Apex 5131 and XVCD problems

[PhaRxmerD.O.n]

Hi all.

Just bought the 5131 (SN# A5131020811xxxxxxxxx) and tried out my XVCD collection and noticed a couple of problems right out of the box . 1) video "zooms" and/or "drags" (not jerky, just speeds up or slows down with no change in audio speed) every few seconds, and 2) audio gets out of synch and stays that way. DVDs seem to work great; have yet to try SVCD, VCD, or XSVCD. XVCD are DVD rips, DVD2AVI, TMPGEnc (non-standard, 2-pass VBR 2300avg, 2800max, 1150min, audio 44 at 192kbs); merge and cut in TMPGENC, burned with Nero (non-standard) using FujiFilm CD-R. Got the 5131 due to changer; XVCDs play well in my Toshiba SD2800, but for some reason get very choppy after continued use (overheating issue, maybe?)

Please help! I have heard so much good about this player I want it to work! Any info/support would be much appreciated.

[fmctm1sw]

Hi all.

Just bought the 5131 (SN# A5131020811xxxxxxxxx) and tried out my XVCD collection

Judging from your serial number, your player was made on August 11 2002. I think Apex dropped VCD support somtime in february or march. May want to check out www.nerd-out.com

[PhaRxmerD.O.n]

According to nerd-out:

Q) I've heard that recent Apex DVD players won't play VCDs. Does that include the 5131?
A) It's true that most Apex players made since mid-April, 2002 won't play VCDs. The 5131 is an exception; so far units made through mid-August play VCDs even if the box and manual do not indicate this. Units made after approximately mid-September do not (and won't work with the firmware available for download).

so I thought mine was safe. I may go back and see if CircusCity has any older ones.