Apex AD2600 Progressive-Scan DVD Player $39.99

Kostya17

Senior member
Jun 26, 2001
348
0
71
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
you mean
REGION FREE
and
Macrovision disabled?
Man, you're not supposed to talk out loud about disabling the copyleft protection feature; you know, DMCA and stuff...but you got the idea. Got link? :D
 

simo

Senior member
Nov 8, 2002
287
0
0
Can't seem to find any region-free/RCE/Macrovision hacks like the old AD-1500, nothing on nerd-out.com or dvdrhelp.com :(

Probably would have bought this otherwise.... Did notice that this plays MP3's on DVD-R which the 1500 can't (only CD-R)
 

Slickone

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 1999
6,120
0
0
I see Apex finally got away from the boxy shape (though they may have before this model). Wish my AD1500 was like this.
Is there any reliable name brand (not Apex) higher end picture quality prog. scan player, that has macrovision/region/RCE hacks and will convert PAL like the Apex? I have two players now but just want one. Sure wish the Panasonics did all this.
 

simo

Senior member
Nov 8, 2002
287
0
0
Originally posted by: Slickone
I see Apex finally got away from the boxy shape (though they may have before this model). Wish my AD1500 was like this.
Is there any reliable name brand (not Apex) higher end picture quality prog. scan player, that has macrovision/region/RCE hacks and will convert PAL like the Apex? I have two players now but just want one. Sure wish the Panasonics did all this.

I actually like the AD-1500 as it is so small - this one may be thin, but it's HELLA wide ;)

I just don't put faith in a cheap progressive-scan DVD player being any good.... I mean we all know the Apex's are not great quality, but they'll play anything you throw at them!

Oh, and fsck the DMCA!
 

rcrooks

Member
Oct 15, 2003
127
0
0
that fast??? I ordered yesterday at about 8:30 PM eastern

My order says they're preparing it and it wont go out for over a week. They must have ran out and went backorder or something
 

MustangSVT

Lifer
Oct 7, 2000
11,554
12
81
let me just clarify some things.

1. so with a progressive dvd player, you would need an HD tv to take advantage.
2. If my HDTV has a de-interlacer, i would not need a prograssive scan dvd player.

are these assumptions correct?
 

rcrooks

Member
Oct 15, 2003
127
0
0
Mustang, as for #1, thats correct, progressive flashes pictures much like a computer screen rather than drawing even and odd pixel lines, so things like diagonal lines look alot smoother.

#2 I assume that de-interlacer means that it takes the DVD info that is usually drawn even and odd lines and draws the entire frame, so Id assume thats correct, but im not sure
 

sat4fun

Senior member
May 29, 2002
999
0
0
#2 is correct, if you have component outputs. Actually this depends on the TV or projector that you are using. Some equipment only de-interlaces particular inputs and this is usually the Component. Do not use less than componet.
 

axmonkey

Member
Aug 14, 2002
73
0
0
Originally posted by: sat4fun
Thanks. Just ordered this thing late last night for $59.00.

I ordered on 11/14 also for $59.00 and noticed it was on sale yesterday for $49.99. Emailed customer service yesterday morning requesting $10 price differential refund and received email last night that they will credit my CC for $10.00.
 

sat4fun

Senior member
May 29, 2002
999
0
0
Originally posted by: axmonkey
Originally posted by: sat4fun Thanks. Just ordered this thing late last night for $59.00.
I ordered on 11/14 also for $59.00 and noticed it was on sale yesterday for $49.99. Emailed customer service yesterday morning requesting $10 price differential refund and received email last night that they will credit my CC for $10.00.

I did the same on the phone. Yes I actually found the Amazon CS phone #. Google is your friend.
 

rcrooks

Member
Oct 15, 2003
127
0
0
sweet, even though it said it would ship in a week, it left Reno this morning via UPS, so the at the very slowest it will get to Las Vegas tonight, Phoenix by tomorrow night, and I should get it the day after tomorrow in Tucson...

not bad for free shipping
 

Kostya17

Senior member
Jun 26, 2001
348
0
71
Originally posted by: sat4fun Ordered yesterday, got it today. Pretty good for free standard shipping.
Same here, zip code 94538, estimated delivery date was 11/26-12/01. :D Now, let's see if it can play (S)VCDs/DVD+RWs...

 

rcrooks

Member
Oct 15, 2003
127
0
0
Mine shipped today... if you dont already have a DVD player this is a cheap one that can do almost everything. Its not as reliable as sony or something like that, but it also costs about 1/3rd of what they do.

This thing has read every disc Ive put in it besides CD-R's with DivX rips in it and one's that were hardcore overburned by nero
 

Kostya17

Senior member
Jun 26, 2001
348
0
71
Did some tests yesterday. This player accepts:
* Region 1 DVD ;)
* VCD (not advertized on the box)
* SVCD (not advertized on the box)
* CDR with a bunch of MP3s
* CDR with a bunch of JPEG pictures
* CDR with MPEG video clip (good alternative to VCD since the latter does not have hardware error correction)
It does not play CDR with a decrypted VOB :-(

Had not tried yet:
DVD+RW
DVD-RW
DVD+R
DVD-R

Internals: it uses MediaTek video processor--no region/VCR-friendly patches in the nearest future :( The DVD drive is extremely cheap--motor controllers are mounted on the mainboard. Looks like Apex decided to cut costs by removing the dedicated DSP chip from DVD drive and loading Mediatek with some additional work for lens focusing/positioning. That means drive is not interchangeable with older Apex players (like mine AD3201) or computers. :Q I guess additional DSP workload on Mediatek CPU means more complicated firmware/low hacking probability, so don't expect patches anytime soon :-(

Why did I buy it? My $30 Amazon GC was near its expiration date--did not find anything better than $19.99 progressive-scan DVD player :D

Apex reliability: My first Apex AD500 is 2 year old and still works fine at my in-laws house. My 2nd Apex 3201 (1.5 yrs old) shows some signs of aging, like louder DVDROM movements and occasional slowdowns during transitions between chapters on DVD. The 2600 will replace it. My 3rd Apex AD1110 is 1 yr. old and still works fine at my parents' house.

All in all it is not the best player on the market; however, it?s the best buy for its price. Especially if you have Amazon GC burning a hole in your pocket :cool:
 

rcrooks

Member
Oct 15, 2003
127
0
0
it says theres a 10 dollar mail in rebate now from amazon.com ... but there is no details about anything...

I sent them an email asking that my CC be credited with the 10 bucks... but Im confused about the phantom rebate