Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems No Audio through HD621 to 568MM

Well after 48 hours I am still at it.

I have followed the instructions given me via fellow hitchhikers and wiki instructions TO THE BEST OF MY UNDERSTANDING and still have not resolved my problem.

I get video and 2 channel PCM audio from my Android TV box, but on my Samsung blu-ray player I only get video, no audio.

I have gone into the menu of the Bluray and have set the audio settings in various configurations to no avail.

If anyone has more suggestions please HELP.

I would expect the Android TV Box does not have a built in Decoder, but most devices will support decoding to two channel for Dolby pro Logic.

So for the Android TV you'd want to probably leave that in "Bitstream" mode (different devices call them different things).

No idea about your Samsung Blu-Ray. Does it have the option to send Native PCM multi-Channel over HDMI?

With the DVDO setup, it handled BOTH Decoding as well as the ability be to Modified (for Meridian Preamps). So you could plug in devices that DIDN'T have the option to Decode to PCM and still work with a Meridian PreAmp.

Two current Devices that do that today are, Oppo 4K and Philips 4K (dirt cheap around $200+).

Not sure about the Panasonic 4K, probably does.
The PS3 was super flexible in this regard.

For modern devices you have to use ones that have Dual HDMI Outputs (one output is designed for Legacy Preamps HDMI 1.1 for Audio Only the other for 4K Video).

Also keep in mind some Streamed stuff is 2 Channel and you have to use Dolby Prologic for those. That's what Phantom Sources are used for. You can Force it to use ProLogic 2 when it sees 2 Channels. Not sure how to setup Phantom Sources on the 568.

But on your Bluray it MUST have an option to Decode to 6 Channels of PCM over HDMI (not many do). And must be HDMI 1.1.
If you tell the Device to send PCM to SPDIF (Toslink Output) it will end up being 2 Channel (and may end up 2 Channel on HDMI as well). You have to know if your device supports 6 Channel Decoding of Dolby Digital HD. Also a hint of devices that do that have 6 Analog Outputs (like Oppo's and DVDO Edge ;)).

The HD621 does not Decode anything. All it does is split the 6 Channels out of the HDMI and send that out as HDMI and 3 SPDIF RCA. That's all it does, as well as switcher and upsampler (which your processor or speakers could do).

In Some respects your DVDO Edge did More. It Decoded, Video Processed and Split. HD621 is really only a splitter (and switcher).

The heavy work of Decoding has to be done in Every Source. If a Source can't Decode then set it to BitStream (when is sees it available) other wise it will send 2 Channel PCM (Prologic). If you just tell it "PCM" it may only output 2 Channels.

With your DVDO and the 568, you might have only ever seen 6 Channel PCM because everything was done in the DVDO.

Post some screen shots of Menu option and/or model numbers and maybe someone can recognize what your devices can do and the best way to set them up.

This is also why some folks like the Oppo because it can do what your DVDO did for one extra source that can't Decode. It has one HDMI input.

This is also why some folks are frustrated with Meridian because you have the exact same issues even with a 861V8/HD621 you have to be VERY selective with your sources that will work.

In fact, I'll bet many installations are not setup correctly and just Bitstreaming through the HD621. Because so few devices will work correctly and you have to know exactly how to set it up.

If you getting no audio it might be cause you chose an option that sends the audio out the TosLink.

I just checked the Panasonic probably does Decode Everything (it has 2 HDMI outputs and 7.1 Analog that's a Strong indication). I just checked the Philips it's only $231. Absolute Bargain. It does basic streaming too.

What I have found with my 568/HD621 setup is that if both units have been powered off via the rear panel switches and then not powered back on in the proper sequence, the system does not produce audio. Cannot recall if you should switch on the 568 first or the HD621. All I know is the miscommunication is repeatable with out the proper power switch sequence. May or may not be worth a try.

copy.
will give it a go

I followed the instruction my fellow Hitchhikers suggested as it relates to connection my 568mm to a HD621 and this is what I have come up with.

The HD621 connections H1-H3 will pass video but no audio. The audio signal from HDHI connections H1-H3 will read like it is using a toslink (thanks Fiddler), "Data 96K", but no sound.
HDMI connections H4-H6 will not pass video nor audio, but the audio signal reads "PCM Music6 96K"like it is suppose to, but no sound.

Is this still in the realm of an operator error or did I purchase bad product?
I hope it is the former rather than the latter.

Once again I thank all of my fellow Hitchhikers who have responded. I have learned a lot about this product in the last few days.

If there are any other suggestions to help me out, they will be greatly appreciated

Thank you in advance.

Samuel

Wish I could help... I have the Oppo with VanityHD card. All I can say is if you have it configured correctly in mconfig both the 568.2mm and the HD621 then it's probably a bad HD621.

Remember MHR must be turned on on both ends and the correct output needs to be enabled on the HD621. The previous owner may have set it up differently in mconfig.

Are you sure SmartLink is turned on in both? I had to turn SmartLink off on my 568.2mm when using my Oppo VanityHD. You probably did the same with your old setup.

Can you share your two .MSL files?

There will be one for the 568.2mm and one for the HD621.

I sent the files via PM.

Thanks

PM replied to.

You can't attach files via PM so you'll need to email it to me. Otherwise a DropBox link would be fine.

I will not get a chance to look at any file until Thursday at the earliest.

copy

Samuel,

Two config files emailed to you. An old .msf from when I had a 568.2mm with HD621 and a .msl file from my current set up which shows the HD621 connections.

Dominic

The seller just told me that everything worked fine and was checked out prior to the sale. It was connected to a G65. He asked me did I reload the firmware.
That is worth a try. Do you have the lastest firmware upload file for the HD621?