CD and VCD, and WMA and JPEG). Listeners won't have to endure pauses between CDs thanks to the play exchange system, which continues to play the current CD while others are being switched. The flexibility extends to the music modes--one each for pop, rock, and classic, plus three custom choices.

As with any good video system, the JVC HX-GDA offers built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoders for surround sound, along with a trio of 3D audio modes (action, drama, and theater) and live surround modes (dance club, hall, and stadium). Users can enjoy a superior DVD picture through the progressive scan output, which displays twice the scan lines of a traditional DVD player. Other DVD-exclusive features include multi-angle playback, slow motion, zoom, and random and repeat play. The system also comes with an AM/FM tuner (30 FM and 15 AM presets) and a dual dubbing full-logic cassette deck with CD synchro recording. Signal transfer is coordinated by the 10-bit/54 MHz video DAC and 1-bit dual audio DAC.

The system connects to a TV through the component video output (for the best possible picture), though it also includes S-video and composite outputs as alternatives, along with an optical digital output and a headphone jack.

What's in the Box
Main unit, speakers, remote control, user's manual.

Product Description

JVC HX-GD8, 550 WATT MINI AUDIO SYSTEM WITH 5 DISC DVD CHANGER

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine for Dance,Rap,Hip-Hop,Disco and other bass-heavy types of music,but...., July 12, 2005

By 

Philip A.Cohen (Bay Harbor Islands, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: JVC HX-GD8 Compact Audio/Video System with 5-Disc DVD Changer (Electronics)

I've decided to replace my original review of the product,which spoke about the product's immediate(first day) breakdown.The product spent the next 138 days in repair shops,and then 15 days after my local authorized repair shop went out of business,the unit mysteriously arrived back by UPS from a JVC regional repair center.Now that I've got the unit and it now works,I'll speak about the product.It's bass-heavy,treble & midrange deficient sound makes it ideal for Rap,Dance,Hip-Hop & Disco musics,and the unit does an outstanding job with these musics.It does less well with Rock,Pop,Jazz & Classical musics.Certainly JVC has packed an enormous amount of features into the unit at a low price.The unit has AM/FM radio,Cassette deck and the ablity to play CD's,DVD's and even DVD-Audio albeit only in downmixed stereo(too bad that JVC doesn't supply 5.1 analogue outputs to play the DVD-Audio surround mixes through external equipment).There is a digital optical output to play the CD digital audio & DVD Dolby Digital & DTS audio through an appropriately equiped receiver or preamp.I will note however,that the wait to have the disc tray open on this unit is significantly longer than on other similar systems.The unit has 6 sound enhacement modes which provide various combinations E.Q. and ambience.They are Dance,Hall,Stadium(each with added ambience) and Off,Rock,Pop & Classic,plus you can create your own custom settings on User 1,2 & 3,by modifying the E.Q. on any of the regular modes.Creating user modes will be neccessary if you want to play pop or rock and get reasonable treble & midrange clarity.The subwoofer settings Minimum,Subwoofer 1 & subwoofer 2 will provide all the booming that your dance,rap,hip-hop or disco enthusiast craves.The "Rhythm AX" mode goes beyond that to simply outrageous thumping.Be sure to remove any fragile objects from nearby shelves(No,I'm not joking).Somehow,I doubt that the other people in your household will tolerate "Rhythm AX",so use it only when your loved ones go out for the evening.The remote control is quite versitile.Remember when programming a CD running order,you must program in the tray number and song number for each selection,since this is a 5-disc CD/DVD changer.Maybe in a future model year,JVC could bring us a surround sound version of this system,and also take care when designing the system that in addition to serving the Dance,Rap,Hip-Hop & Disco enthusiasts,that it will be possible to achieve a clear,natural sound with other types of music.A bigger tweeter would help.I would also add,that if you ever need to get the unit repaired,send the unit to one of JVC's regional service centers.This product has too much internal complexity to trust "Authorized" service centers to work on the unit.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It works fine for me, April 1, 2005

By 

M. Peachey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC HX-GD8 Compact Audio/Video System with 5-Disc DVD Changer (Electronics)

Well I've been playing cd's in this thing for well over 4 hours. I don't think JVC would produce a 450 dollar stereo and have it be so faulty no one would be able to use it more then 5 minutes without it coming apart. So I'd recommend this piece of electronic insanity to anyone who would enjoy ear splitting music. Great separation, volume's definitely insane, the subs rock like nothing else...best thing under 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. No problems with the cd trays, aux works great very satisfied with the product.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BASS FOR YOUR FACE, THE 2000 GHETTOBLASTER, January 9, 2006

By 

J. Pichotta "PICHOTTA" (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC HX-GD8 Compact Audio/Video System with 5-Disc DVD Changer (Electronics)

I was in the market for a PORTABLE GhettoBlaster or BoomBox. But the one's I remember were back in the '80s with NO CD! So I was on a mission to find a '80s replacement. Took awhile but Boy- did I find one....The JVC HX-GD8 is a not only a Portable GhettoBlaster but it plays DVD's too. Now when I say Portable it doesn't come "stock" portable. It weighs nearly 85lbs. So what I did was: I took the entire speaker system apart. And took two pieces of plywood (1 piece for the bottom of the system and 1 piece for the top of the system), sanded both pieces of plywood, These pieces would run along the top and bottom of the entire system. Carrying with it the receiver. I then sprayed the plywood silver (to match the rest of the system perfectly), drilled holes through the speakerbox housing, mounting the plywood on the top and the bottom in which it carries the center receiver unit. I then mounted 2 handles on the top of the plywood so I could carry it around wherever I go. Very heavy I might add. But it is PORTABLE. When it is time to move my GhettoBlaster out to the garage, or down to the beach. I DON'T have to make 3 trips. 1 for the left speaker, 1 for the right speaker, 1 for the receiver. NOW it is ALL combined into 1 unit. And if you have a Friend to help its a snap. It cost $40 VERY WELL WORTH IT! If you are looking for a BOOMBOX with some serious power this is the ONLY one to buy. Especially if you make it portable. I did this modification without any of my friends knowing and they thought it was actually made this way! With the top and bottom pieces of plywood painted silver you would never know it wasn't factory built. Do yourself a favor and get a '80s replacement that is ahead of its time!