Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 800 V4

Jerry,

I'm working towards a "more digital" system myself so analog into the scaler is not what I'm trying to accomplish. Once I get the D-VHS player upgraded to a newer unit with HDMI output, my last analog output will be gone and it'll be all bits ;-)

I have no doubt that the Faroudja scaler provides a great picture, but at this time that's pointless for me to install given that my current projector is decidedly entry level HD.

Cheers,



[This message has been edited by John Kotches (edited 12-17-2004).]

Jerryl wrote:
Do you mean the DVI / HDMI output perhaps ?
M never made a SDI output card as far as i am aware.

Jaco

[This message has been edited by jaco (edited 12-18-2004).]

Jaco,
Yes, I mean that one. Sorry for the confusion.

John,
That makes perfect sense. I think the one component that I have that I am not sure about being cost justified is the 800. When I got it, the M card was not out and I thought the best choice was the faroudja scaler. The 800's analog outs are very clean and faroudja has pretty good a-d conversion too. But, if I was doing it now, Id investigate this a little further, but when I did do some preliminary asking I was told its not a major improvement. I think the best thing about the 800 is its sound- even on DVD-video the sound is improved. If it was not for this fact, I would be tempted to get one of those juke box controllers and never get up to change a DVD again!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Best regards,
Jerry

Talked with Meridian America today. Asked about the v4 upgrade (price, options, etc.). They said an announcement would be made at CES. Also, it's a "single configuration" upgrade - i.e., all v4 upgrades are the same. No suprises, really, just wanted to pass along the info I received.

I fear it will be expensive....

Jaco

Jaco,
Now why would you fear that? I'm sure there will be some expense involved, but it is the price we pay to have such fine gear- IMHO.

Cant wait to see what happens at CES

Best Regards,
Jerry

Don't get me wrong, I love my Meridian gear but they have announced this v4 HDMI upgrade at every Cedia and CES show starting way back at Cedia 2003.

Hopefully it will be available soon but I'm not holding my breath. What's been frustrating is that part of the reason I purchased 800 series gear was the promise 800 owners would get upgrades before the other lines. Alas, the G series has had HDMI and the new mconfig software for well over a year.

[This message has been edited by DougS (edited 01-05-2005).]

Meridian cards tend to be around $1000, so 2 new cards is $2000. (one card HDMI output, other card video input)

I do not need it, so no V4 for me i think..

Jaco

I'm with you jaco and cannot see myself upgrading. Meridian is good but the cost of these upgrades, extra cards etc is a bit over the top.

I'm thankful that there was no room for the extra component switching card in the 861 here as the same, or better , can be obtained at half the price, and with 4 inputs. Downside is a little more cabling but remote control via the Theatree Master 700 is a no brainer.

I've been trying to educate myself a little more re digital video lately with the current switch here in Australia to digital TV. The digital decoders with hard drives open up a new field for time shifting programs of interest - better on HD than on the s-VHS tape we have been using up to now.

Digital imagery is not new to this house as we have had it for years via digital satellite but high definition IS something new.

However I'm frustrated at the moment as the Barco 808s has been down a few weeks due to a high tension supply fault but it is giving me time to research the whole video scene out. And what a mess it is! We have griped for some time re DVD-A & SACD but that is nothing compared to what is going on in the video world, and it looks like getting no better with HD DVD :-(

I've been looking at getting a server configured for DVD recording, but like most things, it has its problems also. Is there anyone else out there with experience in this who like me, is reasonably computer literate, but not confident enough to configure one from the ground up?

John

The upgrade seems only good for people with digital projection systems, or plasma/LCD screens.
There are little from them that can 1920x1080 display.. CRT projecting systems can do that without to much problems.

There seems to be a few 'illegal' convertors from DVI to RGBHV including HDCP support...

Jaco

Trust me, if the chroma bug were fixable by firmware upgrade, Meridian would have fixed it long ago.

Any news on these issues?