well if you ever do get the disc, let me know how it goes! Your help's appreciated.

anyways you should check that movie out! It's one of my favorite movies now. it's worth it if you're into HK films.

Guys, what color is the screen saver on your Malata? This will probably differ a bit, depending on how well your monitor is calibrated. But mine is purple? Is yours purple, black, gray, ???

Franchot
 

I believe the "initial" one on mine is blue. There is another one that is purple where cut-out "stars" appear and reappear. There are several screen saver screens I've discovered. (I believe you access them by pressing the "Angle" button when you are in the Stopped mode.)

Getting Malata to output to VCR?!?!
 

I can't seem to get my Malata to output to my VCR using the regular yellow/red/white cables. What do I set in the menu to do this? I just get a blue screen and not a picture. :confused:

Many thank yous in advance!

<b>Nosebleed</b>, as you can see, I've moved your question to the dedicated thread which was created to avoid cluttering the forum with numerous separate questions and to act as a resource for all the knowledge posted. I don't recall just now if the question was already asked.

Let's hope there is a Malata owner/user who can assist.




Benedict
[email protected]
Moderator, International DVD & Movie Forum

Nosebleed, just a hunch, did you turn on the VCR? You have the Malata out into the VCR right? You probably have to turn your vcr on and choose the line that the malata has been put in. Beware though, when watching dvds with macrovision through your vcr (from the malata) will give a distorted image. Better to just connect the malata straight to the TV.

I am thinking about getting a Malata player. What does everyone think of the quality? Better than outputting from my PC to my TV? Also, it seems like everyone is struggling to set it up correctly. Is it hard to get it to look good? I would just print this thread out and try different settings according to what you've all posted. Also, where is the cheapest place to get one? I found a place online 110-220volts that has them for $329. Is that high? Also, how's the NTSC quality for it? Is the quality better on a regular DVD player or are they the same that I should sell my current player? Thanks.

I noticed that some DVDs comb when played on the malata. but when that happens just choose camera 1 or 2 for filter. Basically the malata can play everything nearly perfect, and it doesn't detect what's the best filter to be used for specific dvds. Therefore you have to change the filter once in awhile. But that's not much to ask, when the player will play almost anything you throw at it. Well worth the investment.

<b>luna</b>, don't know about cheapest, but details of suppliers have been asked for and provided already:<ul><li><A HREF="http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=142879" target="_blank">Which Malata DVD Player Do I Order - and from where? [Merged]</a>.<li><A HREF="http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=145074" target="_blank">Taking the plunge: which are the best Region Free DVD players ???</a></li></ul>

It really <i>is</i> worth using the search function and/or opening up a few threads IMO: those links were posted in the "Upgrading to Region Free" thread just two days ago and it remains on the front page as I type....

I have a feeling that the problems lie on the fact that this is a progressive scan player. I've been reading postings/reviews about other progressive scan players, but all of them seem to have some problems. Progressive scan is still a baby, so it's impossible to get the perfect out of it as of yet. Keeping it in mind, I guess Malata is a pretty solid player (with a great picture quality) and I don't have troubles while watching "most" of the DVDs in my collection and from rentals.

One thing, though, the overall picture seems a bit too bright, so I have to turn the brightness of my TV down quite a bit, that affects the brightness of other sources (TV and VCR).

audio Trouble
 

I tried two region 1 dvds. Both are doing the same. Either the sound menu is ok the first time it runs. When I play the movie the first time, there's no sound. I have to stop and resume one or two times before getting sound. Anyone can help me out here? Is that a set up problem? I hooked my Malata with an optical jack.

Would all Malata owners please post whether or not they are having problems with "The Phantom Menace" DVD, specifically right after the THX intro. Thanks.

Yup, right after the THX thing, it stops, and says something like "command failed". I just hit "play" then, and the movie starts, and plays through, fine.

I'm seeing that error.

Phantom Menace is a known problem, AVDeals is hammering Malata to get a fix RIGHT NOW.. what I posted over on avsforum..

---

Just got off the phone with AVDeals.. they have the screws to Malata in China to get this fixed! They already received one firmware upgrade but unfortunately all the menus turned to Chinese (?!). An upgraded firmware is expected within a week (or less)..

- if you have a firmware upgradable machine, it will be a d/l and burn.
- if you don't instruction will be given to enable the upgradability (soldering required)
- if you don't feel comfortable with an iron, then they will do a motherboard swapout (5 screws)
- if all else fails, send it in for upgrading

very up front guy and had an informative talk, they are holding several hundred machines hostage on Malata to get this done.. and that includes the new 900 machine (take away the progressive and zoom and fine twich adjustments, ie. a good bedroom machine if you have a lot of multiregion titles) that they won't sell till this is resolved.

Oh.. and this will fix the Stargate SG-1, season 3 discs also...

I'm not sure if this URL will work but if so here's the avsforum thread Londo referred to. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...threadid=85483

I have the R1 Malata, so will I still be able to apply the firmware patch? I hope it's not just for the R0 machine. Otherwise, the machine is really not all that it's cut out to be.

Why isn't it? They said on their website that the R1 wasn't firmware upgradeable with a CD. Also, having to push play once more to watch Star Wars doesn't really lessen it's abilities too much in my eyes.

let's try this again..

- if you have a firmware upgradable machine, it will be a d/l and burn.
- if you don't instruction will be given to enable the upgradability (soldering required)
- if you don't feel comfortable with an iron, then they will do a motherboard swapout (5 screws)
- if all else fails, send it in for upgrading

if you have a R1 machine.. you fall in catagory 2, 3, or 4 yes?

just wish full thinking that I could just d/l the patch... looks like I'll have to send it back probably, I don't think I could solder the system....

Man, when there's one incompatible dvd, there's gonna be another, so I hope this will be fixed out soon.

They said the upgrade will include a CD-R and some soldering.....

Just call avdeals and ask them which one you have. Problem solved. Anyone can send theirs in to avdeals to be upgraded, region 0 or 1.

ALL DVD players have issues. It happens. The MALATA is new and has more features than any other player on the planet, so there will be glitches. I am not worried.

AVDeals have stopped shipping Malatas
 

(I thought I would post this here rather than the Hardware forum, since most of the discussion of Malatas seems to occur here.)

You can read about it yourself here: http://www.avdeals.com/damnmalatas.htm

Since I had just ordered one a couple weeks ago, I spoke with someone at AVDeals yesterday. He said, quite frankly, that it is not looking too good. They have been after Malata for months to do firmware upgrades because of "lots of little problems". Apparently, The Phantom Menace was the straw that broke the camel's back. He said if they don't get some cooperation and action from Malata, they will stop carrying the machines entirely. A determination should be made within a week.

P.S. Anyone want to buy some HKL PAL discs???

Re: AVDeals have stopped shipping Malatas
 

Which ones? Give me an email if you are really looking to get rid of them :).

Can you remove forced subs?
 

I searched and couldn't find any info on this subject for the Malta, so if it has come up before, sorry.

I was wondering if anyone knows if you can remove "forced" subtitles with the Malta. And if you can, please explain how to do it. The new French DVD of "The Killer" has the forced French subs on the uncut Taiwanese version, but if you are able to remove them, you can watch it with the original English/Chinese subs.

Thanks!

I think Matt Stevens posted his guess here: <A HREF="http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1504806#post1504806">link</a>

Wow. :eek: :(

I'm not sure now whether I'm glad or not for not buying this player (lack of funds).

I really wanted the capability to play discs from anywhere. I hope all of you get your upgrade and that it fixes the issues.

AVDeals seems to be trying to do the right thing. The web address for the announcement is hilarious... :lol:

Skorp, what discs did you buy?

Avdeals does not want to stop selling this player. They are just making a point with Malata that they need to do that firmware upgrade in English, not just Chinese. So everybody needs to calm down. I will be greatly surprised if Malata says "screw it." They will be slitting their own throats.

I do not regret my purchase one bit and would buy a second one for my bedroom if my prettier half wouldn't yell at me for it. :) Damm women always want to be sensible.

AV have stopped shipping Malatas
 

I live in Canada and AV deals told me about 3-4 weeks ago they were thinking of getting out
of the Malata game not due to firmware but rare because of returns from the USA

Customers that sent units back from the USA seemed to put the wrong values etc on the paper
work causing them to loose large amounts of dollars in taxes, and duties being collected by
customs.

I don't know how valid all this is but I was told that on the phone.

Re...
 

I am also very happy with the Malata.
It's not like it blew up or anything. If the only problem I have is with the Phantom Menace, that's fine with me.
Without the Malata, I could never have watched decent versions of movies like POLICE STORY and ARMOUR OF GOD.
The Phantom Menace is just a high profile movie. There are JVC models that don't show the subtitles so it's not the only player having problems with them. As for the crash, it's not that big of a deal. The problem is that a high percentage of people who have purchased the Malata will wind up either owning or renting The Phantom Menace. This means headaches for AVDeals. If they can fix the problem now, they won't have to worry about future returns of the player.

Vanian

Malata and Star Wars
 

Has any one with a Malata had any problems with Star Wars:TPM. Every time I have played it, it locks up right after the THX logo. If I manually choose the chapters and watch it just past that I have no problems. I have no other player to check this on. Is it a defective disc or my player?

On a side note, it seems every DVD I have will make loud cracking noises when I skip between different items on the menu or when the music on the menu is done and it starts over again. It seems that the cracks come out from a different speaker each time. I am using a digital coax with a Sony receiver. Any help would be appreciated.

AVdeals no longer shipping Malatas
 

Hello all -

I was just curious as to when the last batch of malatas went out of AVdeals' doors... I ordered one on Sept. 25, and still nothing almost a month later. Has anyone received their player with an order date later than mine, or is my order likely cancelled?

Before everyone tells me to call AVdeals to ask about my order, know that I will do this as soon as I get home. I just haven't had much luck getting in touch with them, and I'm curious about people's luck with pre-stoppage orders...

Thanks.

How long is the turn around time for AVDeals generally? I'm speaking about after all the firmware problems are taken care of like it seems that they are almost according to the website. If I intend on getting the player before christmas how soon should i order or is this already a mute point as I should have already had one ordered? Thanx for any help.

New Information on the Malata firmware upgrade..
 

Freshly posted on the www.avdeals.com site...


MALATA DVD SHIPPING DELAY

The Malata DVD-N996 has had problems playing certain discs
and we have been awaiting a firmware upgrade to rectify these
glitches.

Malatas Engineering Dept has assured us we will have a
complete upgrade by NOV 1st. We are holding all shipments until
we have a upgrade.


Link Here

Does anyone know if there's a way to get the Malata to actually display Avia's 16:9 test patterns in 16:9 mode instead of 4:3 with the black bars on the sides? This is most annoying, especially when trying to adjust overscan.

Nope. It's AVIA's fault. They set it with the wrong flag. :(

It's not Avia's fault, is it? I mean, my previous Toshiba 5109 never had a problem with this disc. Neither did the 2 other players I've used this disc on.

The Toshiba (and other players) do not have the Malata's function of displaying non-anamorphic DVD's properly on HDTV's that FORCE a squeeze for 480p material. Avia, at the time, didn't bother to use that special flag, since no players around could do that. Of course, the feature was known to be part of the DVD spec, so Avia should have included it.

No huge deal, but slightly annoying. :(

Malata shipping delay continues/AVdeals
 

Looks like those of us waiting for our malatas from AVdeals may be waiting a bit longer....

The /damnmalatas link mentioned above in this thread has been updated - now our new deadline for info is Nov. 7 (from Nov. 1st). I know that AVdeals is doing the right thing in forcing malata to fix the bugs, but I also really want my player! I guess this will teach me to wait until receiving necessary hardware before ordering software for it : )

AVdeals update excerpted below:

"
MALATA DVD SHIPPING DELAY UPDATE

The Malata DVD-N996 has had problems playing certain discs and we have been awaiting a firmware upgrade to rectify these glitches. Malatas Engineering Dept has stated they have completed a upgrade and are just fine tuning it to ensure that it is completely bug free. They have assured us we will have a completed upgrade by NOV 7th. We will be posting the firmware and instructions when we receive it .

.

Please excuse the inconvenience this delay may cause."

well that's good news that the fix will be avail by the 7th. I wonder how those of us who have the player will have to fix our players?? do you think we'll have to send it bacK?

oh yeah and something i noticed, if I do not use the malata for a while I cannot turn the player back on by remote. The power button on the malata itself is pushed in, so normally we should be able to turn it on and off from power button, correct? But like a few days later, I tried turning it on with the remote and it didn't work.

what I had to do was press the power on the player, so it went completely off, and then push it back in for my remote to work again. Does anyone have this problem?

Is this normal?