Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Dolby Digital Plus and 861v8

I just set up my new Roku 3. It is connected via HDMI to my HD621 which goes into an 861v8. Unfortunately I can't get any sound when I select the Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 option in Netflix (or Vudu.) I can get sound with stereo. (My Roku settings are set to 5.1 surround.) Is DD+ not supported yet by Meridian? I have tried selecting all of the DSPs on the 861 but no sound. I'm guessing this is going to take a firmware upgrade?

Thanks,
John

Can you decode to multi-channel PCM in the Roku 3?

This will get you the best sound via the HD621.

A quick search of the interweb makes it appear that you may need to set the Netflix application up as well?

No, I don't think so. The Roku setup is pretty basic. The audio options are to select stereo or 5.1. That's it. I think it just passes whatever it gets through and it is up to the HD621 or the 861v8 to process.

John

John,

Did you find a solution to this problem other than setting the ROKU to 'Stereo' output (thus losing the 5.1). When presented with a Dolby Digital Plus signal my system produces a loud 'fart' followed by silence.

Stuart

No. I sent an inquiry from Meridian's website and have received no response. I have had my dealer inquire and no response. When I select 5.1 surround on Netflix or Vudu I just get silence and my 861v8 display just says Data. Very frustrating. I hope a firmware update is forthcoming to handle this!

John

Dolby Digital Plus is a completely different Codec than Dolby Digital and Meridian have never supported it since its inception as part of the Bluray / HD-DVD launches.

The Codec was never really taken up on and very few disc releases use the codec. It has only recently been taken up by some of the Streaming Video Providers who have exploited the Codec to deliver ultra compressed audio bitrates.

Take look at the Chart below and the Bitrates that companies like Netflix can exploit DD+ to deliver... and consider if you think that Meridian should support this codec when Netflix are exploiting the codec to deliver 5.1 channels of audio into 192kbps?

The ONLY reason why Netflix and others use DD+ to reduce the Bandwidth that they supply at... the do NOT use DD+ to deliver a better audio solution to their Users.

Consider this... Bluray uses 640Kbps to deliver 5.1 Channels of Lossy & Compressed Dolby Digital encoded Audio, while Netlfix tries to squeeze all of this into 192kbps.

Is it any wonder then that there are several posts on here wondering why the Audio from Netflix, Vudu etc. is "not dynamic"? 6 Channels of Data squeezed into 192kbps?

You would achieve a lot more by sending complaints to Netflix rather than asking Meridian to support a Codec which was originally designed to deliver high bitrates, but has been been completely ABUSED by the Providers to serve THEIR own ends whilst depriving the end users of a good audio experience.

Netflix's claims to deliver a decent (never mind good) 1080p and 5.1 Experience need to be taken with a full 2lb bag of salt........the only way to change that is if Users know what they are missing out on and complain vehemently about the service they are being provided with

At least in the US you can buy a Apple TV3 and stream 5.1 DD from the Netflix app (presumably Apple pays extra for the privilege).

You should complain to your dealer if you think your > $20,000 processor should be able to decode the newer codecs! Mine told me that indeed Meridian supported HD audio. It was like trying to describe paintings to the blind.

Just to be even clearer...

Dolby introduced Digital Plus in approx 2005 in order to cater for Higher Sound quality and Bitrates as part of the introduction of HD-DVD and Bluray machines .

It's capable to delivery up to 6,000kbps of Audio or approx 1,000kbps per each of 6 Channels.

However, as it's a scaleable Codec, Netflix and others have exploited its lowest scale of 32kbps per channel... which IMHO is deplorable.

IMHO a Netflix user should send out TWO complaints:

1) To Netflix for implementing an Audio Codec is such a way as to deliver extremely compromised and non-dynamic audio.

2) To Roku and others for also taking the easy & cheap route of not enabling DD streaming (rather than DD+) in their on-board Applications.

If Netflix & Roku delivered what they are capable of doing in today's world, then I would be all for demanding Meridian adopt DD+... but why should they spend money enabling a Codec that is being severely compromised by the providers?

Many here choose not to support Music sources which deliver compromised and compressed audio... why not take the same approach with Video providers who are taking an even more compromised & cynical approach with their audio?

I should also add that as the Stereo PCM streamed by Netflix has a higher Bitrate per channel, that Meridian Users will achieve better audio results by playing the Stereo PCM stream and then using the PLII Movie Preset on their Processors to achieve multi-channel audio to their speakers.

What's ironic is that this statement would also hold true even if Meridian were to implement support for Dolby Digital Plus... and that is purely as a result of the compromised bitrates that Netflix delivers at.

Ronnie, thank you for great explanations of what really matters for sound quality!

WOW, I have just received my Roku today from Amazon I guess I will be returning it. I ordered it because it was recommended but if it can't do multichannel PCM it is not for me. I hate having to waste my money for return postage. I guess I will be using my new ordered Oppo 103 for my Blu-Ray disc spinning & movie streaming.

In Germany at least, Amazon returns are post-free.