Apex AD-800 Progressive-Scan DVD Player

by Apex

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16.9 x 4.3 x 12 inches ; 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 12 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: B00005T3HJ
• Item model number: AD800
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,504 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Apex AD-800 DVD player is an all-in-one digital media player for your home theater. It supports DVD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, HDCD-encoded CD, and karaoke media. Component- and S-video outputs ensure video quality, and an optical digital-audio output feeds a compatible receiver for digital surround sound. And progressive-scan video outputs display smooth, flicker-free images on digital-ready TVs--an amazing feature at this price.

Experience Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround sound from your favorite DVDs with a compatible surround receiver, or enjoy virtual surround sound through your TV's stereo speakers. A Dolby Digital decoder is built in, so you can connect to any receiver with six-channel inputs.

The HDCD (High Definition Compatible Digital) decoding process provides true 20-bit resolution from the growing number (5,000+) of HDCD-enhanced discs, which all play on standard CD and DVD players but offer enhanced playback with the proper decoding. The patented precision filtering enhances the playback sound of conventional CDs, too.

Additional features include the ability to play both NTSC and PAL formatted discs on NTSC televisions, support for multiple angles, parental controls, and slow motion.

Apex's warranty for the AD-800 covers labor for three months, parts for 12 months.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ups and Downs of Apex AD-800 DVD Player, July 17, 2002

By 

Tom Clement (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apex AD-800 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

I bought one from Sams Club last Christmas. I loved it, but it had some quirks. Took the first one back, and got another one with identical quirks. After many frustrating moments with it i finally found a site that had an unauthorized update for the firmware that worked WONDERS for this machine. Although not perfect, it fixed most of the quirks (upside of a Flash Upgrade):
1. SVCD's didn't always work right now work almost perfectly (a few skips, and stalls, but will work most of the time - I believe this is due to the media, and not the machine, or possibly the burning software).
2. DTS audio CD's didn't play in DTS, now work correctly.
3. No more high-pitched squeaks when drop-outs occur.
4. ALL functions still work correctly with Apex AD-600A remote.
Current Problems (on the downside):
1. Someone mentioned that they had red lines on the front display: So do I! Not sure what it is caused by.
2. Some disks will say Error! Replace me. But will eventually work. I believe this is a problem of the dye, as it appears to be caused by certain Brand CD-R's and DVD-R's (DVD-RW, and CD-RW work too!! I have a DVD-R/RW - CD-R/RW burner in one - Pioneer A03 so I could test these formats).
3. Had to wipe out the original firmware for a Hiteker software package that disabled the remote. But my Apex AD-600A remote works beautifully now with my AD-800! All functions are capable from remote, (albeit not exactly as originally designed for the AD-800). By the way. Someone said it didn't have a fast-forward/backward mode. IT DOES! press the forward button ( the big button on the right (or the left for reverse), and hold for a second or so. FAST Forward or Fast Reverse! Voila!! Zoom in and out is AWESOME! This player has MANY great options for the money!!
4. Apex support is totally non-responsive to inquiries, so don't count on any help there. On-line (internet) help is abundant though...The player is still a great buy if it is still available! Remember this: Progressive Scan...

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Apex AD-800 is the perfect budget player avoid pricy players, December 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Apex AD-800 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

This is the most bang for the buck on the market now, it plays
every disc format, something many more expensive machines don't
offer and the software is firmware upgradable and it has all the bells and whistles of the expensive players. The only down side is the remote is a little clumsy to use and the warranty is only 90 days on the labor. ...

70 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good picture quality, but many problems, November 29, 2001

By 

Boy Rocket Scientist (Thousand Oaks, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apex AD-800 Progressive-Scan DVD Player (Electronics)

My new APEX AD-800 provided good picture and sound on DVDs, but could not read half of my VCDs (commercially produced VCDs). I think the laser is out of alignment.

I found the unit to be very user-unfriendly. The remote control is poorly laid out, and performing a simple fast forward/reverse task is painful. The unit does not automatically switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio (wheras my Panasonic does), so I have to manually set the aspect ratio each time I switch from a widescreen DVD to a VCD or a 4:3 DVD. I have read reviews that tout the AD-800 as a great toy for a technical person due to its many user-adjustable parameter settings. But I think the unit had so many user-adjustable parameters because it lacks the intelligence to set them automatically.

The Karaoke function is very limited, as it has no ability to adjust the key and no vocal assist function. I had high hopes for the AD-800 due to its many advertised features, but I am quite disappointed by the poor quality control and user-unfriendliness.