Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HH CEDIA questions for Meridian

Paolo-
I'm anxious to get more clarification on this as well; and expect John's answers to give us more info, but see a short thread on what I was told at CEDIA about this:
http://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=001052

It looked to me as if M- has the technical aspects under control as usual, but the spec consistency and implementation issues are just now becoming stable enough for designs to take hold (this last point derived from discussions with other vendors - not M-); Further it's my understanding that 1.2 version of the spec will provide bit streaming (SACD) capabilities (don't trust this - just something a Pioneer floor guy told me that seemed to be knowledgable); 1.2 won't be available until mid year 2006;

Most of the vendors I talked with however, seem satisfied with the 1.1 spec and expressed this version to be the first 'stable' implementation so are full guns on deploying with that -
I'm told it incorporates full rez audio and MLP multichannel capabilities - suitable for DVD-A, Bluray, HD-DVD, etc so I was hoping this would be the one M- would deploy for G68 etc.

Although I was also told that the 1.2 upgrade would require a hardware change for any 1.1 implementation - this seemed off to me, but what do I know?

These are all things I learned from the technically inclined reps at the show - I take no responsibility for their accuracy! :-)

ken

HDMI Questions for Processors and DVD players:

1) Any news on future plans for 861 ( I know they dont like to tip their plans but there must be something due re: HDMI for example or even Version 5 and Bluray/Hd-DVD )?

Meridian response:
It is unlikely that anything will occur in the short term. To do so now means releasing an upgrade and then turning around and releasing another one 6-12 months later. This is not a wise use of development resources for Meridian and not the way to treat your customers either.


2) Will M provide HDMI v1.2 compliant machines? can current owners upgrade so that we "could" use the HDMI connector to carry the high resolution digital audio signal to the processor (g68/861)? 192/24 anybody? M answer was not just yet for the last few years.

Meridian Response:
HDMI v1.2 contains nothing of interest for Meridian, with only PC and uninteresting consumer audio sampling formats included. M is waiting for the versions after 1.2.


3) What about full support for DVDA, meaning 192kHz via G98-G68 ???
(The newer speakers will be able to deal with it, that implies that the processors are upp to task ?

M claimed that there is no standard for 192kHz tranfer via SPDIF ?
On the other hand the MHR is very standard ;-)
so why not another deviation from standard SPDIF spec ?
It may not be an off the shelf standard chip for it, but the price spann M is aiming at has certanly room for custom designs?)

Meridian Response:
This will not happen prior to HDMI for audio upgrades. Also, while spec allows for 24/192K the amount of 192K content in 5 years of DVD-Audio is very small. Title count with 24bit/192K is probably less than 50 titles. Currently downsampling to 24bit/96K with the utmost precision provides an exceptional listening experience.


4) Any chance of outputting 480i/576i on HDMI for those who would prefer to do their deinterlacing elsewhere?
Failing that, as their new owner?/partner?, are they working on improving Faroudja's deinterlacing in light of the competition's better alternative? I wouldn't imagine that they would be willing to source from what is now their competition. Shame.
And if the answer is yes to any of the above, will any of this be made available to owners of current M gear or only in new products?

Meridian response :
A future software release will allow the option of outputting 480i/576i for those who wish to utilize an external deinterlacing solution. Meridian feels that the Faroudja deinterlacing solution is still the best solution available, and they had looked at the available alternatives prior to the Faroudja agreement.


5) Other than than external HDMI switch and extenders, what are Meridians plans for existing customers regarding HDMI integration into existing kit, ie G68, G9x. Are there for example, plans to have HDMI input or are the HDMI capabilities of the G9x solely destined to be as an HDMI source rather than an HDMI switch with audio routing to the G68.

Meridian response:
HDMI needs to be more interesting, passing MLP, PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS-HD etc to be implemented.


6) Given the news on the external HDMI input device it seems unlikely an internal upgrade is on the cards but it would still be nice to ask, as if this functionality could be integrated into the existing M products with scalers and smartlink outputs, G91/98/800 for example, then the audio and video routing could all be dealt with via the HDMI input feed and sent out accordingly.

Alternatively, how to M propose to deal with the audio feed from the HDMI output of external sources. Remaining with using a coax in would work, providing the sources can stream audio and video via different outputs, but it would be nice to know they are planning to accept an HDMI audio feed for future proofing - ie. there maybe only limited audio choice through standard coax connections.

Meridian Response:
Seperation of Audio and Video streams gives the best possible results. Until such time as the engineering details of future HDMI solutions are worked out, it is impossible to comment on how this will be implemented.


7) Any chance of a firmware upgrade on G98 to allow other custom output resolutions from the scaler?

Meridian response :
Use AUTO mode on the G9x player. If your display's EDID is correct the scaler on the G9x should scale to the displays resolution automatically.


8) Please confirm the position with either an HDMI input card for the G91 / 98 / 68 or what the alternative might be.

Meridian Response:
See previous responses.


Preamp/Processors questions without HDMI

9) My mains and centre go down to 35Hz. My surrounds go down to 80Hz. Adding the ability to set different sub crossovers for my main, center and surround and rears would allow much more flexible integration.

Meridian Response:
This feature may not be implemented.


JK Editorializes:
Very bad idea from an acoustics perspective. You introduce issues from a room modes/treatments perspective, and to be frank it's one of those ideas that looks far better on paper than it is in practice. It does look good from a features bragging rights perspective.


10) Have Meridian's plans for upgradeability regarding G series components changed. For instance, it was widely thought that HDMI connectivity would be offered in the future. But so far, there is no sign of this even though HDMI connectivity is maturing rapidly and will become much more common over the next few months with other manufacturers as incorporating this as an integral part of their products.

Meridian Response:
HDMI is not maturing, it is developing fast. As soon as the time is appropriate, the decisions will be made.


800/G9x DVD Players:


11) What kind of cards can we now expect for 800V4 and what might it contain!
Tech specs please for the V4 cards...; )

JK responds:
With 800v4 Meridian changed over to fixed configurations rather than fully configurable solutions. 800V4 is described on the website:[/i]
http://www.Meridian-audio.com/p_800V4.htm


12) I believe some time ago it was brought up on the forum that it would be nice to see the bit rate on the display of players as well as the sampling rate.

Meridian Response:
It is already there -- see Video Setup / Advanced OSD.


13) It would be so useful if you could specify the default DVD-A sampling rate for the unit to use - eg. I would like it to default to the highest resolution stereo option available to save going through all the options.

Meridian Response:
This is possible in some cases. If your player is configured for stereo operation and the title is authored using PGC_Block (recommended practise) -- such that the AUDIO button toggles between audio tracks - then the Meridian player will select the stero presentation. However it is not reliably possible to seek out stereo presentations and use that informatiojn to over-ride the disc's navigation commands and so some discs must be navigated manually.


14) A repeat mode would be very much appreciated when listening to DVD-A.

Meridian Response:
This is already available on all Meridian DVD-Audio players.


15) A shuffle mode would also be very nice on CD and DVD-A although I imagine this would be awkward as there is no label on the remote for it.

Meridian Response:
This will not be made available.


15) Is balance control a possibility on L&R mains on the G91.

Meridian Response:
On DSP loudspeakers the balance control is handled on the loudspeakers. It is unavailable when using analog loudspeakers with the G91.


16) Is it possible to provide a software upgrade to activate upsampling in the “stereo” mode of “type 6” of the G91 to avoid having to reset and retype everytime you want to go from multichannel to upsampled stereo?

Meridian Response:
Not at this time. The G91 is designed to be used as either a stereo or a multi-channel player and the DSP resources are allocated acordingly. In MC mode, its resources are allocated fully to behave as a surround controller and as such there are no DSP cycles for upsampling.


17) Please, please, please provide a DAB upgrade for the standard G91. I purchased mine when it came out and feel a little punished for investing early especially as a DAB version was never on the cards - or I would have waited.

Meridian Response:
We agree that this is not something that is ideal. Unfortunately it is neither easy nor inexpensive to swap out for the DAB tuner. Replacing the AM/FM tuner with the DAB tuner necessitates replacing both the Audio and Video boards. If you really want to do this Meridian can quote for it.


5xx Series Products:
18) When will v2.5 beta firmware for the 568.2 be confirmed as "official" rather than beta?

Meridian Response:
We will make 2.5 firmware official instead of beta in the near future. It has been out and stable long enough to be released.

DSP Loudspeakers

19) Please confirm if there is going to be a new standmount DSP speaker in the range - any ideas on price and release timescale.

JK says:
DSP3100 was announced on 9/9/05 at CEDIA, replacing DSP33, price ~US$5000 UKLB ????, estimated shipping date: October/November 2005.


20) When can I have 24/192 on my DSP6000MkIIs?

Meridian Response:
There will not be 24/192K support on the DSP6000 MKII. They are not equipped to handle 24/192K.

JK asks:
With the dearth of 24/192K material, what are you going to playback on the DSP6000s?


The Catchall Category, includes future products and optical formats

21) A MSR+ that could control SONY projektors & Force set top boxes (satelite/cable etc).
Simply a remote that can controll more stuff.

Meridian Response :
We are aware of issues with certain components but have no ready solution at this time.


22) Some sort of "network" for the config program so you don't have to move cables around.
Would it not be possible to use the com cables that exist between all Meridian product's ?
(SW change's has to be point to point naturally)

Maybe an "online" mode for MConfig so one can make changes on the fly, eg presets speaker volume etc

Meridian Response
The COMMs suggestion is a good one, but is not workable as COMMs does not have adequate bandwidth for the task.


23) Please ask about the possibility of more open and more regular hardware and software beta testing.

Meridian Response
There is an existing community of beta testers which provides solid feedback. Beta testing is for Meridian's benefit to expand beyond the scope of internal regression testing. This request is almost along the lines of an "early access" program.

JK Editorializes:
Beta for a small company like Meridian will never be open in the fashion that a larger company such as Microsoft would be. They have to pick and choose their external beta testers very carefully.


24) I am particularly interested in Meridian's plans for HD-DVD/Blu-Ray support and whether they have thrown their hat into one of the rings or plan to wait until one format triumphs (or both fail!).

Meridian Response:
Meridian will not comment on any potential future products, but are happy to see that MLP/Dolby TrueHD has been selected as a lossless compression codec for both high definition optical media formats. Meridian anticpates a format war which will cause delay and confusion for early adopters.


25) There are some hard disk based systems which legally copy DVD movies and CD music (full quality) and you can then just select from a menu one of the movies or CD to watch/listen to. The data is stored encrypted on the disks, so no one can remove a disc and copy from it (sort of a moot point with current DVD copy situation, but Bluray/HD-DVD will get much better encryption). Of course DVD-A should also be possible to store on the HD.


Although this falls firmly into the category of future products (and therefore tight-lipped-ness), do Meridian have any plans to add network media player capabilities to the G or 800 series?

Specifically:

Uncompressed WAV + other lossless formats.
Ethernet and wireless.
Possibly to the SlimServer standard, but if not some client/server management software.

There must be hundreds of us out there with home networks who have invested a lot of time with quality ripping (e.g. EAC), who would love a Meridian solution in this area, but who do NOT want a Meridian hard disc player.

Meridian Response:
Meridian does not comment on potential future products. However, this is potentially a vast legal minefield that must be carefully navigated in order to avoid dire consequences.

SA-CD
26) Why not proper SACD playback ;-)
there is a lot of content now ?

Meridian Response:
HiSSACD is in decline, the major studios and Sony no longer support it. If DSD/SA-CD is such a wonderful advance, why has it not been included in either next generation optical format?


JK Editorializes:
Just get the DVD Upgrades mod, and use a digital input (Stereo or MC) and be done with it. Meridian is as likely to make an SA-CD player as Sony is to make a DVD-A player.

Thanks John!

Mark

Thanks John for all the work. It is much appreciated.

Thanks John,

any answer about enabling > 8 channel output?

Not yet on > 8 channel support. It's just my opinion (and only my opinion) that > 8 channels will be in the next version of the product.

Keep in mind they are just coming out of development efforts on loudspeakers (5200, 3100, 1500, 5500) and displayed prototypes of inwall/onwall speakers with passive/active/DSP options not to mention the Faroudja agreement so they've been quite busy

Best,

Thanks John

Good stuff John, your efforts are much appreciated!

Cheers

George

Cheers John,

Very much appreciated - did you hear the new DSP3100's by any chance?

Simon

Simon,

It's hard to get a solid opinion when you're faced with the din of a trade show floor.

The only time I was there for any length of time I was trying to have a conversation with Duncan and as sacrilegous as this sounds we were trying to talk over the DSP3100s


Best,

John,
Many thanks for all your hard work
Now get some sleep , eh ?

M

Manus,

It's frustrating to come back from vacation only to find that testing got behind through no fault of your own

Best.