Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 800D Region Free Help Required

I just realised how old your 800 firmware is. This may very well not have the HDMI improvements.

I would do as Steve M suggests.

If you are swapping cables without powering down, or at least going to standby, hot plug issues may be at play. Also, later firmware may handle repeaters, such as HD621, in a better way.

At the end of the day, it may be your TV. My old Loewe TV was very specific about what order things needed to be powered up but when I got its firmware updated sussed the power up order (TV last) it was in the end quite robust albeit limited in features. My new Sony TV is far better and it's HDMI handshaking is as transparent (with the 2 HDMI devices that I use) as using an analogue connection. My 2 year old Panasonic TV is pretty good but not quite as good as the Sony taking a little longer for the display than the pretty much instant lock of the Sony.

+1 with what Ian says.

Occasionally I have a similar problem where I get nothing whatsoever from my projector through my Oppo / HD621. More often than not there's been a problem / power interruption / update etc with my SKY box - which then upsets everything else in the chain.
The only way to fix this, much to my annoyance, is to physically disconnect every piece of equipment (so that they're all, in effect, isolated) and remove the power from each link in the chain as well. I mean - switch off & remove the power cable so there's no chance anything's on standby. This then removes the possibility that anything's "hot-plug" connected, or there's anything dodgy in some memory chip somewhere. Then reconnect, slowly, one by one and it should all be ok.
It's a total pain in the *ss and happens (for me) once a month or so, but....

The other thing to do is also - as we've all mentioned (and experienced) - try to keep the firmware up-to-date. Although, having said that, and slightly O/T, most of us who've just migrated to the latest SqueezeServer 7.6.0 software are regretting it ! ;-)

Good luck !

Ian :

I have contacted Steve M about the latest Firmware, as you say.

Yes, I have been going to standby or Powering Down and giving the 800 & Display time to rest between changes.

You make some good points Re : TV.
I hadn't thought about the 'Order of Power Up'. I will try that today.

If the need be, I'll go for a new display, but that's last in the pecking order.
I'll try the latest firmware first and then your 'Order of Power Up'.
Should there still be no change after that, finally I'll set about choosing a new TV.

The last resort then, is to pack it off to Mothership for a more detailed investigation.


Rolski :
I've just read your latest reply.
Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a try as well.


BTW :
Does anybody know if the 800 will be OK to update, from 1.71 directly to 2.72 without interim firmware ?
I don't want to be creating further problems.


.... Holtz'.

Old thread I know, but I recently linked to it so may be read by some.

Does anyone know if this got resolved? Quickly scanning through, I cannot see a resolution/final update.

Looks like initial region free advice and expected responses were good though which is why I linked.

Hi Ian,

The following is a reply I received from Holtz in a PM after I sent him the v2.72 firmware.

Quote

The two-way HDMI switch is behaving itself just fine, placed between the 800/HD621 and my Plasma, even though it does let down the seamless operation of owning a complete Meridian system somewhat.
Still, as a 'work around', it's serving its purpose and, clumsy though it maybe, I have had no problem whatsoever since slotting it into the setup. So I can't complain, can I ?

BTW :
The new '2.72 Firmware' you sent me seems to have made my system (in DVD mode) more responsive.
Prior to the upgrade I was (on occasions) having to press the buttons on the remote twice, as if the 800 was slow to respond or even not receiving the first remote signal.
Now, everything is 'Hunky-Dory' - and I am enjoying some peace of mind.

Sounds like he didn't get the problem solved as desired but he may have upgraded his HD621 firmware since. Perhaps Holtz might read this and let us know if he managed to get a picture directly via the HD621. I had no problem with exactly the same kit so it might have been an overlooked setting.

As a reminder though to anyone attempting the Region Free mod on an 800 or 800D (which is also contained within Wiki), please remember to plug the serial cable into the serial port on the DVD-02 Controller card and NOT into the serial port on the CO-00 computer card.


Cheers,


Steve M