Page 1 of Anyone got a Manhattan Ultra-Slim USL-2?

Seen them the other day look like a good alround player but interested to find out a users opinion?
Also after any Macro Hack details?

Cheers

Demonshead

This item was edited on Thursday, 27th February 2003, 11:07

Bought one 3rd march. Does all it says: photo/jpeg display, svcd/mpeg2 with no problems . Inbuilt `surround sound option`; dts output etc. Other internal settings options that enhance sound/display.

Found that jpeg image more than .5meg in size wo`nt load in. But display gives excellent control otherwise.

Because it is very thin needs to sit on top off other units-- they advise this. But I quess that is to avoid the possibility of the drive being pressed on. But very fast.

Better zoom and still image than e.g my Samsung 709.( which ca`nt display jpeg, svcd etc.

can be set to auto recognise Pal/Ntsc. output.

And has a multi-region code set up via the remote. I used it and `converted` to read all regions first time. One user on the msn/dvdhack group has had problems with this: but the code set up came from positive sources.
And mine works just fine.

Kaminska

Thanks for the useful info. Any Macro hack details? Earlier Manhattan models used to allow its deactivation, e.g. at the same time that it was made multiregion.

Wrote to Eurosat who replied saying they were aware of macro hacks available on the NET but would not confirm or deny it`s capabilty to remove Macro (obviously a legal thing). I believe SCAN are linked to manhattan so maybe a SCAN hack could do the job?

OK got this MACRO hack of a friend & looking to see if it works on this player.


Manhattan DVD2000/USL1 Macrovision


Setting up for multi region or specific region playback.

To put the machine into multi region set up, press the following buttons:

Setup, Title, Step, Next.

A menu should now be on screen with the word at the base
YOU SHOULD NOT BE HERE.

Using the down cursor button press until you go below the the Country setting.

Macrovision should now appear. Press the right cursor button to highlight the OFF setting then press the select button followed bythe left cursor key to exit the Macrovision settings.

Again press the down cursor key, then right cursor button. This shows the region settings for playing various DVDs. Using the down cursor button go down to BYPASS and press SELECT, then left cursor to exit regional settings. Lastly press SETUP to leave the setup menu.

You should now be able to play all region discs plus copy DVDs to video recorders........


LMK if it does the job as the MACRO is the only thing stopping me from buying this player.

Before buying you might also want to check picture quality, as previous Manhattans, including the SL-1, weren`t very good in this respect. Please let us know what you find since, after removal of the Macrovision, this is the only remaining point of concern.

There`s a very good review of it in Essential Home Cinema this month which is one of the reasons I was looking at buying it, they give it 4 stars out of 5 overall.

So, what`s the news?
Has anybody tried the proposed MACRO hack and with what results?
Given the positive reviews and the multiregion capability, if this hack works it would make this player one of the best buys in its category.

Nothing as yet, still got my eye on this player but waiting for a confirmed Macro hack even wrote to a few magazines so we`ll see.
I`ve also noticed some stores on line selling it Macro unlocked for an extra £50!! And because it`s PAL 50 playback back ups from R1 would be the dogs!!

I have been advised by an informed source that Macrovision on this new Manhattan, unlike the previous ones, is not user-hackable. This is a real shame, (a) because the player would have otherwise been an excellent buy and (b) because this make was one of the last bastions of resistance to the expanding prevalence of Macrovision. However, if you find otherwise, please inform me on this forum.