The Bottom Line
Pros
- Remote and on-screen menus are very easy to use
- Extensive playback flexibility - plays just about every disc format except for SACD and DVD-Audio
- Built-in digital camera memory card reader is a great bonus.
- Owner's manual is well illustrated and easy to understand
- Automatic Region code detection and PAL-to-NTSC conversion works well
Cons
- Intermittent DVD menu glitch -- selections sometimes don't display
- Unecessary 480i/480p video signal selector on rear panel - should be on front panel
- No SACD or DVD-Audio compatibility
- No DVD upscaling feature - no DVI or HDMI output
- Card reader is not compatible with Memory Stick Pro or Memory Stick Duo
Description
- Slim space-saving design is only (1.7 inches) high.
- Plays DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW (Video Format)/DVD+RW, CD/CD-R/RW, SVCD/VCD, JPEG/WMA/MP3, MPEG-4, and DivX.
- Built in Memory Card Reader for SD/MMC, Compact Flash, Smart Media, XD and Memory Stick.
- Progressive Scan w/3:2 pulldown and 10-bit/54MHz video D/A converter provides smooth looking video.
- Component Video, Composite Video, and S-Video outputs allow connection to most televisions.
- Digital Coaxial and Optical Audio outputs as well as standard analog stereo outputs are featured.
- Multi-brand remote control allows control of both TV and DVD player.
- JVC's A/V COMPU LINK is included for easier interface with other JVC components.
- Code Free Version is hardware modified to be compatible with all DVD region coded discs.
- Code Free Version has built-in PAL-to-NTSC converter for display of PAL system discs on NTSC TVs.
Guide Review - JVC XV-NP10S Progressive Scan DVD Player - Region Code Free Version - Review
One example of a hardware modified DVD player is the code-free version of the JVC XV-NP10S. As a standard DVD player, this unit offers slim slyling that can fit in just about any space as well as extensive DVD playback options, and the bonus of a digital camera memory card reader.
I found the unit very easy to set-up and use; standard DVDs, DVD-Rs, and +RW discs discs played easily. I was also able to play a DivX encoded disc. I found that the audio and progressive scan video performance of the XV-NP10S to be on par with DVD players in its price class.
As far as the code-free function went, I was able to play DVDs from several regions, including both Asian Region 3, European Region 2, and Brazilian Region 4 discs. In addition, I found that the XV-NP10S did a very good job converting PAL system discs for viewing on a standard NTSC television display. I also found no obvious audio lip-synch issues on PAL disc playback.
Having experience with several code-free DVD players, I found that the code free version of the JVC XV-NP10S deserves a look if you are considering making the move to code free DVD.
