I currently have a Malata DVP-520 DVD player that has served me well for a few years now. However, it is beginning to act a bit hinky (I presume due to many hours of use), so I am in the market for a replacement.

I would like for the new player to be able to accomplish everything the Malata is capable of, and perhaps then some. Obviously, I am looking for something with excellent picture quality.

The new player MUST:

- have zoom and scaling capabilities so as to minimize overscan.
- be a multi-region player capable of playing PAL DVDs.
- automatically pillarbox 4:3 material

It is PREFERRED that the new player:

- automatically zoom and properly frame non-anamorphic widescreen DVDs (my Malata does this, as long as the disc was authored and tagged properly).
- upconvert to 1080i over component (I have no HDMI or DVI connection).

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Many thanks.

No other player has XY scaling. You're SOL.

Well, actually X-Y scaling is not absolutely necessary, as I rarely use it on the Malata. I do, however, use the zoom function, which zooms in or out at minute increments. Does no other DVD player do this?

I had thought that other players (though rare) had such functions (including even X-Y scaling).

There were only the Malata and clones. Once upon a time a JVC had this, I think it was the same model as your Malata.

Well then, what about the other criteria, such as 4:3 pillarboxing and multi region capability?

Any suggestions?