Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems The Quasi-official HH CEDIA 2006 Q&A Session Thread

I got confirmation from the "mother ship" last week that they were up for a Q&A session at CEDIA.

I won't let a little bit of internet access issues get in the way of starting up this thread, no sir! Rumors that failure of my internet access at home, and the confirmation are related are incorrect. There were a number of hours between the two events, and entirely coincedental. That, and the lack of Meridian logos on the construction workers who shredded the coaxial cable feeding several homes leads me to believe that they are in fact not involved For those lacking there senses of humor this AM (US Time) that's a joke.


I will use the second post for the consolidated questions, and after I've had opportunity to get the answers, I'll integrate them as well.

This thread will be closed to new questions on Monday, September 4.

Best,

HDMI Video:
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What is the possibility of enabling 480i/576i output on HDMI equipped DVD players (G9x and 800)?

Meridian Response:
The HDMI output is located after the video deinterlacer, and the lowest possible output at the moment is 480p. We think this gives the optimum result.


Audio Processors:
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Is there a roadmap for the 861 outlining future enhancements / upgrades?

Meridian Response:
Yes, but Meridian will not be answering the question at this time.


What are the roadmap plans for 861 (and G6x) with respect to the new audio formats and HDMI)?

Meridian Response:
This needs to shake out a little bit more as it is not clear exactly what needs to happen and where in relation to the possible uptake of and authoring in HD-DVD or Bluray discs. As an example, in many cases, the advanced audio features of these formats REQUIRE full in-player decoding and mixing, which precludes passing MLP or DTS-HD streams across an interface. In other words, system architecture may evolve to the point Meridian has been at for some time with the 800 and G Series, namely that disc formats are decoded in the player to very high precision. If that happens then there is no advantage to an HDMI 1.3 interface. Since this is still something of a moving target Meridian do not want to commit resource to uncertain projects and we do not want to make successive upgrades to confuse customers. Further illumination of this dilemma can be seen that last year we were asked about HDMI 1.2 (DSD capability) and we now see that to have offered that would not have served our customers well.
DVD Video, DVD-Audio and CD playback are perfectly catered for with our MHR Smartlink connection, still much higher performance than anything else on the market (especially than HDMI). For early adopters of first or second generation players for HD there will absolutely minimal loss incurred by using our superb transparent multichannel analogue inputs.

Meridian prefers upgrades that add real benefits to the customer, such as, e.g. Room Correction


HDMI timeline estimate for 861?

Meridian Response:
Meridian is always considering worthwhile potential future upgrades but will not comment on timescales because we are a fast-moving and agile company.

Any thoughts on how new codecs would arrive to the processors? HDMI 1.1 via decoded PCM? Raw bitstreams via HDMI 1.3?* 4x S/PDIFS and MHR?

Meridian Response:
See previous answers, as this is a rehash of previous questions.


Is there the possibility of adding a tuner card to the 861 processor (DAB/FM, FM/AM, FM/HD)?

Meridian Response:
This is highly unlikely. We keep checking with market research and so far it always indicates that there is not a large enough audience to make this viable.


Is there an anticpated time frame for greater than 8 channel support in the 861 processor?
Ditto for G6x processors

Meridian Response:
The processors are hardware capable of more channels, however we do not discuss timelines (see above).


Have M considered a full set of inputs accessible from the front panel on the G6x processors? This would be composite/component/S/Analogue/Digital/HDMI

Meridian Response:
With the exception of HDMI (which G6x doesn't have on the back panel either) the rack mount kit provides all of this.


Would it be possible to add switching of RGB to G6x, and transcoding to RGB from component to G9x? In addition, scaling of component and mirroring on HDMI output on G9x would be very useful.

Meridian Response.
3-wire RGB can be switched in 861 and G68.

At our level of audio performance, mixing video and audio processing in a single chassis is something to be avoided wherever possible, and as such probably won't be added to the audio processors.

Component scaling is already possible in G9x where not limited by copy protection restrictions It is theoretically possible to provide a firmware update for G9x that allows 3-wire SD RGB as an input; what is the application?


Will there be a resolution to and documentation of the full functionality of multi-room capabilities of the G68 processor? This does not
properly integrate with a G91 as secondary room controller and primary output at 24/96K

Meridian Response:
G68 v1.3 should have resolved the multi-room functionality issues. If you have not upgraded to this level of firmware, can you kindly upgrade and retry? With respect to the G91 integration for zone 2, copy protection can be another area that's causing difficulties. Unfortunately, this might require an analog output for the functionality you are seeking.


Is it possible to raise the crossover HP point so that the processor could replace an active crossover for stereo subs.

Is it possible to allow independent HP/LP frequencies?

Is it possible to allow more crossover slopes than current 24dB/octave?

Meridian Response:
All of these are unlikely to be implemented for a number of reasons. They go against established acoustic and psycho-acoustic wisdom. Meridian prefers not to offer adjustments that can more often than not damage the sound quality.


Is it possible to upgrade older G68s upgraded with the newer AAC boards? These were upgraded with the introduction of the G68J.

Meridian Response:
Meridian has not so far considered the upgrade, in fact we are not aware of many requests. If offered it would be chargeable .


568.2MM has a firmware bug where any frame delay breaks MHR. Is it possible to get a firmware fix to address this issue?

Meridian Response:
Bob was quite concerned and wants to know if this was ever reported formally? If not, could this please be reported through the system for proper tracking in their system? Bob said they will dust off the 568 code to fix this one and was not aware it was out there.


Optical Drive Players (was DVD players):
------------------------

What is the roadmap/plan for 800 with respect to the new video formats (blue laser optical playback)?

Meridian Response:
Meridian cannot discuss this at this time.

To share a little of Bob's private sense of humor... He asked if there's actually a clear roadmap for either of the blue-laser formats he can get his hands on!


DSP Loudspeakers:
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Besides the recently announced 3xx/2xx series, are there plans for other DSP loudspeakers. There is an obvious hole in the lineup between the DSP3100 (US MSRP $4K/pair) and the DSP5200 ($11K/pair).

Meridian Response:
Although this question cannot be answered specifically, Meridian always has DSP loudspeakers in various stages of development.


Is it possible to have multiple independent boundary settings for DSP loudspeakers

Meridian Response:
This one is awaiting an answer on how to accomplish this.


When is the G46 expected to be released?

Meridian Response:
There is no official date at this time.


What are the wiring requirements for the G46?[/i]

Meridian Response:
Speaker wiring will be identical to the G41. The difference here is that the crossover/EQ/flush/on-wall/in-wall parameters will de done by the DSP module rather than by the plug-in analog electronics module in the G41.


Faroudja Products:
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Is it possible to rework the Faroudja scalers into G chassis to get a more consistent visual presentation?

Meridian Response:
It has not been given much consideration by Meridian at this point in time.


What chipset will Meridian be moving to, SO, Gennum, DVDO?

What features will be implemented?

What functionality/integration can be expected.

Meridian Response:
Our Faroudja scalers use a multiple FPGA solution not a chipset. They are fully programmable and as such can be completely soft updated so long as they don't exceed the capacity of the FPGA in use. As such they are able to stay further ahead than all chipset based solutions since they are not reliant on the same timelines required for IC based solutions or the same base economics. This is exactly the approach we take with audio: standard chip sets (including thiose listed) are not good enough.
Since we took over the processors we have made several marked improvements to picture quality, keeping these products at the head of the field (as the many reviews confirm). Meridian is working with Genesis for the long haul and are continuously working on advanced video algorithms.


What plans are there to introduce projectors which accept integer multiples of 24 + 60 hz?

Meridian Response:
The new MF1 projector accepts 48 and 60Hz inputs.


Generic Audio:
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There are conflicting 7.1 Channel Speaker setup recommendations, Dolby (PLIIx) vs. THX. Comments on best practices from Meridian's point of view?

Meridian's Response:
Meridian's tendency is to agree more with Dolby's point of view due to the flexibility of placement of the rear channel loudspeakers. It is possible that there are going to be new recommendations that will be published from both Dolby and DTS that offer additional information on this topic in the future.

How would one achieve the flattest bass response (to 20Hz) in a system of DSP3100s and DSP33s and an SW5500 without crossing over at the
DSP33s bass limit?

Meridian's Response:
You would need to implement multiple subwoofers correctly placed and crossover no lower than the capacity of the "weaker" low frequency reproducer. Acoustics is what it is, and that's the way it works out. If you`re willing to sacrifice some bottom octave reproduction, you could simply run the loudspeakers full range, but this gives up multiple octaves of low frequency information.


Does Meridian feel that a stereo product with MRC (at a price point below G68/861v4) has sufficient demand to warrant its introduction?

Meridian's Response:
This is the first time that a request for a stereo only product supporting MRC has been made. Or at least that Bob can recall as he seemed genuinely surprised at the request.


There's a good fan base of the 518 for improvement of dynamic range and resolution of imperfect sources. Has M considered adding this
functionality to G / 8xx series products? If it is already included in these products, could it be publicized?

Meridian Response:
G6x and 861 include all of the functions of the 518 with the exception of the noise shaping selections.


[i]Is there consideration of creating a G62 to replace the 562V.3 for a two-channel DSP system?

Meridian Response:
The G91 is the closest thing to a 562v3 for a stereo DSP system if you want a G Series product.


What about a single G series or 8xx series products combining the features of the above 3 products?

Meridian Response:
G6x does all of the above sans noise shaping already. Setting it for stereo operation is a solid option.

What does M consider to be the best media player solution out there? Is M still considering the introduction of a media player?

Meridian Response:
Meridian is always considering new products and even new categories, but they aren't going to change their policies with regards to comments on potential upgrades or future products. That's a glorified "no comment".


Is it possible to create mono subs with a digital and analogue subwoofer? If not currently available, can a software upgrade be made to do
so?

Meridian Response:
Bob would like clarification on this question please. He will be happy to answer it if possible, but we couldn't come to a consensus on the actual question.


Potpourri for $2000 please Alex:
---------------------------------

Has M considered an "Open House" day for HH Forum members?

Meridian Response:
Meridian is very receptive to the idea assuming this isn't going to be a huge crowd.

What about M point of sale gear, lighted signs, etc.

Meridian Response:
It's an excellent suggestion, however there is literally no mechanism in place for this. It's being taken seriously and will be looked into when Bob gets back to the UK.

What is the possibility of enabling 480i output on the HDMI equipped DVD players (G9x and 800)?

This would allow those with external scalers to work with the native DVD content to scale as needed if they so desire and compare Meridian's deinterlacing / scaling versus their deinterlacing scaling for best results in their environment.

John,
TIA again for your efforts on our behalf.I would like to know any HD plans M may have at the moment.I know they are signed up for Bluray ( and not Hd-DVD at this stage , which IMO is a mistake for any 'high-end' company)but do they have any revised 'road-map' plans for 861 ?

Also , any more new /replacement speakers coming (5500?) or?

Cheers,
~M~

Any plan for a tuner card for the 800 series processor?

Cliff

PS your time and effort much appeciated

JK - us rustics in the PAL territories would like 576i too please!

BTW, here's the link to the answers from the Cedia 2005 Q&A session. Interesting that until HDMI 1.3 chips ship I can't see that many of the answers will have changed. Also worth noting that Meridian generally does not comment on future products.


My questions for Mother:


1) Dolby recommends the following speaker positioning:



THX recommends the following speaker positioning:



Given that Meridian writes its own implementation of algorithms, what surround speaker positioning would work best with their processors to correctly reproduce the soundfields? Should there be equal distance front-to-side and side-to-rear irrespective of seating position? And what about the width of the rears. This is particularly relevant in a 7.1 set-up with seating close to the back of the room.


2) With G68/861v4 bass management, is it possible to obtain a nominally flat all-channel response down to 20Hz with the following system (3x DSP5200, 4x DSP33, 1x SW5500) without having to crossover all speakers at the bass limit of the DSP33s?


3) Will it be possible for early adopters of the G68 to have the newer AAC board swapped into their processors?


Despite my comments about tight-lippedness:


4) Does Meridian feel there is any demand for a "G62" for owners of a single pair of DSP speakers? The 562V.3 is not a current model and does not have the quality of ADC present in the latest processors. Further, DSP loudspeakers only have two coaxial digital inputs.


5) Does Meridian feel there is any demand for a two-channel MRC product at a price point beneath the G68/861v4?


6) The 518 is still a great product that is used by many on these forums for resolution and dynamic-range enhancement of "non-perfect" sources. Does Meridian feel there would be any use for this 518-style enhancement functionality in any of the current G or 800 series products. If this functionality already exists, please would they tell us about it?


7) Does Meridian feel that combining (4), (5), and (6) into a single product would be a good idea?


8) What does Meridian feel is the best (non-hard disc) media player solution currently available? Would they like to get their arses in gear and produce a media player sometime soon, because we'd all like to buy and/or drool over one!!!

When would we finally get support for a second sub in the 861 setup?
TA John!

juno

Will Meridian make it possible to have a "True Mono" setup of two mis-matched subs? (You can only have a stereo pair of subs if both are either digital or analogue, if you have one of each you will get a front centre sub + one rear sub). I want one setting where the same sound info goes to both subs. (G68)

When will we have analog 7.1 inputs into a processor?

Can they implement setup for multiple placement types in the DSP speakers, I.E my left speaker is corner, center is boundary, right is boundary, left surround is corner, and right surround is boundary. This would be very helpful!

Add G68 for the dual sub option, not all of us can afford the 861 (I wish!!).

Also, do Meridian intend to offer a HDMI 1.3 upgrade option for the G68 and if so, when?

When will Meridian offer RS-232 codes for the G68, to be controlled by devices such as Crestron? I believe this is already available for the G98, but no RS-232 for the G68.

Thanks for taking this up JK.

Please, lots of photos from those going to CEDIA (for those of us down under who can't make it).

Cheers,

Chris

Guys (Juno and Chris), you are talking about > 8 speaker support once more.

As long as you stay under 8 speakers, you can have multiple subs I know as I've done this with both the 861 and the G68.

Best,