The JVC (Refurbished) HM-DH4000U S-VHS/D-VHS HDTV Recorder, D-VHS or Digital-VHS is the format HDTV was waiting for. In fact, it is the only medium and format currently capable of recording digital content of all ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) broadcast standards in the U.S., from SDTV (Standard Definition) to HDTV (High Definition). Up to six times better quality than DVD, the incredibly high read/write speed (28.2Mb/s in HS mode) of D-VHS makes it possible to record HDTV broadcasts, while the huge storage capacity of an 8-hour D-VHS cassette (50GB) allows you to record up to 4 hours of HDTV - whereby an entire HD encoded film can fit on a single cassette, with room to spare.
Since D-VHS can record any type of broadcast (even analog), you can record, for example, up to 24 hours of cable programming on a single D-VHS cassette. Lastly, Since D-VHS uses the same tape transport mechanism as regular VHS, it can record and play back analog VHS and S-VHS tapes as well, ensuring complete compatibility with existing tape libraries.
Note! This unit is refurbished by JVC.
Selectable Playback Output
1080i / 480i
1080i / 720p /480i
480p / 480i
480i
| Video Section | |
|---|---|
| Format |
DVB D-VHS MPEG2 TS (Transport Stream), 28.2Mb/s (HS mode), 14.1Mb/s (STD mode), 4.7Mb/s (LS3 mode) |
| Tape Speed |
33.4mm/sec. (HS mode) 16.67mm/sec. (STD mode) 5.55mm/sec. (LS3 mode) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 45dB |
| Maximum Record Time |
D-VHS (HS): 210 min. D-VHS (STD): 420 min. D-VHS (LS3): 1260 min. S-VHS/VHS (SP): 210 min. S-VHS/VHS (EP): 630 min. |
| Audio Section | |
|---|---|
| Audio Signal Format | PCM, Dolby Digital |
| Frequency Response |
20Hz - 20KHz (Hi-Fi mode) 70Hz - 10KHz (Normal mode) |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 45dB |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Signal Inputs |
Composite In: RCA (x1 front, x2 rear) S-Video: SVHS 4-pin (x1 front, x2 rear) Firewire In/Out: 4-pin (x2 rear) Audio Input: RCA (x1 front, x2 rear) |
| Signal Outputs |
Composite Video Out: RCA (x2) S-Video: 4-pin (x2) Analog Component: 3-RCA Y, Pa/Ca, Pr/Cr (x1) Audio Out: RCA (x2) Optical Digital: Dolby Digital, 2ch PCM Audio (x1) |
| Control Port | RS-232 compatible JLIP x1, Remote pause/AV Compu Link x1 |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Power Requirements | 120VAC, 60Hz |
| Power Consumption | 55W |
| Operating Temperature |
41 to 104°F 5 to 40°C |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 17.3 x 3.7 x 15.1" (435 x 94 x 383mm) |
| Weight | 12.2 lbs (5.5kg) |
Displaying reviews 1-2
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC (Refurbished) HM-DH4000U S-VHS/D-VHS HDTV Recorder:
I purchased this unit to replace one of my Mitsubishi D-VHS decks. The Mits developed a fault in the IEEE 1394 board, and repairs were no longer available, so when I found the JVC unit at B&H I decided to give it a try. Right from the very beginning I was not very impressed by the responsiveness of the deck, and the unit's case did appear a bit "worn". But considering the fact that this was a refurbished unit, I was willing to overlook those issues. The deck has performed well so far, and though the JVC D-VHS VCRs have earned a reputation for their lack of durability, I hope to get many months of use out of it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about JVC (Refurbished) HM-DH4000U S-VHS/D-VHS HDTV Recorder:
It's value is worth exactly the price I paid for it but if I were purely to rate on performance to my higher expectations of the early models then I would have to rate probly a 3.
Interestingly there is also software to "live" feed anything on the pass through of the inputs or as being on display of this unit through a pc firewire connection for capture but if you can find it 3rd party on the web. That feature is negated however because the pcm audio only passes through the optical-digital out or regular red+white audio outs. Exclusively mpeg audio is used through firewire and also the picture looks faint through firewire. Another bad against the unit is that sometimes the mpeg processor for video doesn't transcode perfect resulting in a brief pixelated garbage picture.
Some may find it necessary to be skeptic of this so feel free try it for yourself because for the price asking it really doesn't hurt the bank. All items were packaged in very neat and none of the original containts had wear or useage showing or were left out from packaging.
In terms of basic s-vhs playability the HM-DH4000U reminds me of my HR-S3900U JVC I once owned. NO TBC.
Displaying reviews 1-2