Apex ADV-3800 Progressive-Scan DVD-VCR Combo
What do I compare it with?
This is the first DVD player I've owned, aside from my computer.  I can play DVDs on the computer, but seldom do so since it has only a 17\\" monitor, and is designed for use by only one person.<br /><br />We've a considerable library of VHS movies, which have been adequate for our use.  I've found VHS quality just fine for watching films, and the selection available has been more than adequate.<br /><br />And, judging from the reviews, most people who have DVD players  spend most of their time complaining about the quality of the pictures they watch, anyway, rather than enjoying the movie. I guess that is to demonstrate their technological expertise.  If they failed to complain, how would anyone know how discrimininating they were?<br /><br />They should have been alive when all we had was radio, and the first televisions had to be adjusted with \\"rabbit ears,\\" and the black and white images you received were exceedingly grainy, at best, and looked like you were watching a picture through a blizzard.  Still, we thought they were wonderful.  I bought the very first TV I ever saw.  It was in a Navy hospital in New York.  The screen was about 4\\" diagonally, the thing weighed about 40 lbs., and was close to a yard long.  I was delighted with it.  I'd just returned from the Korean War on a stretcher, and was amazed at the progress they'd made on the home front.<br /><br />But, recently I've noticed that there are more movies available on DVD (sometimes exclusively) and I wanted a machine that would play either DVD or VHS, and I didn't want to spend a fortune on it.  Also, I have a 20\\" dish, as well as an antennae for local stations, so I wanted to be able to hook up all of my available systems.<br /><br />Those were my needs.  The DVD player was wanted primarily so that I could watch movies available only in that format, while not giving up our extensive VHS library of movies.<br /><br />This machine, the Apex-3800, fit the bill.  It is inexpensive, it was easy to hook up and can play both VHS and DVD.  I found nothing wrong with the quality of the pictures, and it does everything I expected of it.<br /><br />Since I've never owned another brand, I have nothing to compare it with.  I HAVE seen other machines, at my friends and members of my family's homes, but can't see any difference in any of theirs and this one.  It's just as easy to use, and considerably less expensive than some others.  The pictures are fantastically clear, but then so are our VHS movies, for the most part, and the programs we receive from the dish and the local stations we get on the antennae. There is little to complain about, these days, when it comes to television reception--at least in this area.<br /><br />I'm donating the old VCR, which still works nicely, to a local school.  No complaints here.<br /><br />Joseph (Joe) Pierreeasy to hook up and can play both VHS and DVD.  I found nothing wrong with the quality of the pictures, and it does everything I expected of it.   <br /> <br />Since I've never owned another brand, I have nothing to compare it with.  I HAVE seen other machines, at my friends and members of my family's homes, but can't see any difference in any of theirs and this one.  It's just as easy to use, and considerably less expensive than some others.  The pictures are fantastically clear, but then so are our VHS movies, for the most part, and the programs we receive from the dish and the local stations we get on the antennae. There is little to complain about, these days, when it comes to television reception--at least in this area. <br /> <br />I'm donating the old VCR, which still works nicely, to a local school.  No complaints here. <br /> <br />Joseph (Joe) Pierre <br />