Which Apex model should I buy?

[AP Enterprises Ltd]

Hmm... A laser adjustment? I'd try that, but I don't know how...

And yeah, all of the DVDs I put in it are scratch, dirt, and fingerprint-free.

I tried a laser cleaner (one of those special discs with the bristles on it) but it didn't do anything.

[sracer]

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On 2001-07-30 11:47:26, incognito wrote:
This s becomming a really interestig thead.

I don't remember reading anythin bad abou apex
players on these forums before today-- they seem to be very
popular with most users here.

I've heard that they have problems with seamless branching
but I've never heard complaints about viedeo quality,
audio synch, or jitterin before.

What's the scoop here?

Is this mostly a matter of cleaning a dvd wiha tissue
before playing (which seems to fix a lot of problems)
or are threre real hardware/firmware quality issues?

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The "scoop" is, that at one time, the APEX was *the* player to get. With the hidden loophole menu, it was a region-free, macrovision-free player that could play a variety of discs. Since then: prices have dropped on higher quality players, more players have been released that can play a variety of formats, and the APEX model line has become convoluted and peppered with problems.

There are still some people who proclaim that the APEX is still "the one to get". It is a little disingenuous to recommend the region-free, macrovision-free 660 to people in search of a NEW player... the implication is that it is still available in stores (the loophole menu version is not).

The reason why no one mentioned the negatives of the APEX is because those who initially purchased them were primarily interested in region-free, macrovision-free, or MP3 playback. And in these extremely limited uses, the APEX was fine.

As people began to use the APEX for things like playing DVDs and VCDs, the flaws in the players became more obvious.

Don't get me wrong, there are still good reasons for choosing an APEX player, but people need to be made aware of the limitations. An informed decision is the best one.

The landscape of DVD players has changed drastically over the last 6-12 months and there are some real good quality players (like the Pioneer DV-343, DV-434) that are only a few dollars more than the APEX.

[Lepy]

The more I have read the posts on this thread and the reviews of the top players on this site, the more I don't think the apex is the best player to get but the Pioneers seem to be the best. First, I have two stupid questions I would like to ask now, does progressive scan work on VCDds/SCVDs and what do the different layers on the cds mean (ex. CDRW Green Layer)? Sorry, I'm a newbie on most of this stuff . I have heard the negative and postitive comments and the pros and cons of the apex players. Now I want to know the pros and cons of a few other players(especially Pioneers). So, if you would, post the player you think would best fit what I am looking for. Here is a recap of what I want. A player that can play DVDs, VCDs, SVCDs, and high bitrate X(S)VCDs all in very good quality. DVD-R(RW) would also be nice but not that important. I want to be able to play subtitles and different audio tracks on both VCDs and SVCDs. Now onto the things that I would like to be included but aren't that necessary. Progressive scan (especially if it works on VCDs/SVCDs), 3/5 disc changer, and 5.1 outputs. I know your gonna think I'm insane since I want practially ever feature in 1 dvd player and expect to spend less than $250, but remember I want to spend less or just a little more than $250. Also I don't have a 5.1 system at the moment, but I am planing on getting one. One last thing to remember. I want to use this mainly as a VCD player but I would also like better DVD playback than my PS2. Sorry for the long post and everything. I plan on testing which players you guys recommend the most with the samples from this site. Thanks for all the posts so far!

[Lepy]

Anyone have anymore answers? Thanks for all your replies though!

[AntnyMD]

I must agree when I was in hot pursuit of an Apex, I could see any negatives about it. But after about two years of making VCD/XVCD/SVCD/XSVCD/miniDVD, I have some concerns about the Apex. I've had two so far.

My first was a 660 post-loophole. I liked it and for about two minutes, it was the only DVD player I used. I liked how it would random from an entire disc of MP3s placed neatly in folders, but it chopped off the first second or two of each song. That annoyed me. I liked the DVD playback, but it made all of my pressed VCDs look like complete crap.

In between this one and my second Apex, I bought a JVC and loved it lots. After that, I see everything through the eyes of the JVC in terms of quality.

The Apex 660 chopping off seconds of MP3s annoyed me, but I'd had it a year by the time I decided to replace it, so I did the ghetto thing. I bought a new Apex 500 (I couldnt find an "A" or "W" anywhere in it or on it), brought it home, boxed up the 660 in the 500's clothes and returned it for a refund. I gave an Academy-worthy performance of subtlety and finesse at the store. I got my money back and a brand new player.

The Apex 500 performs best in reproduction of MP3s, but it won't random a whole disc like the other one if the MP3s are in folders. DVD playback is the same as the other one. The VCD playback is a bit better, but blockiness I see on the Apex is simply not there on the JVC. The shocker for me on the 500 was that I could put a data disc with an MPEG burned on it and it would play the MPEG, no special VCD authoring needed (of course, you can fit more video onto a VCD formatted disc though). It plays miniDVD also, but as a data CD (you browse to the VOB in the Video_TS folder and play the file with the tiny DVD logo next to it).

I'd recommend the Apex for a secondary or third DVD player (I have three, but theres no reason why I should keep them all -- I should eBay one of them). For a primary "do-it-all" DVD/VCD/SVCD I'm actually considering the portable Aiwa. I'd love to have true DVD portability.

[Greg12]

I don't have any problems with my 660.

[Greg12]

I don't have any problems with my 660.

APEX 500W has a secert menu for changing region.

APEX 660 requires a hack.


Both must be hacked for Macro-vision.

[Freddie100]

I have an APex 703 with no problems. Made it macrovision free and now I can copy DVD's with my Dazzle II, cut and burn. The results are amazing. Dvd quality. My Pioneer 434 does play better than the Apex but just a bit. Progressive scan applies to the new digital TV's.

[Lepy]

Ok so I have decided between 3, the Pioneer DV-33, Hitachi DV-P505U, or Apex AD-703? Which should I get?

[Gamer X]

Here's feedback from some who has an Apex AD-800. I have it connected to a Mitsubishi 55" Widescreen HDTV, so I am taking advanage of the progressive scan feature, which is at least on par with my previous DVD Player, the popular JVC XV-723GD. In all honesty, I've had this player for 2 months, and I've had absolutely no problems with it. No only do I believe that they correctly a lot of the problems in the AD-800 from the previous models, but if you have or play to get a HDTV, this is the best bang for the bug. As far as drawbacks of the player goes, the remote leaves a lot to be desired, and you have to manually adjust a lot of the settings every time you want to use them, but for $199, I'm still a happy camper.