Entered CNET Catalog: 04/16/2002
SKU: 0699339701001
Manufacturer: Apex Digital, Inc.
Manufacturer description
APEX PD-100 portable DVD player is designed for you to enjoy all forms of disc media. Its slim shape allows you to easily carry it with you and enjoy movies and music anywhere. This player incorporates the latest digital audio/video (AV) technologies to give you the ultimate in listening and viewing pleasure and supports CD and MP3. PD-100 also has several unique features, including an S-video output (for greater picture clarity), large active LCD screen, multi-angle and multi-language, Parental Control (to prevent children from viewing inappropriate content), and more. This is a truly multimedia machine. The digital age has never been easier to enjoy than with APEX.Product summary
The good: Inexpensive; cigarette-lighter adapter included.
The bad: Hefty for a portable; disappointing LCD performance; may lock up during playback.
The bottom line: You will not find a less expensive--or less sexy--portable DVD player.
Average user rating: from 13 users
2.5 stars
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 11/11/2002
Design
You know that an item is inexpensive when it comes in a blister pack--rather than a box--that hangs from a hook on the store wall. That said, you'd expect such a product to be fairly lightweight, but the PD-100's whole package is quite substantial. That heft is partly due to the fact that the unit, including the detachable nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable battery pack, weighs 3.5 pounds. But you also get a large AC adapter/battery charger and a credit-card-style remote that works well enough. In addition, the company includes a cigarette-lighter adapter.
From a distance, the PD-100 doesn't look too shabby, but upon closer inspection, you definitely get the impression that you're looking at a utilitarian product rather than one that's going to make a fashion statement. In fact, you probably won't think that it's the end of the world if this player gets a little dinged or scraped; it just doesn't scream handle with care.
Though the buttons are decidedly without frills, the player seems sturdy enough. If we had a concern, however, it was with the lid, which feels downright cheap and might snap off in a backseat spat among kids. And we weren't thrilled with the power switch, as it stuck a little.
As noted, the screen is a smallish 5.8 inches measured diagonally. That would be fine if the player were petite and ultraportable, but the PD-100 weighs as much as models with much bigger screens, such as the Samsung DVD-L100, the Panasonic DVD-LA95, and the Toshiba SD-P2000. Of course, those units all come with lighter, lithium-ion, rechargeable battery packs and cost substantially more than this Apex.
Features
As one might expect from a low-priced unit, the PD-100 isn't loaded with features, but all the basics are here, including rudimentary brightness and color adjustments, parental controls, angle and zoom functions, and a program mode. You can switch aspect ratio between 16:9 and 4:3 with the touch of a button below the screen, but nonanamorphic, letterboxed DVDs will have bars along the sides, the top, and the bottom. It is worth mentioning that there's a switch for toggling between NTSC and PAL, so if you take the unit overseas, you'll be able to play PAL DVDs.
In addition to audio CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and MP3 CDs, the PD-100 handles VCDs, DVD-Rs, DVD+Rs, and DVD+RWs--but not DVD-RWs. When playing back MP3 CDs, only the first eight letters of the track name are displayed on the onscreen menu.
On the connectivity front, the unit has standard RCA jacks for video and audio output; that's convenient since most portables use proprietary breakout cables, which are expensive to replace if lost. Flip a switch, and the same jacks can act as A/V inputs, so you can monitor video from an external source such as a camcorder. There is a separate S-Video connection, but the PD-100 lacks a component-video out--no great shock.
This Apex has only one headphone jack, so couples on long flights will do well to buy a headphone Y-adapter from RadioShack. The single digital-audio output is compatible with an optical digital cable, so it will pass Dolby Digital and DTS signals to virtually any audio receiver. Interestingly, that optical out is on the back of unit, so you'll have to remove the battery to access it. One warning: Attaching the battery isn't as easy as it should be.
Performance
In its favor, the small screen delivers reasonable brightness to viewers on either side, and the front-panel brightness and color controls are mighty convenient.
The first thing that we noticed when checking a few test patterns were the not-so-faint horizontal lines that scrolled downward on the screen; they were highly visible on lighter backgrounds. The screen's high-contrast setting had a tendency to wash out details, and resolution measured a subpar 300 lines.
We watched Insomnia, and the dramatic lighting in the first couple of scenes--where Al Pacino and Hilary Swank investigate a house--provided a good example of the contrast problem. The very bright, white light on one side of Swank's face contrasted unnaturally with the darker half, and the loss in detail was significant, even by LCD standards. Overall, the screen's performance was disappointing, although kids watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone probably won't care.
One thing that the tykes may notice, however, is the PD-100's tendency to lock up, freezing playback in the midst of a movie. The only solution to this problem is to open the lid and reload the disc.
The unit plays quite loudly through headphones--we didn't have a problem hearing our movies, even in places where a lot of ambient noise was present. Audio output from the PD-100's internal speakers is decent and offers adequate loudness for in-car viewing, though you'll probably want to keep the windows closed.
The reason that Apex went with a nickel-metal-hydride battery instead of a lithium-ion cell is because the former type of battery is cheaper. Ounce for ounce, nickel-metal-hydrides also don't have as much longevity, so while the included battery pack is fairly hefty, it delivers only about three hours of juice and takes nearly four hours to recharge. That's not bad, but players with smaller screens usually get closer to four hours of battery life. Also, we should point out that Apex says that the provided battery can be recharged about 300 times. Replacement batteries are available for around $190.
To sum up, the PD-100 won't win any beauty contests, nor does it have the best-looking picture that we've seen. True, this guy is a good $200 cheaper than most portable DVD players, and as long as you don't expect very much, you're getting a serviceable, in-car portable that comes with a cigarette-lighter adapter. (As with all Apex products, though, be sure to buy from a retailer with a good return policy.) However, unless you're really strapped for cash, you're probably better off stepping up to one of the lower-priced Panasonic players, such as the DVD-LV50, which can be found online for around $400.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
Poor Product...NO SERVICE
Pros: Advertised features
Cons: Unreliable performance and after several inquiries for service absolutely NO RESPONSE FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT!!!
Review:
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
not worth any price!
Pros: Small size and cheap price
Cons: The lid wouldn't close nor would the unit play properly from the time we opened the box!
Review:
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
If you want something to last over 1 year; don't buy!
Pros: everything was fine to start
Cons: quickly deteriorated after nice start. Gets stuck all the time; takes about 10 minutes to get going. Very disappointing purchase for the $300 buy.
Review:
User Rating:
1.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
SERVICE IS TERRIBLE
Pros: CHEAP
Cons: SERVICE IS TERRIBLE. HAD FOR 1 YR AND SENT IT BACK FOR REPAIR AND THEY HAVE FOUND AND LOST IT THREE TIMES. IT'S BEEN THERE 4 MONTHS. THEY SAY THEY WILL CALL ME BACK BUT NO ONE HAS CALLED. IF YOU PURCHASE ONE OF THESE HOPE YOU DONN'T HAVE TO RETURN FOR REP
Review:
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 13 user reviews
GREAT FOR THE $$$!!
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Review: I bought my APEX at Circuit City for a steal, $249 along with the extended warranty plan. I had it for a full week of use in Hawai'i, trip to Colorado, in school for my students and it just keeps going! For the money, I did great! Yea a freeze up here and there, little heat, and it could use a little less weight, but overall, I'd buy another!
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 13 user reviews
A Smooth God
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Review: its a nice thing to get for x-mas for something just to have its small light and cool buy one and give it a try!!
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
APEX = Compatable with everything
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Review: Apex Digital brings the best features to market as fast as possible. The look and feel quality isn't that of a $600 panasonic player, but it's 50% of the cost and 100% of the performance. This is my 4th Apex product and I'm looking for my 5th!
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
a decent value
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Cons:
Review: This is a very nice player, especially for the money. But, I bought it at Circuit City, took it home, plugged it in, and it didn't even work. Period. I had to take it back and get a brand new one. So far, I have definitely had problems with it. If I select a scene from a DVD menu, it will go to the scene, but a short while after that it will freeze up continuously and and skip scenes on its own. Definitely annoying. Plus, if a movie is playing and is using the built-in speakers, the screen completely blacks out when headphones are plugged in. The player has to be shut off and turned back on, and then you have to start all over. Is my player the only one that does these things??? Someone please let me know and I will exchange it for a new one???!! Please. Also, the player gets really hot, and the battery lasted a little less than the 3 hour recommendation. Other than these things, the extras are great, and the remote is easy to get used to.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
This is the Bang for the Buck!
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Review: I just bought this little DVD Player for $275 and this thing is an unbelievable value for the money that you pay for it! It plays VCD, DVD, SVCD, CD, CD-R and MP3's and I have not had any problems with any of those formats! It is a little heavy - compared to some of the others - and the screen is not as big as some of it's competitors but all in all, I COULD NOT ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE! APEX will be a threat...
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
A Great Budget Package!
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Cons:
Review: A great buy from Circuit City ($279 Father's Day Sale)! May lack some features from the more expensive units but for the infrequent user, you get alot for the money (A/V cables, AC & Car adapter, remote control, stereo headphones). Looks exactly like the AIWA portable unit. Connected to TV set and got a good picture as well. It does get somewhat hot underneath the unit so make sure it's playing on a solid surface so it is well ventilated. I recommend getting a large Caselogic bag to carry all these items as the battery unit is heavy. I got the bag at the Wiz for $30. Overall, you won't be disapointed
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
It beats those $899 players!
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Review: IMHO, for $275 is the best portable player I could find and afford. It's no Sony but it does the job well. The construction is kind of cheap but you'll get used to it. One thing I did and recommend is to buy an extended warranty of 12 months for about $ 30 (Circuit City) Another thing for people that complain about the poor sound in these units, just buy a cassette adaptor for CD players and get full sound through your stereo!!.
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 13 user reviews
Fun toy for the price!
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Review: Finally one of these toys I can afford. Video quality average (not bad for 5.8" TFT), sound quality good, Battery life supposed to be 3 hours (Haven't tested it fully yet, about 4 hr charge time, incl. AC / auto power adapters). I haven't tried tech support yet (don't plan to). All the A/V in / out you could need (comp, s-video, digital). Should be fun on road trips, camping or playing your DVDs in a hotel or while visiting friends who aren't into DVDs.
User Rating:
1.5 stars
out of 13 user reviews
Tech Support from HELL
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Review: I called to asked how long the battery life was and tech support never came on the line. it kept on going in circle.
