Apex AD-3201 is a near miss.
Written: Nov 01 '04
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Pros: Inexpensive. Claims to play wide variety of formats.
Cons: Freezes on layer change. Difficult-to-read markings on remote control. No manufacturer support.
The Bottom Line: Stay away. Dual-layer freeze is a fatal flaw. No manufacturer support.
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| maniac42's Full Review: Apex Digital AD-3201 DVD Player |
I bought this unit in February 2003 at K-Mart when our local store was liquidating their inventory prior to going out of business. It was intended as a replacement for my Philips player which had gone haywire a short time before.
Although I know of others who owned Apex Digital DVD players and were happy with them, the AD-3201 was a disappointment from the beginning. When playing a disc from the Season Six boxed set of "The X-Files", the player would consistently hang at a particular chapter transition. I also found it impossible to get past the hang point and cue the program on the AD-3201 so that the movie could be viewed without loss of continuity. Later I learned that this is typically caused by an inability of the player's laser mechanism to switch from layer 1 to layer 2 on dual-layer DVD discs, a problem seen in Apex Digital as well as other brand DVD players. This is a fatal design flaw. Short of replacing the player mechanism, there is no cure. (Incidentally, the disc in question plays flawlessly on other non-Apex DVD players.)
The buttons on the companion RM-3000 remote control are small and closely spaced. The markings are small and are difficult to see in subdued light. For some inexplicable reason, the markings for the number buttons 1-9, 0, 10 and CLEAR are black on dark gray, requiring very bright light to read.
As of this writing (1 Nov. 2004), the Apex Digital web site (http://www.apexdigitalinc.com) is still down after several months, so getting product information and downloading firmware updates for Apex DVD players is not possible. In view of this, I would recommend staying away from all Apex Digital products, no matter how attractive the price and features.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 98.76
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Epinions.com ID:
maniac42
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Location: near San Jose, California, USA
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Professional electrical engineer; amateur photographer.
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