Excellent DVD value -- hidden features.

[Double Trouble]

If you're looking for a DVD player for very little money, here's something for you.

Best Buy is selling a KLH DVD221 for $99 at the B&M store. Thanks to some info from other members (including Atrac), I was able to figure out that there's two versions of this thing.

One version is really crappy, and only does DVD/CD (and not very well at that). The other version, however, has lots of 'hidden' features that are not advertised. The unit is basically the same as the Apex AD660, even though the box says only DVD/CD.

I've confirmed now that if you get the 'good' version, it will do DVD, CD, VCD, SVCD, CDR, CDRW and even MP3. The interface for MP3 playing is somewhat limited, but it's really nice to just put a CD with 150 MP3's in there and have it 'shuffle' randomly and play for hours and hours.

Anyway, BB is selling zillions of these things (most of them are the crappy version), and odds are you'll be able to get one from the 'return' rack at BB. I got mine there for $69 - $30 rebate = $39. How can you beat this deal, a DVD player that does all that stuff for $39?

If you find one on the return rack, check the back of the unit, take a look at the model number. If it says something like "KLH DVD221 M" on the back, it's the MP3 model. If it doesn't have the "M", it's the crappy model. The salespeople at BB will also try to dissuade you from this unit because it's crappy, but as long as you confirm that it's the mp3 model, insist on getting it.

Thought some of you might find this interesting......

 

[SmiZ]

thanks tagej, I'm gonna look for one after work.

Maybe I'll get lucky.

 

[ArkAoss]

hmm m model for 39 bux sounds awsome!!

 

[Ponyboy25]

Alright, time to use the gift card!!

 

[tinneric]

I got an APEX 660 for Christmas, no complaints so far.

 

[BoberFett]

Cool, I was just thinking about picking up another DVD player.

Thanks for the heads-up tagej.

 

[DAM]

i just went and bought one, they have like 10 available, none open items, final price before rebate was $140. however the one i got doesnt have an M but the one on display did. I will go back after all my classes and return it.




is there a way to tell if its an M without having to open it up?





dam()

 

[Double Trouble]

There is (to my knowledge) no way to tell without opening the box which model is which. There's a couple of other clues that supposedly tell which model it is, but I have not personally verified them.

In addition to the "M" on the back of the unit (top right, next to the unit model number), you can also look at the little plastic cover on the front left of the unit. When looking at the machine from the front, the bottom left panel has a little plastic cover that appears to cover some sort of jack. If the cover has something on it (model number or something), it's the crappy model. The good one doesn't have anything on that little cover. I have not personally verified this to be true though.

Another one that I've heard is that the loader cover is darker and flatter on the "good" model than it is on the 'bad' one, where it's supposed to be a little rounder. Again, I have not verified this....

Hope that helps!

 

[Viper GTS]

Damn...

Somebody want to pick me up one? You buy it for me, & I'll pay 125% of whatever your cost is, plus shipping to get it to me...

Viper GTS

 

[Splork]

I just bought a APEX 660 this weekend. Rented 3 movies and was really pleased with the performance. Not bad for $140 bucks. Especially with all those features. Besides the GUI sucking, I love it. I guess my real question is: Does this particular Model of the APEX brand have that "hidden" menu in it? Just wondering. Thoughts. Comments.

-sp

 

[SmiZ]

splork, most likely no. All the models after the manufacturer date of 12/00 don't have menu's. I used to have a link with forums dedicated to the APEX, but I lost it. I posted it multiple times on this forum though, search for apex in the off topic forum and you should be able to find the link.

 

[ForeverSilky]

I got an Apex dvd player a month ago that also plays dvd/cd/svcd/vcd etc. It was only $99 and I'm happy with it.

 

[BigSmooth]

Do they not have them at the Best Buys in your area, Viper GTS?

 

[Viper GTS]

There's only one Best Buy that I know of locally (~30 miles from my house), & the odds of me being able to beg a ride there are slim to none.

Viper GTS

 

[Double Trouble]

Viper, I'm hearing reports of different prices being charged for these things in various parts of the country.

In Columbus, Ohio, they were selling them for $129 with a $30 rebate. They sell the "open" returned items (complete with remote, cables and manuals) off the rack for $69, and you still get the $30 at the register. Prices in your area may vary. I'll check tonight on my way home if they have any "M" models left at the one near my house - perhaps I can pick one or two up if people are interested.

No guarantees though, I don't even know if these are great or not, but I have verified that they indeed do support all the different formats, and can play MP3's. They do a good job on DVD's too (including double layered ones), but that's all I know So I don't wanna hear "hey, I bought one because you said they were da bomb, but they really suck!" Caveat Emptor.

 

[Double Trouble]

Foreversilky, Circuit City had a deal last month for Apex 500A or 500B for $99. After a while they ran out and started substituting 600's ... Those are pretty nice, especially for the price!

 

[BigSmooth]

VIper, I thought you lived in Beaverton, OR... there is a Best Buy there and there's also one in Clackamas and I think there's one out by the airport. Take the bus if you have to, it'd be a lot cheaper than 125% of the price + having someone ship it to you...

 

[Viper GTS]

tagej...

Works for me. If you get any, I'd love one. Even if all it does is play CD's & DVD's, I'll be happy. MP3 support would be a very nice bonus.

bigsmooth...

I work in Beaverton, I actually live in Forest Grove. As in way out past Hillsboro & Cornelius. As in BFE.

Viper GTS

 

[DAM]

well, im gonna go return the one i got and see if i can get lucky with the next one, if anyone is interested in getting one i will be more than happy to do so, however like viper said it will cost you 125% + shipping. so just let me know. you can PM me or email me.







dam(damuall@hotmail.com)

 

[Ponyboy25]

Damn BB:|:|:|! I just went to a nearby one during lunch, and was told that I had to buy one in order to check the serial number; I couldn't just open the box, check it, then tape it back up before buying. So, I bought one, and got the "crappy" non-M one. I immediately returned it, and spoke with the manager. This guy took me as just another idiot, which I'm sure they get a lot, and really gave me hell about getting the one I wanted. I told him that the display one had the M, and he verified this, but would not exchange the one I returned for that one at a 'reduced' price. He would charge me full price for the display one (what a d!ck!!:|). This is a good deal, but if you don't find one that's open, it's just one big hassle.:|

 

[SmiZ]

Just sent the gf over to try to get one. Hope they let her check serial numbers.

ponyboy, were there any open box KLH's or were all of them retail sealed? I wonder if they would let you reopen a previously opened unit to check.

 

[Ponyboy25]

The top one looked like it had already been open, and then the tape had been "cautiously" put back on. The rest of them looked like they were taped perfectly from the packing warehouse. Otherwise, no, none of them were open. FYI, I was at the Addison, Il one, in case someone wants to buy the display that has the M on the back.:|

 

[SmiZ]

CR@P the BB in rochester, ny only had one open box KLH and it didn't have the M. The people working there had no idea what was going on though. My gf asked to open the box and check the model number and the service guy said "Why do you want to do that?" She didn't really have an answer for him cause I didn't go into details, I just asked her to check before she bought it. Ended up not getting it, oh well.

 

[DAM]

muhahaha, i went by to return the one i had bought at full price then when i went to get another one, i saw an open box, so i got it, i took it to the front desk and opened it up and voila it was the one i wanted and they returned $54 to my account!!!!!!!!! now i just need to send in the rebate and sweet!!!!


thanks for the heads up man, i cant wait to go home and try it out. also, if anyone did not find one and you are sure you want one let me know, my BB had like 10 dvd players still, and i only bought one so that means that there are still about 9 to see if they are the good models.






dam()

 

[Double Trouble]

DAM, make sure you update everyone with your findings, hopefully you'll be able to verify my findings so we have some more certainty of what this unit can (or cannot) do properly....