JVC SR-MV40US DVD-R & S-VHS/VHS Dual Playback Recorder

by JVC

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 18 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FSTL7A
• Item model number: SR-MV40US
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #18 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Professional Video Accessories > VTR Decks
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 16, 2006

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

The SR-MV40US is the convenient way to make a smooth transition from tape to DVD media. Especially suited for use in corporate, educational and religious organizations, this product will reduce the space taken up by tapes and let you easily create a long-lasting DVD library. What's more, it gives you a choice of three DVD recording media: DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD-R. If you're looking for a convenient dual deck DVD recorder, JVC's SR-MV40US is the intelligent choice.

SR-MV40US Highlights

Auto-finalize
DVD discs made on the SR-MV40US can be played back on virtually all DVD players provided that they have been "finalized." On typical consumer DVD recorders, this function is often hidden within a menu structure making the process difficult and increasing the possibility of delivering an "un-finalized" disc to a customer. The SR-MV40US offers a unique "auto-finalize" feature that creates a fully compatible disc when you finish recording. It's now easier than ever to hand your customer a finished product!

Auto full repeat discs can be made
Auto Repeat is very convenient when DVD discs are used in unattended displays such as wedding receptions, store kiosks, storefront demos or at trade shows. The SR-MV40US lets you create disks that will play (loop) repeatedly for this purpose.

Simultaneous recording of two TV channels
When there are two TV programs you wish to record on different channels being broadcast at the same time, the twin tuners found on the SR-MV40US will allow you to record these two separate channels onto DVD and videotape simultaneously.

RF outputs
Especially useful for educational institutions, the SR-MV40US features RF output that enable you to easily connect TV sets in class room via only one RF cable.

Live Memory and Live Check functions
Ideal for school track and field events, Live Memory function lets you playback scenes to check any performance. With the DVD-RAM's rewriting capability, video can be recorded from a camcorder to the DVD-RAM, enabling simultaneous recording and playback. Viewing missed scenes will not interrupt the recording. The Live Check function displays real-time images in a sub-window.

Remote control code input terminal
The terminal for a remote control code input is located on the rear panel to enable remote control operation of this device by third party vendors in the future.

DVD and S-VHS/VHS playback
Commercially available DVDs and S-VHS/VHS tapes can be played back on the SR-MV40US.

Super MPEG processors

Pre-processor (DVD)
When recording from analog sources, effective noise reduction is applied before MPEG-2 encoding to guaran-tee superior quality images.

Post-processor (DVD)
Several noise reduction features work together to clean up the image. Block noise reduction cuts "block noise" caused by MPEG-2 compression, Color DigiPure reduces 3D color noise, and Hadamard noise reduction eliminates "mosquito noise" from any DVD.

Last function memory
The SR-MV40US memorizes the last function in its memory and resumes operation from that point. Even if the power is turned off at the end of the day, mode settings remain valid and will be automatically recreated, making this feature especially handy for use kiosks and trade shows.

Mode lock
Another handy feature for unattended operation is the Mode Lock feature. Simply pressing on the remote control enter button for more than 5 seconds will disable all operation keys to prevent inadvertent operation.

Time counter display
The SR-MV40US displays time counter information, which is indispensable while editing or dubbing recordings, on both the DVD and S-VHS decks.

IEEE-1394 connection (DV input)
Signals from external DV sources and NLE systems can be recorded via the IEEE-1394 terminal. These signals are converted in real-time to an MPEG-2 signal for DVD and analog video signal for VHS. The SR-MV40US is compatible with all popular non linear editing systems including those from Apple®, Adobe®, and Avid®.

Product Description

If you ever come across a need to make recordings of a single source on both DVD disc and S-VHS tape simultaneously, the SR-MV40 has a solution. The Simultaneous Recording function can record programs on both DVD and VCR decks from the same input source. It's ideal for school track and field events, Live Memory function lets you playback scenes to check any performance. With the DVD-RAM's rewriting capability, video can be recorded from a camcorder to the DVD-RAM, enabling simultaneous recording and playback. Viewing missed scenes will not interrupt the recording. The Live Check function displays real-time images in a sub-window. Super MPEG Processors Pre-processor (DVD) Post-processor (DVD) Last function memory Mode lock Time counter display i.LINK connection (DV input) - Signals from external DV sources and NLE systems can be recorded via the i.LINK Terminal. These signals are converted in real-time to an MPEG-2 signal for DVD and analog video signal for VHS NTSC TV tuner for recording analog broadcast TV (Not DTV compatible without an external converter or Cable/Satellite service)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Professional Quality DVD recording and editing at a great price...., December 8, 2006

By 

J. E B. I I (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC SR-MV40US DVD-R & S-VHS/VHS Dual Playback Recorder (Electronics)

I was looking for a standalone DVD recorder with a Firewire input connection. I looked at numerous different makes and models before settling on this one. While I hadn't originally been looking for a "two in one" editing deck, it made sense to get one for direct VHS to DVD archiving. Also, when I realized I couldn't record content protected HBO and Starz movies to DVD on my Windows Media Center Edition PC, this was precisely the answer. I have to admit, I'm a bit partial to JVC products (they invented the VHS tape format) and I've generally had good luck with their stuff. I own another professional quality S-VHS/Mini-DV deck of theirs as well.

This deck is part of their Professional Series. It's a little darker grey in color, has a back fan to blow excess heat out of it, numerous inputs/outputs and connectivity, and is built very solidly (weighty).

I would be comfortable using this for entry-level small business video editing. It has that kind of quality.

Shortly after purchase, I had some major problems with the VHS side loading mechanism. I would pop a tape in there and it wouldn't feed or when I ejected it - it wouldn't unload all of the way. Luckily it was under warranty (within the first 90 days). I sent it to an authorized JVC Repair facility in New Jersey (FYI - YOU have to pay for shipping - read your warranty carefully). Upon return, the unit did the same thing within a few days (though they indicated parts had been changed). I sent it back a second time but demanded that a prepaid shipping label be sent to me this time. It took some doing (and several calls to JVC HQ in New Jersey), but they came through. It was an inconvenience being out the unit on two separate occasions though. Upon return from the second repair, the unit worked fine and has ever since. At least the repair was done at their authorized repair center - people who are trained in the specific repair of JVC products. I would have given it a "5" if not for the repair issue.

As much of a headache as that experience was, I would still buy another one today, I enjoy it that much. In fact, I may buy a second one. The picture and sound quality, features, and ease of use are just great. I've been very pleased with it. I have not had one single issue playing any DVD I've recorded on this unit once finalized. You can even title the DVD's, rearrange chapters, and so many more features that I haven't even gotten into yet. Hooking up a camcorder via Firewire to record mini-dv tapes to DVD is very straightforward as well. I've also played around with DVD-RAM media (recording AND Watching content at the same time) and being able to time-shift. Very cool stuff. I would recommend this deck as an excellent "prosumer" above average quality DVD recorder solution for under $400.00.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars FAULTY DVD DRIVE IS A KNOWN INEVITABLE PROBLEM ON EVERY UNIT, November 3, 2007

By 

Left Eye's Corpse (Gerlach, Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC SR-MV40US DVD-R & S-VHS/VHS Dual Playback Recorder (Electronics)

For myself, I decided to purchase the JVC Professional model SR-MV40US several weeks back. Great price from Amazon...but neither of the two units I've had work (the first one was the wrong model; apparently they sent me SOMEONE ELSE'S RETURN). The 2nd unit was brand new, unopened. ALL of these SR-MV40US decks have a COMMON problem that JVC KNOWS ABOUT due to DEFECTIVE DVD DRIVES which, if NOT failing NOW, WILL fail in the not-too-distant future. The dvd drives will NOT read any type of discs...no commercial movie dvd's, cd's, blank dvd's, NOTHING...they give a "disc error" message on the front panel, with a corresponding "unreadable disc" error on the screen. Mine did this right out of the box.

When I notified Amazon regarding the 2nd unit not working (as well as a cracked front panel due to cheap cost-cutting), I was told there was a known problem with these units and that I could NOT have a replacement...only a full refund. Other reviews on Amazon's site hint to this same problem...unreadable disc errors, replacement machines sent out, Amazon refusing to replace machines due to "known problems beyond their control" with the units. I can find no other mention of a known problem with the 40US ANYWHERE on the internet. But, it seems like there HAS to be a fault with these units.

The dvd drives are made by a company called PMD. The dvd drive looks and feels like a piece of utter crap. Super lightweight, flimsy,not encased, constructed of plastic...nothing like the drives in the older JVC decks.

The reason I bring this all up is that at the time I first received the non-working unit I was wondering if there was INDEED a known problem with the newer SR-MV40US dvd drives. I've had have the problem, as well as 1/3 of the Amazon customers who reviewed the unit. But, I find NO mention of any problems on this site, nor under a google search. I find it odd that I would get a brand new unit with a dvd drive that completely doesn't work, however. I called Amazon and got a clueless 'phone answerer" who had no CLUE what I was asking about...i.e., "What are the known problems with this unit and why do you still sell it if you KNOW there is a problem?" Needless to say, she couldn't answer the question...Amazon couldn't tell me WHAT the problem is, even though they deny a replacement BECAUSE of this problem...yet again, have no clue as to what the problem IS.

The JVC SR-MV40US decks as well as ANY OTHER DECKS with this same dvd drive are very much more than likely to fail given the history on this review site as well as my own experience with this unit. The part number on the dvd drive is PMD0120A.

As I stated, the problem has NOTHING to do with what brand of discs are being used. This problem has NOTHING to do with recording per se.

The unit will not recognize ANY disc...it doesn't recognize blank discs, recorded discs, store-bought movies, music cd's, NOTHING. Has NOTHING to do with recording. This isn't a problem that you even have to "learn how to use the machine." You turn it on, insert a disc, and are told, "Disc error."

The build quality is much worse than JVC consumer products of the recent past. This unit states "Professional" on the front panel but it seems nearly an utter joke regarding build quality. In comparison even to 2004's JVC "consumer" products (as opposed to its much touted "Professional Series") this unit has much flimsier plastic for the front panel; even the metal top panel is noticably more thin.

Regarding the "known problem" with these units, I did not expect Amazon to really know much...but honestly I did expect them to be able to tell me WHY they can't ship me a replacement.

The dvd drive in this unit is absolutely shocking in its cheapness. It doesn't even resemble a toy. You can literally bend the unit as a whole in your hand.

I spoke to JVC regarding this problem. After getting the runaround with their different departments (even though I called JVC's "Professional Line" telephone number), I finally talked to someone, who did verify that there IS a known problem with these units, but it has not been published ala the "loading" problems of previous units. I was told, "We got some bad drives."

HOWEVER...he could not tell me IF the problem has been corrected in the production. He could NOT tell me if the drive has been replaced. He could NOT tell me if this drive is the same that is used in ANY of the newer models (such as the SR-MV45US). He could NOT tell me if there was a new/improved drive available or made during the production run that addresses this problem. He could NOT tell me if there was any way to tell if a particular model or production run (say, above a certain serial number) had a WORKING or IMPROVED dvd drive. He could not tell me HOW to tell if a unit I would purchase would have a new/improved drive. He had NO IDEA if there was a new part number or updated part number/reference number that would indicate an improved/repaired replacement drive to address this problem.

I thought for sure that JVC, aware of the problem admittedly, would be able to tell me, "You need drive so and so, and all units manufactured before so and so serial number have the older bad drive." Alas, that didn't occur.

All I was told by JVC was that "we had a lot of bad drives." Nothing more, nothing less.

Speaking with someone with respect to JVC regarding this (unadmitted) widespread problem, I got the following response:

"Bit of a long story, but essentially all the PMD drives have some potential fault. The laser focusing system is not able to read the DVD`s. Some PMD drives can be rectified with a firmware update but only very few. Your drive was manufactured in December 2006 and is listed for replacement should a fault occur (it has!) I think JVC wanted to cut costs but have now realised it was false economy. Most of the newer JVC units use these PMD drives (MX10, MH300 etc), and the easiest fix for these is to replace the drives with the old but very robust LG/Hitachi units they used in all earlier models."

There is no guarantee that any of the new JVC Professional dvd recorders have drives that actually work or won't prematurely crap out a month or so after purchase. JVC directly could NOT even tell me if the problem has been corrected NOR could they tell me HOW I would know IF the problem WAS corrected in any particular model or production run. Basically, the buyer's choice is to buy the unit, and hope for the best. If the drive doesn't work, you can either return it for a replacement that may or may not work now (or later), or you can send it to JVC for replacement of the drive with one that JVC isn't quite sure if it is improved or not; and hope it is fixed...of course with the buyer paying shipping and risking physical damage to the unit from someone who doesn't really care if it gets scratched up or not.

Great.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for archiving old videos, May 15, 2007

By 

Randal Barney - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC SR-MV40US DVD-R & S-VHS/VHS Dual Playback Recorder (Electronics)

This unit excels when it comes to copying old vcr tapes especially SVHS types. We had a tape that the edge of the magnetic tape had become stretched and wavy when closely examined. It actually was so bad that the tape would not play in the equipment that recorded it. This unit copied the tape perfectly with the exception that the audio was muffled, but that is where the audio is stored...on the tape edge. I was very impressed with its abilities. The only thing I wish JVC would have done, was to add the ability to create icons at the beginning of the DVD for different chapters on the disc. Other units do this. Otherwise I rate this unit excellent.