Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian 800v4 Card to accept S-Video (VCR) input?

Hi all

- Don't break into laughter but I have a lovely old JVC 9600 S-VHS (s-video) player, that I would love to be able to output s-video, into/via a Meridian 800.

Questions:

(a). Is there a card that fits a Meridian 800v4 that would allow me to connect a VHS player to its input (s-video), and then have the 800 reroute the video via its HDMI output to my TV?

If yes:

(b). Which 800/861 card does this, if any ? I see on the official Meridian 800 series Cards list, there are multiple cards that have 4, and 8 S-video INPUTS. Is this for the purpose above ie, hooking s-video sources INTO an 800/861, for video re-routing to TV?

Reason for my query is I have a mass of old home videos on VHS tape that I haven't seen for years, as my ST60 Pana plasma (2013), has no s-video input.

Finally (the million dollar question) :

- If the used 800v4 I've just bought does not have this card (I do not think it does; it has the VE00 which I believe is an s-video output, NOT input card?) :

- Can a user (myself) install new cards in an 800v4 ? Are there instructions or, is it too difficult/a dealer only task?

Thanks

From looking at the cards supplied with the 800v4, you should have the V100 video input card already on board (see Duncan's Meridian Info).

Brian

Thanks.

No, from reading on this site it appears the v4 upgrade was initially VE12 card and new software (this is the one I've just purchased). Later the VI00 card was included as well. Unfortunately, mine doesn't have the VI00 card. Are you saying this will provide what I need?

Hi,
I don’t have any experience of the 800, so I’m just reading the info for the v4 on Duncan’s site, but that suggests that the V100 card will send its output to the HDMI card.

Brian

The VI00 card can send the s-video and composite video to the HDMI port (upsampling in the process). I have used this feature in the past and it is quite impressive...

This is one of the very useful features of the 800v4 machines. I think the G98 can also do similar. The card also gives some limited video switching, so you could configure up another source and send the video via the 800v4 and link it through the HD621 to the TV, with the sound being routed by the 568 processor.

You'll find it is a pretty flexible machine.

Cheers,

Steve

Thanks Steve.

I've just done a quick search on back posts and it seems you're the guru in this domain

I see that I need the VI00 to achieve what I want.

Quite simply, is this just a matter of me buying the card (god knows from where; used I assume), and just plugging it into the board on the unit (case off 1st of course).

Will the Mconfig just 'detect' the presence of the card ie, like plug and play? Ie:

The unit has V4 firmware 800_272 so, will the 800 recognise the VI00?

Thanks !

Can also try an S Video to HDMI Converter. Available on Amazon.

Shankar

All original 800v4 units and those that had the 'full fat' upgrade should already have the VI00 card installed.

If your unit does not have the VI00 card, then good luck in finding one! MrTechGuy may be able to assist as they purchased all Chris Coasters spares and he used to have some old 800-series bits.
If you find one, you just need to plug it in and tell the unit in the configuration program that it has been installed. Then you can set video sources for each source.

You can technically have the 800 work as a pre-amp, as you can install IA00 (Analogue inputs) and IE16 (Digital inputs) cards and even an OA20/OA23/OA24 output card for analogue outputs, although there is no 'surround' processing internally.

Good luck,

Steve

Steve,

Thank you for your very help reply. As always !

I will definitely hit MTG up to see if there's any VI00's around. The other cards look good too I might have to investigate those also !

Interesting your comments on the V4/status of cards. I know that the one I have coming is a V3, upgraded to v4 by way of VE12 card + software. That's about the extent of it. Am I right, in understanding that the (one) benefit of this "config", is that cards be added ? Ie, other v4's were "set and "forget"/couldn't be added to ? If so, I guess that's one silver lining for my unit. Apart from.. the fact I'm 15 years too late in buying it and no cards exist. HA

Cheers

I think that 800v3 upgraded v4 with 'just' the HDMI card may not pass audio over HDMI but only through the SPDIF outs. This may mean that other v4 functionality is also not available even if cards are installed.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Yes. I believe that is the case with my unit. The seller only used it to display video (the HDMI output), and when I asked him to test/check the HDMI for audio, he said he couldn't get any audio output, but:

He also advised, he did not use the PC/Mconfig at all, as his dealer upgraded it to v4 and he simply hooked it up when he received it back from be dealer. He just doesn't know whether audio on the HDMI exists.or not.

I'm hoping I can switch 'on' HDMI audio in the Mconfig but, based on the above.. I'm holding very little hope. I think you're right - the earliest VE12-only (V4) upgrades, appear to have no HDMI audio.

No matter though.. I'll be using Smartlink and the coax output, and:

If I can find a VI00 video card to install separately, hopefully that will still switch video.. but you're right, it's all a bit of a crapshoot/guessing process as to whether an aftermarket install of a VI00 card would actually work in this unit I'm about to receive.

You'll need to check which version of the VE12 HDMI card you have when you get the unit. It is still possible to get the cable to link it to the DV20 card, so sound over HDMI could be possible.

If you don't have the red (from memory 20way) connector on the card, then you have a v1 card, and audio over HDMI will not be possible. You could upgrade the card for a v2 card but then you're almost rebuilding the entire video input/output of the unit!

It all depends on when your unit was upgraded... Sounds like you'll need to get under the hood when the unit arrives and take some pictures.

Cheers,

Steve