kyle

Now that is sounds like the Malata is no longer available, I was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations on good Code-Free players that would be also be good as an everyday player.

(If the Malata is truly the best one out there right now--can anyone recommend a place to get it?)

Thanks,
-Kyle

codefree

Well without the much-hyped Malata you're going to get stuck with some really crappy PAL-->NTSC conversion or with cheap players like the Sampo and Odyssey you'll see the PAL movies in the wrong aspect ratio. I own the Pioneer C503 codefree player which is a five disc carousel and works beautifully. Unfortunately it, like all good brandname players, does not have built in video conversion so I had to buy a video converter separately. None of the converters look all that good from what I've heard so paying more for an expensive one isn't going to help much. At best the PAL discs look like VHS on my 4:3 NTSC TV. My plan is to purchase a multisystem 16:9 TV within the next two years and then I'll be in HT-heaven.

Nickee

Avdeals.com is selling the Malatas again. I'm currently debating whether I should buy one.

http://www.avdeals.com/malata_dvd.htm

kyle

Thanks! They only have gold--but that'll do!

-Kyle

CJayBlair

Nickee, don't debate, buy. You won't be disappointed with the Malata, and now that it's $300 shipped from AVdeals, the time has come to get it. Hey, it's almost Christmas. That's why I just ordered number 2 from AVdeals. Need that back up unit for the bedroom. The Malata is the single best home theater purchase I've ever made. It has far exceeded my expectations. I originally purchased it just for watching PAL DVDs to replace a crappy Apex 600. But after receiving it, the Malata quickly became my number one player, replacing three other players, including a not too shabby Pioneer Elite DV-37.

Though I haven't had any problems with mine, I'll admit the build quality isn't the best, but AVdeals is offering a two year extended warranty for $39.99 or a four year for $59.99. (And no, I'm not affiliated with AVdeals in any way other than being a satisfied customer.)

Fergy

My question would be if the DTS dropout problem still plagues this machine.

silenzio

A guy at the AVS forum said he'd been experiencing no DTS dropouts since the upgrade, so maybe it fixed the problem.

digitalfreaknyc

I also heard that there were problems with specific discs tho.

I heard that there were problems with Phantom Menace...and as a HUGE star wars fan...this is NOT good news. Anyone have the skinny?

Matt Stevens

The crashing of certain discs is fixed with the new firmware (only a few were affected and ALL players have problems with some discs).

The subtitles is another story. It is not the fault of Malata, but the chip it uses, the MEDIAMATICS, which is what gives us that perfect PAL to NTSC conversion. Many JVC's have that chip and cannot do the PHANTOM MENACE subtitles. So we wait for the makers of that chip to fix the problem.

Personally, I could care less, since I hate hate hate The Phantom Menace.

If you want a region free player, the Malata N996 with the new firmware is the absolute best choice.

Matt Stevens

For $300, you have only one choice, as anything else at the same price point is a ripoff in comparison.

http://www.avdeals.com/malatan996.htm

Get your all region playback AND the PAL to NTSC conversion in a 480p deck.

SightandSound

That all sounds good, but I've been hearing that Malata is being sued by alot of the other manufactures over rights issues (I.E. using Dolby properties without contracts, etc, etc).

I hesitate to support that sort of business, to be honest.

I'm okay with only being able to view NTSC dvd's...like the Korean and Japanese dvd's in Region 2...alot of what I want is available there.

Guess I'll keep on lookin'.

Matt Stevens

I have never heard anything about Malata being sued by anyone. Just where did you hear that, because quite honestly, it sounds like a load of crap to me. There is so much misinformation on the Internet, it is amazing.

Also beware of some people who hate MALATA because they have those hunk-o-junk Sampos and are furious that they bought them, when the Malata blows the Sampo away. Some of those guys have done their best to trash the Malata line and that is truly pathetic.

It also sounds like you have allowed yourself to believe the Malata simply cannot be considered, no matter what, and that I don't get. Look at the evidence. Look at what each player offers. Make sure what you are reading is factual. THEN decide.

If you are spending $300, then by God, do not waste it!

sharkattack2000

Malata being sued ?????? Where did you hear that?

I just got my Malata last week and it is awesome !!

d2cheer

The Malata N 996 IS the best DVD player on the market!! It is an amazing player I can't think of one reason anyone would want something else.

Yellow Hammer

you should probably clarify that statement - the Malata N996 is the best DVD player on the market that can do automatic PAL to NTSC conversion. There are much better players out there of course.

eXcentris

I have to ask again, is there a way to dim the xmas tree like, front panel display of the Malata? Yes, it does bother me.

Tom Army

still... i never had any problem with my Apex 700, i had to hack it, but it does a pretty good job for the conversion.

benedict

Seems like codefree DVD-player advice is in demand again....

.... lets try to keep it in one place: no need for each seeker to start a new thread, methinks! Or to ignore one of the earlier series of posts: Thread: Malata and beyond: discussing the Region-Free DVD player options

Gabe666

OK, I have finally decided that I NEED a region-free player.
Everything I have read so far leads me to believe that the Malata 996 is the best I can get for the money, but I do have a few questions:
1.How do I know if the player I am purchasing has the Nov. firmware? (I would probably be buying the player locally, not over the Net).
2.Does the Malata play RCE disks?
3.Is the Malata player really the best player I can get ??
(I want progressive, totally region-free, as well as a player that does the proper conversion for me-do these cheap modified DVD players do this conversion properly?
Thanks in advance for any help!-Gabe

Numanoid

I don't have a Malata (I have a Sampo 620), but you'll probably find those answers at this site.

Damfino

1. I don't know but try searching this forum for Malata and read all of the threads.
2. Yes
3. Yes!

filmgoer

Hi, I'm currently in the market for a region free dvd player.

After studying my options, I want a dvd player that will read ALL regions plus do PAL to NTSC conversion so that PAL discs will play on my NTSC TV, I'm in the U.S.

Alot of people suggest the Malata from what I can see. But do anymore 'recognizable' brands have a dvd player that I can buy that will do all of this?

I'm looking to spend no more than $300.00-350.00.

Any suggestions would be great!

JohnN

I bought the Malata N996 a week ago and it has played my Region 4, Region 2, and Region 1 dvds perfectly.

I bought it to be a secondary player, but with its performance right from the start, it has become my primary dvd player.

It has now become the only dvd player in my main system and the 3 year old Pioneer it replaces has been moved elsewhere.

I have not heard of a "recognizable" brand that can outperform it.

Check the specs.

JohnN

d2cheer

Look no further than http://www.avdeals.com/malatan996.htm

at $289 you can't go wrong with this player it is the best for pal ntsc conversion on the market. This player is amazing!

I have had it for a couple of months now and have played Regions 4,3,2,1,0 and they have all played perfectly!!! No DTS dropout or layer change problems either. You will also get it with the newest firmware that fixed some problems that the earlier machines had.

Take the plunge and enjoy!!

Matt Stevens

JVC's newer players have the Mediamatics chip, but need to be hacked. The hack ain't easy. It needs to be done professionally.

But the players are very high quality and do not have the Malata quirks. No X-Y scaling, but they have aspect ratio correction on forced zoom HDTV's (a must).