Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G68 questions

Hi,

I have a few questions regarding the G68 series.

1. Is there a separate volume control for zone 2 and 3. I.e. can I have one listening level for the main outs and a different for a different zone and control them from the remote/front. Or does "the volume control" handle all zones in parallel at the same time. (if not in fixed output position)

2. Can I specify the following? I think Meridian call it Bass Heavy but I cannot find the following configuration described. It seems like several of the sub options in the menu disappears if I use more than one sub.
Fronts = big DSP
Center = big DSP
Rears = big DSP
2 x subs DSP with full bass signal from all speakers, IE not only LFE in all setups

The reason for this setup is that I use external digital XO`s.

3. Is there a way of controlling the video switching that is not a result of the audio input selector? I may want to switch component video without using the home cinema system and only the TV speakers.

4. Can I control and program the unit trough the USB connector or only the RS232?

5. Where can I define the bit-rate and sample rate for the digital outputs and what options are there?


Best regards and thank you

//Robert

1) Best ask Meridian support direct.

2) I don't think so. I just tried it in MConfig. If you specify stereo subs, the front DSPs are set to small. If you specify front/back subs, you don't get the bass-heavy option. If you specify a mono sub and daisy chain, you lose the bass-heavy option if the center is set to large...

3) Not exactly. You can configure "phantom" video sources which leave the audio input as "Last valid", but you might have difficulty not changing other settings such as the current DSP preset.

4) Yes. You have to install serial USB drivers in your PC.

5) Your options are limited. During MConfig setup you can state whether any DSP speaker is 96/24 cabable. If it is, bit depth is 24-bits. If not, I believe it is 18-bits, but please confirm with Meridian. If you specify 96/24 capable DSPs, then you get a "high sample" rate (HS) option which can be toggled any time you like. HS off gives you 44.1kHz from CD and 48kHz from decoded bitstreams. HS on gives you 2x upsampling.

Would "Phantom Sources" also make it possible to - for example - select the video from a DVD in a G98 and the audio from a Squeezebox?

I'm pretty certain it would, though have never tried it myself.

You can do that with a phantom source. I have an input setup for TV watching/CD listening.

Regarding (1) You can certainly have different volumes on the Zones 2 and 3. You need to set them in the 'Other Settings' as Variable levels, but I think you have that looking at your post. I have done several times using RS-232 control, but am not near our G68 right now to remind myself how you set the volumes using remote/front panel. I guess that Function + Vol Up/Dn will change sone 2.

Thanks for the input so far.

1. It seems like the zone two/three volume thing works. I'm going to feed one zone to the kitchen and one zone to another room and want to control volume in them separately. Done

2. This worries me a little. It seems like Meridian have locked down quite a number of combinations. Does this mean that I cannot have all speakers “DSP large” and use 2 subs except for LFE? -Any way of fiddling with the SW to unlock those forced choices and get “DSP large” for all speakers and still have two separate subs with the bass from all speakers directed there. To daisy chain two subs in “mono sub” set up is probably quite a challenge for the room correction and it makes it difficult to do adjustments as my subs stands in different places. Open

3. Phantom source seems to do the trick. I`ll give it a go when I get the unit. I use a 561 today but the G68 to replace it should be here soon. Done

4. Good that I can use the USB connection. Does anyone know if the RS232 still echoes everything that goes on if I use the USB to program the unit? The reason why this is of interest is that I use the display “echo” on the RS232 signal to control my volume controls that sits behind digital XO`s and before the power amps. Open

5. I just have to test them. My XO`s should be 24/96 capable. On the SPDIF/AES inputs. Done

Best regards

//RoB