Malata and beyond: discussing Region-Free DVD player options [PART 4]
10-24-02, 01:31 PM
#51
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Sorry if these have been asked multiple times:
Can some explain the overall benefits of x-y scaling?
Given these are progressive players - do you need a special tv to play he progressive signal vs it being interlaced instead? (I have a sony 53" 4x3 XBR)
Can some explain the overall benefits of x-y scaling?
Given these are progressive players - do you need a special tv to play he progressive signal vs it being interlaced instead? (I have a sony 53" 4x3 XBR)
10-25-02, 02:15 AM
#52
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Looking at getting a Malata 520 and had a question. When connecting it to a 4x3 TV with the component cables what all do you need to select to make it work? My TV is a Sony Wega and has the Y Pr Pb jacks on it. The user manual says something about setting the scanning mode to progressive but that won't work with a non-progressive tv I am assuming.
10-25-02, 11:00 AM
#54
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More comments and questions about the Malata:
One of THE best features of this player is the "zoom" function. It allows you to zoom out to see all the picture that's MISSING from overscan. There's a small amount of detail that's missing but I have definitely seen a difference in the picture just from seeing what you gain by zooming out. From my experience, anything that starts with 595 will do...just make sure you don't zoom so far out that you get black on either side of the picture.
Now onto the questions...both having to do with Phantom Menace:
Was there ever a solution to the subtitle problem?
And is there a way to view the outtake easter egg? I know that you used to be able to just push 1138 but when you do that...once you get to the 3, it takes you back to the main menu. You are also supposed to be able to push "title" and then go to that title but it just takes you to the beginning of the film. I'm nervous about this as well as the Terminator 2 disc to watch the "extra long" version of the film. Is there a way around this???
One of THE best features of this player is the "zoom" function. It allows you to zoom out to see all the picture that's MISSING from overscan. There's a small amount of detail that's missing but I have definitely seen a difference in the picture just from seeing what you gain by zooming out. From my experience, anything that starts with 595 will do...just make sure you don't zoom so far out that you get black on either side of the picture.
Now onto the questions...both having to do with Phantom Menace:
Was there ever a solution to the subtitle problem?
And is there a way to view the outtake easter egg? I know that you used to be able to just push 1138 but when you do that...once you get to the 3, it takes you back to the main menu. You are also supposed to be able to push "title" and then go to that title but it just takes you to the beginning of the film. I'm nervous about this as well as the Terminator 2 disc to watch the "extra long" version of the film. Is there a way around this???
10-28-02, 03:22 PM
#55
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The subtitle problem is due to the Mediamatics chip set. Unfortunately, any player with the earlier chip not be able to display those kinds of subtitles. 
10-28-02, 11:20 PM
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After a little under 10 months, my Malata n996 is dead. I don't know what to do. First I'll call the place I got it from during business hours tomorrow. But I really don't know what I can do; I don't have the receipt or order number. I really don't want to go through a lenghty process to get this thing replaced. My widescreen TV should be here within the next week or so. Perfect frickin' timing. I've been out of the loop for a while now, but is 520 supposed to be the best replacement for n996?
EDIT: Just found the receipt in my drawer.
EDIT: Just found the receipt in my drawer.
Last edited by Cornfed; 10-28-02 at 11:28 PM.
10-29-02, 01:21 AM
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Do any region free players have the newer Mediamatics chip that will display the subtitles properly? Is it impossible to do anything in the firmware to work around the problem. I really don't want to have to turn on the subtitles every time that I watch a movie that has this type of subtitles.
10-29-02, 08:21 PM
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The 520 is far more reliable than the 996 for several reasons:
1. No expert menus. Too many "non-experts" were screwing their machines up by messing around with this menu.
2. Heat problem remedied.
3. More efficient design. The 520 has a less complicated architecture.
That said, you might also look at the 3600 as a viable replacement for the 996. Even if you don't use the speaker system. The 3600 has different firmware and there are no pixelation issues with the 3600 that some users occassionally run in to on the 520.
Regards,
Jeff
HKFLIX
1. No expert menus. Too many "non-experts" were screwing their machines up by messing around with this menu.
2. Heat problem remedied.
3. More efficient design. The 520 has a less complicated architecture.
That said, you might also look at the 3600 as a viable replacement for the 996. Even if you don't use the speaker system. The 3600 has different firmware and there are no pixelation issues with the 3600 that some users occassionally run in to on the 520.
Regards,
Jeff
HKFLIX
10-29-02, 10:27 PM
#61
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Hi Jeff - as a 3600 order in queue (you shipped it already, yeah!), it sounds like you think the 3600 might be even better than the 520?
Yes? No?
Yes? No?
10-30-02, 12:37 AM
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The subtitle problem is no longer a problem on the JVCs. My JVC 500 plays the problem discs perfectly. I think this only affected discs with "fading subtitles". I have checked a few discs I have with fading subtitles (including Phantom Menace) and they all play flawlessly.
