Fed up with JVC HM-HDS1 problems

[Andy Cippico]

I've owned one of these machines since Nov 2001 and it has just failed
for the second time. The first time it failed it didn't record any
audio, it was replaced with a new one and now this has failed by
refusing to record anything to HDD.

I can play previously recorded material but not record new stuff. I
can not believe how much bad luck I've had with this model. Has anyone
else had similar experiences?

The real tragedy is that it's a superb unit (apart from a few niggles)
and I really want to stick with it. No doubt it will get
replaced/repaired under warranty but I fear the same will happen again
just as the warranty has expired (isn't that always the way?).

There - I just wanted to let off steam....
If anyone has any brilliant ideas, please let me know, eg is there a
reset button combination I can press?

Thanks,
Andy

[Kevin Reilly]

On Tue, 16 Jul 2002 Andy Cippico wrote:

>I've owned one of these machines since Nov 2001 and it has just failed
>for the second time. The first time it failed it didn't record any
>audio, it was replaced with a new one and now this has failed by
>refusing to record anything to HDD.

I had various problems with one of these decks. See

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&selm=eNCjeYNgcmc8EwLd%40denali.org.uk

for details. The more I think about the issues I experienced, and read
about others', the more convinced I am that this machine was rushed out
to take advantage of a rapidly closing niche market. PVRs, 'media
distribution centres' and DVD recorders will be the nail in the VHS
coffin as far as mainstream sales go, and I suspect JVC could see the
writing on the wall.

The HDS1 has too many quirks and outright bugs for a consumer appliance,
especially as there's no provision for remotely upgrading the software.

>There - I just wanted to let off steam....
>If anyone has any brilliant ideas, please let me know, eg is there a
>reset button combination I can press?

I certainly couldn't find any 'hard reset' option anywhere.

Seriously, if it's still under warranty and the vendor is prepared to
entertain the idea I'd send it back and get a refund. Two catastrophic
failures in eight months is just not good enough. Shop around and you
can pick up a decent S-VHS deck and a TiVo with a lifetime subscription
for less than the cost of the HDS1. They'll do the same job, and more,
and will be more reliable.

--
Kev
__________________________________________________________________________
"The allegations were denied as the police continue to interview
the alligators." NBC News

[Andy Cippico]

Thanks for the informed comments Kevin. I did use to own a couple of
S-VHS VCRs and had no problems with them (until the heads started to
go). What I liked about HDD technology was the 'instant record'
feature, ie. I didn't have to search frantically for a blank tape
every time I wanted to record something in a hurry. That feature is
something I would find it hard to live without now.

I'm slightly wary of DVD VCR's. They can't possibly have the same
access speed and capacity of a HDD. This would mean lots of
de-fragging on a regular basis unless you just throw fresh DVD's at it
- or am I missing something?

The HDD VCR definitely suits my lifestyle, unfortunately. Can someone
with hard experience convince me that a DVD VCR is a worthy competitor
to the HDS1 or Tivo?

Thanks,
Andy

Kevin Reilly <use...@denali.org.uk> wrote in message news:<ccJgmSca...@denali.org.uk>...

[john...@yahoo.com]

>I'm slightly wary of DVD VCR's. They can't possibly have the same
>access speed and capacity of a HDD. This would mean lots of
>de-fragging on a regular basis unless you just throw fresh DVD's at it
>- or am I missing something?

Andy......the above is my gut feeling also.

However I haven't owned either a DVD based unit or a
hard drive based unit to really know..... but I just
cant imagine the access speed of the DVD unit to be as
fast as a HDD unit.

I do a LOT of time shifting of TV programs....and like
the idea of a HDD based unit..... but I really don't
want to be tied down to a subscription based model like
the TiVO or Replay.

Advice?

[Kevin Reilly]

On Thu, 18 Jul 2002 wrote:

>However I haven't owned either a DVD based unit or a
>hard drive based unit to really know..... but I just
>cant imagine the access speed of the DVD unit to be as
>fast as a HDD unit.

A colleague in work has one (a Pioneer if memory serves) so I'll ask him
what it's like for general time-shifting. Of course he's never owned an
HD recorder so he won't have anything to compare to either.

>I do a LOT of time shifting of TV programs....and like
>the idea of a HDD based unit..... but I really don't
>want to be tied down to a subscription based model like
>the TiVO or Replay.

There is a lifetime subscription option for the TiVo. Some folk are put
off by the 'lifetime of the box, not the buyer' clause but AFAIK TiVo,
at least here in the UK, have always done the decent thing and
transferred the subscription to a new machine if the old one has packed
in.

About the only thing the TiVo can't do that the HDS1 could is assemble
editing. I must admit that was a very useful feature, especially for
trimming commercials from recorded shows prior to tape archiving, but if
you see all the stuff TiVo can do that the JVC could only dream of
you'll be sold on it, trust me.

Have a read of some of the messages on www.tivocommunity.com, where you
can get a feel for some of the life-changing features TiVo provides. It
sounds like overstatement but believe me, if you watch even a moderate
amount of TV the TiVo will be the best investment you ever make.

The same is true, I'm sure, of the Replay and other similar PVRs, just
in case anyone thinks I'm biassed. It's just that TiVo has a virtual
monopoly on multi-platform PVRs in the UK so it's the only one of which
I have any experience.

--
Kev
__________________________________________________________________________
"In accordance with your instructions, I have given birth to twins in the
enclosed envelope." Welfare claim

[Andy Cippico]

Thanks for the comments. I've had a good look through that forum and
the TiVo is certainly well thought of. Some of the owners seem
fanatical! Unfortunately, the reason I can't go for a TiVo is that it
doesn't incorporate the S-VHS deck and I don't have room for a
separate, even though I've still got my old Panasonice S-VHS VCR.

The HDS1 has been nothing short of amazing in terms of flexibility,
time-shifting and delaying live TV (eg. the wife can pause EastEnders
to deal with errant kid). Most of the films we watch are VHS anyway so
the HDS1 is a hard act to beat (for me).

I'm reluctant to get rid of it but there's nothing else out there. Can
someone convince me about DVD recorders?

Kevin, I'm also interested to hear about the Pioneer unit your
colleague has. Let us know.

Cheers,
Andy

Kevin Reilly <use...@denali.org.uk> wrote in message news:<rkRXjPF4...@denali.org.uk>...