Anybody know where I can buy a DVD add-on module?

[AlgoRhythm]

I'm looking to buy one. Either from mail-order or someone who wants to sell theirs.


AlgoRhythm

[Bixler]

Alogrythym:

I like your style, you must be some kind of masochist.

It really does a beautiful job once you work around the absolutely USELESS OEM interface.

Here's a link to a German Site for starters. http://www.computeroutlet.de/matrox/...1010331257.htm

[OzAndrew]

I'm pretty sure what you're looking for is at www.cougar.com.au, not 100% sure that they ship overseas though, I think they do, ofcourse you'll need a fair bit of money.

[Stringy]

Well PC Nation still has it on their site, but the stock info says to call... so who knows.. I called'em but their closed...

here is the link to the product page from them....

Craig

[This message has been edited by Stringy (edited 30 June 2000).]

[Bixler]

Algorythm:

Here you go...there are 13 still in stock!
http://shop.matrox.com/europe/produc...mary.asp?Dep=1

Enjoy.

[AlgoRhythm]

Now the trick is getting the european Matrox store to ship to the US. I don't suppose there is anything different with the hardware, and I could always hack the region if that's an issue (it shouldn't be).

AlgoRhythm

[Haig]

There wouldn't be any zone issues as we have only 1 flavour of that module.

Our online store just divides their website into different sections for shipping and cost purposes.

Units allocated to USA, Canada, and other countries are sold out but not the units allocated for our Europpean clients.

Haig

[AlgoRhythm]

Does that mean that the european units are still in Canada and are sent to Dublin (the site says they ship from there) when they are purchased?
In other words, if I order one from the european site, but I'm in the US, they shouldn't have a problem with it?

AlgoRhythm

[Bixler]

Algorythm:

re: regions on the Mod. The region change counter is in the BIOS of your module...one of the most difficult issues to deal with, and must be handled with great care.

Either D/L Xin's hack (Tweak SD.05), or better yet, just flash your card's bios with Matrox's neato bios update utility Immediately after the first successful installation of the Module drivers and software. The Matrox Utility automatically makes a backup of your BIOS including the region setting of your Module and the region change count. If you ever run out of region changes, just reflash your BIOS with the utility (restore) and VIOLA, you're back to the original region and a couple-more changes. This works regardless of the installation of the OEM DVD navigator software.

Tweak SD 05 checks for installation of the OEM navigator and will not run unless you have the OEM Software installed...a real problem since this software checks the region change count and aborts the installation if you've used them up, so you can get caught in a catch 22. Tweak is certainly easier to use than the whole rigamarole with the Matrox utility, but I'd strongly recommend you have both tools handy.

Once you've settled on the OTHER software navigator you'll use, all of this region change BS won't matter anymore, since all the newer software packages keep this region information in software or the OS registry where it can be easily hacked with DVD Genie or any number of other software tweaks.

One of the BEST things to come out of all this misery is that region info and the Module are easily hackable because the OEM code was never updated to check registry entries, and the other software ignores the BIOS settings, so the MPAA's region security scheme is GONE-Broken--Hallelujah!

[AlgoRhythm]

Unfortunately, the sales people at Matrox say they can't ship from the european on-line store to the US.

Haig, if there's any strings you can pull, I'd still be interested in getting one of these. I'm willing to pay the shipping charges, even if it has to be sent from Dublin (or wherever).

AlgoRhythm

[Haig]

Ok,

I'll see what I can do.

Haig

[Axatax]

Try this link:
http://www.vividillusions.com

Look in the Video Cards section under Matrox. They have them in stock and are located in California. I ordered one last night. They are _not_ the cheapest store in town and shipping is $9.00. However, I've ordered from this vendor before and they are legit, despite the unprofessional appearance of their web site.

Let the fun begin <evil grin>...

[AlgoRhythm]

Nice try, but....

They don't have it in stock. They said they have to special order it from Matrox. And since Matrox doesn't have it anymore...Oh well....


If it really comes, let me know.



AlgoRhythm

[Wombat]

Do you really need the DVD module? Is it reasonable for you to put the money towards a G400? Or a CPU that can handle software decoding?

[Axatax]

AlgoRythm,

Yep... They didn't have the module in stock. The vendor informed me through e-mail on thursday. The vendor ordered it directly from Matrox (Canada)- and I received a confirmation number (from Matrox) which I used to obtain a tracking number from Matrox directly. The tracking indicates that the module has been shipped.

Someone is not being truthful dealing with your inquiries. When the item arrives, I will let you know if it is infact the correct item.

Here is my coorespondence with the vendor:
---------------------------------------------

Dear Jeff,

The item is being ordered directly from matrox
Give a little time because it is being shipped directly from Canada
The reference number is 1072208-11

Thanks!!

Mike K.
Reply To e-mail: sales@vividillusions.com
Vivid Illusions FX! www.vividillusions.com
1-800-864-1417
ICQ # 11301126