Apex DRX-9200 Recorder Test

Apex DRX-9200 Recorder

The Apex DRX-9200 DVD player/recorder offers digital recording, a progressive-scan DVD player, and a lot more. In addition to recording television programs onto DVDs, the DRX-9200 will also let you digitize old videotapes when connected to a VCR as well as make permanent digital copies of home movies from your camcorder.
The DRX-9200's recorders allow you to record onto DVD+R discs or rerecordable DVD+RW discs. Setting up a recording is simple. The DRX-9200 has an onscreen timer recording menu, similar to a VCR, and a built-in TV tuner so you can set up a recording entirely through the DRX-9200's menu. DVD+R copies of recordings made by the DRX-9200 will play on almost all DVD players and DVD-compatible computers.
In addition to high-quality recordings, you'll get the most out of your DVD library as well. The DRX-9200 utilizes progressive-scan video technology to yield vivid colors, clean resolution, and reduced onscreen distortion, when linked to a high-definition-compatible television. The DRX-9200 plays DVDs and CDs, so you can enjoy all your favorite videos and music. You can also play MP3s and view digital JPEG photos from CD-Rs and Kodak picture CDs.
The DRX-9200 features front-panel composite inputs to connect your camcorder for dubbing onto DVD. An additional digital IEEE1394 FireWire jack is included on the front panel for an instant and pure digital connection with digital camcorders. You can connect the DRX-9200 to your TV or home theater receiver with a full range of A/V outputs, including component-, composite-, and S-video outputs. The DRX-9200 also features coaxial and optical digital audio outs for Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound output.
Amazon.com Product Description

What's in the Box
DVD player/recorder unit, remote control, 2 AAA batteries, composite A/V cables, owner's manual.

From the Manufacturer
The Apex DRX-9200 DVD player / recorder includes: DVD recording capability - DVD+R/RW recording allows you to record all of your precious video tapes, on a digital DVD+R/RW disc for a lifetime of enjoyment. IEEE 1394 digital connection - The DRX-9200 uses the latest in digital connections, IEEE 1394. This port (found on the front panel) allows for easy and fast transfer of video material from your digital camcorder or other device. MP3 & Windows Media Audio music - Want more music? Play up to

Apex DRX-9200 Recorder

Test report

Apex Digital Makes Junk, March 16, 2005 Reviewer: Atul K. Gupta (Richmond, VA) - Apex Digital products often fail within the first year. They have horrible customer service, false advertising, and fail to honor their warranties. They do not care about the consumer and based on my past 1.5 years of experience there is virtually nothing we can do about it but stop buying their products.

Please check www.labbb.gov (Better Business Bureau) and search for Apex Digital to see the F rating the better business bureau has given them. Saving 10-15 dollars is not worth the hassle they cause.

Poor Customer Service, February 8, 2005 Reviewer: Nickolas P. Klutarich - Hooked up the unit and the remote didn't work. Called the toll number in California had to explain in detail what I did to assure that the remote was inoperative plus give all my information. I was then told that I would be contacted within 1 or 2 days with a return authorization number. After 6 days I call back and again had to give all the information and then put on hold. The agent came back and said that they were having a computer problems and they would call me back in 8 days. I tried to get a supervisor to vent my frustration and was put on hold again. After 5 minutes I was told to call back in 30 minutes that no supervisors were available.

Does the job, but..., January 25, 2005 Reviewer: N. Weitkamp (Seattle, WA) - At the highest video quality setting of one hour per DVD disc the picture quality is indistinguishable from the source. The picture quality is good at lower settings.

The price is right.

But...

The menu setup was programmed to maximize inefficiency. It takes six button pushes just to get to the program setup menu. Once there, it will take at least 18 more button pushes. OK, I am used to VCRplus where you could finish your programming in as few as seven button pushes.

All these button pushes wouldn't be so frustrating if you didn't have to perfectly aim the remote as you push the button. I like remotes that let you bounce the signal off your friend's face and it still works.

The clock runs fast. It gains a couple minutes every few days. If you forget to reset it, you will miss the ending of your TV show. Even $40 VCR's have automatic PBS time clocks. A $10 watch keeps better time.

The manual is almost useless. You have to hunt around the DVR's on screen menu to find out what's available. For example, when setting a time to start your recording the AM/PM is not adjustable. If you enter 7 you will get 7 AM. To get 7 PM you have to enter 19 (military time I guess). Or you can just keep pushing the up button like you do on a $9 alarm clock. There is no mention in the manual about how to automatically record every weekday but if you push `up' when the date is highlighted it is available (but easy to miss). Neither of these (or many other issues) is covered in the manual.

The audio on the recorded discs (and when watching TV through the DVR) is low (about 2/3rds of my TV). It is also tinny. Additionally if you turn on the DVR without first changing the TV to its DVR input channel you get 2 seconds of LOUD static before it returns you to your show.

The playback usually 'blips' with a second long freeze-frame at least twice an hour.

My penultimate complaint is that the DVD locks up about once a week. It won't accept any input from the remote or on the console itself. You can't even turn it off. The only thing you can do is unplug it and start over.

My last complaint is the 25 Memorex (off brand?) DVD+RW's I bought for the Apex. They recorded once just fine but never again. They still work just fine on my computer's DVD recorder though.

This is my second but... last Apex.

So far, excellent!, September 29, 2004 Reviewer: S. Schmitz "Videoman25" (Wisconsin) - This model DXR-9200 is the new and improved version of the problematic DXR-9000. I had a feeling Apex would replace that with a model that addressed all the problems of the 9000. So far this machine is performing flawlessly in recording DVDs. I have made DVD+Rs of VHS home videos and recorded some TV shows on a DVD+RW. It is soon to report on the reliability, but at this point I would recommend the unit highly. Also plays prerecorded DVDs with an outstanding picture and works great with my MP3 files as well. Only one slight drawback is the "fan noise". But as I understand it, all DVD recording units do this.

All in all, this unit is a solid performer at an outstanding price. AN IMPORTANT NOTE. Please limit reviewing to specific products. This is not a forum to blast companies. The review posted by han lists no specific product, and is not about the DXR-9200 model. Thank You

A promising product that did not deliver, October 26, 2004 Reviewer: G. Johnson (Chicago) - Picture quality was compared to a Sony GRX7 and a LiteOn LVW-5001. While the DRX9200 has many desirable features/ technologies (eg, insert/delete chapter points on a DVD+RW, 3 hour record mode, DiMeNsion 8602 processor, etc.), my sole criteria for keeping the unit came down to picture quality.

I was disappointed with washed out colors, excessive contrast, etc. in recording from Comcast cable channels, in 4 hour mode. It is hard to believe this second generation LSI processor performed so poorly.

I could not determine if unit was malfunctioning or unit was poorly engineered.

And as many of you know, getting through to APEX customer support is difficult at best. After many attempts (phone and EMail), I gave up.

The warranty is 90 days labor, 1 yr parts. Considering the power supply problems with earlier Apex models, this short warranty was not reassuring.

I decided the unit wasn't worth the $135 paid - and reluctantly returned it.

I would rate the above three units -- on picture quality -- (in 4 hour record mode) as follows:
1. Sony GRX7 - 9/10 ($299)
2. LiteOn 5001 - 8/10 ($199)
3. Apex DRX9200 - 6/10($135 special; regularly $179)

Great Starter piece......., November 29, 2004 Reviewer: D. Sottile "deanatlnta" (Atlanta, GA USA) - there is not a better value out there on a DVD recorder. While this piece lacks some of the high end features, the bottom line is that the recording quality is great (don't use the extended mode), better than any VCR i've ever had.

Spend some time playing around with it, you won't be disappointed.

Question not a comment, November 26, 2004 Reviewer: J.S. (Chicago, IL) - So without turning into a technical geek, is this better than a VCR. I'll cut off some comments bound to come. Yes, I know there is probably a better model out there for about double the price but for $100 is this worth it?
1. Does it play DVDs?
2. Will it record shows off the tv as good as a midline VCR?

© 1996-2004, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Apex DRX-9200 Recorder