JVC SR-W5U
Description
The JVC SR-W5U is a W-VHS HDTV recorder/player positioned as a more affordable alternative to the flagship JVC SR-W7U. It provides baseband analog HD recording in the 1080i and 1035i formats (1125/60) using W-VHS cassettes, while maintaining full backward compatibility with VHS and S-VHS for standard-definition recording and playback. Compared to the SR-W7U, the SR-W5U omits professional features such as RS-422A serial control, SMPTE timecode, and the D-sub 15-pin RGB output. Detailed I/O specifications are not available from the JVC Pro product pages. Compatible W-VHS tapes (WT-120HA, WT-180HA) were eventually discontinued and replaced by D-9/Digital-S tapes for continued operation. The unit carried an MSRP of $4,890.
Compatible Tapes
The SR-W5U uses the same tape accessories as the SR-W7U. The original W-VHS tapes (WT-series) were eventually discontinued, with JVC recommending D-9/Digital-S tapes (DS-series) as replacements.[1]
W-VHS Tapes
| Model | Description | MSRP | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| WT-120HA | 120-minute W-VHS HD mode tape | $65.00 | Discontinued — JVC recommended DS-104 (D-9) as replacement |
| WT-180HA | 180-minute W-VHS HD mode tape | $80.00 | Discontinued — JVC recommended DS-104 (D-9) as replacement |
D-9 / Digital-S Tapes
| Model | Description | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| DS-10 | 10-minute D-9 tape | $21.00 |
| DS-34 | 34-minute D-9 tape | $24.00 |
| DS-64 | 64-minute D-9 tape | $33.00 |
| DS-104 | 104-minute D-9 tape | $44.00 |
| DS-124 | 124-minute D-9 tape | $59.00 |
All listed accessories were discontinued at the time of archival.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "SR-W5U Accessories". JVC Professional Products Company. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
