Yes it does. I have the XV-S500BK (Black version of the 502) and the PAL conversions look perfect.

While I really like my Malata N996, I was wondering if there was another all region PAL NTSC player that also does DVD-Audio. The JVC XV-S70 seems to do it so was wondering what the quality was compared to the Malata. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

jvc and malata use the same chip - same quality. malata has xy scaling. jvc not (only zoom)

This modified 996 Malata does DVD Audio:

http://www.goldenshop.com.hk/AI-trad/DVD/pdvd_n996.htm

Ah ok - didn't think the Malata N996 did DVD-Audio on its own - though there seems have been planned as the is a section for it in the Display menu

To all modded JVC owners -

Would you say the JVC's lack of video "filters" is a weakness?

I'm curious because I've read a number of posts complaining about shimmering/combing on the Malata, but haven't heard any similar complaints about the JVCs -- seems backwards since the Malata has different filters while the JVC's don't. Any JVC owners out there ever experience shimmering/combing?

Does anyone have *any* complaints about their JVC?

The JVC's do have 'filters'... They are: SMART, FILM, VIDEO1, VIDEO2 -- In almost every case I've left it in SMART. The only problem is it reads the flags on the disc, so on poorly flagged discs it may jump from film to video (within the smart mode)... IN that case I choose FILM. The only disc I've ever come across where no filter really worked was "EUREKA" R2 PAL. But it was a TERRIBLE DVD -- 4 hours crammed onto one disc - shimmering all over the place. As far as I know, Malata and JVC have identical filters although they are named differently (correct me if I am wrong on this last point).

There is no perfect multi-region multi-standard player. The two best are the Malata and JVC. I chose the JVC for one simple reason: the first Malata run seemed plagued with a number of lemons, and I did not want to ship it all the way to Canada for repairs. I've never heard of anyone getting a lemon JVC. If you have a 16:9 widescreen tv get the MALATA for xy scaling. If you have a 4:3 tv that is anamorphic and supports 16:9 you don't need xy scaling - so either MALATA or JVC will work. I chose the JVC for the brand name, but really at the end of the day, probably the 2nd run of Malatas are more reliable now, and a few bucks cheaper.

Still waiting on an answer on how to change my JVC to multi region. I am trying to get it to play R2.
On the video filters, what is the diference between video 1 and video 2 , i see no difference.

The JVC XV-S500BK plays PAL but does not have the video filter.

can somebody mod my JVC XV-SA70?

how to get your jvc modded has been answered and answered and even answered again. Read the threads!

email CKNA at avsforums.com

Try http://www.jvb.nl. This company has an American office in Michigan. They sell mod kits & will do mods for a price. I'll be buying a JVC XV-FA90 region free player with PAL to NTSC conversion from them very soon. It is an expensive player, but I firmly believe that you get what you pay for. Besides, I trust the brand name. I've never had a problem with any JVC electronics that I've owned.

the guy in Michigan is really good. But it's much more costwise to try and do it yourself with kits rather than him doing it. He charges something like $175US (at least that was the rate 2 years ago, may be less now) for him to do the mod, and that doesn't include shipping.

I got my mod'd JVC XV-SA-65 from CNKA from avforums.com back in February. I haven't had a problem in viewing DVDs whatsoever from R1 or R2, I haven't tried R4, but I will with the Lost Highway DVD I'm getting soon.

I have to try the various filters, because I do get shimmering and/or combing when I playback a movie I tapped to VHS (not everything is worth owning IMHO, and rentals are only $0.99 where I live, so if you're wondering why I'd tape a DVD).

I'm curious to see how the JVC would perform on 16:9 TV, in regards to how much letterboxing is still visible. At this point, I don't think I could watch a movie at home without some sort of letterboxing, since I've been doing it that way since '90.

I agree that doing it yourself is less expensive. Unfortunately I have no talent in using a soldering gun. I'll pay the extra $$$.

I purchased a JVC XV-SA70 region free player from JVB Digital on Friday. I originally wanted a JVC XV-FA90, but when I called to buy it I was told that JVC discontinued them. JVB Digital is a very pleasant firm to do business with. I received a small discount off their listed price because I picked it up in person. After reading thru the instructions quickly, the player was not difficult to setup to my liking. The remote is pretty easy to use. This player produces a VERY nice picture with R1 DVDs in the progressive scan mode. I watched a R2 Uk PAL DVD today(The Bangkok Hilton), the player's convertor worked flawlessly. I have not had a chance to test it with a widescreen non-R1 DVD yet. I have a couple on the way from Blackstar.co.uk(The Bodyguard & All That Jazz). I'll report my impressions of how it handles widescreen non-R1 DVds once I've watched the 2 I have coming. My television is a Hitachi 32UDX10S.

Yes, I too am glad I went the JVC route as opposed to Malata, witness the 4 page thread on Malata problems, and no page thread on JVC problems.

And no, this is not bait for a Malata v. JVC argument, as it has been decided that they exhibit the same playback characteristics - - just a comment regarding the lemon potential with the Malata brand, albeit many many people have had no problems. (How's that for a disclaimer)

I've had a chance to watch 3 non-R1 widescreen DVDs recently:

• All That Jazz R2 PAL
• Predator 2 R2 NTSC
• Dune R4 PAL (David Lynch)

My JVC XV-SA70 played these disks flawlessly with the aspect ratio properly displayed. This is one hell of a DVD player! I recommend it without reservation.

dragonslayer, what was the total cost for the player?

I paid $300.00. JVB discounted it slightly because I picked it up in person from their office in Dearborn MI.

Many of us have received an off for JVC XV-S502SL from HKFlix.

The implication is that it is already modified or was built that way. But the ad does not explicitly state that it has been modified.

Does anyone know if this unit will require modification for Region free use?

At the start of the email offer I got from DVD Talk today talking about the Malata and JVC 500/502 it said this at the start. Which Indicates that it is region free as well as the Malata.

We regularly get emails from DVD Talk Members asking how they can play DVDs from around the world. Historically, it's been tough to recommend any one seller of Region-Free DVD players --- Until Now!
We're very excited to bring you a special offer in connection with HKFlix.com (a trusted company who has run a number of very good DVD Talk Member Promotions) for 2 excellent Region Free DVD Players. Both Region Free DVD Players are top quality players with solid warranties, and play DVDs from around the world

Ok I want the JVC 502 to go with a new 16:9 TV that is soon to be purchased....

The question is what is X Y SCALING or the lack of it in the JVC models and is it absolutely essentail in displaying true OAR on 16:9?

Finally if X Y scaling is essential for widescreen sets why is it not important on a 4:3 TV?

I don't have the email about the JVC 502 Special Offer.
Can anyone post the link for the offer?

Thanks,

MFMahler

Hi Folks, Just to clarify a few issues here.

1. The JVC player is modified with the same National Semiconductor Mediamatics chipset that powers the Malata unit.

2. Warranty service would be done through us for both players.

3. For more on the X-Y scaling issue, see my post at:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...ghlight=hkflix

4. The link to our DVDTalk Promos are:

Malata: http://www.hkflix.com/coupons/007782...qx/default.htm

JVC:
http://www.hkflix.com/coupons/007782...qx/default.htm

Normally I wouldn't put links to our site in a post, but since the previous poster requested the links, I'm only trying to be helpful.

Cheers,
Jeff ([email protected])
HKFLIX.com