Apex AD-1110W DVD Player - $58.87 @ Walmart

[Kroggy]

Anyone checked out one of these yet? I bought one of the cheapo Koss players from Target last month, but am in the market for another "Do-it-all" player for my living room. Ran into this while I was browsing their site - I haven't been able to find any hacked firmware for the 1110W yet, but I have found some for the 1100 (which looks absolutely identical), so I'm hoping I haven't looked hard enough yet

Anyone had any experience with this model?


Here is the feature list from the Walmart website:

Accessories Included

Stereo audio cable, video cable, remote control with 2 AA batteries

Key Features and Description

Plays DVD, VCD,SVCD, CD, CD/R and CD/RW
Kodak Picture CD compatible
MP3 playback
S-video output
Composite video output
Dolby Digital/DTS output
Analog audio output
Remote control
Parental lock
Built-in screen saver
Zoom (2x, 4x)

Apex AD-1110W

 

[chynkboi]

looks like a nice present for family

 

[Kroggy]

Well, I'm gonna pick one up today, so I'll update after I've had a chance to stress test it - it looks like a sweet deal so far though (and better build quality than the Koss, which seriously feels like it's going to fall apart at any moment LOL).

Gotta love Walmart's "No Questions Asked" return policy if things go pear-shaped

 

[Kroggy]

Ok, just called my local Walmart, and the employee I spoke with says they actually stock the AD-1100, which I found firmware for earlier this morning (will dig up a link when I get time). The feature list sounds identical, and the price is the same.

I'll pick one up after work and give you all a verdict in the morning

 

[ICXRa]

Originally posted by: Kroggy
Ok, just called my local Walmart, and the employee I spoke with says they actually stock the AD-1100, which I found firmware for earlier this morning (will dig up a link when I get time). The feature list sounds identical, and the price is the same.

I'll pick one up after work and give you all a verdict in the morning

Cool thx

 

[fxsts]

I remember that the newer versions of 1100 are not hackable, and 1100s I have seen at Wallmart for quite some time have all been non-hackable.

Again, this is what I remember and I could be wrong.

 

[Kroggy]

Alright - just picked up my AD-1100W. Found a forum dedicated to the 1100 Here where you can find firmware hacks for all 3 US/CAN versions on the market and instructions on how to identify which one you have. I'm about to go and test it for base functionality before I flash it, then we'll see if my Region 2 DVDs work

 

[potcedotcom]

I got one of these players a few months ago...nice. It is worth the price just for the jpeg and mp3 functionality. Newer models will play mp3's and jpgs on DVD-R/RW (in addition to CD-R/RW)! 4.3GB of mp3s....pretty nice.

Be warned, the remote takes some getting used to. You have to enable the "shift" button in order to move around the DVD, mp3 or jpg menus. It will also play "raw" mpeg-1 and most mpeg-2 files. I'm going to buy another one, but think they will drop the price after Thanksgiving....either way, very nice, inexpensive player.

 

[Kroggy]

Agreed - I just finished trying it out, and I've gotta say it knocks the Koss I have for 6

Only thing it loses out to the Koss over, is the lack of composite video and Optical Audio out socket.

Although it doesn't promote it, it has VCD and SVCD support out of the box, which is a winner for me since I burn buttloads of both. Now all I need is region free, which looks about one CD burn away!

Now if only I can find an affordable DVD burner, I can start backing up my MP3 CD collection to DVD and play it back over this beaut *grin*

 

[potcedotcom]

I should have been more clear with my last post.

mp3/jpg/mpg etc on DVD-R/RW is only possible on the latest models (serial number ending in "08"). I have one of the old 1mb models (hacked to region/macro free), and it will not play these disks. My pops has one of the "08" models and it plays these special disks. If you want this functionality, be careful choosing one off the shelf (should be pretty easy now, b/c they all should be the "new" models - nerd out forums calls them the "new 512k" models).

Amazing to me how the least expensive DVD player on the market plays more formats than the $300+ players. For those Home Theater buffs out there, I would not recommend this as a primary player. As stated above, it does not offer optical or component outputs. However, $60 is not much to ask for a "slideshow" and mp3 player.

 

[oddice]

Originally posted by: Kroggy

Only thing it loses out to the Koss over, is the lack of composite video and Optical Audio out socket.

I believe you mean component, not composite, right? BTW, are there ANY Apex dvd players that do offer component output? That's what has always stopped me from buying one.

 

[Kroggy]

Composite? I need a vacation, work is addling my brain.

It has coaxial, RCA and S-Video. I find it pretty hard to distinguish between S-Video and component, but neither of my screens are that large or well defined that you would (27" and 32"). Then again, why would you buy a budget DVD player if you could afford a top notch HDTV?

 

[HarryK]

Originally posted by: oddice
BTW, are there ANY Apex dvd players that do offer component output? That's what has always stopped me from buying one.

The 600A's do/did. I bought 3 of them when they were still available (and gave 2 as gifts). I don't have a component compatible TV, but one day I will

I know that the 600A's were available on JandR for a while and I know that you can get them on eBay. The 600A was sort of the mother of the Apex craze.

I'm pretty sure that Apex has other models with component out, although maybe not in the lower price ranges anymore. Check out the Apex website for more info

HTH

 

[cheap]

Hey guys, my local Circuit City has an Apex AD-1200 DVD player on sale today for $50. Is it better than the 1100 model? Is it hackable? Do you suggest I get it instead of 1100 model in wallmart?

 

[Thegonagle]

The current hackable champion is the AD-1500, widely available at Comp USA. It has S-video out, but not component. Reg. OTD price is about $80, though there are deals from time to time.

I returned an AD-1100 to Wal-Mart because it would not take any current hacks based on the serial numbers. (I needed MV-free because I hook up to my (very old) 27 inch TV via my VCR.)

I rejected an AD-1200 at CC because I wasn't sure if it would take any hacks or not.

Nerd-out is the place where I got my info.