DVDFile reports of a new DVD player with an Apex-like hidden menu, which can turn off region codes and Macrovision. The report indicates their menus may share a chipset or something, because the hidden menu looks just like the Apex's. Like the Apex, the review says "If you're looking for a primary player, move on." But my Apex (as slow as it is) hasn't broken down yet (like others presumably have).

Unrelated: I was pleased to discover that my Apex does a decent PAL-to-NTSC conversion, which I didn't even think about until I tried that region 2 Metropolis DVD in NTSC mode. PAL is a European video standard with more scan lines, while NTSC is the American standard with fewer. I'm under the impression that only fancy players (and those meant for bypassing region codes) have this feature, so watch out for PAL/NTSC if you're buying from someplace that might carry both.