Right now I don't have a region free DVD player and thanks to this forum, I've done a bit of research on a potential player to get.

Right now I have a Sony DVP-NS400D as my only player and I don't have any complaints. Given potential space problems and the fact that I may be moving in the near future, I don't know if I really want to have two DVD players. So I want to know if you think the Malata is suitable as my one and only player. If not, are there any region free players that would be suitable?

I posted a poll to get a quick and dirty look at your opinions, but what I really want is some discussion on this subject. Thanks.

I use the Malata N-996 as my primary player and have no complaints. I got it for the region free capabilities, but what really sold me on the player is the scaling feature which eliminates overscan.

As for the DVP-520, it's essentially the same player as the N-996. The only real differences are the lack of overheating problems that plagued a lot of the N-996s, the smaller dimensions of the machine, and the improved handling of subtitles on certain discs(Shaolin Soccer comes to mind).

The main drawback is that the remote doesn't have a power button, so you have to switch off the player manually every time. I'm not complaining because I'm too lazy to get up and turn it off(it's not like I don't have to get up and remove the DVD anyway). But this results in the scaling feature reseting itself whenever you switch off the power. The N-996 remote does have a power button, hence it's remained my primary player for the time being.

Get the Philips 727 as your primary. Unless you have issues with the "angle icon" problem noted in this very forum. It is my primary and I hardly ever use anything else since its arrival. Wish I had stock in this company.

I too am thinking about the 520 and I'm curious, any idea if this drawback could by curbed by coding a universal remote for powering?

....thanks

I have the Malata N996. I have no issues with it. In fact the machine went down (I think due to overheating). Although I had owned for 14mths. I called the Malata distributor in Canada and they repaired it for me at no charge. They upgraded the part that overheated so it would not happen again.

I wanted a 2nd player so I purchased the Philips 727. Sent it back 'cause the permanent ICON problem is a nightmare for me. I am looking into the Toshiba 3950. is there a hack for that product?

I doubt Malata would supply anyone a Power code if they didn't include it on the player remote. Most-likely non-existant.

It's what I use and other than the power button, no complaints. Lot's of flexibility for changing the picture for those non-anamorphic titles (e.g., zoom, pan, x-y scaling).

The Malatas are very good as far as region-free players go, but I recommend keeping a dedicated Region 1 machine because you can get a lot better quality from one of those. I only use my Malata on foreign discs. I wouldn't make it my primary player.

Yeah, I get the feeling that people use their Region 1 DVD players for their Region 1 DVDs and their region-free players for everything else. I guess I'll just keep my current player and get a cheaper region-free like the Philips DVD727, which seems pretty popular on this forum.

For those that answered no, I'd be interested to know what their Region 1 player is. (I'd been thinking about doing likewise - getting a separate R1 dedicated player and was wondering what to get).

According to this site, the answer is NO.

http://www.vcdhelp.com

See also: Anyone use a Malata as their primary (or only player)??

Damn benedict, you're always able to find an old thread.

Instead of the Philips 727, I ordered the Cyber Home 500 from Amazon in case I ever need to disable Macrovision (I'm still not too sure what the hell it is after reading about it). If I don't like it, I may just give it to my mom so she can watch Korean movies and I'll buy a different player.

I am looking to unload my Cyberhome due to the very heavy red pish for the Malata But I am in no rush. I have 3 players....really only need 1.

I've been using mine as a primary for months with no complaints.

I am having great results with the Cyberhome 500. It has a few annoyances, but it works well for me.

I have two primaries (Region 1) as other DVD players.

My Primary is the Panasonic RP91, all region hacked. My secondary is the Malata 520. I used to own a N996. I really like the 520. It has improved subtitle playback over the N996, but still cannot display "Fade" subtitles (ala Phantom Menace). I usew the RP91 for most of my viewing simply to protect my investment in the 520. I want it to last as long as possible.

The CYberhome is a very cheap player and gives many HDTV's serious problems. I tried two, one which I even sent to Cyberhome for an upgrade and both sucked the big one. They simply were not compatible with my Panasonic HDTV.

Once I figured out the correct settings for the malata, I haven't had any problems. I don't use it for my primary player (I've got a JVC 7 disc changer), but I would be comfortable using it as my primary. One thing, though. Use a universal remote. The malata remote is the worst dvd remote I've ever used.