JVC’s line of consumer electronics has been on the market for quite a while now.
And like most brands, it had also entered the smart TV market. If you are on the lookout for a new TV, you may be wondering, are there any issues with JVC products? We’ve already looked at common issues with JVC TVs, but what about reliability?
Are JVC TVs reliable?
The Reliability of JVC TVs
JVC has an established track record when it comes to providing reliable consumer electronics. JVC TVs will last up to 10 years when used properly. This requires them to cool off completely at least twice per day. JVC offers reliable smart TVs that can go head to head with other TVs on the market.
Do JVC TVs Last As Long As Other Brands?
With proper care and maintenance, JVC TVs will last as long as its competitors.
That means adjusting the settings and not exposing the TV to harsh conditions, among other factors that can harm or affect the TV’s overall performance.
For more information on longevity, check out our article How Long Do JVC TVs Last?.
Are JVC TVs Worth Buying?
JVC TVs are worth buying, considering their price and general quality.
And considering that the reputation of the brand has been upstanding for decades, you can say you’re getting more than what you pay for. Many JVC TVs fall below the $500 mark, but with the quality you get, you’re getting more than what you paid for, especially when compared to other brands.
Do People Generally Have Problems With JVC TVs?
One of the problems with JVC TVs is the availability of certain models.
The models available in the United States are not as varied as what’s available in New Zealand or Australia, as the latter two countries have QLED models.
That can be a deal-breaker for some, as those who want a QLED TV will have to risk having no warranty if they ship it from another country.
For more information on QLEDs, check out our article 6 Most Common Problems With QLED TVs (Explained).
What Are the Most Common Issues With JVC TVs?
Common issues that some JVC TV users encounter are:
- Power failure or delayed power-up, which is caused by defective capacitors
- No picture on-screen, which can be caused by a broken backlight or defective fuse.
- No sound, which is often caused by a faulty power supply.
- Faded images, which is often caused by a defective screen
- Screen flickering, rooted on worn-out jumper connections with the power supply.
These problems are pretty common with smart TVs, regardless of brand.
Check out our article Are Smart TVs Reliable? (Explained For Beginners) for more basic information on smart TVs.
How Reliable Are The Cable Ports?
The cable ports of JVC TVs are durable.
As long as you don’t exert too much force when unplugging peripherals, these will last. If you want better mileage, you can refrain from unplugging often or add a switch or hub for these peripherals.
What Operating System Does JVC Use?
JVC uses a different operating system for each of its TVs, and the operating system is sometimes different in each country.
Depending on where you buy the TV, you may get either the JVC Smart Portal, Android, or Roku operating system.
How Many Years Should I Expect It To Last?
Under heavy use, JVC TVs can last up to seven years before it starts showing signs of degradation.
But with moderate use and proper settings, JVC TVs can last even longer.
How Long Is the Warranty On These?
JVC TVs have warranty coverage of 12 months.
What’s the First Thing that Breaks in a TV?
The first thing that breaks in modern TVs is the backlights.
Their degradation is often tied to users cranking up brightness settings too high.
Many people make the mistake of setting the backlight at its peak or 100 percent at all times, which is okay if you are in a very bright environment. However, you don’t need to set the backlight too high, especially when watching at night or in a dim room.
Backlights set at the highest level will break more easily, hence the need to control their levels. It also improves image quality when the backlight is set at the right levels.
What Are the Best JVC TVs?
If you are convinced that JVC is the brand for you, here are the top three TVs you can buy from the brand.
JVC VA8000
The JVC VA8000 is one of the higher-end smart TVs from the brand.
- It features the Android TV platform and gives you access to thousands of apps in the Google Play Store.
- When it comes to screen quality, the VA8000 features a 4k resolution and can stream Netflix in 4k. Netflix does not allow all 4k TVs to stream their shows in 4k, so this is a plus.
- Enhancing the image quality further is the Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, which gives the VA8000 sharper images.
- The VA8000 also features Micro Dimming, which provides for an optimized algorithm to produce vivid images. There’s also upscaling of lower resolution content through the Super Resolution feature.
- This TV also comes with Chromecast for easy casting.
- The VA8000 is powered by a quad-core processor, which ensures smooth and natural images on the screen.
- For gamers, this TV comes with low input lag but only has a 60 Hz refresh rate. That said, you shouldn’t have any problem playing most games, although there may be hiccups in really high settings.
JVC VU8900
The JVC VC8900 is very much like the VA8000 with only a few minor differences.
- The most notable difference between the two is the operating system. The VA8000 uses Android, while the VC8900 uses JVC’s Smart Portal.
- Another notable feature of the VC8900 is the MEMC feature that removes motion judder for smoother movement during sports matches and even video game usage.
- However, the VC8900 does not have the Chromecast built into it. It uses Miracast for screencasting.
- While it may not have Chromecast, the VC8900 supports Alexa, so you can still link it to your existing smart home system.
- The color gamut on the VC8900 isn’t as wide compared to the VA8000, but that should not disappoint, as the image quality is still good.
- Other features to note in the VC8900 are a quad-core processor to handle the rendering of vivid images and the low input lag.
JVC VF52L
For those on a tight budget who want a TV from a reputable brand like JVC, you can consider the JVC VF52L smart TV.
- Featuring Full HD resolution and a smaller screen, the VF52L is ideal for those who want a smaller TV.
- Unlike the VA8000 and the VC8900, the VF52L only uses a dual-core processor. Since it’s a more affordable model, it is no surprise that the processor is not as powerful.
- This smart TV also uses the Smart Portal platform, which has a good, clean interface.
- The VF52L also lacks HDR support, although it does have Dolby Audio.
- Meanwhile, you can expect Miracast support and compatibility with Alexa.
Five Ways to Care for Your TV
Caring for your TV means you can cut down on costs, especially for repair and maintenance.
Here are four ways to care for your TV.
Turn off the TV when not in use
Keeping the TV on when not in use decreases its lifespan.
- Remember that the backlights of the TV burn out over time and are usually the first thing that breaks in a TV. Thus, you only expose your TV to further degradation when you keep it on for prolonged periods when not in use.
- Turning off the TV when not in use delays degradation and also helps you save on electricity. Just because manufacturers claim a hundred thousand hours of use does not mean you should abuse it!
Dust off the TV
Dust might seem harmless, but it can damage your screen. And accumulated dust can also affect the ventilation of the TV.
Make it a habit to dust off the TV daily with a microfiber cloth, but do not use any other cleaning agent with it, as it can damage the TV, especially the screen.
Lower the Brightness
People think that cranking up the brightness improves image quality, but that is not true.
- Higher brightness levels should only be used when you’re in a bright environment.
- Constant higher brightness levels degrade backlights faster because the backlight will emit more heat, which is not good for any electronic device.
- So be sure to adjust the brightness of your TV to match the lighting condition of the room.
Keep the TV well-ventilated
Remember that a TV emits heat during use, which, as pointed out, can damage any electronic device in the long run. That is why you need to provide enough space for ventilation for your TV.
- That means having at least two inches of space between the TV and the wall and at least four inches of space on the side of the TV.
- If you plan to put your TV in a cabinet-type console, make sure it has enough space to breathe.
- You may also install cooling fans to help keep it cool inside the console.
Keep the firmware updated
You should always check if your TV has any firmware updates to ensure proper functioning.
- Keeping your firmware updated ensures that your TV will have up-to-date security patches and will perform at its best.
- It also helps your TV stay compatible with the updates of individual apps.
Final Thoughts
JVC TVs are a reliable choice. They may not be on the top of the market, but they have a solid track record that says a lot about their reliability.
So, if you’re on the lookout for a decent smart TV within a limited budget, don’t hesitate to give them JVC a try.
For more information on JVC TVs, check out our articles How Long Do JVC TVs Last? and Are JVC TVs Good For Gaming?.
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