The Apex DRX-9000 Boat Anchor

[beachbound]

The following is offered for the benefit of anyone considering buying an Apex DRX-9000 DVD recorder. The low cost of these machines is a strong attraction, which is why I bought one (at about $250). However, my opinion is that this particular model should never have been marketed. Here's why:

1. Out of the box, I was not able to record a DVD copy of any videotape until I obtained a firmware patch from the internet. The official Apex website was ZERO help and nobody answered the telephone upon repeated attempts to contact them. An email to them wasn't answered. I had to find the patch file elsewhere on the internet. Once the 9000 was "patched," it copied most tapes just fine.

However, no consumer electronic device like this should require a firmware patch off the shelf. Many (if not most or all) recent 9000's in retail circulation probably require this patch. Not good.

2. The manual that comes with the DRX-9000 is, by far, the worst and most unusable manual I've ever seen for a consumer electronics device. I've worked as a technical writer in the electronics industry for 20 years, so I have some qualifications to say this is a very, very poor user guide.

3. The last straw was last night when I turned on the machine and it simply died. I had it 4 1/2 weeks. It appears that others have had the same experience with the 9000 when it just ceases to even power on after several weeks.

I'm sure there are some who have had a DRX-9000 for awhile and are very happy with it. Great. I'm just saying that my experience was much less than desirable and it seems like I'm not alone.

So, be advised. I've never experienced anything remotely like this with consumer electronics. Very, very disappointing. Enough so to prompt me to post this notice, return the DRX-9000 to the point of purchase, get my money back, and spend it (+ another $150) on another brand. It gets cabled into my system tonight; I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

beach

[lordsmurf]

1. Nothing is perfect when it's new tech. You're dealing with new tech, updates bound to be needed along the way.

2. I never bothered to read my manual. I can figure it out on my own. In fact, I don't think I've ever really read a manual for anything. I think most of them always suck.

3. There were a lot of defective units out there. Sucks that you had to get one.

This is really a great recorder. I wish I'd have had it long ago. Had mine for about 6-7 weeks now, giving it a hard workout, and it's pleased me so far.