Home > Consumer Reviews > Apex ADV-3800 Progressive-Scan DVD-VCR Combo

This is a feature-rich player full of pleasant surprises. In addition to its VCR function (play/record) it also plays DVDs, audio CDs, MP3 and WMA music CDs you burn on your computer, as well as CDs with pictures made with your digicam. I have tested all of the above (except WMA) and it all works fine. Easy navigation of folders and subfolders with MP3/JPEG disks, with on-TV display and controls that are similar to a computer display. Each folder or subfolder with JPEG images becomes an instant slide show. When playing MP3s, your TV display resembles that of a good MP3 player (with tags, elapsed/total time, etc). Large number of connection options as well, including inputs in the front where you can plug your camcorder. This purchase was a quick, unresearched decision but it has turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I cannot comment on the durability of the product though, as I have only used it for about a month.

This would also make a great present for parents / grandparents as they could use it with any TV and they could display family pictures you send them on CDs you make on your computer. Although it has many modern connection options, it can also be connected as an ordinary VCR.

Ignore the low marks from stupid reviewers who complain about shipping time or the fact that the Apex doesn't include a universal remote -- shipping time isn't the fault of Apex, and no DVD player includes a universal remote. There are plenty of other reasons to dislike this DVD/VCR combo, and let's focus on those.

I too had the same problems as another reviewer from NY -- the LCD tape counter didn't work properly, the tape player would make noises sometimes, and there was a loud crackle from the speaker once while playing back a DVD. Most distubing was the apparent overload of the DSP (digital signal processor) on a DVD that had a lot of "action" -- the DVD player wasn't able to handle all the data and the display showed color bands and distorted images for a millisecond. Overall the quality of the unit just does not seem to be that high. If you get one and it doesn't have these problems out of the box, you might be okay, but then again you might not. And with only a 90 day warranty, you may be out $100+ in just a couple of months. Even though there's just a chance that I got a bad unit, I decided that it wasn't worth the risk of it blowing out, nor the hassle of returning another one again. I decided to return this one, spend a little more and get a brand name I can trust.

Hey, for the price its great! Easy to set up, works like a charm. Quality and features are excellent at the price.

A few annoyances:

1. Even though it has dual audio outs, only one set seems to work with the VCR (I haven't tried the DVD yet), meaning I can't run audio out to my TV and my tuner at the same time.

2. The remote control looks and feels cheap. Small buttons, dense layout.

3. My universal remote doesn't know about Apex equipment, and so I have to use two remotes.

The VCR is dreadful when it works. I have hundreds of hours of tape that this VCR has problems playing. It always skips and you can never get the tracking down just right. There is no visial display in tracking.

Also, APEX customer support is factually non-existant. Their website answeres nothing and you can't contact them via email. Also, their tech-support hotline is open 8 hours and the signal is busy during those times.

You'll have to end up spending $30 to send the piece of crap back because buying electronic online is like playing Russian Roulette.

This is the third product from Apex I've bought. I've been very happy with each of them, including this bad boy. It'll play almost anything you shove into it which is really nice. If you want the quietest, highest quality player, why are you even looking at this? It's a GREAT DEAL on a nice unit.

You have to wonder about any audio or videophile commenting on this. If you're like 99% of people out there with a TV that needs a DVD player, this is a decent choice. If you've got a plasma screen with multiple thousands of dollars of surround sound home theater equipment, buy something more expensive.

Jeez. Kudos Apex!