Home > Consumer Reviews > JVC HRJ692U 4-Head Hi-Fi VCR , Black

If the VCR (or DVD) recorder does not have auto-time set working, and it cannot retain program memory (the 8 events you set so you can watch a TV show while you're away) during a power outage, then it's nothing but a Hi-Fi player. I bought this unit from a brick-and-mortar store I won't name, plugged it in properly, got all of the analog cable channels, turned it off to auto-set the clock, and it still blinks "Aut" 45 minutes after turning it off. If it can't set the time, then it's useless as a video recording machine.

I would purchase an uninterruptable power supply for any VCR or DVD recorder I own and it would power the machines even during a power outage which could last as long as 12 hours. That way, the clock and program memory settings are left intact. Why can't anybody make a VCR that has 12 hour memory backup? I'd gladly pay more for that. Instead, we get cheapened-down basic machines that just don't perform when you need them to do so.

Worst of all, this model doesn't have Video/Audio input from the rear panel. Could it tape radio talk shows on the unit (when hooked up to a radio) while I was away? The instructions didn't indicate that you could tape off of a LINE-IN jack when you program a machine to do so.

Can't anybody make a VHS recorder right anymore?

The unit picks up interference from my treadmill during tape playback and transmits it to the TV. The current JVC that I am trying to replace does not do this. JVC sent a replacement that does the same thing. Now I can't return the unit. JVC customer service says it isn't a defect and will only replace it again. Who wants another unit if it does the same thing? The auto function didn't work correctly - I finally had to manually program the channels. There is no backup battery system like on my current unit. If the power flickers, you have to reprogram everything. The display only show time and channel - you don't know where you are on the tape without pressing the display button and the display goes off after a few seconds. I used to be a loyal JVC customer but if this is the quality of JVC now, I'm finding a new manufacturer.

I must have gotten a newer made machine, this thing has a great picture, and sound. I have used it a lot, and had no problems at all. I would buy the vcr again.

If some one had told us that a company like JVC would produce a piece of junk like their VCR-HR J692/U, I wouldn't have believed it. This unit is to electronics what the Yugo was to automobiles.
I didn't expect a lot for $80.00 and the unit met those expectations 100%. We are on our second replacement as the clock mechanisim won't keep time, making programming a recording session impossible. The clock can be off anywhere between 10 minutes to several hours. This second replacement works no better. If JVC had any class, they would recall this unit. It will be the last JVC product our humble home will ever accept. (even at no cost)

This thing is such a peice of junk and now I read all these reviews and realize they are all that way. I bought it because I needed a second VCR and my RCA that I had for about 5 years stopped working. Plus I am sick of all the ugly silver electronics so this being black and having the clock also, was a perfect choice. Ok JVC seems like a good brand name and I paid about $80 for this from walmart.com
The first one was scrambling the picture on recordings so I exchanged it for another one. Now this one here , the clock wont keep the right darn time, and the power button sometimes wont work so you have to unplug the thing to get it to work, and then you have to go through resetting all your timer record programs because it didnt save anything.Never mind how complicated it is to set up your timer record. I consider myself to be pretty electronically literate but this thing is ridiculous.Your finger is just about numb by the time you are done punching all those buttons and then if you forget to hit timer- you have to start all over again!!!!
By the way I have had this for about 34 days and and I will scream like hell if they dont let me return this thing.
DONT BUY THIS VCR-I have had $40 cheap brands that work better!
So if you see some crazy perosn in Walmart, screaming at the clerk, trying to return this VCR , let me know you read my review!!!!LOL.