Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian overcomes pre-Bristol show robbery

This story is from Home Cinema Choice. It seems Meridian can build 800.3 machines when it's necessary... They didn't mention it when I chatted with them at the show.
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/news/frame.html?http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displaynews.php?id=1564

Seriously discerning thieves made Meridian's life more than a little difficult for this year's Bristol Show, as the following verbatim press release proves...

"It was a case of 'The Show Must Go On' for Meridian on the Thursday preceding the annual Sound & Vision Show, held at Bristol's Marriott Hotel. For when Meridian's Technical Sales Engineer Des Ford arrived at the gates of Meridian's Huntingdon HQ at just before 8 am on the 21st February, he was in for a bit of a shock to say the least. Des had been expecting to step into the driver's seat of the company van crammed with almost �180,000 worth of Meridian equipment, together with show stands, display boards, point-of-sale material and literature - and drive down to Bristol to set-up the Meridian room at the Bristol Show. But this was not to be. There was no van to be seen!

'I made a few enquiries,' says Des, 'But it soon became obvious that the van had been stolen contents and all.' This caused a dilemma of no mean proportions for the company - but as Des himself remarked, 'The Show Must Go On!' And it did. Invoking almost the spirit of The Blitz, Meridian's production staff and engineers, starting mainly from scratch, manufactured a complete package to take to the Bristol Show. Meanwhile, Des and his colleagues went to find another van.

Sales staff and all factory and warehouse staff rallied round, producing literature and display material and miraculously - between 8 and 12 noon - no less than two 800 Series DVD-Audio Players, one 861 Surround Sound Controller, three DSP 8000 loudspeakers, four DSP5500 loudspeakers, along with all the ancillary speakers and electronics required, were manufactured and ready for Bristol. 'It was touch and go at times but we got there.' said a relieved Des Ford. Not to mention a more than concerned Bob Stuart, Meridian's Chairman. 'When all is said and done it is a great credit to all involved for us to have made this extraordinary turn-around in such a short length of time.' he concluded."

That must have given a lot of stress to get a comlete set again.

But i guess they can make a 800 or 861 quite quickly, as they are modular. Further they perhaps have devices ready to ship to dealers that they can take, to use for the show. (the show must go on)

perhaps you UK guys can score such a unit cheap now But if you ever want to upgrade you have problems as they know the serial numbers most likely..

Jaco

Wow! Sounds like a bunch of forum readers taking desperate measures to avoid having to wait for the 800 upgrades to become available

Seriously- I just hope for them that that van was properly insured! 180.000 UKP - Jeeeze!

Did anyone here attend the Bristol show?

Did the prototype DAB tuner make its annual outing?

Yes I was there and remembered to ask about the DAB tuner. It wasn't on display and no progess has really been made on it. I asked if it had been canned completely to which the answer was not quite, it's just very low on the development priority list.

I asked the same question about the DAB tuner and was told that it may never see the light of day.

Apparently there has been no further work on the product since last year as the guys that built it have been working on the 588 and 507 CD players.

The DAB tuner is working nicely and the prototype units are being used in the homes of the designers.

There will be no further work on the DAB tuner for the moment as Meridian are now concentrating on the upgrade for the 568 and finishing off the 598.

I did register my wish to buy a 564 DAB tuner if it becomes available.

On another note I asked about a progressive output for the 596/598 and was told that it is something that Meridian are working on.

The 800 DVD player being used in the demos had a prototype progressive output card installed, but it was not being used as the displays were not compatible.

Simon.

I'm sad to see the DAB tuner beung mothballed. I'd have thought
that a company which styles itself as a leader in digital audio would be eager to
have a DAB offering. (After all, T*G does.)

I imagine that because DAB isn't a global format, the investment isn't worthwhile.

Mark S

Apart from the UK is Germany the only other country with DAB roll out? If so then, yes a company the size of Meridian probably can't justify it - given the huge importance the USA has on their longevity.

Remember the 581 Video switch box? Looked great with lots of SCARTs to switch - but apart from being in the brochure it seemed to never see the light of day. (If it did, I want one!)