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Apex AD1500 DVD $69.99 @ CircuitCity.com

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Firmware update - do a google for it, I didn't save any links.

I bought the Daewoo - region free, multi voltage (possible macrovision free, depending on revision). $90 after $10 rebate.
Added a cheap DVD that I left in the UK as it was PAL VHS, done through passport, so hopefully $20 back - if so $80 for this model and a free DVD can't be laughed at.

I've been looking everywhere for a cheap multivoltage region free, and all the ones you order online are imported from the far east at $300+

MP3 playback too, and some decent reviews

Chris
 
Price is $79.99 now . . .
There is a free shipping link/coupon floating around if you know what I mean:
Free Shipping

I don't know what to do . . . I keep telling myself there will be lots of hot deals on DVD players closer to Christmas . . .
 
ftp4you -
No one is certain what is hackable on this unit being that it is so new....check here for more information. Or try the link above my post.
 
I keep reading about getting hot over the Apex AD-500WM. I saw this unit for $88. Is it worth the extra
$18 over the AD-1000? Is it a better unit? How much better?
 
hehe.. picked up an 'open-boxed' AD1500 unit at local CC.

only $59.99 🙂

So it 'pays' to go down and look at what they have in the open box section!
 
macrovision copy protection and region locking is all built in to dvd player making it impossible to route it to your vcr. the media is getting quite mean these day. our freedom have been taken away and put a lock in every DVD player and anything else they can think of. let say i rent something and I dont have time to watch it but have to record it so i can watch it later. since the quality will be greatly degraded to VHS, is a bit overkill isn't it ? im getting so upset, i am returning my DVD player regardless of how much it is, not worth the frustration.
 
The 1500 is very easy to hack. Took me less the 5 min now its Macrovision and region free. Just go to the link in the other post download the firmware , burn it to cd and stick it in the DVD player thats it. Not all 1500's are hackable. Looks like the ones that have a SN# that start with SV1500 or no letters at all 1500 are not flashable. Ones that start with A,B,C,D work with no problem.
 
The APEX AD-1500 DVD player is still on sale at Circuit City, but at $80 it isn't as good a deal as it was at $60 or $70. Turning off the Macrovision anti-copy protection and the DVD region lock on this model AD-1500 requires flashing the unit with new firmware code, which isn't really that hard.

There is, however, a newer modem, the Apex AD-3201 which does NOT require a flash update... you just enter some special codes on the remote. And, just in the nick of time, K-Mart has this unit on sale this week for under $100 through Tuesday, 1/1/02 (B&M only, apparently).

Compare the features of the AD-1500 and AD-3201 on this chart:

DVD Player Capability Chart

The features look very similar on the two units, except that the 3201 has some advanced features like component video output and optical digital sound output, plus some addl DVD-playing features.

And take a look at this page for hacking instructions for many APEX models and some other brands as well:

Hacking DVD Macrovision and region codes

 
thanks for the info guys, picked this up at frys a couple of weeks ago for $70, it was the generic dvd player
in the ad, they have a cheap $70-80 every week, you might want to check out which one is on sale each week
 


<< There is, however, a newer modem, the Apex AD-3201 which does NOT require a flash update... you just enter some special codes on the remote. And, just in the nick of time, K-Mart has this unit on sale this week for under $100 through Tuesday, 1/1/02 (B&M only, apparently).

Compare the features of the AD-1500 and AD-3201 on this chart:

DVD Player Capability Chart

The features look very similar on the two units, except that the 3201 has some advanced features like component video output and optical digital sound output, plus some addl DVD-playing features.

And take a look at this page for hacking instructions for many APEX models and some other brands as well:

Hacking DVD Macrovision and region codes >>





The remote hacking procedure mentions removing the regions, but nothing about Macrovision. Also I saw a firmware upgrade here: 3201 Page Anyone know what this firmware does? I'm in the market for one of thse models, but I would like to have it region and macrovision free....

Thanks!
 
i bought this dvd player a while ago when it was $99 at circuit city, did that macrovision hack thats on this page and it worked perfectly! No region or macrovision, i didnt think it could be done with this model but i guess im wrong 😉
 
Which Model did you get? The 3201 or one of the 1000/1500? I'd be surprised but pleased if the 1000/1500 Hack worked with the 3201......
 
I bought a Mintek 2580 today at BB B&M and it does not do SVCD from what I hear. My Sister got in on the AD1500 deal at CC B&M and might be able to trade her.

Has anyone actually used a SVCD or VCD w/ success. how is the mp3?
 
vcd on the apex 1500? I've made about 6 or so, works fantastic, using nero- nice menu feature, etc. Gp to

I have not tried mp3 however- has
anyone seen if fry's in SD got more of these in? I'd like to get another for a late xmas gift, but have no excuse
to go to fry's this week (ahem, spending too much money on computers/dvds according to someone)

for vcd help and info.

extremely useful site
 
Boy do I need help.(not up to par on technology..lol)
Question,Most of these sites mention NERO for burning the CD.
Do I really need to use that only?(no Easy CD creator etc.?)

I got the Apex 1500 at K-Mart Thanksgiving Day.(first DVD player ever)
Disc drive was broken.
Of course no more left,they subbed a Curtis Mathes for same price $69.74.
Now I want the Apex back so I can, well you know.
I went to both K-Marts in my area,one sold out 1 never got any in.
So I went to CS Desk, explained I really want the Apex DVD player.
Told lady I had receipt & can I be offered same price of $69.74?
She made up a rain check with Sale price $69.74 on it.
I never showed my receipt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(I really do have receipt)
Wonder if I can get the quantity of DVD players upped a bit........lol


 
I know this is an old thread.....Circuit City now has this for 89.99....BUT, there is a hack that makes this Macro free and region free.......and.....now this is real cool.....after applying the hack, you can also play any standard MPEG video.....if any new codecs like DivX or another non standard codec is applied, it will not work....i have tried many diff MPEG's and have very few that do not work. Finally I can stop ripping to make VCD's. Just copy the mpeg on the root like you would for playing MP3's and it will show the MPEG as a VCD.....
 
You've confirmed that it will play about any MPEG? I would love something like that. What about MPEG2 stuff and stuff that is partially off the standards--like XSVCD resolution MPEG2.

Also, what do you think of the quality of hardware as well as a/v output?

This may be a hot deal just for the MPEG capability.
 
Can't say for sure, but a friend of mine just came back from China and had a copy of Harry Potter screener, that was supposedly recorded in Mpeg2 and it played it, sound was not that great but picture was the same as pc. Hardware wise, I have not had a problem with it since I had it. All functions still worked as designed after the hack. I now rent from Blockbuster and record to VHS. I would reccomend this to anyone that is tired of making VCD or watching movies on their pc. This would work great in combination with the PVR for your PC, no more watching what you recorded on your pc.......
 
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