Cheapest VCD players of Decent Quality?

[Cassetti]

Hi there, I'm sure this is covered somewhere else, but i am looking around to purchase a DVD player that has VCD capability
i have about $225 bucks to purchase one at a local store, however, i am looking for the biggest 'Bang' for my buck, could someone point me in the right direction, or at least give me a link that would show players in this price range, Thanks alot for your help, it really comes in handy more then some could imagine (IE, french project for highschool, that kind of stuff)

[y2flyy]

hey Cassetti its me again buddy
thats a great question
but you'd have to be crazy to pay that much
the absolute best buy for its buck is the apex 1100w for $69 at walmart
the apex is proposed as the best dvd/vcd player out right now
and its cheap as heck
it will play everything you throw at it
vcd, svd, xvcd,xsvcd, pics,etc....
i highly recommend that player
Y2Flyy

[MOVIEGEEK]

DVD Players(compatibility list)

<-----------------

[-Elder-]

Apex AD-1500 and Apex AD-1100W are proven DVD players.

However, check out the apparently recently released new Apex AD-1200 and let us know how it is :)

It's only $69, and claims....

"Capable of supporting a variety of formats including MP3 and Windows Media files, this DVD will be a welcome addition to any entertainment system. You can even view your KODAK picture CDs right on this player to share with everyone. It's Dolby Digital®- and dts®-ready and includes Component Video, S-Video, and Composite Video outputs for maximum compatibility with your TV. Parental Lock and Frame-by-Frame Advance are other notable features. Unit does not include an LED or LCD display.

Formats Supported: DVD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, Video CD, SVCD, HDCD, KODAK Picture CD, Windows Media Player "

http://www.circuitcity.com/ewebIMa/detail.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0356475862.1016923061@@...k_24&oid=49891

Circuit City web site claims "component video" (RGB), but when you do the zoom on the machine, there aren't any component video jacks - that, and the link below doesn't mention component video either. Also, it's questionable what is meant by Circuit City's claim of "windows media player" - word is, if it does support this, it's for Microsoft Windows Media Audio Files (WMA). Again, link below doesn't state the 1200 supports this... but some of there "upcoming" models do.

http://www.apexdigitalinc.com/html/AD-1200.html

Anyway, good luck :) $69 ain't a bad deal, even if the thing dies in 2 years.. heh.

[Phat J]

i saw a pioneer dv-333 for $225 canadian at future shop today, its apparently supposed to be very good for VCD and SVCD

[ImaWeTodd]

Cassetti,

What's a local store ?
Circuit City has apex but in my area they
are sold out of the 1500. I wouldn't get the 1200
if I were you. I tried one and it was a p.o.s.
Took it back the next day. The 1500 is much better
if you can get a good one.

Walmart has some decent cheep players.
You can get a GE5308p for about $160.
It's an apex type player and a 3 disk changer.
I have one and it works great for me, VCD, SVCD,
xSVCD. You can even hack it to play miniDVD.

If you want higher quality Costco has the Pioneer
DV-C503D for $180. It is #3 rated on VCDHelp and
a 5 disk changer. Pioneers have the reputation of
quality and the ability to play anything. I had a C503
but took it back because you can't time search on
an SVCD. The GE works well enough and has more
options.

[eugenile]

im gonna have to say to go with the apex players as others have said.. i own 2 of them.. the ORIGINAL with loophole menu for macrovision and region free apex 600a.. and apex ad1500.. as mentioned above these are great players because they play just about anyhting you throw at them.. and the prices are crazy cheap.. if i can recall when i purchased the original apex 600a.. it was the only player (at least here in the US) that played mp3s, and played svcd, vcd, cdr/w.. while those other expensive brand name players couldnt even play COPIED CDS!! arrgh.. and just now are they starting to play mp3s.. while they are finally doing that.. apex has gone another level by allowing people to play JPG/KODAK picture cds.. i suggest checking out the apex products.. check out
http://www.nerd-out.com and the boards for info on the different players they have..

i wouldnt be surprised if apex will be the first one to allow DIVX playback! now that is definitely a player i am gonna get as i have 100s of dvd rip movies.. :P
i was tempted to buy the new 1100w .. but i hear the apex 1500 is better.. only thing with 1100w is the new jpg/picture cd capabilities.. and it surely looks way better with the sleek silver case.. but no front LED

[Kdiddy]

I would say the GE 1101P or GE 5803P...I wouldnt do any of the apex models...they have known problems with durability...GE offers exact same features with better durability.