Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems UHD722 Obsolete?

Hi there experts, I need some advice!

I'm a little baffled with the options to get the best audio and video for my setup. I'm looking to buy a new TV and have settled on the LG OLED CX as it seems to be the best one out there at the current time. I also have:

- 861v8
- DSP5200 fronts
- DSP5200SEHC
- DSP3200 rears
- DSW
- XBOX Series X

Now the XBOX does not have any optical out, so I have to get audio via the HDMI cable to my current Samsung break-out box, and then aptical from their to the 861. I set the XBOX to bitstream in order to get 5.1.
Is there a better way when I get the new LG TV?

I've been reading things about the UHD722 but it seems to be a bit behind on technology - doesn't support HDMI 2.1 etc.
Does Meridian plan to upgrade this unit? Replace it with another HDMI switch?

Cheers,
Dennis

I would suggest you investigate the HDfury Vertex 2. It is a sophisticated HDMI device that has regular firmware updates and is a fraction of the price of a UHD722.
I’m not saying it’s perfect, but HDMI is a minefield and dealing with a company that specialises in that field is obviously a plus.

Regards
Greg

I would also consider using HDMI from the Xbox to the LG for HDMI 2.1 video and then optical out of the LG display to the Meridian for digital audio / surround.

Nick

edit: as I re-read your post, I see this is how you have your current setup configured. This would still be a good option for your new TV.

I would still prefer HDMI over optical, since HDMI will support Multichannel PCM from the Xbox for lossless audio, and as far as I know optical is only limited to legacy DD/DTS and 2 channel PCM.

Running a Xbox One X here just fine over an HD621, it gives me full lossless 5.1 Multi channel PCM, I can even go up to 7.1 if I want to.

I don't go over 5.1 here, so 7.1 or DTS-x/Atmos are not needed for me.

99% of the audio from an Xbox is compressed. All gaming audio as well as streamed video audio. The Xbox might send it out as LPCM multichannel audio but it is just converting the previously compressed stream.

The 4k120 / HDR video will have a lot more impact from the Series X than HDMI audio, unless you're talking volumetric surround (Atmos, etc.).

Thanks a lot guys,

I decided to go the route of the HDFury Vertex 2 as I can see some more HDMI 2.1 sources coming soon and prefer the dedicated splitter without relying on the TV to do that job. I've heard that there are sometimes issues with the LG optical out also...

Cheers,

Dennis

Yeah, unfortunately this area of consumer electronics is moving too fast for Meridian to keep up. I've downsized my home theatre, but if I was ever to do a Meridian one again, I'd go down the HDFury + (now dirt cheap) HD621 route.

You should check out their forums. The support seems to be very responsive and the firmware is regularly updated.

Which in the (painful) world of HDMI is good to see.

Cheers
Greg

The UHD722 is not obsolete and not even obsolescent. Actually, neither is the HD621. Don't be frightened by the tech industry's obsession with emphasising the latest capability that technology can offer (they would, wouldn't they) as against what has existed for a while and works well unless you always want the latest. I am a mug who does like having the latest stuff, but that is my shortcoming and my problem. I am also objective enough to know that, when I listen to or watch with my latest kit, the improvements are very marginal. It gives me a nice feeling (but only when I think about it).

For me, the convenience of control integration in a Meridian system (I know it can be done by other means, but that will cost you too) is more important than the effect of a new standard. Besides, you have to have the software too and that gets to market much more slowly. So keep going with the UHD722 and the HD621.

My Trinnov32 is on the way. I will feel very good about having one, but I doubt that I will be overwhelmed by the sound I get compared with what I have now. It is just a self indulgence which I am prepared to spoil myself with. In fact, my 861v8 with my associated 800 DVD player gives superb, concert-realistic sound, including from my DVD-Audio discs. But for unimpeachable quality my best source of all (to my ears and brain) is a 1984 Hyperion CD disc of Monteverdi Sacred Vocal Music, recorded in 1981 by Tony Faulkner. Why? Probably because Faulkner really knew what he was doing when it comes to selecting microphones and placing them correctly, getting the sound balance right and so on. Good software is so much more important than the latest millimetric forward step in hardware which, if you are cold bloodedly realistic about yourself, you probably can't detect the benefit of anyway.

Mind you, I am totally infuriated by Roon not having a version (for control) that works on my earlier iPads. HEOS does!

Hi again,

Apologies for the multiple newbie questions - I'm still trying to wrap my head around the way to get the best audio and the best video in my system. Reading the preceding posts in this thread and doing some other research, am I right in thinking that I will need to get an HD621 anyway (in addition to the Vertex2) in order to get the best sound to the 861v8? This is because currently the only input I have to the 861 is via optical which is limited in capabilities for newer audio formats?

My sources:
- Xbox Series X
- Cable TV STB (nothing special)
- Apple TV 4K
- Chromecast Ultra
- Old HTPC

Video:
- LG OLED C1 (next month when it becomes available)

Audio:
- 861v8 with 5.1 DSP speakers


The Vertex2 has 4 x HDMI inputs, so I'm thinking the Xbox, AppleTV, TV STB, and the TV eARC/ARC HDMI out connected here. I'll then connect the Vertex2 Audio Out HDMI to an HD621, and then the MMHR from the HD621 to the 861v8.

The Vertex2 TX0 HDMI output will go into the TV (will this not cause a loop?), as well as the Chromecast and HTPC directly to the TV.

Does that make any sense? Am I over-complicating things?

Second question regarding the HD621 - will I need to connect the Meridian Comms between HD621 and 861v8, or are all the control signals passed over the MMHR link?


Links to specs:

https://www.hdfury.com/docs/HDfuryVertex2.pdf
https://www.flatpanelshd.com/lg_c1_oled_2021.php

You will need to connect Meridian comms. MMHR is audio only.

Yes, TX0 to the TV.
You'll get audio back from the TV via Arc/eArc that way.
eArc will most likely not work, but let's worry about that later when you have it connected