Help finding multi region DVD player

[Flimbo]

I have just moved over to the US from the UK and I am looking for a DVD player that will play both my old DVDs and any new ones I purchase over here.

I would be grateful if someone could recommend some makes/models which I could look into that will play my DVDs or if anyone could recommend retailers or etailers who sell multi region DVDs, that would be really helpful.

Thanks in advance

Flimbo

[zargon]

Your best bet probably is the Malta, they have a non prog scan and a prog scan version. Also, I don't have any links off hand, but there are sites that sell pre-modded DVD players from major companies. That is also worth a look, then you can stick to the major brands like Panasonic, Pioneer or Toshiba.

[Mr. Salty]

Actually that's "Malata," not Malta. The company sells two models. One is progressive scan and is Macrovision-enabled. The other is interlaced, but has the advantage of having the Macrovision disabled.

You can find these at www.avdeals.com.

A lot of the major brands I've seen that have been modded don't convert the PAL video standard to NTSC, which you're going to need. The Malata players do, and they do a good job of it.

[Flimbo]

Thanks for your replies :)

I'm afraid to say that I am a bit of an idiot when it comes DVD players.

I don't know what the advantages of Macrovision enabled/disabled are. I think I have a handle on the difference between interlaced and progressive. It seems, from what I have read, that progressive is better, or does it depend on the type of movie you are watching.

Any further helps would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

Rick

[Eeyore]

macrovision is copy protection. most players have it, so you can't run a dvd player through a VCR. not a big deal unless you were going to try copying dvds onto VHS.

progressive scan is only really useful if your television supports the higher resolution. you'd have to check your tv or post what kind it is and i'm sure people will know right away.

mostly you'll just need to find a region-free player that does a good job converting PAL to NTSC, which the malata is supposedly the best at. the cheap-o players are region free, but really don't convert PAL all that well.

[Flimbo]

Thanks, Eeyore

At the moment we have a fairly old tv, but we will be replacing it at the same time as we buy the DVD player so we can ask at the same time (if we go to a shop) or look for something which has what we need.

Two DVD players I have seen OL are Matala N966 and the N960. Both seem reasonably priced. Anyone have any comments on either of these? Also, I have seen a few specs on the APEX AD-600A, comments/thoughts?

Flimbo

[Mr. Salty]

The Malata players are much higher quality than the Apex players.

To clarify Eeyore's explanation of progressive vs. interlaced, it really isn't a matter of resolution. Both have 480 lines of horizontal resolution, they are just displayed differently.

Standard televisions have interlaced display. You are seeing 480 lines of resolution, but the TV doesn't display them all at once. First you see the odd numbered lines, then the even numbered lines.

Progressive scanning is the way computer monitors work. You see all 480 lines in order, which produces a smoother, more pleasing picture.

To take advantage of a progressive DVD player, you need a TV that is capable of displaying a progressive signal. For the most part, that means you need an HDTV. If you don't have an HDTV and aren't planning to get one on the hear future, you might as well save your money and get the interlaced DVD player. If you are going to be replacing your current TV with an HDTV, though, you should get the more expensive player.

[Eeyore]

I was wrong, mr. salty is right about resolution vs. progressive. i was tired and it didn't make it from my brain to my fingers right :>

i'd really recommend against the Apex players. they are great for someone who wants a bargain basement player and might pick up one or two PAL movies, but if you've already got PAL DVDs, you'll want a player that converts a lot better. I've never seen it myself, but i think the Apex and other cheaper players end up squeezing the image in a weird way?

There are frequent threads in the international DVD forum (here on dvdtalk) about the malata and other players. here's one (http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166117&perpage=25&pagenumber=1) but there may be others.