Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Conecting and Configuring Apple TV

Hi there.

Occasional poster here with Meridian system that gets listened to and watched far more than it gets updated or (re)configured. When I set it all up I understood it reasonably well, but that was a few years ago and I'm not that keen on relearning everything!

Anyway, I wanted to ask if one of you M experts could give me an overview of how to connect and configure an Apple TV with my system. I have:

G68
HD621
2 x DSP5200
2 x DSP3200
2 x SW1600
Meridian 810(?) projector

I do have the mConfig software, but I find it very hard to understand and use frankly.

I want to be able to use all of the Apple TV functionality. What I think I need to do is connect the Apple TV to the HD621 using HDMI. Is that right? I find the HD621 a very confusing piece of kit, entirely devoid of any way of telling you what it is doing...

I'd be so grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!
Ian

PS
Separately, I suspect that my setup could do with a full set of firmware updates (I've never installed any) and a checkover from someone who really knows their way around Meridian gear. I don't have a dealer contact. Are there independent experts who could do all of this for me? Where can I find one? I'd be more than happy to pay for someones expertise and time. Again, I'd be most grateful if someone could point me in the right direction...
Thank you.

I connected my Apple TV via optical directly to an optical input on the G68 and took the HDMI direct to an input on the KuroTV.

The Apple TV cannot decode DD nor output discrete 5.1 over HDMI (unless I am much mistaken) so there is no point going via the HD621 unless you are also using it as an input selector switch for your projector.

Setting up a new input on the G68 can be done from the front panel, just RTFM . Unless you have an odd setup, the speakers will likely not need to be configured unless the input you use on the G68 had been previously set up for the D2 input on the speakers or you really want a relevant display code. Mine is set to PC just to be ironic

Thank you for taking the time to respond Gianni.

My understanding is that ATV does output digital audio via HDMI. Also, I am using the HD621 as an input selector for the projector.

What I'd like to be able to do is choose PC (I like your irony...) on my MSR and have video output via the projector and sound output via my G68/DSP's.

I'm ok with using the front panel on the G68 to configure inputs, but a little lost with how it interacts with the HD621 and how to configure this. I'm not sure how/where I tell the HD621 to switch to HDMI input 3 (say) when PC is selected via the MSR.

Further help gratefully accepted!

The Apple TV works fine connected via HDMI. I use mine connected via a Lumagen XE then on to the HD621. Connecting direct to the HD621 should also work fine.

In terms of getting it all working - you need to use the config program and explicitly tell the HD621 to switch to the correct input upon selecting your chosen input.

It sounds as though you have it connected up OK, you just need to adjust the config and write that back to both the G68 and the HD621 separately (i.e. a two stage operation across the two boxes).

I use a HD621 with a 808v5 rather than a G68, however setting up the system will be similar, I can share my config file with you if that would help.

Where are you in Surrey - there are several of us probably fairly local / can recommend a dealer to you if you prefer?

John

I have an Apple TV connected to a HD621 and it is very good actually you even get DD when streaming over AirPlay from phone or iPad so it is worth having.

I'm using my old 568 processor so the config program is different to yours but it really is not that tricky. I would recommend looking at your current config and it should be fairly obvious how to modify it for the extra input. But as already mentioned you have to set up G68 and HD621.

Hope this helps

Thank you. I'm in Woking. Not sure I need a dealer as I'm after expertise not more kit! I'm happy to pay for that expertise though.

Woking?

That's the epicentre of Hitchhikers. If this had been last week I could have stopped in on Saturday. I'm sure someone will chime in shortly to get you sorted.

PM sent

John

Just to clarify, I did not mean that the Apple TV cannot send undecoded DD over HDMI through the HD621. I meant that that route does not, to my knowledge, provide anything extra soundwise vs. via digital optical. Either way, the decoding is done in the G68 and there is no upsampling possible until the speakers.

If I have misunderstood the capabilities of the Apple TV or the HD621 I am happy to be corrected as I could benefit from the knowledge.

I'm using a G68, HD621 and an ATV3. Works like a charm on HDMI to HD621.

Assuming a local HH can square you away.
If not, I would be happy to update your config files (comparing to mine), assuming you still have them and would be comfortable doing your own uploads.