Apex DRX-9200 DVD Recorder/Player
Waiting for the Big Bang
I bought this unit 9 months ago.  From Day 1, the clock ran fast, which meant that unless I remembered to reset the time every single day, I'd lose the last few minutes of my recorded program. <br /> <br />DVD's -- both my recorded programs and rented movies -- often glitch or freeze.  Sometimes several minutes of a program are jumped over, and even if I rewind, I can't get those segments to play.  This always happens at the end of a recorded program. <br /> <br />The remote control works sporadically and erratically.  It's a major pain to set a program (or the clock, or anything else) because the remote either doesn't work at all, or skips randomly through the menu. <br /> <br />I called customer service and offered to take the machine in (they're located about 30 miles from here.)  Customer service said they charge $80 just to LOOK at the machine, and labor would be extra.  It's still under warrantee, but only parts are paid for.  I originally paid $120 after rebates for this item, so a repair bill in excess of that amount seems kind of counterproductive.     <br /> <br />For almost 3 months now, the machine is running HOT.  I set it up on stilts to let air move around the machine, but the underside is so hot I'm afraid it will burst into flames any day now.  The machine also screeches like a dying dragon when I turn it on. <br /> <br />I'm just waiting for the big bang.  I keep the fire extinguisher close at hand.