Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Tact TCS and Meridian DSP Speakers

Would it be possible to use the Tact TCS as a surround processor with all Meridian DSP speakers?
Seemingly, according to the TACT brochure, the TACT TCS can be set up such that it outputs the target volume via the serial port in order to control their digital power amplifiers. Consequently, should it not be possible to take that rs232 output and translate into Meridian rs232 format volume command settings (via a computer)and thus control the volume of daisy chained (Meridian coms)DSP speakers?

Not being able to help you at all, I still would like say that it is an interesting thought, although most often I encounter the opposite question, can the Meridian decoders be used with other DSP speakers. Seems to me more people like their decoders instead of their speakers.....

Andreas

Getting and setting volume on the Meridan Processors with the rs232 is no problem (not sure about how the speakers work, probably the same way though).

It's just a matter of communication with the other units, run it through a translation layer.

I have code for the communication part if someone want's to give it a try.

/Sören

Sounds possible. HOWEVER, if you want 96 kHz AND the content is copy protected, either the digital signal will get encyrpted or it will get down sampled.

You know, it is cheaper to fix your room than it is to buy three of those boxes. Of course it will not impress your friends as much.

The TACT TCS - Theater Control System is a fully self contained surround processor and has 10 channels of room corection (one signal processor for each channel). Consequently you just need one ($6000), not multiple two channel TACT RCSs.
The copy protection question: is that an issue only for the Meridian processors or something for the whole industry? What I can gather, the DSP speakers can accept 24/96 inputs without encryption, or?


[This message has been edited by Thane (edited 01-23-2002).]

Copy protection is an industry wide issue.

The DSP speakers can accept 96kHz input with or without copy protection. However, the 861 is going to encrypt or downsample anything copy protected because it is what they must do.

Here is a little insight. Meridian is a smaller company when compared to say Toshiba or Sony. They came into the DVD stuff as an outsider. Being an outsider it is HARD to get any respect from the big boys. They did the little MLP thing and they also made many trips to Japan fighting for DVD-A. They have had to follow the rules closer than anyone to obtain and maintain the respect of the big boys. Some other high-end companies can get away with things like SDI outputs because they don't exist in the eyes of the big boys, not Meridian.

Getting the approval for their Smart Link was probably no easy task either. I am sure they are being closely watched by everyone.

The TCS is a surround processor, are you sure it will take inputs from another surround processor?

no no... What I meant was to use the TACT as the sole processor, not a Meridian processor + a TACT. The idea sprung to mind when I read that the Tact could output the target voulme via rs232, in order to control their digital power amplifiers. So, shouldn't that make it possible to control the volume of an entire set of Meridian DSP speakers?
However, I don't know, this might be a blasphemous thought in this forum. I really like Meridian speakers and thought that this could be a way around the room correction feature that never seems to be delivered.

Ok, I understand you now. Sure, that sounds possible. I have done a little RS232 with DSP33s and it works well using them as PC speakers. (SPDIF out of PC into DSP33s.)

I find it even more disturbing that for a premium price of the "DSP based" speakers, like 6Ks, that one doesn't have access to those inbuilt "DSPs", well, I understood it's not possible, please correct me !

There is no need at all for a room correction in a "complete Meridian system" in the processor, if you would have access to the speaker's DSPs via RS232 and a special software utility tool ! Infact it would allow also for "stereo people" to have just a Meridian transport and a pair of speakers (say 6Ks), which they could then measure into the room.

This is possible for instance with some of my favorite speaker (I have only heard the next smaller type to be honest, which was a dream), the "Klein und Hummel O500c". This is one of the best speakers on the planet and it allows room correction, well access to the inbuilt DSPs. Not to mention the other benefits of this speaker...

Andreas

[This message has been edited by Andreas (edited 01-24-2002).]