Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HDTV for Europe

Hot on the heels of Sky's announcement that it intends starting HDTV broadcasting in the UK by 2006, comes news from Astra on its intentions:

"Satellite operator SES-Astra has announced agreed plans for the technical specifications and the introduction timetable for high definition television (HDTV) services across its system in Europe.

The announcement is a result of last week's annual European HDTV Forum session in Luxembourg, attended by more than sixty of its European broadcast customers, hardware manufacturers and other industry partners.

The minimum technical specifications for HDTV include:

- HDTV ready displays need a minimum of 720 lines vertical resolution

- Scan formats of 720P50 and 1080i25 for HDTV

- Standard interfaces for peripheral equipment

The group also agreed on the launch of an "HDTV" label which will be deployed to identify future-proof HDTV displays. The label is intended to ensure consumer confidence when acquiring new display devices and will be used in the upcoming HDTV marketing campaigns of the different manufacturers promoting the pan-European HDTV initiative". (from Digital Spy)

So, good news for Meridian G Series owners on processing of incoming HDTV signals.

Just make sure that new plasma you're thinking of buying is HDTV compliant - such as Pioneer, Yamaha and the 50" Panasonic (the 42" and 37" Panasonic are not compliant).

It's a pity, though, that only the Pioneer comes with HDMI.

But the G series can't process incoming HDTV signals can it?

How about http://www.euro1080.com ? I've not seen it, but it's apparently been running since the beginning of the year. Though it's not a commercial channel .. more of a technology demonstration to try and promote HDTV in Europe.

the quality of euro 1080 is amazingly good, I have seen yesterday a demo at my dealer feeding the video signal from the DVI output of a QualiTV HDTV decoder to a the HDMI input of a Pioneer plama PDP504HDE

We have a setup with Euro1080 from December last year (early adaptors ).

I can't wait to see more, because the content on Euro1080 is mediocre at best.
Also the quality is not alway's what to expect from HDTV, and sometimes its brilliant.

We watched one soccer match on HDTV from the EK and that was BREATHTAKING.

I can't wait to see more stations .

Greetings,
Frank

Is Gerald right though? Can a 98 process incoming signals?

G9x can only process interlaced Component input into HDMI.
If you input progressive (don't know about 720p or 1080i) it has to come out in component and it will be a pass through.

FB

Whilst we're on the subject of progressive, interlaced, HDMI etc.. is there a decent web source for information on the differences?

I'm fairly new to high end gear, and although fairly up to speed on AV formats, I need to learn more on high end picture resolutions and formats.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a fairly entry level explanation of the differences? (or would someone like to try and explain here....?)

Thanks
Pete.

Actually, IIRC, the G9x can only process standard definition interlaced sources on the component input and output via HDMI.

I think the following is the case:

480i and 576i can be delinterlaced, scaled, and output via HDMI, and/or (?) 480p or 576p on the component output.

Any other formats (480p, 576p, 720p and 1080i) input via component will bypass any internal processing and appear only on the component outputs.

Pete,
You might try to get some info from the Secrets of Home Theatre and Hifi website.

You have to look under the Features, Articles and Essays section.

For example a very good explanation of interlaced/progressive: DVD-benchmark part 5

On the HD picture side (720p v.s.s 1080i) many sources of info are avialable.
Also we have discussed many thing on this forum on things like HDMI already.

Jaco