Who sells the least expensive new DVD player?

[FunFamily]

Now that I purchased a few of the $10 DVDs at the Disney Store, I need a DVD player. Any specific thoughts as to where to purchase the least expensive DVD player? I will begin the Wal-Mart, Target, etc. looking, but I would be delighted to hear from someone with any good leads.

Thanks.

 

[wvjules]

I think wal-mart has one for around $59.

 

[okwoodsmith]

Just a note on the ones they sell at Walmart. The model that is $59 is the APEX 1100w. There are actually three different versions of this and it is likely that at your Walmart you could find all three. The problem is that the newest version no longer plays VCDs or SVCDs. For the average user this will be meaningless. But if you go to the store to buy one of these machines, I highly recommend you look on the box for the CD Video logo. Here is a photo of the box you want:

Here is the box for the newer ones that won't play VCDs:

Again, it might not matter now, but you might as well get the most for your money if you can. The truth is the newer ones use a different drive mechanism that is not as capable. The fact that they were able to make them cheaper is why they lowered the price at Walmart. The good news is you can still find the older ones with the higher quality components for the new lower price.

I know I sound like a real GEEK here, but I recently did quite a bit of research on this topic and just wanted to pass on what I had learned. By the way both the new and old versions of this DVD player are an incredible bargain. It is the most bang for your buck available in a DVD player today.

 

[ceecee]

I believe that is the Apex DVD player that Walmart will have on sale for $48.00 the Friday after Thanksgiving.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

The APEX DVD player is awesome. I bought the 3 disc one with all the bells and whistles at Sam's last Jan for a little over $100. I picked up one for my daughter a few weeks ago cause they were under $60.

 

[punkin]

Based on this thread, I just bought an Apex 1200 (it plays VCDs-the 1201 at the same price did not-thank you okwoodsmith) for $57 at circuit city. I would have waited for Friday after Thamksgiving for sales, but I'll be at WDW at the time fighting the crowds in the parks, not in the stores. Thank you all.

 

[nuthut]

Your local Ace Hardware has a DVD player on sale on the Friday after Thanksgiving for $59.

 

[tmli]

As the owner of a electronics retail/repair shop, let me just put in my 2cts worth. Cheaper isn't always better. $59 wouldn't even cover the cost of the parts inside, if they are retailing at that price what are they leaving out?? Just a thought!

 

[DianeV]

We purchased a nice Toshiba VCR/DVD combo player at Costco for $199...and it is a really nice player..this way we can use both VHS and DVDs and not have to stack players!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

I am an avid listener to Clark Howard, consumer advocate on Atlanta radio/TV. About a year ago, he said that all DVD players use the same optic device and one plays as well as any other brand. The only difference is the options that come on the unit, i.e., multiple disc magazines, etc.

Based on this, I purchased an APEX brand at Circuit City for about $99. A few weeks later, I was discusing Home Theatres with one of the sr. sale people at Radio Shack. He told me that APEX was actually the original manufacturer of DVD players and had developed the technology.

I had never heard of APEX before I went to Circuit City and found out that was the brand they had on sale. I have been satisfied with the unit I purchased and plan to buy another for our master bedroom.

I understand that a couple of manufacturer's are planning to introduce "blue" laser DVD players that will be able to store many times the 4+ gigabites of info that current "red" laser units can. It has to do with the difference in the frequency of light (red light is slower than blue and takes more disc space to store the longer optic media). Some units will play both but so far, they haven't been able to come to an industry standard, so who knows how long it will be before those units make it to the stores.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Minnie's Mate

He told me that APEX was actually the original manufacturer of DVD players and had developed the technology.

Typical CC BS. APEX is an OK inexpensive brand.