Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian 596/598 SDI Cables - Finished

I`m now all up and running.
IMO the mod. has definitely been worthwhile. Even with the limited time setting up the video processor again (brightness, saturation etc. are different from the analogue output) the resultant picture is notably improved.
One of the discs that I threw in to try was ‘The flight of the Phoenix`, previously watched thinking that the picture quality was pretty good. Now using the SDI, the ‘silver` plane is now definitely made of aluminium. The subtle changes in tonal quality have added up to a distinct improvement in the presentation.
The picture has also gained in robustness and stability with absolutely no fuzziness, the depth of image is much more 3D.
I haven`t tried a CGI movie yet but expect them to be great.

My experience with the mod.
1)Duncan, you are a true gent for researching this mod and making up the leads (I could probably have made up leads from the pin-outs listed in your first thread but not as neatly) that were perfect, ‘plug and play` replacements for the board connections.
2)Fitting the output card; bought from CRT projectors as per the link but was not exactly straight forward. The shoulder of the BNC connector on the board is positioned flush with the side of the PCB. The connector is supplied with a plain washer, serrated washer and locknut. The hole in the rear panel is several mm larger than the thread of the fitting. This results with the plain washer serving only as an ‘adapter` between the hole sizes, the serrated washer is of a similar O/D and therefore does not register on the casework itself. No problem I thought, just a couple of washers required to engage with the backplate. I/D of the original washer measured at 11.3mm, so off to the garage for a couple of M10 washers. These (form A) have a nominal I/D of 10.5mm and just won`t fit over the pins or thread of the BNC, so require drilling out (11.0mm drill eventually sent through after a bit of cursing, not much metal left to get hold of). The internal one offered against the hole and I thought it was too close to the other PCB, so I ground a flat on it to give comfortable clearance. The external washer also fitted and serrated washer used between that and the locknut, now fully secure, but conscious of tightening up the locknut with only the PCB to hold on to against turning.
Tried fitting the interconn. lead; now won`t fit due to the locknut now too far out on the thread (lots more cursing). Back to the garage for a thin (form B) M10 for the internal and a M8 for the external one. Once these were drilled out & flat ground, (serious cursing included) all reassembled allowing the SDI lead to fit. I`m glad that this was undertaken on a Sunday afternoon, now just waiting for the input card for my video processor. Am I alone in this encounter?
System reconnected and all is fine with the original analogue outputs.
3)Monday morning and the input card arrives, installed that night with no probs. (the bulkhead fitted involved in that had a flat on the side of the thread shank which registers on flat in the opening of the hole (not completely round) thus stopping the fitting turning and allows the nut to be tightened easily) we just can`t resist tinkering in to the early hours can we, especially with a new toy.

Thanks again Duncan, I am well pleased!

No. I found the same. However, I simply reversed the order of the plain washer and serrated washer and fiddled until it "was tight enough". I did have to remove a tiny bolt and locknut near the auxiliary slot (were Meridian planning an SDI mod? ) to get a flush fit.

Hi Duncs,

Just wondering. Are you willing to ship the cable to the States?

Thanks.

Happy to ship anywhere in the world - just checkout the first article on this thread.t.....

This is a bargain.

I had always ignored this thread because I thought it was SDI cables OUTSIDE the box.

Not to actually put the mod in yourself in 10 minutes.

This would probably raise the value of a 598/596 by more than the cost of the parts !!!

Thanks

Hey Duncan, you've got email.

yep, just got in from work and just replied.

Shipping to the US is as per the first post in this thread.

Hey Duncan, FYI, the funds are in your account.

Hey Duncan,

Sorry to bother you but have you received any of my emails? Just wondering when I can expect the cable. Thanks.

Hi Duncan,

This is rather off topic but,,, Another Hitchhiker suggested you may well be in poccession of the 2XX info I need. Would you please weigh in on this thread . Thanks!

Happy Trails!
Vince@freewheelcycle.com

Just wanted to post up a thanks to Duncs in getting the cable to me and fixing the mix up with shipment. Also the included installation pictures were above an beyond what I expected.

Cheers!