Many thanks for this John.

Overall, I think M's policy on the new formats/HDMI makes sense and I'm not particularly worried by it. Interesting insight into why they are using Faroudja (programmable FPGAs with custom algorithms). I'd love to see how M's deinterlacing solution stacks up to, say, the latest algorithms from Anchor Bay (ABT) as found in the DVDO VP20/30/50 - these appear to be the benchmark for cadence detection and edge processing at the moment (if anyone had forgotten, the G9x and 800 deinterlace video too).

However, I must admit that I am rather amazed at some of the answers and must question the extent of their market research beyond the installer market. Am I truly deluded in thinking that the views on this forum are not representative of the non-installer customer base?
  • No 480i/576i output on G9x/800v4 precludes an external deinterlacing solution (and means I won't upgrade my 598).
  • No tuner card for 8xx series is a kick in the teeth for 8xx series owners.
  • Stereo product with MRC "not even considered" is astonishing, given a pair of DSP speakers and CD player constitute "a complete Meridian stereo system".
  • No plans for a G62? The 562V3 only has a 16-bit ADC and looks really nice next to a silver G08. Not.
  • The whole point of the 518 "functionality" question is to allow users to have digital gain control for non-Meridian analogue and digital sources. I don't see that this is possible. Looks like we'll need to keep our 518s.


Of course, I'm taking a lot of M's answers with a pinch of salt. It wouldn't surprise me to see a reversal of some of these answers. I'm not going to rely on that happening soon though.

One final opinion: Enthusiasts keep a brand alive. M needs to document the finer points of what its kit does rather than keep us guessing. Then, maybe we wouldn't be asking all these questions all of the time...

Roon Developer and ex-moderator of this Forum
I am #25 in the HH1 photo of fame.