JVC TVs sold in the United States are made by Shenzhen MTC Co Ltd, a Chinese electronics manufacturer that licenses the JVC name.
The JVC brand is remembered for pioneering the VHS video format and for decades of Japanese engineered televisions and camcorders.
JVCKENWOOD Corporation, the Japanese company that owns the JVC trademark, no longer manufactures JVC branded TVs itself and instead licenses the name to regional partners.
Knowing who makes JVC TVs helps buyers understand that the TVs on store shelves today are built by a different company than the one that invented VHS.
This article covers JVC TV ownership, where the sets are built, how the brand compares to other licensed TV names, and answers to common JVC TV questions.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes JVC TVs And Who Owns The Brand?
JVC’s own product pages confirm that JVC branded TVs and home audio products in the US are manufactured, distributed, and warranted by Shenzhen MTC Co Ltd.
JVCKENWOOD Corporation, the Japanese company that owns the JVC trademark, has granted MTC a license to use the JVC name on televisions sold in the United States.
This means JVCKENWOOD is not responsible for the quality, warranty service, or manufacturing of JVC branded TVs sold in the US market.
Where Are JVC TVs Built?
JVC TVs sold in the United States are manufactured by Shenzhen MTC, a Chinese electronics company based in Shenzhen.
In Canada, the JVC name is instead licensed to E&S International Enterprises, a separate company that handles JVC branded TVs for that market.
JVCKENWOOD, meanwhile, continues to manufacture other JVC branded products like camcorders and professional video equipment through its own factories in Japan and elsewhere.
What Happened To The Original JVC Company?
JVC, short for the Japan Victor Company, was founded in Yokohama, Japan in 1927 and became famous for developing the VHS video recording format.
In 2008, JVC merged with Kenwood Corporation to form JVCKenwood, shifting the company’s focus toward car audio, professional video, and headphones.
Rather than continuing to manufacture consumer TVs directly, JVCKenwood chose to license the JVC name to regional television makers like Shenzhen MTC.
How Do JVC TVs Compare To Other Licensed TV Brands?
JVC follows the same brand licensing pattern used by other legacy electronics names such as Philips and Pioneer, where the original company no longer builds the hardware itself.
This approach lets shoppers still buy a recognizable, trusted brand name while the actual manufacturing and warranty support comes from a separate licensee.
Build quality and features can vary more between licensees than they would if the original company still controlled production directly.
JVC vs Insignia: Which Budget TV Brand Is Better?
Insignia is Best Buy’s in house TV brand, built by contract manufacturers, while JVC is a licensed legacy name built by Shenzhen MTC in the US market.
Both brands compete in a similar budget price range, and picture quality tends to be comparable at matching screen sizes.
JVC TVs are more commonly found at Walmart and Amazon, while Insignia is largely exclusive to Best Buy.
To compare more budget friendly options, see our guides to who makes Insignia TVs and who makes Roku TV for two other popular value TV brands.
Frequently Asked Questions About JVC TVs
Who makes JVC TVs?
JVC TVs sold in the US are made by Shenzhen MTC Co Ltd under a license from JVCKENWOOD Corporation.
Is JVC still a Japanese company?
The JVC trademark is still owned by the Japanese company JVCKENWOOD, but the TVs themselves are built by licensees like Shenzhen MTC.
Are JVC TVs good quality?
JVC TVs are generally viewed as a solid budget option, earning an honorable mention in reliability studies despite not topping most rankings.
Are JVC TVs the same in the US and Canada?
No, JVC TVs are licensed separately in each market, with Shenzhen MTC handling the US and E&S International Enterprises handling Canada.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.