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.

anyone..., anyone...

Helios H4000, X3000 & x5000 do what you ask over component.

Any other suggestions? Someone has told me over at DVDTalk that the Malatas have been the only players with X-Y scaling and incremental zoom.

What about the other criteria?

Does anyone have any insight on the Malata DVP-500 or DVD-180. Apparently, the 180 is an upscaling player. Will it upscale over component?

Hacked Oppo 970 does this, although it doesn't have the XY scaling of the Malata. The zoom function works great though.

It's a far better player then the NeuNeos posted. Theres a huge thread on all 3 of the Oppos.

I know its been a while but did you find anything close to Malata
I am in the market for multysystem dvd player as well

This is the big question for me, too, although inability to do upconversion via component isn't a deal-breaker for me (but would certainly be nice as it would free up my lone HDMI input for another source). I was considering the Oppo 981, but the seemingly endless issues with everything from HDCP handshake to green tint to basic monitor-compatibility problems, as well as the inability to properly pillarbox 4x3 material has caused me to look elsewhere.

I think that in the near future, an HD or Blu-ray player will take care of my SD-DVD upscaling needs with respect to NTSC and R1/region-free discs. I'm looking for a player to convert and upscale my PAL and other-region SD-DVDs. I'd love to get any recommendations, and perhaps some insight into the new upscaling Malatas.