Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HD621 HDMI issues

I've recently reorganised my equipment into a new rack. The G61R and HD621 were physically separated before but now the G61R sits directly on top of the HD621. Since then, the TV has been struggling to handshake properly via the HDMI splitter I've used for years. I've been attempting to diagnose this evening.

If I connect the TV directly to the source, eg Humax, I have no issues.
Via an HDMI splitter, the picture would take a few attempts to stabilise. Sometimes I'd have to reboot the splitter or reconnect the HDMI cable for the TV to sync up.

However, now it appears that the HD621 is no longer outputting a picture at all. Audio works, but no picture. I've tried reloading the config, no change.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

I would first check the power supply voltage on the HD621. If it is off it can cause strange issues with switching and such.

It was 4.95v, increased to 5.2v. Sadly no change. Still no video output.

I noticed a couple of the caps on the main board were bulging at the top. Looks like the HDMI output is toast. Perhaps the caps are the problem. For now, I've worked around it by using an external HDMI switch which feeds the TV/PJ video directly and HD621 the audio portion separately.

Replace the capacitors, we're talking a few dollars at most.

I'm not sure its the caps after all. I have a replacement HD621 and took a quick peek inside and the three caps there have a slight bulge to them also but its working perfectly. So I'm back up and running but the costs to send to MrTechGuy to inspect and repair the broken HD621 look prohibitive.

I think I traced all this to a dodgy HDMI splitter which was mysteriously working perfectly before I relocated all the equipment into a new rack. Even not using the HD621, I was getting problems with handshaking between sources, the HDMI switch/splitter and TV. Now I've removed the splitter and use the switch as a splitter and so far, so good. So I'm guessing that the dodgy splitter caused the HDMI output to fail on the HD621 and if so, I guess it would be a main board replacement which is over £300.

Any suggestions of what I could possibly test before putting the broken one on eBay for spares/repair? I have a multimeter and some aging eyes available.

Even though you have restored the voltage on the HD621 by adjustment my first action would be to swap its power supply. Actually that would be my second. My first would be to inspect the HDMI sockets VERY carefully using a magnifying glass. HDMI is not physically very durable and it is all too easy to damage sockets when plugging or even unplugging. My original HD621 was bought ex demo from a Meridian dealer. It kept on giving intermittent problems and went back to M under warranty. They replaced all of the sockets and it gave no further trouble. I asked and they confirmed nothing else was wrong. Bearing in mind you have been moving things around perhaps you have just been unlucky with a plugging action!

Hi,

Do you know where to find a power supply for the HD621 (Farnel ?) and which reference it is ?

Serge.

PSU for a Meridian HD621 ...

ECM40UT31 - AC/DC Open Frame Power Supply (PSU), ITE & Medical, 3 Output, 40 W, 90V AC to 264V AC

Farnell XP Power Supply - ECM40UT31

Thank you, Gemeni.

Good morning Gemeni,

Many thanks for this information, my HD621, owned from new, just stopped in mid session on Wednesday morning (10 Jul 24).

I found your post, neither the plug fuse or unit fuse had blown. So I opened up the unit and discovered that the primary transformer winding was open circuit and therefore the PSU was dead, with no output on the secondary side.

I followed your link, ordered a new PSU late pm on Wednesday, it arrived Thursday (11 Jul 24) afternoon and all back and working by Thursday evening.

Cost less than £60 (shipped within the UK) and a pretty simple DIY job, other than getting the casing screws out, which were a bit stubborn!

Whilst I am writing, has anyone found a better replacement casing screw for this unit?

Regards Mark

I don't know if this will be helpful, but last moth I posted about my HD621 refusing to be programmed and locking up during the process. I even ordered a new PSU!. Yet, as I got back home from my tour, I decided to try again, this time unplugging and plugging back the USB xtension cord that connects to the null RS232. Incredibly, it fixed the problem. You got to love these ghosts in the machine!