funkydjmcescher

Just got a new Malata & I have the June 22nd firmware, with all of the horror stories re: the new build I was wondering is it even worth the hassle ? I never had any problems with the old one & if all the Nov. build does is let's you play Star Wars w/o problems:
IS IT WORTH IT ?

axolotls return

I am surprised you got a new Malata with the old firmware on it.

Doc Moonlight

When I first set up my Malata, I unplugged my Pioneer 333 and used the composite cables originally hooked up to it to the Malata. I got a screen logo that was pink (not blue and grey as it should be). When I used set-up I found 4 different settings for the composite cables and tried one (don't remember which one). I immediately lost the picture. That's when I tried the RCA jacks.

When I spoke to Malata Canda they told me that the output needs to be matched to the mode of my TV set (an RCA 38310) and to check the back of the receiver. I couldn't find anything that matched exactly. The inputs on the RCA say "Y Ps Pr". The options on the Malata set-up menu are:

1. CVBS, Y, C, CVBS
2. CVBS, Y, Cb, Cr
3. VBS G, B, R
4. CVBS, G+SYNCH, B, R

I'm not sure what to set it to and am not in the mood to experiment at the risk of losing the picture and having to call Malata Canada again. So if anyone can advise me, of what I have to put in, I'd appreciate it.

funkydjmcescher

Yeah, me too. But (again)do you think it's worth it to upgrage the software ?

Matt Stevens

Your TV is High Definition... The defaults should have been fine for Component input. But now they are all changed. Do this...

USER MENU:

TV Signal System: NTSC
TV Type: 16:9
Audio Mode: 5.1
Video Mode: CVBS Y Cb Cr
Scan Type: Progressive

EXPERT MENU

Video: DAC Progressive - Y, Y Pr Pr
...........Signal Type: - 525 lines
...........Video Filter - Smart (use Movie for animation; Still for PAL)

These are for HDTV's.

funkydjmcescher

Again consesus time here folks: YES or NO to the firmware Nov '01
update ?

dyerjp

haven't had a problem with my player with the nov 1st firmware

Rocky_Raccoon

Just for clarification, Star Wars Ep 1 does play on the Malata with the new firmware. It does not play the subs that fade in and out when the aliens are speaking. You can turn on the regular subs tho. They are closed captioned subtitles.

Funky: Are you having problems with the player now? If not just leave it alone would be my suggestion. If you start having problems try the upgrade.

Clint

funkydjmcescher

No problems (so far) & unless I see any in the future I'll stick w/the June build.
Although I do notice that my subs are a bit faster on this malata than what I remember
(& I did change the specs in the "expert" mode) before.

funkydjmcescher

Ahh..1 problem so far:
When I play Spider Baby, after you finish chapter 1 it goes back to the beginning. If you play chapter 2 it goes back to the beginning of chapter 2 & so on. Weird.

Doc Moonlight

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Matt Stevens
[B]Your TV is High Definition... The defaults should have been fine for Component input. But now they are all changed. Do this...

Your settings did the trick, Matt. Thanks for your help!

Spiky

Here's my question again. I'm afraid there is no answer that I'll like, but I didn't want it to get lost since we're on to thread #4.

1) Has anybody got a good solution for remote macros to turn the machine on or off? Since there are no discrete codes, I've been trying to find a series of buttons, but the Malata is so slow that they really aren't convenient. Play and another button or 2 turn the machine on, but it always takes like 10 seconds before another button can be pressed. This kinda kills the "Play, Power" method to do a discrete off; or the "Play, Stop" method for discrete on.

Matt Stevens

I just use Eject to turn it on.

Spiky

That's what I do for myself, up at the machine. But, I'm trying to use my remote to make things easier for my wife or anybody else. Macros are the best way to do this, but the Malata just doesn't work well for this issue.

If my system was just the DVD and TV, this wouldn't be an issue at all. But I've got sat, VCR, LD and a fairly complex receiver in the mix. I want to set up macros for each different possibility so others don't need to know how to switch inputs, set modes, etc. Then the macro would leave the remote in the correct mode to operate whichever device. I'm also working on a All-Off macro for shutting it down.

It doesn't seem as though anybody else here has really played with this issue. If I find good methods, I'll post them. I just get little time to play with such things these days. I'm wondering if I can get the Eject to help with this, I haven't really played with that button yet.

Rocky_Raccoon

I hope Matt or someone can help me. I am getting a new DD/DTS Pioneer receiver (VSX-D810S) tomorrow. I have never set up a 5.1 system so I am little confused. In hooking the Malata up to the receiver I see three different ways to hook the audio up. Which is the best way? Is the 5.1ch Surround Audio Out or the Digital Audio Out better? I am going to hook the component cables up to the receiver for the video. Do I need to get both a coaxial and optical cable for the audio out? This stuff is just too confusing. Someone please help this technical idiot. Thanks.

Clint

axolotls return

You only need a Digital Coax from Malata to Digital Coax Input of the Pioneer. Hook up your speakers and sub and enjoy!

Rocky_Raccoon

Thanks axolotls. Am I correct in assuming the coax is in addition to the component cables? Or do I just need the coax? My brain is completly fried. I haven't slept much this week. My neighbors keep waking me up. I work nights. THey will soon feel the wrath of 5.1 tho baby MUAHAHHAHAHAH. Sorry I need sleep. I have a subwoofer question too but since it's not totally Malata related I guess I will wait. If you somebody with alot of experience with home theater wouldn't mind emailing me at [email protected] so I could keep the questions off the board I would really appreciate it. I am not totally sure if I should get a sub and if it will hook up with my system correctly. Thanks.

Clint

Josh Z

The component cables are for the video. For audio, you will need either a coax connection or an optical connection. It really doesn't matter which you choose, both will work. Go with whatever input is free on your receiver.

By "component cables" I assume your TV has component-video input. The other possibility is that you are confused and actually mean standard RCA composite cables, which are broken down one for the video and two for the audio. If this is what you mean, you will only need the video connection once you get your receiver. You will not need the analog audio connections. The 5.1 signal can only be carried by the digital connection.

Rocky_Raccoon

The receiver has component inputs for the dvd player I believe. The component cables come with the Malata. They are Red, Blue and Green. I hope the plugs are color coded. Not sure which one goes to which.

So which is better sound the coax or the optical? I should have available spaces for either one. Is there that much difference between them? Thanks.

Clint

Matt Stevens

No. Either is fine. No difference (other than optical cables costing too much money).

Make sure to follow my settings for sound (listed in a post above) as they will go with your receiver.

Rocky_Raccoon

Thanks Matt. I just got the optical. They didn't have the coax so didn't get to choose hehe. I hope I can set everything up right hehe.

Clint

Rocky_Raccoon

Ok I guess I am a technical idiot. I thought I had everything set up right. I went by the owner's manual. I turn it on. No picture from the Malata. I think I had it set up right. I had the component outs from the Malata going to the component ins of the receiver. Then I had the optical cable going out to the first optical input on the back of the receiver. I got some sound but it didn't sound right. I was only getting sound from the front left and right speakers. I think maybe I needed to change the settings on the Malata again but I couldn't see a picture to look at the menu. I had turned the power off the Malata from the player and had unplugged it so I figured it would go back to the original settings.
My TV only has composite input jacks on it. It's an older Zenith television. Would this have anything to do with it? I would think the component would work going thru the receiver. I tried an s-video cable from the Malata and couldn't get a pic there either. I then tried a composite video , still no pic. Very frustrating. I was also not getting a pic when I went from s-video out on my directv to the s-video out on the receiver. If someone has any ideas I would really appreciate it thanks. About the only thing I got working right was the vcr. It only had composite outputs tho. Thanks.

Clint

ScreachingWeasel

I think you need to just use you yellow rca video jack into the reciever and then the same thing out of it to the tv.

axolotls return

Since you only have composite in on your TV.

You have to go do:

Sound: Digital Coax (or Optical) from Malata to Receiver.
Receiver: Make sure you tell your Receiver that your DVD Player is using Digital Coax (or Optical).

Video: Use the yellow composite video and put to the DVD video composite input on your Pioneer.

TV: Composite Video cable (RCA) from TV OUT of Receiver to Input of your TV.

Hope this helps somehow.

Do you at least get sound?

Rocky_Raccoon

Thanks guys. That sucks I can't use the component cables. I tried the composite video cable too tho and didn't get a picture. It's strange. This receiver is just too complicated hehe. I was getting sound but it didn't sound right. I wasn't getting anything out of the back speakers or the center channel. Just the front two and it wasn't very loud. I am going to fool with it some more today and hopefully get it working.

Clint