Player Suggestions: Apex 1500 vs. GE1101P

[matt453]

I would like suggestions for a DVD player. I don't mind spending up to ~$150-180; however, my TV and audio setups are certainly less than exceptional (Sont Trinitron 20" and Aiwa compact system). So, I don't really feel like I need a higher end player right now. I wanted to get a player on which I could play XSVCDs and burned DVDs. MP3 playback is a plus, but not essential. Besides that, I would like the best quality (design, durability) and picture quality for the price. I have been considering the rock bottom priced Apex 1500 or the GE1101P. With the idea that if I upgrade my TV or audio, or simply want a better player, I could purchase a higher end model later. Thus, not wasting money on a mid-range model now. Suggestions?

Thanks in advance
Matt

[MaDmiZe]

I have a Apex1500 and its great....plays everything I put in it. I dont't have a DVD burner....so don't know about that...but VCD, SVCD, xVCD, cd, cdr, cdrw, and MP3's just burnt to disc all play great.

[sterno]

I've had pretty much the same experience with my GE1101P. Haven't tried DVD-R, but all the other stuff is fine. MP3 playback is OK, but since it doesn't handle ID3 tags or long filenames it's a bit of a pain - 8.3 filenames don't work too well for an entire CD-R full of MP3s. I have noticed that selectable SVCD subtitles are a little flakey on the GE, but they are on a lot of players and not many people use them anyway. Dual SVCD audio tracks work fine. The remote on the GE also sucks rocks, especially compared to my old Sony. Oh yeah, and none of the KVCD stuff works on it, but I try not to get too far away from the standards anyway.

Lots of people patch the firmware in the GE1101 to disable macrovision and region locking, since it's as simple as burning the new firmware to a CD-R. I haven't done it because I don't need either of those things, but having the option is nice. Off the top of my head I don't know how easy the Apex 1500 is to unlock, so if you're concerned about that you should check. It's an Apex, though, so it's probably not hard.

[matt453]

Gracias to both of you......
Yea, the features of both seem comparable. I guess b/w those two it comes down to video quality and player durability/design quality. Anyone have experience with both? Preference? Or, another player in that class that you believe is superior?

Thanks Again

[Mavrick]

I would look at the RCA 5240P $99.00

It can play: VCD, SVCD, XSVCD, CVD, DVD - & + R and RW, CD R and RW, MP3s.

They have it listed on this site that it can play XSVCDs with bitrates up to 8000. I have only tested up to 4500 and it plays great, no skipping, chopping, etc.

It has played anything I throw at it...

[sterno]

They have it listed on this site that it can play XSVCDs with bitrates up to 8000. I have only tested up to 4500 and it plays great, no skipping, chopping, etc.

That's pretty impressive - most set-top players simply can't spin a CD fast enough for that kind of bitrate.

[Mavrick]

That's pretty impressive - most set-top players simply can't spin a CD fast enough for that kind of bitrate.

It is! Like I said tho... I have only made XSVCDs with bitrates up to 4500 and those play great on it. Dunno about the 8000 thing...

[matt453]

4500 would certainly be acceptable.....would like to see 6000+ ideally......with the vast resources, reviews...etc on this site I am surprised there is no head-to-head style comparison of DVD players.....I believe what I am looking for is an oft-sought player....especially for the frequenters of this site.....cheap, plays wide variety of formats, hackable and then best quality meeting those criteria.....


Thanks for all your responses though....