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Avoid the JVC SR-VS30U–multiple problems!!!
Just a warning to anyone who is considering purchasing a JVC SR-VS30U MiniDV/SVHS dual deck as part of their editing system. This machine is worthless.
I recently purchased a JVC SR-VS30U without hesitation, because I had been using the JVC SR-VS20 without problem for 4 years. When I was in need of a new deck, I wanted to stay with what worked, and I bought the SR-VS30U. Was I ever wrong–and I wish that I had done my homework.
From the time I hooked the deck into my system, I have had video striations, audio dropout, & “use cleaning cassette” errors. When sent back for repair, the first time they “adjusted the playback heads” which took 8 weeks. On my second attempt, I got more of the same problems, only worse. And the effects seemed cumulative. The more footage I loaded the worse the problems got. I sent the deck back for the second time, it took another 6 weeks–and they wouldn’t return any phone calls when I tried to check on the repairs progress, they “replaced two capaciters” and it still doesn’t work. Now I can’t even load at all–my FCP system keeps reporting time code breaks, and shutting down.
I have done everything that has been suggested–cleaned the heads, changed tape brands, new firewire cables, changed camera footage (different camera) nothing works.
This post is more of a warning than a search for answers. I have been burned by this machine, and JVC, and I don’t want anyone else to get scorched either. Don’t buy this deck, and if I were you, I wouldn’t buy anything else from JVC either.
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5 Replies
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It’s not on the list of approved devices, so I hope people would check that out before buying any deck. Sorry you got burned.
Kevin Monahan
Take My FCP Master’s Seminar!
fcpworld.com -
[Kevin Monahan] “It’s not on the list of approved devices”
Well Kevin, I’ve never heard that this list is to be taken as a deal-breaker or an end-all.
There are many DV products that may not appear on the approved list that will work perfectly with FCP. (I’m thinking of the countless home video camcorders that connect and operate just fine.)
Also, Apple is not making a judgment on any machines QUALITY, per se, just that it has been tested and can be operated within the FCP DV protocol.But a poorly-designed “piece of junk” will not work well with or WITHOUT FCP.
The point I got from Sara H’s. post was that this JVC model (her’s anyway) simply doesn’t WORK with ANYTHING.
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When playing from the timelime does the JVC SR-VS30U accept DV from the firewire and record to tape DV or VHS. Could you use the unit as a pass thru device to connect the output to a TV monitor when playing from the timeline. Ours seems to not do any of what I described.
Regards,
Mack -
Yes, I can use the SR-VS30U as a pass-thru, but I can’t load with it. It is pretty useless to me if I cannot load my footage from my camera masters. I have to use my camera to load into my system at this point. Even when I output to DV tape on the SR-VS30U I have some problems.
Actually, I have talked to some people who are having no problems at all, and others who are having the same problems as me, and worse. It just seems to be shoddy workmanship and terrible customer service on JVCs part. I’m glad that yours is doing right by you. Wish mine was.
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It sucks that this happened to you, is it a new macbook pro the one with Retina Display that might be the problem. I bought mine three years ago and use it with my Mac Tower, I never had any of the problems you describe. Worked great not only with FCP 6 also worked amazing with my Avid Media Composer 4. Not sure if its the new operating system or might not be compatible with FCP 7, honestly has been a great Deck for me and was supprise that you had such a bad experience with it.
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