Steven Good
Supporting Actor
While shopping at my local Aldi food store, I noticed a home theater in a box system. It is branded Tevion (never heard of it), but caught my eye because it looks EXACTLY like the Malata DAV-3600 system that HK Flix is selling for $299.99. (I think this is supposed to be a special price for people who visit that site where they, you know, "talk" about DVD's.)
Same speakers, subwoofer, all the knobs/buttons/mic inputs/jog control on front were same. Progressive scan logo is identical. The back of unit was laid out the same, too--all input and output jacks accounted for. . . but I didn't remember to look for the "normal/upgrade" switch used for firmware upgrades...
My question is this--I realize that electronic companies slap different brand names on the same hardware all the time, but in this case, are the "special" features the the Malata player (no region coding, PAL to NTSC conversion, etc.) has:
1) something that would be exclusive to the Malata branded version of the unit?
2)something that HK Flix is adding by modifying (firmware update, or internal solder/chip mod) the units before they are selling them?
3)something that (provided this Tevion version HAS a upgrade switch on rear of unit) could be added via firmware on a CD-R by the buyer of the Tevion system?
Why am I asking? Well, Aldi is selling this system for $169.99. So if I get all the same "special" features of the Malata, just with a different name slapped on it, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.
Anyone familar with the Malata brand is its cousins?
I don't know much about non-Region 1 hardware and DVD's, but I am willing to learn, especially for less than $200!!!
Moderator--if you believe this will get better responses in Non-Region 1 forum, PLEASE move it!!
Thanks,
Steven
Same speakers, subwoofer, all the knobs/buttons/mic inputs/jog control on front were same. Progressive scan logo is identical. The back of unit was laid out the same, too--all input and output jacks accounted for. . . but I didn't remember to look for the "normal/upgrade" switch used for firmware upgrades...
My question is this--I realize that electronic companies slap different brand names on the same hardware all the time, but in this case, are the "special" features the the Malata player (no region coding, PAL to NTSC conversion, etc.) has:
1) something that would be exclusive to the Malata branded version of the unit?
2)something that HK Flix is adding by modifying (firmware update, or internal solder/chip mod) the units before they are selling them?
3)something that (provided this Tevion version HAS a upgrade switch on rear of unit) could be added via firmware on a CD-R by the buyer of the Tevion system?
Why am I asking? Well, Aldi is selling this system for $169.99. So if I get all the same "special" features of the Malata, just with a different name slapped on it, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.
Anyone familar with the Malata brand is its cousins?
I don't know much about non-Region 1 hardware and DVD's, but I am willing to learn, especially for less than $200!!!
Moderator--if you believe this will get better responses in Non-Region 1 forum, PLEASE move it!!
Thanks,
Steven