JVC HM-DH30000L D-VHS HDTV Digital Recorder, Silver

In both applications this deck fails miserably. It just doesn't talk to the computer via FireWire, noway. JVC tech support didn't help one single bit - all they said was "it's a driver issue", but they don't release the driver for their device...

In short, if you just want a VCR that may take input from a camcorder through FireWire - maybe it's OK. If you want to output video from your computer (from Adobe Premiere, Ulead MediaSturdio Pro or VideoStudio, Microsoft Windows Movie Maker) - just forget it. Doesn't work at all. I can't express my disappointment strongly enough.


Finally, recordable HD using plain old VHS tapes*   July 10, 2003
 40 out of 41 found this review helpful

This VCR may follow the laserdisk in being something that only serious video enthusiasts use but that never catches on in the general population, this time because of DVD, whereas VHS was the nail in the laserdisk's coffin. While DVD provides higher resolution than traditional VHS, (as Laserdisk did over VHS) the convenience, durability, and availability of DVD have almost sounded the death knell to anything VHS, even VHS in High Def. Even though D-VHS provides higher resolution than DVD, due to the perception in peoples' minds formed by enduring years of low quality VHS tapes, it is likely this format will not catch on.

Is this a good VCR? You bet. Despite a fairly confusing manual (see others' comments below for elaboration on errors in the manual), the set has a good build quality, is fairly easy to use, and records and produces stunning images in High Def. I have also used its normal VHS recording ability and it is an excellent recorder and player there as well (you can record and play standard VHS tapes but the machine will not normally allow you to tape HD content onto VHS or S-VHS tapes). Finally, the built in tuner (for watching either analog or the digital signals) is also excellent, producing a picture with even better contrasts than the tuner built into my HDTV (A Samsung DLP).

Some things to note:

It has only one way to receive High Def signals: IEEEE1394 or Firewire (also called i-Link). Firewire is cheap and seems to get around some of the copy protection built into DVI, so this is a good thing. Currently, there is only one set-top box--the Samsung SIR-TS165 that can pulls in the free over-the-air (OTA) HD signals that all of us are not getting and can output them to Firewire. Other boxes, both Satellite and OTA are sure to follow. My advice: buy yours now before the major studios pressure manufacturers not to output to Firewire. This VCR can also function as a regular VCR with standard AV inputs from your TV or a cable antenna.

Why should you buy this VCR? Because this machine is the FIRST to allow you to record in High Definition, and given the speed of decision-making regarding formats, it will be a while before High Def DVD (HDDVD) arrives, and recordable high def DVD without all the legal hamstrings of copy protection may never happen. So, while the major corporations argue over a single standard for HDDVD, you can tape all the OTA high def content you want, and on nothing pricer than a good VHS tape.

*Which brings me to the title of my review. Yes, you can easily modify a good S-VHS or VHS tape (use only high quality broadcast-grade tapes--a bad tape means data dropouts and can damage or wear the tape heads) instead of the very pricey D-VHS tapes that JVC and others sell. Optinally, you can also modify the machine to accept all tapes as D-VHS tapes. Am I going to tell you here how to do it? No. But if you look hard, you can find out for yourself. There's no earthly reason to spend three times as much on a D-VHS tape that is materially no different from a good S-VHS tape except for minor differences in their cases. Best of luck. . .


Why get a new VCR?   May 21, 2003
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I asked myself this question before I purchased this machine. However, I concluded that the new reduced price made this a necessary purchase especially since I needed to replace my old VCR. The main reason I wanted this device was to be able to timer record over the air Hdtv signals. This product has worked perfectly at this task. Be aware that you will need a set-top box or HDTV with built in firewire to be able to record in high def. I have a Hitachi 57XWX and this product was identified by the TV when I hooked it up. I have purchased U571 on DVHS and it looks and sounds awesome. The picture is much, much better than DVD which I also love. The VCR is capable of playing back DD5.1 through the firewire or through the optical out on the back of the machine. I am unable to record DD5.1 at this time because no one in my area is televising with a DD data stream. So I am not positive that this feature works. However, I would guess that it would because it is able to play back tapes in DD with the firewire.


bleeding edge - beware of interoperability   May 3, 2003
 12 out of 13 found this review helpful

While JVC seems to offer the only real choice right now in DVHS recording (the Mitsubishi DVHS VCRs are not compatible with DTheater tapes), this is definitely on the "bleeding edge".

HDTV recording can only be performed from an incoming iLink (FireWire/1394) connection. There is a single HDTV component output, but no HDTV component input.

On the plus side, JVC includes DV->MPEG2 transcoder circuitry, allowing you to connect a DV camcorder and record on MPEG2 (although I'm still not sure why you wouldn't leave it in its native, smaller tape DV).

In my case, the JVC properly registered on my Mitsubishi HDTV (with HomeLink), but NOT as a recordable device. So, no way to record - only playback.

As a regular SVHS VCR, you can find much better for a fraction of the cost. Cable box control only goes up to channel 199, so not much use in the digital cable markets. There is no ability to control input audio level.

Unless you absolutely need DTheater playback, or you know this will work with your HDTV, then save your money and wait for the technology to solidify.


It Can't Record High Definition Satellite Programming!   April 8, 2003
 16 out of 25 found this review helpful

I'm so disappointed!

I bought this ... HD VCR solely because I wanted to record High Definition Satellite Programming (such as Baseball & Football) from my Mitsubishi High Definition Satellite Receiver. (I live in an area of very poor terrestrial signals, so recording over-the-air programming is not possible.)

After getting this VCR and tryingto hook it up, I find out that it will only record High Definition programming from it's "Fire Wire" or "IEEE1394" (digital) input. Unfortunately, the satellite receiver only outputs in "S-Video", "Composite Video", or "Component" (analog outputs). I have been told that it is not possible to convert the analog to digital!

After searching the web, trying to solve this problem (JVC has not been helpful!), I have heard some talk that Hollywood does not want the High Definition satellite receivers to output in "Fire Wire" or "IEEE1394". If anyone knows of a satellite receiver that does this, PLEASE let me know, because I would be glad to purchase it in order to record HighDefinition satellite Programming on this VCR.

In the meantime, JVC should write in great big RED LETTERS in their advertising (and on their box), "This VCR Can't Record High Definition Satellite Programming!"

Any ideas or comments would be most welcome!