JVC DR-M1 DVD Recorder

Pros: Many features and good picture quality for the price.
Cons: Major quality control issues.

These units have a well documented "Loading Bug" problem. Search videohelp.com or avsforum.com to verify. After as little as a few days, the "Loading" message flashes on screen intermittently, each time wiping the disk clean. The frequency increases ...

Pros: Easy to use. Good quality recordings.
Cons: Far too Unreliable. Not worth the risk.

This DVD Recorder would be great but alas it has major flaws. I bought one just after Christmas and it seemed fine for two days. However I soon had problems with recorded data. I recorded two 1 hour programmes in short play watched them and deleted ...

Pros: Fairly priced. Recorded pictures were fine when it is working properly.
Cons: Weird technical glitch stumped everybody.

As all my three VCR players is having minor or major functional problems, I decided it's time I switch to a DVD recorder now. With a lot of choices but few availabilities, I finally settled upon this one. I mainly use it to record programs from TV ...

Pros: None I can think of
Cons: Unreliable

I bought my DRM10 in Aug. 05. After about 3 months it went into a constant "LOADING" mode. I returned it to the factory and after about 3 weeks it was returned to me and worked ok for about 10 months. It now flashes "LOADING" constantly. I've tried unpluging it and it still stays in loading mode. I will buy another recorder other that a JVC and toss the DRM10 in the garbage. It's a peice of crap.

Pros: fairly inexpensive, quality was good, easy to use
Cons: cannot dub from computer, inflexible.

Just bought one, for use with my NLE computer system. However, I feel compelled to write of some serious limitations (compared to my Pioneer model)
First and foremost, although it has the i-link or firewire input/output, this ONLY works when dubbing from a camera!
It does NOT work when dubbing from a computer system.
This little fact was not mentioned on any of the sales brochures I saw, but was buried on page 86 of the manual.
To me, not being able to record from a computer cut its usefulness in half.
Second, it really only has 3 record modes, XP (highest) SP (regular) and extended (which I never use.) I was hoping that it was similar to my Pioneer unit that allows you to incrementally change the data rate. (For example, if you have a show that is 1:15hrs, on this JVC it would have to be recorded on SP, while the Pioneer it could be recorded to the length of the program at around 8 mbps)

These two features make it disappointing to say the least.
In fact, I wouldn't really recommend the unit to anyone who wants to dub from a computer editing system.

Pros: none
Cons: see above

In 2.5 years of use this products needs a at least yearly " software update"
I currently run the last version, and still the thing ends every recording session at its own choosen moment, resulting in " loading" on the screen.
JVC has stopped production, because there is a heavy construction flaw in it and they cannot solve it !
Never buy this; You will regret it!!!

Frans Driedonks
Hobbendonkseweg 138
5283 HM Boxtel
The Netherlands

Pros: Tuner included for tv timer recording. Front panel connections.
Cons: Recording constantly goes into "loading" mode, unattended recording not possible.

The machine constantly goes into "loading" mode in the middle of recording for no reason. This lasts for several minutes and the machine cannot be stopped. Unplugging is useless because it resumes "loading" when reconnected.

This is especially problematic during tv timer recording because you don't know that it stopped recording until you look at the finished program. Customer service's only advice is to return the product to a service center. This is costly and timely.
I've ruined several discs because this error makes the disc dvd-r useless afterwards. The reuseable format dvd-rw is not readily available in stores.

Pros: None that I can find.
Cons: Difficult to set up. Flawed unit. Bad customer service.

I bought mine a year ago. Set up was very difficult. I had to not only read the manual but study it. I had the same loading issue that has been documented across the internet. Very frustrating and very, very hard to get JVC to help you. Their idea of customer service is lots of computer voice options sending you in endless loops on the phone. Woburn, Mass is the only place where you can talk to a human. I ended up shipping mine out for repair. What a pain. Four stars to Woburn. Minus four stars for JVC on the whole.

Also, be aware... JVC states that this unit does play audio CDs but I can't get mine to do it. The DRM-10 can't read the cd even though the cd is in a format that JVC claims the DRM-10 supports. It just blinks "Reading" and then quits. If this turns out to be another firmware problem, I'm going to firmly toss this unit in the trash and buy a different brand.

JVC has done serious damage to their electronics reputation with this piece of crap. I will not gamble on them again.

Pros: They are offering to fix the bugs and loading errors for free.
Cons: A lot of units were shipped with bugs and loading errors.

It would seem that JVC dropped the ball on some of these units. To their credit, however, they are offering FREE fixes on their website : http://www.jvc.com/support/support.jsp?pageID=1&item=24#9366
So get your firmware updated and your unit adjusted at your nearest JVC repair depot ASAP. That damn loading error need no longer be a problem.

Pros: stylish design
Cons: unreliable and complicated to operate

Purchased this item in London late last year and from the beginning it has caused me nothing but frustration. The instruction manual is not user-friendly and many calls were placed to the support line to assist in set-up and clarify conflicting instructions. Once finally up and running, it lasted only a short time before having to be sent off for service for what I've read is a pretty common problem (locks in 'loading' mode). The machine was returned within a few weeks and functioned satisfactorily until about six weeks ago when a problem developed with the sound (a crackling sound during playback). It's been back at their service centre now three weeks and when I checked today, they were still looking at the problem and would hope to have it resolved by next week. I am not optimistic...Truly wish I had never purchased this model.

Pros: Was great as a player, v.good sound and picture
Cons: Unreliable Poor instructions

I too purchased a JVC DR10 DVD recorder in July 2005
from (I guess ) the leading retailer in Canada.
Of course I had no idea of this problem of "loading"flashing.
First off I had one heck of a time following the instruction book, I ended up just using the unit as a DVD player. Then the trouble started, a younger neighbor of ours came over and got it to work, even showed me how to record.
The next day on turning itthe flashing of "loading" started and has been that way ever since (4 days now) no amount of unplugging-replugging would make the recorder work, I phoned the retailer(Hudson Bay Co) and was given the run-around by the sales staff. I finally insisted on speaking to the manager,what a difference!, she immediately put me at ease and told me to bring in the unit for a full refund. I thanked her and suggested that she send it back to their supplier, which she will as they have a very big stick, what with stores coast to coast.So, problem solved, I don't think I'll be buying another recorder (dvd) but will buy a dvd player/vhs recorder.

Pros: when it works......it's fine
Cons: 'loading'....'loading'......'loading'.....

I have had this for 13 months and it's just about to go back for the third time with the 'loading' error, even after JVC installed a hardware upgrade to fix this known issue and a replacement unit had been sent.

crap.

Pros: Looks nice. Pretty blue light when the unit is on.
Cons: Unit works a few times before going kaput.

I bought this unit in January and chose JVC because of their reputation. Within two weeks of purchasing the unit, the electronics failed and I got a flashing "loading" error. On my way back in to the electronics showroom I ran into another fellow who was returning the same unit for the same reason.

I was offered a replacement unit by the electronics showroom, which I accepted. I have used this unit sparingly over the past two months, and the night before last I got the flashing "loading" error again.

As a result of the second bum unit, I'll look another DVD recorder from another manufacturer. I should have checked epinions before I bought this unit.... So, be warned! Run screaming in the other direction if someone offers you this unit for free.

Pros: Good recordings at all speeds
Cons: Too many users with flashing blue "loading" problems.

Nice recordings when it works... Got the blue flashing light about a year after I got it. Sent it in for repair. Fixed it under warr. Just last week, it started doing it again! This unit has bum firmware! Pick another unit and save yourself the grief!

Pros: Simple to use once fully installed
Cons: Unable to sub divide titles. Philips DVDR 880 can.

Picture & audio quality as good as Philips DVDR 880 in fr480 mode / EP mode respectively.
Found connectivity good & able to input AV from PC taking video from PC as S-video having first set PC to twin view mode. For this to work PC & JVC must be connected via front S-video connector for video and audio via nearby audio terminals. Reboot your PC with the JVC powered up & having first selected the front S-video socket watch windows load via your display device fed by JVC scart out line. Owned product since Christmas eve 2004.