Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Peripherals needed for running MConfig and MRC

So I'm getting things organized for setting up my DSP speakers and G68 ADV processor for when my COMM cables arrive from the UK.

The system I bought didn't include any remotes, wires or interconnects. I've downloaded MConfig and purchased an MSR+ remote control. Besides the COMM and coax digital cables what other cables will I need to connect the computer to the processor and configure the system, serial or USB? To run MRC does the Radioshack sound meter include all the necessary cabling?

How are non DSP speakers configured for rear surround duty? I'll be using analog audio out to a power amp and then on to the speakers.

This may help

http://www.meridianunplugged.com/wiki/index.php?pagename=WhichUsbAdapter

You can use USB or Serial with G68, but since you need Serial for everything else you might as well go serial.

Are those adapters needed for newer computers that don't have a dedicated serial port? The PC I downloaded MConfig onto has a serial port.

Yes, only needed if no serial port.

But you will need a Null Modem Cable (usually supplied with Preamp)

I made up a null modem cable a few years ago to upgrade the fw on my CRT projector. Are all null modems created equal ie are the pin assignments standardized?

No. A null modem cable is a standard serial cable but with a very specific pinout. A null modem cable is the exception not the norm - so unless you specifically get/made a null modem cable, it will be a standard serial cable. Visually it is indistinguishable from a standard serial cable. Meridian do not use flow control so you can ignore difference in flow control wiring so any 9 pin female-female true null modem cable should work.

So you have to ask yourself, did you make a serial cable or did you make a null modem cable? If you didn't go out of your way and specifically swap transmit and receive as needed for null modem, then you probably made a standard serial cable which will not work. However it is likely that your projector needed a null modem too so you probably did swap the relevant wires over.

Easy enough to try. It wont break anything if it's the wrong cable, it just won't work.

My Sim2 projector requires different cable to Meridian. The Sim2 uses the standard cable.

I also found that you need to set the baud rate of the serial connector quite low in order to work.

The cable I made up has these breakout connections
http://www.winfordeng.com/products/brktd9.php

Does anyone have the pin assignments for the Meridian null modem cable so I can double check I have everything wired up correctly.

I checked out the Radio shack sound meters and there appears to be 2 versions, one analog and one digital. I assume the latter is the best one, correct? Some have modified their units. Is this impt? Seems a bit complicated replacing caps etc.

Analogue meters are easier to read at a glance, digital ones can flicker all over the place, making it hard to easily see an average reading.

Both are simply volt meters on the end of an amplifier.

Steve.

It's a standard 9 pin null modem cable.

Take your pick

Null Modem Cables

Thanks guys. This gets me started.

Good info on the digital vs analog RS option. I had assumed there would be some buffering of the digital display to allow the user to read the information. I'll get the analog unit.