Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems New firmware now available

Time to think of a divorce again! I wonder who is coming up with all these stupid ideas, I'd like to give Bob the benefit of the doubt and think it's some crack job out of touch trapped behind the wall.

Here's for some dealer created warmth.

I called another dealer today since the first one isn't responding anymore.

<IRONY>
They will only charge $500 for the service.
But they would upgrade both my G61R and my G68 for the same price!
They didn't have time until end of next week though.
It is apparently not so easy, upgrading the firmware can "fry" the unit.
</IRONY>

Magnus,

PM your location.

Ken

That's exactly how I feel. I don't plan on any more investment nor would I recommend them (and I have and they have bought stuff on my recommendation). I feel like I have less control over my own system. Updating your own firmware is a personal space that the dealer should not have to be involved in. It's my system. I'll install it on my timeline not someone elses. It's like working on your own car or trying different cables or tubes. You don't violate that space.

I agree with George...Fine tuning my system using the software to setup my Meridian products was one of the many benefits Meridian had over its competitors. But Nickle and dimeing us each time each time for something users can do on their own is taking a step backwards in the longevity of the Meridian brand.

But what about the Trifield FIX?

Agreed. Lumagen did the same with the 3D update - there were some grumbles but Lumagen justified it well and many people, including myself, were happy to pay.

The problem we have moving forward with Meridian is that EVERY firmware upgrade is now effectively going to be charged for, which potentially increases cost of ownership significantly, both financially and in time. Not good.

Does anyone know the resin behind this reason of distributing the software?

My dealer here in Germany didn't know anything about it and has had to email the distributor..... I guess I will have to wait and see.

Could it be perhaps something to do with that apodizing crack that was going round a while ago that could have perhaps set this into motion or something else? I'm just trying to understand the logic. Perhaps there is a good reason why. Perhaps not. A well thought through letter directly from M via the dealers to the more up to date enthusiasts of their brand to just explain why after so many years they have decided to go this way could be a good idea.

If I received a letter like this saying something like, thank you for your years of loyalty and support blah blah and this is why we are making this move to improve the quality of product to our customers....... As we are initiating and providing our premium retailers with a brand new training course. This will provide a whole new level of knowledge of how to tailor your system to squeeze every ounce of your systems potential within your home environment. We understand that this may be of inconvenience to you but feel moving forward we need to ensure the quality of our product.

Or something like that; I'm not kicking and screaming about this new way of updating my system. I think that's something to do with the fact that I don't have a PC to do it anyway and even when I did it was such a temperamental pain in the arse to connect it that I gave up ever tweeking/updating..... Real shame that really.

Anyways, I just wanted to give my opinionn and to ask the question of "why" this change has come about. I have only been with M for about 4 years but for some I can imagine your frustration after yours of loyalty of being deeply invested not only financially but also emotionally with the brand. Perhaps M is planing to reach out to their customers with a Press release or something later on.


Regards,


Carl

Best to let specific reasons come from the horses mouth here. But yes, release mechanism was re-engineered due to concerns raised by the apodising hack.

Thanks for the link. I didn't see this letter. What a shame

The changes in the firmware update model may have more to do with M providing a compelling reason for existing owners to contact a dealer thus generating potential product sales/service opportunity to the dealer. Registering an update interest with M results in dealer lead generation. Think of this in relation to how compelling M's marketing usually is for dealers.

Personally I think the other reason floated just provided a convenient smoke screen to justify a change.

Avii

Hi guys,

In some ways, I feel we only have ourselves to blame here. This is a Meridian site, which had a very close relationship with Meridian and some of us decided we could take Meridian�s firmware to bits and offer a better solution. Did anyone think Meridian would simply say �well done lads�?

Imagine the scenario in which people loaded hacked firmware into their products, the said product failed, and the only option was to return the said unit to Meridian. Meridian ends up with a heap of products to repair.

As for the car analogy, tinkering with one�s own car whilst the car in under warranty � can invalidate the warranty. Even if the car isn�t under warranty, if one alters the car�s engine and it goes wrong � there is a big bill on the way!

I live on a small island and a �250-500 ferry trip and one night in a hotel is my only option here. Either, the dealer comes over or I take my gear over, the cost is the same, apart from the cost of the dealers time. Two days labour for me. I wonder if he charges per hour. (Do I sound happy here) maybe I could send the bill to the hacker?

IMHO this wouldn�t have happened if there was no hacked software. I suspect no manufacturer would be happy taking their firmware to bits. I wonder what Canon would say if I took some of the firmware from the EOS 1ds and hacked it in into my EOS 7D. I suspect Canon would have something to say. I also wonder what Canon would say if I sent it back in for repair. I suspect I would receive a large bill.

I don�t have my firmware upgrade yet but I am looking forward to it. By all accounts in sounds fantastic!

I am going to be patient � I will have to wait until a dealer comes here on holiday (TT most likely) or I find a reason to go to England.
I for one, thank Meridian for the Trifield fix and the appodising upgrade and not for charging. Lumagen charged for the 3D firmware. I know, I didn�t have to send the unit back or ask for a dealer to come out. Does anyone know if Lumagen firmware is hacked?

I do feel I could have been listening to an improved system if the hacked software didn�t come along.

Just my thoughts - I suspect I am going to get some stick for this one but there it is!

No CheeRS this time.