JVC XV-M555BK 3-Disc DVD Player

Other products by JVC

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 12.8 x 5 inches ; 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 17 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004RD7R
• Item model number: XVM555BK
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #232,611 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Review
In one fell swoop, the smooth-operating, three-disc-toting JVC XV-M555BK changer packs an evening's worth of DVD and CD entertainment. It's attractive and reasonably loaded with features.

We like the looks of the player; it sports a clean design despite the abundance of faceplate control buttons that have become a JVC trademark. That's not a complaint--for serious, feature-lovin' DVD users, the more options, the better.

The mechanics of this DVD player are also impressive. For ease of operation, you pack the discs into a stack of three motorized trays, each with its own open/close and start buttons. When you load it up, the push of a button conveniently closes one drawer and opens the next. You can change discs in the other two trays while the third is playing. Behind the trays, an elevator rides up and down to grab the requested (or next-in-line) disc. This operation is mildly noisy and takes about 11 seconds to complete.

We scanned one of our favorite DVD rock musicals and were especially impressed with the picture quality produced by the JVC player, which utilizes a 10-bit, 27 MHz video digital-to-analog converter. For enhanced black-level performance, we clicked the theater mode picture-customizing feature to the first notch. Theater levels 2 and 3 seem to dim the picture, however, and are strictly for pitch-black viewing conditions. The off setting is brightest of all, while producing the rosiest skin tones. Naturally, you'll want to use the player's component- or S-video outputs, if your TV display can accommodate them. A single composite-out video jack is available as well.

Using the player's digital-out jack (optical only), and performing the digital-to-analog signal conversion in our high-end receiver, the JVC sounded just as fine as other first-rate models we've hooked up for PCM, Dolby Digital, and DTS playback. Using the player's onboard digital-to-analog converter to play back analog two-channel/Dolby Pro Logic Surround sound, we found the sound to be warm and well focused with both DVDs and CDs. A 3D-Phonic virtual surround-sound mode, which JVC tosses in for good measure, is strictly for use with a TV's internal speakers. It broadens the apparent sound field a tad--at the expense of clarity.

Both the player and the remote control have dedicated buttons for options rarely seen in DVD models. The digest feature, accessible at any point in the film, grabs a still frame from the start of each chapter for display on a nine-image screen page. (For videos with more than nine chapters, you'll receive more pages.) Move the cursor to the scene that catches your eye, hit enter, and you're instantly there!

A strobe feature is mildly useful as it combines nine consecutive still frames on the screen. The player's excellent slow-motion modes--delivering six different speeds in forward play and five in reverse--does the same job with full-screen images. Picture clarity remains consistently solid in all slow-motion settings, just as it is with the five-speed (forward and reverse) rapid searches. These surprisingly high-quality images make it fun to study, say, Jackie Chan's amazing moves or the creation of some magical computer special effects. A jog shuttle on the face of the player adds to the joy--though we'd prefer if the dial were on the remote instead.

To make way for those extra features, some buttons on the smallish remote are multifunction, with combination taps bringing out the secondary features. For example, you have to press two buttons simultaneously to bring up the setup menu. This is a mildly annoying quirk, since you won't be going there very often once you've set up your system. Other buttons go into different modes when you tap them consecutively. Dedicated buttons are available to change a TV's volume and channel settings up and down, but you have to push two different buttons simultaneously to turn the TV on or off. This minor inconvenience would be less painful if the remote buttons were illuminated.

For JVC loyalists, the XV-M555BK's single cable AV Compu Link is great, since you can connect a JVC TV and receiver and operate them from one component. With the Compu Link, starting up a show requires just three brief moves: turn on the TV power, insert a disc, and press the start button.

If you happen to be a JVC loyalist, or you're thinking of becoming one, the XV-M555BK is a great way to go for the new generation of DVD players.

Pros:

• Impressive picture quality through 10-bit digital-to-analog converter
• 3-disc tray is a smart feature
• Compu Link makes mating with JVC TV and receiver a snap

Cons:

• No jog-shuttle dial on remote
• Noisy, slow-moving disc-changing mechanism

Product Description
This three-tray DVD player uses the latest in digital technology and separate construction throughout to provide outstanding audio and video. If you don't have a full surround system yet, enjoy 3D-PHONIC virtual surround sound. Comes with a multi-brand remote control with joystick control.The XV-M555 is the perfect choice for the person who wants a high performance DVD player and a CD-Changer. The 3-Disc, Triple Tray mechanism makes it easy to change one disc while another is playing. A multi-brand remote is included with easy screen controls for digest, strobe, angle list & zoom. A fiber optic digital audio output with Dolby Digital & DTS pass through offers easy connection to any system.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this DVD player!, April 13, 2000

By A Customer

I own this DVD player and it works beautifully! In response to the previous review with the remote problem, the unit will not accept fuctions at certain times. I was concerned, so I read my instruction manual to determine the problem. It seems that some DVD's will not allow you to perform certain functions. For instance, it might not allow you to fast forward through movie previews. That is not a problem with the XVM555BK, it is built in on the DVD to make you watch them. An easy way to avoid this is to press stop and then just start the movie. As far as movie viewing and sound quality, the unit is AMAZING! I recommend it highly! I listen to CD's on it rather than my old CD player. The convenience of 3 discs is good and the sound quality is great. I was also amazed at the price, less than some single disc DVD players. Thank you Amazon.com! I have really enjoyed the unit!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great player for the price., June 30, 2000

By A Customer

This is my second DVD player and I am very happy with it. I have owned it since December of 99 and had no problems at all. Problematic DVDs such as The Matrix, Arlington Road and ID4 have all played flawlessly, which cannot be said for many more expensive players. Having 3 trays instead of just 1 is a major advantage to this player in my opinion. If you like to watch bits and pieces of your DVD collection here and there, this is really the selling point of this player, since obviously, it is nice not to have to get up to change DVDs. Overall, I am totally happy with my purchase.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Features -- Great Price, July 11, 2000

By	Randall L. Maginn (St. Joseph, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This was an absolutely great purchase. As far as I'm concerned it can go head-to-head with any of the more expensive models. As the author of the June 30, 2000 review notes, it handles many of the "problematic" titles with a breeze. This is truly a great machine. Another great JVC product. A company, which in my opinion, is leading the market!