Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Any word on DD-HD or DTS-HD being introduced?

Hi,

I know a show is coming up in September (I think it's Cedia), but has Meridian put out any "rumors" about when they'll introduce DD-HD or DTS-HD for their flagship processor(s) 861? If so, is it hardware and software?

Thx,

Stieger

In the past Meridian has always told me they would bring out audio codecs when there is sufficient material out on the market to play it.
They only time this was not true is with the 2+2+2 support. ButBob Stuart really liked that i heared somewhere.

So i assume if HD-DVD is coming out in Q4-2005 and all their 80 or so announced discs are having DD+ on them, Meridian might come out with a software update. (if possible with current DSP's)

But, the current SPDIF based MHR implementation will not be able to transport greater than 6 channels i think. So we would need a HDMI 1.1 or greater?input port.
HDMI 1.1 seems to be capable of 8 channel 24/96 uncompressed PCM and also
We would also need a HD-DVD or Bluray player...

Jaco

Not to mention another job!

There are also possible issues with having sufficient DSP horsepower available. IMO, I don't think anyone will have DTS-HD or DD+ until CES 2006 or shortly thereafter.

G68 and 861v4 are primed from a DAC perspective as the AD1852s are 24 bit / 192 kHz capable.

Cheers,



[This message has been edited by John Kotches (edited 03-25-2005).]

(John)

You and I seem to keep crossing paths with AVS and this forum

quick question - is there any DAC (or other) difference between the G series preamp and the 861? Just wondering, other than obvious upgradability, what else the 861 has that the G doesn't.

Do you think Meridian will provide an HDMI output card for the 861 to transmit DD+ or DTS-HD?

Thx!

Stieger

I don't think anyone is sure what's going to be needed as it's not clear how these formats are going to be presented.

HDMI would need to be a receiver/input not an ouptut on 861 to get something from a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player. I would imagine that one is under development. However (and contrary to popular belief) I am no more privy to what's in development than you are. M is well aware of what's coming in the market, so this isn't a mystery to them!

Gazing into the future (speculating here) I could see a new MC digital in card with a traditional MHR (3x SPDIF), one HDMI audio and maybe a TOSLINK input in the future for 861.

Now, can the DSP core handle it? I know it can handle 8 channels @ 24/96K, but I don't know how well the core will do with 24/192K beyond 2 channels. It's 4x+ the requirements for DSP.

Then there's the issue of 24/192K to DSP loudspeakers. I don't know what's required to open the 24/192K door there. I think some of the DSP speakers are listed as requiring a software upgrade to enable 24/192K.

The DSP core is identical for 861 and G68.

G68 has fewer overall DSP engines than 861, but it can share DSPs across digital receiver and analog inputs where 861 cannot.


Cheers,

Maybe Meridian will not feel a lot of pressure to release this type of software update if there is a backwards compatible DD or DTS track on the new hi-rez discs as well.

Damon

Damon:

To get to the Hi-Res tracks (assuming they are provided on the media) you're going to need more than software updates.

Cheers,

Why not ?
I suspect Meridian is looking into it as soon it is available. When you want to be with the best you have to i assume.

Jaco

It is unclear if DTS and DD HD will be done in the processor or the player. Today MLP decode is done in the player for DVD-A.

What do you think of the upgradeability of the G98? Would it be possible to rebuild it to a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player for maybe half list price, or is the processing power not enough of the processors?

It's a bit more tricky, as you have to replace some hardware. MPEG decoder has to be replaced with a unit that does MPEG-2/MPEG-4/VC-1, plus you have to be able to read the new disc formats (and the old).

Firmware updates galore.

I don't think it would be practical from a $$$ perspective to update a G9x to Blu-ray or HD-DVD but I've been known to be wrong.