HOT! Apex progressive scan dvd player for $60 at Amazon

[rahdpsu2]

Amazon.com has the Apex AD-800 for $60. Dont think its available for free shipping though.
AISN# - B00005T3HJ

Features:

Progressive-scan video output for flicker-free image (requires compatible digital television)
NTSC and PAL video outputs (accommodates non-region-encoded PAL-format discs)
Built in Dolby Digital decoding (5.1 channels) and HDCD decoding (2 channels)
Supports DVD, SVCD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and MP3 formats

 

[Darknight]

Linkified

 

[Research]

Originally posted by: Darknight
Linkified

HORRIBLE REVIEWS:

Reviewer: Deirdre G Wheeler (see more about me) from Lawrenceville, GA United States
Had this DVD and worked until red lines appeared on led screen. Took unit apart and noticed exploded power supply component. The unti still plays CD's but cannot get a DVD to play. Apex tech support is horrible, they want be to ship the unit back in the original box.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEEM TO BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DREADED RED LINES!

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Wow, this player has serious power supply issues.
Red lines in the VFD means the filament is being greatly overdriven.
Probably using cheap electrolytic caps that blow up. Literally.

 

[DrPizza]

I spent a lot of time pondering the Apex dvd players... my conclusion was that the ad 2500 was *probably* of decent enough quality to purchase (plus, it plays virtually anything). All the older models are crap.

 

[yellowperil]

Just a heads up - it doesn't qualify for Super Saver Shipping (went to Checkout and the cheapest option was ~$12). I was thinking about getting it anyway because of the karaoke support ))

 

[msapute]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I spent a lot of time pondering the Apex dvd players... my conclusion was that the ad 2500 was *probably* of decent enough quality to purchase (plus, it plays virtually anything). All the older models are crap.

I would say, don't buy AD 2500.. I bought one 2 weeks ago fromSears for $66 (after PM with Microcenter Ad), had problem with the tray and the remote, exchanged it for another unit, and it was worse! I need to power it on and off 2-3 times before it can read the CD. When I played DVD, it makes loud grinding noise... so I give up... I bought panasonic S35S with progressive scan for $99.. best buy and Circuit City have it for $94 now!

 

[Marauder-]

Yeah - definitely avoid Apex if possible. I bought an AD1200 off a friend about 3 months ago. At first it would not recognize the DVDs as being DVDs and refused to play them. But after blowing into the unit like an old Nintendo cartridge, it worked fine for two months. But now the startup screen sometimes changes from the blue background to a grey where it loses all its color. I have to power down and restart it now. And yesterday all the colors were flashing in rainbow waves across my TV. So I guess I'll see if I can RMA it or introduce it to my sledgehammer.

- Ernest

 

[eTaesu]

here is a thought:
stick to reviews that are by people that know what they are doing.
like people in the dvdrhelp.com forums.
the dvd player reviews there are awesome.
apex players can be amazing OR horrible.
my apex-1500 that i bought last year for $50 is one of the best purchases i ever made.
i know for a fact the apex-1200 thare are sold at circuity city for $65 are pieces of crap.

to judge a company by one of its shitty earlier models is silly.

dont' know much about the apex-800 but here is the link for some reviews:
Apex-800 at DVDRhelp.com
good luck guys.

 

[eTaesu]

i bought the apex-1500 for its VCD, SVCD capabilities.
i download movies, my movies of course, and burn them to CD's and watch them on my tv.
it works perfectly. plus, a $50 dvd player that works better than most of my friends' (who bought theirs for $120+ and they still have problems playing certain movies) is a good feeling.
i also hacked my dvd player to take off macrovision and region codes.
apex players were made to be hacked, cause they are just boxed dvd-roms.
good luck flashing bios' though. make sure you get the right ones.
the apex-1500 does not have High Definiton connections, but the best my 32" Sony Trinitron takes is S-video anyways.

 

[Johneverd]

Originally posted by: Research

Originally posted by: Darknight
Linkified

HORRIBLE REVIEWS:

Reviewer: Deirdre G Wheeler (see more about me) from Lawrenceville, GA United States
Had this DVD and worked until red lines appeared on led screen. Took unit apart and noticed exploded power supply component. The unti still plays CD's but cannot get a DVD to play. Apex tech support is horrible, they want be to ship the unit back in the original box.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEEM TO BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DREADED RED LINES!

OfficeMax has free shipping (up to $10) via Airborne this week. Forum linkage HERE. No purchase necessary, just use the coupon in the in-store ad. Mail that sucker back.

 

[Marauder-]

Yeah - I can see your point about not judging a company by its past products but I think Apex is more of a situation of their pricing point and strategy. They want to basically hit up people like us ATers that are very price conscious and looking for newer/newest tech. Their products usually have all the latest fads like this current one w/ progressive scan and svcds. But they are cheaply made - I think that's why it's either one extreme or the other. If you're fortunate enough to get a good quality controlled one, then you've struck a great deal. Unfortunately for me, I'm at the opposite end.

 

[Marauder-]

Oh yeah - and they can be hacked - which would further attract an AT type audience.

 

[DavidKing]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
All the older models are crap.

Thats funny because my 9/1999 ad-600a (the first mainstream apex player) is still working as normal to this day.


Rules for Apex:

1: never buy online, always buy from a local store with an easy return policy.

2: fully test the player as soon as recieved. VCD SVCD DVD DVDR DVDRW AUDIOCD MP3 (basicly anything/everything the box says it can do). If any one thing does not work, even if its something you will not use, take it back and exchange.

3: Repeat steps 1-2 as many times as needed until you are happy.


I upgraded 4 different family members Apex ad1100s at Christmas and 1 of the 4 was bad straight out of the box. It did play DVDs (although very loud loading), it would not play CDRs at all so I couldn't upgrade the firmware. The other 3 were perfect.


Apexs are like boats, you can't be a pirate without one.

 

[Analog]

I bought an apex 3 disc changer last year. It is awesome. Plays everything I throw at it, hackable if needed, at $85, I'd say it was a great deal.

 

[sat4fun]

Love my Apex units. I have one of the infamous AD-600a pre 9/99 units (a steal at $189 4 years ago) and a newer 3200 (a great $60 six months ago). Apex quality seems to be across the board. The units that I have look like quality, unlike some of the other units that are available. You can see the quality of the better units. Use your own best judgement.