should i exchange my apex500w for a sanyo dvm-370?

[jeex]

i've had my apex 500w for a week now, and it seems to be a good player. the only thing i dont like about it is that the picture quality isnt that good. i noticed lots of pixelization during dark scenes on dvd's. besides that, the vcd's i've played in it have looked okay.

but the pixelization thing during dark scenes really makes me consider exchanging it.

the only reason i wouldnt want to exchange this player is that i can buy a modchip for it to play discs from other regions & play them macrovision free (so i can record to vhs). but i'm thinking i could do this same thing with my dvdrom and just use tv-out to do that stuff.

so i'm wondering, is the sanyo dvm-370 worth the $50 more i will spend to exchange my apex 500w for it?

the only thing that really discourages me from buying the sanyo is that it only plays "gold layer" cd-r's (according to vcdhelp dvdplayer guide). is this true?

so c'mon, i need some opinions. i might possibly exchanging this thing in 10 hours..

thanks for any input

[Erwin]

"the only reason i wouldnt want to exchange this player is that i can buy a modchip for it to play discs from other regions & play them macrovision free (so i can record to vhs). but i'm thinking i could do this same thing with my dvdrom and just use tv-out to do that stuff."

You can buy a Sima Video Copy Master that will not only get rid of macrovision in DVD but also VHS. You can get it at Circuit City for $39.99.

Sanyo played Office Depot and Memorex discs when I had it.

[jeex]

well thats one problem down, macrovison.
second, is there a way to make the sanyo play discs from other regions?
& third, has anyone else been able to play non gold layer cd-r's in the sanyo?

thanks erwin.

[jeex]

*bump* i need quick responses =)

[jeex]

how's about it?

[Type-E]

Another thing that really sucked about the 500w is the playback of VCD 2.0s. My friend brought back a lot of pirated movies from Hong Kong and they are all VCD 2.0. The sound simply skips every 4 to 5 seconds. If there is no way of correcting this problem, I would not recommend this dvd player at all. Playback is number one, then features.

[Erwin]

"has anyone else been able to play non gold layer cd-r's in the sanyo?"

memorex and office depot are non gold layer cd-rs.

[lxu2001]

I tried a APEX 500w from WALMART last week. The video quality was very poor when played home made VCD and SVCD. I returned it the same day and got a sanyo dvm 370 back. The video quality from the sanyo is much better. I used PNY 80 min CDRs and they worked. I don't think they are gold layer ones, but I am not 100% sure.

[Erwin]

"The video quality from the sanyo is much better."

The Sanyo does output some exeptional video quality. Sanyo DWM370 very little if any blockiness, and I was testing out the Sanyo on a 32' TV. The video on Apex DVD players seem to be better with 25' and below.

[Tavz]

I have a Apex 500w. I just took out the drive in it and replaced it with a better dvd drive. It seems to have fixed that black bockiness and pixelation on my vcds. Everything looks better now. I am very pleased with it.

[jeex]

well, i wound up exchanging the apex for the sanyo. and as of now, i am very pleased with the extra $44 dollars i spent on it. the quality improvement is definetly noticeable. and this thing has read all the different brands of cd-r & cd-rw media i have thrown in it.

[Who]

i read that the power supply has alot to do with the 500w performace.
http://www.dvd-wizards.com/darrenk/500W/PSU_modify_2.htm
also they sell power supplies but NOT sure if they are or have been modified. that maybe a choice,if you want to spend the extra money.