Apex AD2600 Progressive-Scan DVD Player
Worth it
I'd purchased a total of 3 Apex DVD players prior to getting this model, and all three have been working loyally, with the oldest one still doing well after two years, so I figured for this price, if I could get 2-3 years of service out of it until the next technological advance comes along, it would be worth it.<br />The AD-2600 is not Apex's first progressive-scan model, but it has a more solid feel than Apex's prior offerings.  Like with all Apex players, the 2600 plays lots and lots of formats, from DVD to VCD to Kodak to CD to recordable and rewritable discs.  This is not a fancy player, and some of the functions are not well documented and feel kinda crude to operate, but hey, it works well and you just can't beat the price!  Progress scan is only evident if you have a digital TV (DTV).  If you do have one, you'll notice the difference, big-time.  Images become so much sharper and clearer, and you'd never want to go back to interlaced pictures again.  Notice that progressive scan only improves video, not audio.  For best video results, get the component (not composite) cables.  All DTVs have component video inputs, and you *must* take advantage of those.<br />Recommended if you watch a lot of DVDs.