Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Do I move to a G91

I have a 568 upgrade to v2 and a 598. I have seen a projector using HDMI and wow, I have a DSP 5.1 set up so my question is given that i could get 1600 for the DVD player and 2400 for the 568, do i move to a G91 as a no cost option ?
Do i gain anything other that HDMI ?
Do I loose anything ?
I know i dont get RC, but given the world of sound image etc, is changing should i care and just accept in another 2 years Meridian F-series is out to tempt us all again.
HELP ! Got the upgrade itch and trying to stay married.

tremendous....

ROFL

Best Rgds

Nick

PS - I cannot move on new kit without considering the divorce option..glad I'm not alone !!

[This message has been edited by ncpl (edited 06-12-2004).]

Well if it helps any...I have your setup and I have no itch to upgrade. My projector doesn't have HDMI inputs so the upgrade path would be massive. My picture looks great already. Don't forget that HD DVD is coming soon so you would have to change again. My setup puts all the audio function in a different place than the video so the 568 is all I need. The extra video switching is not needed. Room correction would be nice to play with. My room is quite good already so I don't feel I need the correction. I use two subs to smooth out the room.

Ron

Ron thanks for the reply, what projector are you using LCD/DLP ? i think you are correct, Meridian will probably not support Bluray for some time or is this different to HD DVD??

Your words help, looking forward to hearing from someone who has done it now - or perhaps that will answer my questions

DSP FAN,

HD-DVD or Bluray. Both will be wonderful I'm sure. Bluray will use less compression I believe.

I have an old Sony VPL-VW10HT LCD! I use an ISCAN Ultra for de-interlacing DVD's. The Ultra gives a sharper picture than the DCDI internal to the 598. The ISCAN Ultra has a nice fine enhancement circuit that makes DVD's look almost HI Def. It is quite remarkable. Only on the best DVD's mind you but still quite good. It also has a filter for the dreaded color bug that the 598 has.

I've also tweaked the VW10HT with SMART calibration for perfect color temperature and I use color correction filters to get better blacks and colors. I could do better on blacks with a new projector but I'm not that picky about them. DLP gives me a headache after a while so that's out.

I'm waiting for a digital display that gives me full 1080p before I upgrade. Right now my Sony gives me a wonderful picture at 8.5 foot wide 16x9 sitting 15 feet away. HD looks wonderful on the Sony using the 1366x768 panels. Sharper than DLP's 1280x720...thats for sure.

Ron

Ron says:


HD-DVD has the option of more advanced video codecs, in the way of H.265/MPEG-4 and VC-9/WM-9 both of which (I am told) have received full approval from the DVD Forum this past week in Seattle.

At present, Blu-Ray is spec'd only for MPEG-2, so even a higher average bit rate isn't going to be enough to counter superior video compression technology.


If you're using the iScan Ultra, and set for scaling native to your panel, then yes that will be slightly better than the 598DP. This would indicate only that the iScan Ultras scaling engine (3 years newer than the scaling engine in the Sony) is better than your projectors scaling engine.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the chroma bug (not color bug) is removed from the progressive output of the 598 (or any of the other Meridian players with progressive output) by the Faroudja deinterlacing/scaling solution(s) in use.



The nominal difference in pixel count(approximately 10%) won't result in a tremendous visual difference.

I'm with you on waiting for 1080p, but I realize it will in all likelihood be 3 years before I can afford one.

Cheers,

John,

I read many of your reviews and know your up to speed on these issues but I have to say that the 598 does have the chroma bug. I call it color bug because it does make the reds bleed. To tell you the truth it never bothered me. Some people don't know what Chroma means so I just say color. I know what the real bug is. It didn't show up much in my old 596.

The DCDI chip in the Meridian players does not have the filter for the Chroma bug. Unless there has been updates that I don't know about! There have been enough reviews stating that the 598 does have the bug even with progressive output. All of the big magazine reviews stated this. At least the ones I read! When I get a chance I'll look for one that stated this fact. Now maybe the newer scaling options in the G series has fixed this as well as the newer options for the 800. I'm not up to date on these product offerings.

The Sony VW10HT does not have the ability to accept scaling native to the panel. Sony fixed that after in the VW11HT and the VW12HT. However, the scaling isn't the problem in the VW10HT. The de-interlacing is the problem.

The ISCAN Ultra is a de-interlacer only. There is no scaling beyond line doubling of 480i material. The ISCAN-HD has scaling. This was just released and started shipping just last month.

Regarding HD! I hope your right about HD-DVD and the high compression codecs. However, from a computer stand point Bluray will hold more bits and I think this is the one that will win in the end. Too many manufacturers standing behind it in my opinion. Major PC manufacturers like Dell but even Sony and Pioneer are behind Bluray.

In the end they both will probably win.

Ron

PS. If you know of a report that said otherwise about the 598, let me know. I never looked real close for the bug when I tried DCDI on the 598. I looked at sharpness and 3D qualities and the Ultra was better.

Ron/John

as ever thanks for comments. Ron perhaps we can take this discussion offline as I have a Sony WPL10HT also and therefore a little consultantion on the scaler etc might be interesting as well as the filters.
Do you mind if i punch a few questions at you once i have research the interlacers, etc.
thanks

Sure thing! My email is listed in my contact info.

Ron

it depends if it is in a full Meridian setup. For you the answer is probably YES but I would advise very strongly on getting a unit properly configured with the latest software update (next one when there is some many issue to resolve?) to test at your place first.

Fred

Ron says:


I said that the Faroudjas progressive output removes the chroma bug, perhaps I should have said masks, but it's still gone on the progressive output regardless of which word is used to describe its absence on the progressive output.


Greg Rogers reviewed the video performace of the 598DP... Here is his comment from the review:


So to be honest with you, I don't know where you're getting the information from, nor what other reviews you've read -- but if they don't say the same thing as Greg, they are incorrect.

Might I suggest that you are sending the 480i signal into the iScan, and you're seeing a remnant of the bug there?

For some reason, I was thinking of the iScan UltraHD, instead of the Ultra so never mind my comment on that, other than with respect to chroma bug.

Regards,



[This message has been edited by John Kotches (edited 06-14-2004).]

John,

That's interesting...I'll look for the review and let you know where I read it. I think it was Home Theater Mag or StereoPhile Guide to Home theater that I read it. I don't recall off the top of my head but I'll get back to you when I find it. I have the magazine laying around the house somewhere. I know for a fact that it does exist. In fact the article said that they were surprised to see the bug since the newer Faroudja chips mask the bug. The article said it was an older chip with less features. Thus no masking. I was surprised to read that at the time.

Anyway! It goes to show you can't believe everything you read.

Regards,

Ron