JVC XV-N44SL Progressive-Scan DVD Player , Silver
From JVC
JVC XV-N44SL introduces a new slim and stylish design for an "all-in-one" player that people are looking for. Not only does it play DVD & CD; it also plays the new CD-R/RW recordable CD formats, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW SVCD, VCD, JPEG and MP3 formats. Don't let the slim design fool you, the XV-N44SL is packed with many exciting features such as Express Play Start, New high-resolution GUI (Graphical User Interface), 3-D Phonic sound, variable and slow search, 6-Step zoom play, digest and strobe play, angle list and resume function. Optical and Coaxial digital audio outputs with Dolby Digital & DTS pass-through are provided for easy connection to any system.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #53983 in Consumer Electronics
- Color: Silver
- Brand: JVC
- Model: XVN44SL
- Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 999.00 pounds
JVC's ultra-slim XVN44SL DVD player is as much about audio playback as video, having been optimized for the high audio sampling frequency of 192 kHz, providing extra-wide dynamic range to realize the benefits of high-spec sources. Even CD playback benefits from higher-bit digital decoding. You want quality and convenience? Try format compatibility with DVD-Video, VCD, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD, JPEG image CD-R, and MP3 CD. But it's definitely no slouch in the video department, offering JVC's digital direct progressive-scanning. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, providing higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.
The model's 10-bit, 54 MHz video sampling frequency ensures detailed images and clear, pure colors for DVD movies. And, with seven parameters to adjust, the unit's Video Fine Processor (VFP) provides exceptional versatility in fine-tuning images to personal preferences. The player gives a choice of either optical or coaxial digital-audio output for routing Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1-channel surround signals to a compatible audio/video receiver.
A high-resolution onscreen graphical user interface (GUI) allows Windows-like interactive operation with tool bars superimposed onto the TV screen for simple, point-and-click operation. Other conveniences include AV CompuLink (which optimizes performance when using the player in conjunction with other JVC equipment), Quick Start, 1.5x playback with sound, 13-step zoom, and screen fill (which zooms in on a DVD image to eliminate letterbox "bars" on the TV screen).
Excellent bang for the buck!
PROS:
1) Screen zoom. I love it for collecting widescreen movies for the future, but viewing them full or near-full screen now. Wouldn't want to be without this feature now that I have it.
2) The 1.5x playback speed with audio is great! Especially when watching somewhat boring interviews in the bonus material of a DVD.
3) MP3 playback with on-screen folder and track selection. Works excellent! There is a slight pause between tracks, but that is common with most mp3 playback devices. No FF or RW support though. Playing back standard CD audio doesn't have any on-screen info, but you can FF & RW.
4) Less than half the thickness of my last DVD player.
CONS:
1) The jpeg playback is a nice feature, but my 2 and 3 megapixel images are are re-rendered at a blocky 640x480. You can zoom in on the images but it does not re-render, so you're zooming in on the initially rendered 640x480 image. Unit will not display images wider than 2400 pixels.
ALLEGED ISSUES:
1) "Made in China": So what, everything is made there now. My HP laptop, and my Motorola phone both made in China, and both of excellent durable quality!
2) "Light as a feather": It's a DVD player not an amplifier. Why should it be heavy? They're not going to add ballast to it just to make simpletons happy with it's weight. But ya know what? This unit feels SOLID; and it's not *that* light. Full metal casing except for the front panel. 'nuff said.
3) "Comparable to APEX": Not in the least. Apex is junk and most units won't play the full gamut of DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW. This unit plays them all. VCD and SVCD CD-R's too.
4) "Horrible picture quality and jittering": Not that I can tell. The picture quality is on par with every other DVD player I've ever used, and the only "jittering" you might see is on text when using S-VIDEO--like on EVERY OTHER DVD player. This is a non-unique issue.
5) "Doesn't play some discs": Haven't experienced that.
6) "Video streaking": Just played a fight scene from the Matrix and didn't notice that either.
Plays EVERYTHING!
This little dvd player is great for two big reasons:
1. CHEAP
2. plays every single disc i've put in it - including stuff that regular players won't play (like vcds or dvds from asia)
the quality of picture is great, and i haven't had any problems with it so far.
Best Buy!
For those not wanting to spend $300 on multiple DVD players, this little single unit is the proverbial sh*t. Set up took all of 2 minutes and then I was into my first DVD. Gorgeous picture, intuitive functions and a complete remote round out this fine example of a single player unit. Couldn't be happier. Bonus... it plays jpeg picture CD's... which to a digital photo happy family like us, is awesome.
