Any thoughts on Apex DVD player?

hatboy

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
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I've been thinking about getting a DVD player lately. This evening, while I was in Wal-Mart, I noticed an Apex AD-500W sitting on the shelf for $92. I didn't buy it, but I'm thinking about it. Does anybody have one? If so, what do you think of it? I'm attracted to it because it's really cheap and can play mp3 cds. But, I'm worried about compatibility problems and the fact that it is so cheap bothers me (I don't want it to die in a few months). Thanks for any comments.
 

HaVoC

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
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These are definitely not as good as say Panasonics or Pioneers so the saying "you get what you pay for" does apply here.

It has some neat features but methinks you are better off spending more money to get a nice player that will serve you better. The Panasonic RV-31 can play MP3 burned on a CD and the DVD playback quality is excellent. I got this one based on a recommendation from Hometheater Forum and I'm happy with it. I paid $189.99 from Amazon.com and this is a high price since Bluelight.com had a deal where you could get it for $160. Great player at that price.
 

JaiKnight

Senior member
Feb 6, 2000
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HaVoC, what do you mean when you say it's not as good? Is the output quality-wise a lot worse or will it die in a month? I'm just wondering because I was thinking of getting the 660 (since it can play just about anything after the firmware is updated).

Incidentally, does anybody know where in Toronto I can find an Apex 660?
 

kami

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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For $70 more, I would go with a Panasonic RV31...phenomenal player for the money.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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i got the sony dvd-sp360 or something like that for $186 at best buy. nice player for the price.
 

TranceNation

Platinum Member
Jan 6, 2001
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yep Apex is worth the $$$, plays just about anything, stick in a cdr full of .mpgs and it'll play them. I have a raite 715 and I'm going to get an apex also.
 

Huma

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
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apex = ass

I replaced mine with a Pioneer dv-343 so I could play the svcds I was making.
 

snakesnfrogs

Banned
Mar 1, 2001
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I went through 3 of the Apex players before giving up on them---all three had a problem with freezing during a layer change.
 

dukdukgoos

Golden Member
Dec 1, 1999
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I've got the 3 disc changer model and it works great. Plays SVCD, MP3, no region protection, no macrovision. Picked it up for $150 a few months ago. Woot! :)
 

HaVoC

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
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<< HaVoC, what do you mean when you say it's not as good? Is the output quality-wise a lot worse or will it die in a month? I'm just wondering because I was thinking of getting the 660 (since it can play just about anything after the firmware is updated). >>

I was referring to the reports of hit-and-miss quality. I'm not saying that if you get the Apex it is surely going to break but the quality of the components is just not going to compare to the RV-31. You could probably spend a helluva lot more on a DVD player and at a certain point there is a law of diminishing returns (or you need a really pricy T.V. to see the difference) but the RV-31 is a better choice IMHO.

The Panny does play any bitrate MP3s but you have no choice on playlist as it just plays them in the order it's burned on the CD. Apex is better for MP3s playback features but I think the primary purpose of the DVD player is to play DVDs and this is where the Panny wins out. Apex does play SVCD apparently which the Panny can't do but I don't think you should be so hung up on features that you sacrifice DVD quality.
 

Hecubus2000

Senior member
Dec 1, 2000
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I bought one of those from Walmart and I love it. It plays mp3s. I've had no problems with it so far. You can't beat 92 dollars for a DVD player.
 

JaiKnight

Senior member
Feb 6, 2000
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I'm actually trying to see if I can find a region-free DVD player right now (I already do have a Sony DVD player, but it's very incompatible), does the RV-31 have a workaround for it?