Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HD621 video issues and multi-source question

Evening all

I've a couple of questions / issues I'm hoping I can get some input on.

First, for some context, here's my system:

- Sources - Humax PVR (2Tb, used quite a bit to watch TV and record programs), 4K firestick, good quality Bluray player (expected to be upgraded to a 4k player soon). Allows a mix of Bluray discs, amazon prime, netflix and freeview to be watched live, recorded or streamed
- Old Panasonic plasma with only 1 working HDMI input - expected to be upgraded to a new 4k screen soon
- HD621
- G68 processor
- Jeff Rowland MC6 (very nice 6 channel amp, set up for 5 channel at the moment). I love this amp so I don't want to replace it if at all possible.
- B&W 803d's, HTM3s, 855 sub x 2 and 2 ceiling speakers for the rears (sofa is back against the wall). I'd like a HTM2d centre but I've no plans to increase the number of speakers anytime soon...although more in the ceiling would be OK I guess

Issue 1

All sources plugged into HD621 via decent HDMI cables
HD621 won't display a picture / screen isn't showing a picture irrespective of the source I'm trying to watch.
Sound plays just fine from any source.

In one previous thread it was suggested that a HDMI booster would help, but it hasn't. I've tried swapping the HDMI cables as well - no joy.
It certainly used to work, but doesn't now. I don't know if the HD621 isn't working, or that it is outputting a signal but the plasma won't display it for some reason.

Does anyone have any suggestions?


Issue 2

This is somewhat related to issue 1.

Am I right in thinking that the HD621 can't output video and audio to a screen (via the HDMI output connection) AND also output audio to the G68?

What I'm trying to do is find a solution that would allow us to watch any source using just the plasma for picture and sound (e.g we can watch the news / a recorded TV show / kids can watch netflix without needing to turn on the home cinema system), but add in the home cinema system for movies, from any source (e.g. Bluray, firestick).

If my understanding on the HD621 is correct, does anyone have a recommendation on a solution? I have found the AVPro range of products, that look great, but aren't cheap! I assume a new smart TV will help with the requirement of being able to watch any source using just the TV speakers, but I'm not sure it's going to allow movies from any source to be watched in surround sound as I'd like. Of course, a new processor would also help but I'm not sure how much of a sound improvement, if any, I'd get going down that route. E.g. would I get a better quality sound if I was able to process the latest codecs from a 4k Bluray player, for example, rather than needing to turn them into PCM of LPCM in the source and then feed them into the HD621??

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, Simon

As an "side bar" the reason the AvPro range caught my eye was the ability for them to take any HDMI source, up to 4K video signal, and output that source to any one of the HDMI outputs, up or downscaling as needed. They also allow a mix of 4k and non-4k screens in the same system and it won't force the system down to the lowest screen resolution.

I've just fired a few questions at a UK retailer, but their products could be a neat way of having multiple sources, then feed one HDMI output to the screen in the main room, or a projector at a later date, and have the audio fed to the HD621, whilst also allowing someone else in the house to watch a different source on a different screen as well.

The downsides - looks aren't very domestic friendly, they are expensive, doesn't solve the issue that the G68 is an old processor and can't process the new codecs, might not be easy for the kids to use (assuming they will get mixed up on inputs and outputs and need help).

An example product - https://www.avproedge.com/ac-mx44-auhd-hdbt.html

Another thought I had was that other screens in the house could, probably more easily, have another amazon firestick plugged into them, to allow most sources of content to be watched from there. There would be no need for long cable runs and a complicated switching solution (unless I needed it in the main room).

Hi,

I have a old Panasonic 42PHD-8 (768 resolution) plasma display, which always struggled with locking onto my HD621. When initially turned on, it would flash blue or blank screens. IIRC, after a good number of tries (off/on switching) it used to lock eventually and would be stable for a while. Having replaced it with a newer VT65 series Panasonic Plasma (sticking with plasma for now) I haven't had any issues.

One option for issue 1 might be to try a cheapo HDMI matrix switcher with two HDMI outputs (e.g. Portta HDMI 4x2 Matrix switch splitter from Amazon for £60) between the sources and the HD621. Obviously, if you're going to get a new TV soon, then I wouldn't spend a lot on a switcher/splitter but that might allow you to get things going again.

Just a thought,

Brian

Hi Brian

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I agree that accelerating the purchase of a new screen might be a better bet than spending money to work around the problem.

Thanks, Simon

As an update to this, I've done more research and decided to buy a HDfury Vertex²

It looks ideal for my needs and seems to be a common solution to the challenges I've got and they seem to be very good at supporting clients

Hi,

Just checked it out at "The Media Factory" and looks like a good solution.

Brian

In the past, I have solved HDMI/Screen problems with some very inexpensive boxes. I am interested in your choice as it is fairly costly. Did you consider 'HDfury Dr HDMI' also from The Media Factory, but much cheaper?

Hi

I talked to Jim at the business about my needs and he recommended the Vertex2.

I have 3 sources that I need to manage, pushing video and audio to the main screen, and audio only to the HD621. The Dr HDMI solves a different problem.

On the broader, cheaper solutions point, as I understand it (as a novice) 4k is a much more complicated beast on HDMI and the cheaper boxes no longer support the licences / tech / protection mechanisms involved.

For example, he mentioned that Dolby want $150k (I believe...it was certainly well over $100k) as a licence fee, per year, for you to have access to the chips and information to process the streams correctly. A lot of the business just bother anymore.

Whilst I've not got a 4K screen yet, I will this year, and streaming services are using 4k more and more. I also intend to get a 4K Bluray player as soon as I get a good deal on one.

I hadn't read your post properly: you need switching as well as potentially 4K. The Vertex2 certainly has some interesting features, notably the ability to extract Dolby Atmos audio and then forward it via 720p/1080p HDMI to an AVR. Not sure I fully understand this but it sounds useful.

Yes

What has complicated matters (and I've seen threads from others with the same issue) is that I want to be able to have the family just switch on the TV (plasma) and watch content without needing the home cinema kit on, PLUS being able to then have the full surround sound experience when watching movies, whilst sticking with the G68 processor for the time being.

I've also got a compounding problem that my HD621 and plasma won't work together properly (possibly a HD621 set up / firmware issue I've not resolved) so the video out isn't working at the moment.

Because the G68 doesn't have any HMDI inputs and won't process the latest codecs, I need a combination of the HD621 and some way of sending the right form of data into the HD621 so it will process the signal.

The Vertex2 looks like it will address this as it has a HDMI output specifically designed for this (the audio feed) i.e. as you said, it will take in all possible audio formats and allow them to be sent to the processor via a suitable HDMI feed.

Most people just have a modern processor where you can plug everything into the processor via HDMI and feed a signal to the screen and everything is fine. I think my journey will now be to get the Vertex2 in and working, fix an unrelated intermittent problem with the G68 (via Mr Tech Guy's repair service) and then when funds allow, sell that and the HD621, and replace them with a new processor, a new 4k Bluray player, and a new 4K screen.

I may also add in the speakers and amps for a 7.1.4 atmos system as well....but that could be a few years off (budget related and when there is more content to make it worthwhile).

My wife got us a Roku 2 streaming device for watching shows/movies. The set-up on that unit is not very sophisticated, no settings for PCM audio for example, but I was able to get it connected to the HD621 and 861v4 and outputting audio to all speakers in Pro Logic II processing mode. For movies with the kids, it is ok, they like the surround sound, but It seems 2-channel stereo over HDMI is about all I am going to get. Dolby Digital Plus and some other newer codecs are not supported by my legacy system.

For an 861v4/HD621 combination, is logic surround about as good as it gets for streaming shows/movies?

as far as I know, you can just use Multi channel PCM, for DTS-HD and Dolby True HD audio signals.

Seems like your Roku 2 box, wont support multi channel PCM output perhaps, and I would advise you to replace this player then.
For example the Apple TV 4 and later will support Multi channel PCM just fine, aswell as an cheap raspberri pi box with Kodi.

So Pro Logic II is I think perhaps the limit for your Roku 2 device, or try bitstream mode with DTS/DD if it supports that.