Inexpensive. Does the job
Written: Feb 24 '04
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Pros: Lots of features, fast loading, lots of accessories
Cons: Dimentionally large, requires remote for simple functions, heavy battery with relatively low life
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for something to tide you over until the prices drop on the deluxe models or until new technology develops, this is a great stand-in.
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| yuenp's Full Review: Apex Digital PD-450 5 in. Portable DVD Player |
I was a little skeptical about this unit due to the smaller screen size (5") and low price. Also, the Apex name brand isn't one that has won many accolades in the past.
I purchased this unit because of a long car drive that my family was planning and have been pleasantly surprised at the durability, size, and features that this unit has to offer. Though the screen is 5" with a 4:3 aspect ratio, it displays the DVD's pretty well with enough clarity that I'm able to enjoy the movies without much trouble. The sound quality is a little wimpy, but it's to be expected with half-inch speakers that are paper-thin.
Dimentionally, this unit is pretty bulky, compared to other units of its kind. The width and depth are acceptable, but the height is just over an inch, which is far bigger than the slimmer, more sleek designs of its competitors.
The NiMH battery is said to last about 2.5 hours, but I haven't been able to get that much time out of my battery yet... the battery is one of the drawbacks of this unit. It's heavy and bulky, clipping onto the back of the unit.
Another drawback is the functionality. Though this DVD player is feature-rich, playing DVD's, photo CD's, MP3 discs, and jpg libraries, the unit itself only has 3 functional buttons: play, stop, and pause. If I want to perform any other function like navigating the DVD menu, fast forwarding or rewinding, I have to use the remote. This is quite an inconvenience, especially when the unit is sitting right on my lap and I'm trying to use this remote control to operate it. It's a little ridiculous.
Due to the low pricing of the unit, about $70 cheaper than other players in its class, this one has a lot of bang for the buck. As aforementioned, it plays a variety of media and has a pretty decent display. It also comes with a handsome number of accessories and adaptors to enable you to connect the device up to a home theater or larger tv display... I can see that handy for business presentations and such... though showing up for a business meeting with a low-end peice of electronics in an attempt to impress your audience is probably not in your best interest. ;)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 140
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Epinions.com ID:
yuenp
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Location: Toledo, OH, USA
Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Web Developer.
Enjoys video games.
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