JVC KDSH77

Author's product rating:   

How is the Sound Quality?	Excellent
Ease of Installation	Very Easy
How is the Look & Design?	Excellent
Range of Features	Excellent
Value for Money	Poor

Advantages:	Stunning Sound and User Friendly
Disadvantages:	Limited Use and JVC Helplines are useless .  .  .  .  .  .  .

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

We had this JVC KDSH 77 player installed in our car ( ALFA Romeo147) by Halfords about 18 mths ago.

I must say the sound was absolutely brilliant through the cars own fitted speakers ( Sony x 8 ) and for a while we were extremely happy with all the features on this machine.
It played all our CD/Rws, had a very simple to use tuner,with plenty of power,looked great,was user friendly and fitted in the dashboard perfectly.

No problem there I hear you say .

However....Unfortunately.

True to form as has been proved with many JVC car audio / music systems before.

The 12 month guarantee was up and within a couple of weeks almost to the day.

Guess what ??

It packed in. ( Error Message on Screen )

Went back to Halfords...Not our problem, Sir...
Our 12 month warranty is just up, any problems in the last twelve months, ..Sir ??....
Sorry ( With Big Grin ) to hear that, Sir....

Therefore it had to go back to the manufacturers for repair, who after a couple of days of calling managed to answer their ( 1 ) phone, said they would be in touch.

They then sent us a large bag to put the unit in and off it went to the JVC service centre. We got it back about 6 weeks later, at a cost of £65:00.

It has never been the same since with numerous "error messages" appearing on the screen all the time.

After about two months, It then packed in again completely.

We sent it back to JVC once again and got it back after about 6 weeks , and another bill for £65:00.
Which we were not happy with at all and now had enough of this wretched thing.

Too much hassle all the time.

I really cannot elaborate much more on the technical side of this machine anymore as we gave it away to one of our friends

(Yes they still speak to us)

Overall Opinion is that this product is brilliant when it's working and has a stunning powerful clear sound.
No complaints there.

But if it does goes wrong.

Try getting through to JVC helpline,which are totally useless.
Well take a day off work starting on a Friday.
You may get to speak to someone by Monday.

As for recommended to other users.

I have put NO.

But other people may disagree with this if they have had no problems,as the player itself is excellent, when working properly.

So,you pay your money and take your choice on this one as far as I can see..

But do not expect any help from JVC at all.
Or Halfords come to that after 12 months.

You are on your own.

Update ::: 15 Jan 2005 :::

We have just been told by our friends that the CD unit has packed in completely again.
They have contacted JVC who have sent them a bag to put the unit in and send it back to them.
JVC will then send them an estimate on how much it will cost to put right.

PS ::: This expensive JVC unit is less than 2 years old and has been causing serious problems for half of that time.

When you think therefore that JVC have had the unit for at least 12 weeks and more to come, and it took on average a week to get hold of them, then this unit in the 2 years since we bought it has not worked properly for any long period of time.

Would you really want to buy one ???