Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Firmware Release for 218, 251, 271, ID41

As part of an ongoing programme to enhance MQA decoding features and improve system functionality, firmware updates for the following Meridian products are now available:

• 218 v1.1, build 218
• 251 v1.1, build 218
• 271 v1.1, build 219
• ID41 v1.2, build 216

The 218 and 251 now recognise and render MQA Core material received from external MQA decoders, such as Roon, Smart Home OS from Control4 and any MQA capable digital streamers.

In addition, the appearance and functionality of our configuration web pages for all of the products listed above have been improved, while menu settings between Meridian comms and other forms of control are now more integrated.

This firmware is updated automatically when the Windows PC program, Merdian Device Manager is used.

Important!

Running Meridian Device Manager will find all relevant Meridian products connected to the network and update their firmware automatically.
Please be aware that the updates will happen without further prompting and with no other opportunities for opting out of the process.
Playback may be interrupted, and functionality will be disabled while the updates take place, so ensure that this will not cause problems before running the program.

In systems featuring multiple products to be updated, the time taken for the updates to deploy can vary according to the capabilities of the network.
For this reason, we advise that updates should not be carried out when time-pressures are high, such as just before the system is required to be used!

Please note this is not an essential update, there are no system critical bug fixes included in this release.

Overview
This release encompasses many refinements to the behaviour of these prodicts.
The 218 and 251 now recognise and render MQA Core material from external MQA decoders, such as some digital streamers and Smart Home OS from Control 4.

Other areas of improvement are the appearance and functionality of configration webpages, the integration of Meridian comms and the functionality of the current version of the Meridian Automation interface for IP and RS232 control (issue 4).

218 Zone Controller
New MQA Decoder
MQA Core material is recognised when received from an external MQA decoder.

New Look Configuration Webpages
Includes active roll-down elements so that a small screen can more effectively display the options.

251 Powered Zone Controller
New MQA Decoder
MQA Core material is recognised when received from an external MQA decoder.

New Look Configuration Webpages
Includes active roll-down elements so that a small screen can more effectively display the options.

271 Digital Theatre Controller
Setting Integration between IP Control and Meridian Comms over Speakerlink
If a 271 is used with a 218 any changes to user settings on one, which exist on both products, are updated on the other. Avoiding having to duplicate the updates manually.

Subwoofer Filter Menu
As per the 251.

ID41 Card
Added Support for Automation Interface

New Look Configuration Webpages
Includes active roll-dwon elements so that a small screen can more effectively display the options.

Source Legends Renaming
Picks up source legends from host when installed in the following products running at least version v4.14:
808 (.3 to v6)
818 (v1 to v3)
Ultra DAC

Rick

Rick, do you know what the ID41 changes are? Is there a data sheet?

I'll keep editing the initial post with further info as I work though it.

Rick

Thanks Rick
I await further info on how the ID41 can be updated. Never heard of such an update before without reference to the update of the device in which it resides.
Hector

Pretty straightforward:

Download, unzip and run the Meridian Device Manager program on a Windows PC, connected on the same network as the ID41 card.

The Meridian Device Manager will see the ID41, then update its firmware automatically which takes only 10 seconds, the ID41 will reboot, which takes 20 seconds, and show up again in the Merdian Device Manager.
That's it.

On my system with the ID41 in an 861v8, it actually shows V1.2 Build 1002216 once updated.

The ID41 was never updated as part of the 'Host' (808, 818, 861) firmware update, it used to update as part of the Sooloos system updates.

Rick

Thank you again Rick.
I will try to follow your instructions. Migrated to Roon a few months back so Sooloos does not reside here anymore.
808v6 shows 4.14 so I have a chance to get this update right.
Tough luck for anyone who doesn't have a widows PC!
Hector

I have just tried to update the 218 I bought from you. I installed the Meridian software (having ignored Windows Smartscreen's warning fears) and then ran it. It looked and behaved like Sooloos Configure and did nothing. Any ideas?

Just tried to load the firmware and now my 218 doesn't work anymore.

I have installed the Device Manager on a computer with Windows 7 pro on it. It is wired to the network and it found the 218. Then the 218 went constantly restarting. I hear a relay clicking and sometimes the MQA light is showing blue red and green flashes.

It has been busy for over 1.5 hour now. When it shows up now and then on the Device Manager I can read it is still on firmware 1.0

Anyone else got a problem with update?

FYI, I managed to update my 218 without issue. Version 1.1 build 216 now.

Yup, same here updated OK

Brian

And for those of us without a Windows PC?

How long did it take to update the firmware?

I don't understand why it went wrong here. The 218 isn't viable for Roon and IP control app.

If I enter the IP adress in the internet browser it shows the normal webpage I had before with the software version of 1.

My network is absolutely stable and I haven't had any issue with it before. Used a wired computer for the update.

Does anyone know a solution?

Best regards Ronald