Apex AD-2500 Progressive-Scan DVD Player

by Apex

Product Details

Product Manual [807kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 16.9 x 3.1 x 11.8 inches ; 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000658CI
• Item model number: AD 2500
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,368 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

If it asks to do the dishes, don't be surprised. The affordable AD-2500 from Apex has high-end progressive-scan component-video outputs, built-in MP3, WMA (Windows Media Audio), HDCD decoding, and a dual-laser pickup for compatibility with not only DVD, VCD, SVCD and CD, but also CD-R and CD-RW. What's more, it plays JPEG-encoded picture discs and does double duty as a karaoke machine.

Whether you already have an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the AD-2500 stands ready to deliver the full potential of DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. Top-of-the-line component-video outputs help minimize line scan and digital artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any TV set. The back panel offers one output each for composite-video, S-video, and component-video.

For sound, two sets of left-right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's optical digital-audio output for direct connection to a full-featured audio-video receiver. A 96 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converter ensures optimal decoding of all disc formats, including HDCD (high-definition compatible digital), a 20-bit encoding method used on many commercial CDs to deliver better sound than is possible through standard CDs. Playback options include AFF (Apex Full-Screen Function), zoom (2x, 4x), frame advance, slow-motion forward and reverse, fast-motion forward, and programmable playback sequencing. Supplied accessories include a composite-video AV cable, an instruction manual, and an infrared remote control.

From the Manufacturer

Audio:

• Dolby Pro Logic
• Dolby Digital/DTS/PCM ready
• Analog audio out (dual)
• Optical audio out

Video:

• Component-video output
• Composite-video output
• S-video output

Special Features:

• Kodak picture CD compatible
• JPEG compatible
• Plays DVD-MP3-SVCD-CD-CD/R-CD/RW
• Microsoft Windows Media Audio (WMA)
• Progressive scan
• Component video outputs
• Karaoke
• Video fluorescent display
• AFF-active, full-screen function
• Zoom (2x, 4x)
• Programmable playback sequence
• Frame by frame advance
• Parental lock
• Multiple language subtitles (captions)
• Multiple angle
• Slow motion forward
• Fast motion forward
• Full-feature remote control
• Full-size chassis (silver)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two thumbs up!, January 24, 2003

By 

Xiyou Wang "davidxwang" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Apex AD-2500 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

I owned a Toshiba DVD player for three years.
However, it couldn't play CDR/DVD- R, so I decided
to get a new toy. I first bought a Sony NS315 from
Circuity City, for according the ads, the Sony
plays DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW, it was cheap too
(...) and I had always worshiped Japanese brands
(all my electronics are made by Sony, Panasonic or
Toshiba, except my last MP3 player, the Iriver ifp
180t, found in Best buy). Then one day I saw a
review on [Amazon.com], for the same price, the Apex
2500 plays everything! I love the word
"everything", so I decided to give Apex 2500 a
try. I searched the net, though Sears advertised
it on it's web, the local store didn't carry it. I
ended up ordering one by mail from J&R in New York
(...).

I got this unit two days ago, and I found I am
obligated to write my experience here. In summary,
I am more than satisfied, it is an astonishing
unit, full of surprises!

1. Amazing picture, better than that from my Sony
or Toshiba.

2. Plays MPEG movies: when plays MPG movies, the
quality is comparable with that on my computer,
even better than the output of my computer when
using a TV! (I have a regular Panasonic TV, no a
progressive one).

2. Plays DVD-R/RW (not sure about DVD+R/RW).

3. Plays PAL DVDs. I didn't expect this! Just
tried on some DVDs friends brought me from China,
Thailand and Canada and it plays them all.

4. Plays JPEG pictures: the picture quality is very
impressive.

5. Progressive scan: I don't have a high
definition TV, not benefitting from this feature,
but it doesn't hurt.

6. Plays MP3/WMA.

7. Plays CDR/RW.

8. Karaoke capabilities built right in: there are
two microphone inputs. I didn't expect these
neither. Another surprise!

9. Optical/Coaxial/S-video/Dolby, all the usual good stuff.

10. For those interested, it could display menu in Chinese.

11. Stylish: yes, sexy and good looking!

12. Cheap, cheap and cheap: ... for all the above

features!

I am going to return the Sony. no more superstitious
on Japanese brands!

Weakness: the audio output maybe not be as
impressive as my Toshiba; The buttons
on remote control could be more intuitive and meaningful.

55 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't be fooled by the name. this one rocks!, May 23, 2002

By 

"terencetsha" (San Francisco, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apex AD-2500 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

This dvd player will play anything you throw at. All my collection of mp3,VCD,SVCD,DVD-R and DVD-RW all play in this machine that my Pioneer DV 333 will not. I am big name shopper who like to shop top of the line electronic from panasonic, sony, and pioneer. But his Apex proves me that I am wrong. This player accepted most comprehensive media format including my Kodak CD slide show created from my digital camera download. I even downloaded funny TV ads in Window media player and burn into a CD and Yeah..it plays on this DVD player. I even surprise to see that my music DVD created with Sonic DVDit SE in PCM ( uncompressed format) plays too. Now I think I wont be shopping another dvd player with multi format support for a longer time.I am getting another one for my parents.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This gadget is worthy of a thousand adjectives, April 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Apex AD-2500 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

Apex AD-2500 Progressive Scan DVD Player key strengths are: (1) Picture quality, (2) Integrated feature set; and (3) Multiformat. Picture quality is bright and vibrant, colors are reasonably well saturated and balanced, with images being decently detailed with satisfactory contrast and shadow delineation. Even with DVD's of my home made movies, aliasing problems, moire patterns and pixel fragmentation were minimal. The setup menu provides access to a well laid out menu, and all features can be set through software. For example, unlike my Pioneer 525, which has a manual switch on the back of the unit, I can change between S-Video and component video conveniently through software with the remote control. Although the instructions advise to not have all cables (RCA, S-Video and Component) connected at once, I encountered no problems doing so. The major features are complementary and work well together. Lastly, the multiformat enables the unit to play everything from commercial DVD's to DVD-R/W. Dolby Digital 5.1 is OK with 2 speakers but a tad weak with surround; system probably needs a bit more wattage to generate a more completely immersive listening experience.