Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems output digital data from the Meridian 861

Hello guys,

firstly excuse my poor English.

I`m trying to get output digital data from the Meridian 861 for a non Meridian DAC.

I have read some of your comments about the 861 and maybe you can help me.
The 800 and the G98 can output PCM 96kHz unencrypted from an DVD-Audio, if the disc is not copy protected and the player is configured as “decode bitstream in player” and “MHR: neither”.
The 861 V3 can be configured “MHR: as needed”, this option is not available in the 861 V4 and its digital outputs always are MHR.
The question is: Do you know if it is possible to get output unencrypted 96kHz when the 861 v3.51 receives unencrypted 96kHz from the players?.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Best regards,

Jan

I'm virtually certain that you can't achieve that ... that you can only get unencrypted 44.1 or 48 (depending on source) out of the digital output

I think there are a few exceptions if the DVD-A is not copy protected. But I think most quality stuff is protected and will be encrypted or down-res'd.

It's possible that the 800 will get apodizing, of course... It may be a while in coming though.

I would like to think so as well, but how does this fit in with the thread?

Regards,
Carl

I'm sure MHR: "as needed" is still avaialble as an option with the 861v4.
I think whilst in stand by, you have to press one on the arrow keys under the front pannel flap, and it toggles MHR: "Always" / "As Needed" on this display.

I'll check it out once I'm home.

Regards,
Carl

FWIW, almost all DVD-A Two Channel Tracks are PCM High Res (24/96 or sometimes 24/48) and therefore are not Encrypted

Most of the Multi-Channel mixes are MLP Encoded and Encrypted

All versions of the 861 until 4.25 allowed the use of the Meridian Legacy Program. This Legacy program allowed you to set the MHR to be On or "As Required". Setting it to as required allowed the 861 to output 2-ch PCM High Res (and sometimes multi-channel) without Encrypting it (i.e. MHR)

Since the advent of the 4.25 Firmware, the 861 was required to use the MConfig program. This Program does not have the same "As Required" option as the Legacy program and MHR is always on with High Res material, even if it's not Encrypted on the DVD-V or DVD-A disc.

Always felt this choice was driven by Meridian feeling that turning MHR to Always On offered jitter related benefits

If you press on the up key under the front panel flap there is two options “MHR always” and “MHR when necessary”, but the digital output always is encrypted, even if you are using an analogue input.
These options don't appear in the Meridian Configuration Program or the 861V4's literature. I`m assuming there is a limitation in the firmware, because I think the hardware is the same in the V3.51 and the V4.25.

Regards,
Jan

Hi Jan,

I don't buy that, I thought the output signal must be in MHR format to encrypt it, as SPDIF is can not be encrypted.

So if HS=Y and "MHR when necessary" is set.
Providing the digital input signal is not flagged as requiring encription the 861 could output it as 96k SPDIF.

Not sure about analogue inputs, don't use them.

I'll have a play when I'm at home.

Hi Carl,

I have tried with “MHR when necessary”, HS=Y and N, with a G98DH and a Samsung playing CD connected via analogue and digital and the digital outputs of the 861V4 always are encrypted.

Regards,

Jan

I too found the digital outputs always encrypted at either 88 or 96 output, independent of the nature of the source.

I could only get unencrypted output at 44 or 48

Having said that, I did not notice any sonic degradation when 88 or 96 material was down converted in the 861 and output at 44 or 48 ... the quality of the down conversion, the output jitter, etc. all seemed to be first rate.

Hi brucemck2 ,

Please, could you tell how configure the 861v4 in order to get unencrypted output at 44/48 kHz?
Do you use type3? If not, wich standard type do you use?
Which speakers have you add with the Meridian Configuration Program in order to disable MHR?
In the Legacy program the “MHR when necessary” option is active, only if you combine DSP and 92.24 DSP. With only one type of speakers is not available.

Thanks,

Jan