Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HD621 Set Up Questions

But with which cable?

I personally do not appreciate these emotionally loaded exchanges triggered by a very opinionated member who apparently also likes unprofessional language. They clutter this otherwise highly informative forum. Anyway, back to the topic of this thread: HD621 Set Up Questions.

Yesterday my HD621 came in and I tried to integrate it between the PS3 and G68XXV using HDMI (PS3 to HD621)and 3x SPDIF digital coax (HD621 to G68) connections. Because my laptop has USB but not a RS323 serial port, I tried to use the HD621 with its default settings after setting the PS3 and G68 up manually (I am well aware of this thread and others in this forum, so I think I used the correct settings like MD1, LPMC, FIFO checked etc.). Result (with Bluray/DTS-HD material): Fine picture, no sound at all.

Today I added the HD621 into my Mconfig file, made all the necessary changes and loaded it into the G68. The program told me at the end that I should also store the same file on the HD621, but I cannot do this due to the waiting for an USB/RS323 adapter to be able to connect my laptop to the HD621 (it would have been great if M would have added an USB port to the HD621 as they did for the G68). Result (same material as above): Fine picture, sound from all 8 channels, but the signal for the center speaker and sub is missing! Both speakers get the 'residual signal' from the respective DSP setting used, but the main dialog is gone. When playing DD5.1 all signals are reproduced. So, does this mean that the HD621 does not pass the DTS-HD material correctly to the center and sub until I store the config file on it as well or do I have to change the 'Type" setting for the G68 to 5.1 instead of the current "7.1 All analog, movie sub: in use"?

Thanks for any help to get the complete DTS HD audio through the HD621 into the G68 as 5.1 channel input.

Roger

I cannot get any sound from 2-channel Redbook CDs played by a PS3 Playstation through a HD621 and G68XXD while the 5.1 sound from DVDs is fine. What am I missing?

The HD621 setup here proved simple so it is puzzling that some are having problems. IMHO problems that are found, and some find are solved by a different cable, are due to faulty handshaking, that processing being needed each end of the cable because of HDCP.

I'm not have these handshaking problems with the HD621 but have had them between the Panasonic BD35 and the Iscan VP50 PRO. Inserting the HD621 in that chain neither cures nor makes it worse. Connecting the video from the player direct to the projector -> 100% result.

If I turn the system on to a source different to the Bluray player, insert a disc into that player and allow time for it to settle down to its gymnastics, then change to it as the source, then all is well.

BUT if I then try to change a Bluray disc, it will not settle back to display the correct colour unless I remove and reinsert the HDMI plug. That seems to wake it up to operate correctly.

I have tried a couple of different leads but so far this has not made it bulletproof. Maybe either or both of the Player and the iScan need a firmware update (1.04 on the iScan BTW).

But thanks to help from here the end result is excellent with superb audio from Bluray ia the 861. My earlier negative postings are hereby retracted.

I have now looked at a few operas and other Blu Rays (reviews at http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=78878&st=0 if anyone is interested) and there is no doubt it is the pinnacle of home entertainment - just about as good as being there and better in some respects.

But given good gear, as most Meridian lovers here have, upscaled DVDs can also be excellent provided the material is of recent origin. No, not quite as good as Bluray but not all that far behind. It is easy to get mesmorised by this new technology and overlook how the results from earlier technologies have improved with better recording and reproducing techniques. Unfortunately that does not always extend back to laserdiscs, although some can still look very good but VHS remains looking VERY primitive. Hard to beieve we used to enjoy it but the smaller screens used in the past disguised a lot.

Bottom line is we are really spoiled these days. :-)

John

Has there been a firmware update to the HD621?

I looked on the M site and couldn't even find firmware for the HD621.

The M config program also does not list the HD621 in its list of firmware. It does list the HD621 manual under Video components but not that there has been a revision. (On the M website it is listed under Audio components.)

Thanks,
George

Sure that makes sense because you are not feeding the HD621's "FLAC" your feeding decoded flacs (i.e. PCM). Therefore it can upsample with the new apodizing filter. For the TIVO, Most everything (not sure if everything) will be DD 5.1 or DD 2.0 and it will just pass through the HD621.

DVD vs Blu-Ray moved to it's own thread

https://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=95482#Post95482

Fine picture, sound from all 8 channels, but the signal for the center speaker and sub is missing! Both speakers get the 'residual signal' from the respective DSP setting used, but the main dialog is gone.
[/quote] The reason for this strange 'missing center/sub' was the wrong connection of the three coax cables between the HD621 and the G68. Different to info provided earlier in this thread (#95260, 2009-06-04), the correct allocation to the MD1 section of the G68 is: 1/2 ->D1, 3/4 ->D2, 5/6 ->D3.
Now everything works and sounds fine.

My overall learning from setting up the HD621 is that it requires the Mconfig program and storage of the file with the correct settings via RS232 port on both the G68 and HD621. I my case there was no chance for 'plug-n-play'.

Hmm, not on my G68 it's not! As stated earlier in this thread I have:
HD621 > G68
1/2 > D1=L/R,
3/4 > D3=C/LFE,
5/6 > D5=SURR

Stuart

I think that's what Roger meant. I always forget that the G68 MD inputs are 1/3/5 and 2/4/6 rather than 1/2/3 and 4/5/6.

Actually they are 5/3/1 and 6/4/2! How thoughtful of M - even the G68 manual keeps us guessing.
Stuart

i was explicitly told by M that 7/8 -> D5 (SURR)

that does not necessarily mean that it's right........... [/quote]

There is no 7/8 on the G68 'Multi Digital in' (AKA Smartlink on the HD621).
Stuart