Apex AD-800 Progressive-Scan DVD Player
Good picture quality, but many problems
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.<br />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.<br />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.