Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Next Meridian 861 upgrade?

Hey All,

I'm still at the Meridian 861 version 2... Does anyone know when the next major upgrade for the 861 processor will come along? We are still at version 4 correct? What are people looking for upgrade wise and what should be expected with the next upgrade which I assume will be version 5?

Thanks,

Chris

I've upgraded to (3) D-Box love seats and have a C3X 1080 projector on the way... I just haven't been motivated to make the commitment to upgrading the Meridian until I know a bit more about the next upgrade and other contendors out there... thoughts?

The next upgrade will be version 6. Apparently V5 will not be offered as an upgrade - it was shown at Ceedia this year but info is very sketchy on what is new - possibly includes the recently added (to G68) USB input. Looks to only be available from new (like the G68 USB input). We were hoping that JK's Q&A would have shed more light - maybe they do but I missed it.

There are a few recent speculative topics recently on the subject. My guess is we will hear something towards end of Q1.

If I may ask, what are peoples expectations and hopes for the next version (5/6)?

1) HDMI input/output card
2) Other DSP's suited for the new Audio Codecs
3) NO new front

1) most important, it irritates me that a 599 Receiver can input multi channel PCM via HDMI and we cannot get a HDMI 1.1 input card that does the same

2) not really needed if HDMI input card accepts mulit channel PCM (i can seperate audio and video stream in scaler, so it is all i personally need)

3) i would not like to spend 2000 Euro on a other front to have nicer looking keys and display, waste of money for me

Healthnut,

I'm not sure they are doing any more upgrades on version 2 of the 861. Search the 2006 and 2007 threads and I think you'll find some discussion on that issue. You may be out of luck.

I'm not aking about V2, I'm just asking about what people expect and hope for in the next version.

I have to agree the upgrades are beyond painfully slow, it is one of the big reasons I have not committed to an upgraded version of the 861.

I don't get it !! You complain the updates are painfully slow yet you skipped the that last two major upgrades. Am I missing something?

Some of what I hope/expect to see:

HDMI support.
More enhance room correction possibly with included multiple Mics.
Probably "Soft assign keys like on G series.
More processing power (maybe be able to decode and upsample).
USB Support for new speakers.
24/96 A/D in "Basic Config" (which is not true today).
And probably something creative that Meridian came up with that we didn't expect.
Probably more channels but there are alreay twice as many channels supported now than I currently use.

I have been reluctant to upgrade to V4 since room correction, while desirable, is not a major issue for me right now. While I would have preferred V4, I was relunctant and remain reluctant to invest more money in a surround processor at this time. DVD-Audio, while I love it, never took off. In any case, the simple reason is that I haven't been thrilled by any available current audio processor, nor the V4 in the sense I need to see what the next version will offer. I'm just at the point where it makes no sense to jump to version 4 at this point in time without knowing what the next version will offer. Obviously there will be a substaintial upgrade cost as Meridian is not software upgradable in the sense they advertised when I bought version 2. Yes, I am reluctant to invest in Meridian until I know more about the future version. Yes, I am frustrated with Meridian's rediculously slow upgrades. I hope you can understand that is the reason I have not upgraded... I don't want to invest more money until I check out the competition some more and also see what the next version offers.

While I'm not happy with the Version 2 I have, I'm not thrilled with Meridian as a company and I don't 'require' anything version 4 offers. It is that simple. I need to see the next version of Meridian before I decide. I do however want support of the latest audio codecs very soon. In fact, I may abandon Meridian by Q1 2008 when I get some time to evaluate other high end surround processors on the market.

Thanks for giving your input as I am curious to know what to expect from version 5/6. I'm a bit confused about USB... It sounds good for a replacement for a 232 port for easy computer programming, however, you mention USB for speakers? What do you mean?

Also, you'd think with version 4 there would be ample processing power. Maybe they can finally build in enough processing power so that future upgrades might actually be software upgradeable? Sheeze!

(I just had to buy a Geffen 6 x 2 HDMI switcher for use with the Sim2 C3X 1080 projector I have on the way. The internal scaling is so good I see no reason to get the Lumagen Radiance).

The point I was trying to make is that as a result of your reluctance to upgrade you're stuck with a V2. If you want to stay with Meridian, and you like the upgrades they have in store, you are going to have to buy a brand new unit as they are no longer upgrading your version.

If that were the case, even more of a reason not to deal with Meridian. Although since when have they not offered an upgrade path from version 2.X to another version? I don't think this is the case... they offer an upgrade from 2.X to 4 for the 861.

(Quite frankly I have no interest in any other product Meridian makes. Although a future 800 was of slight interest with a Bluray player, although by the time they come out with something it would be 10 years from now...)

Health Nut, As I understand it the upgrade form V2 to V4 is No longer available.

As for processing power; Meridian did not have a crystal ball as to how fast things would have moved on.
Also, just because things with regard to procesing can be done today, does not mean it was possible when your v2 was designed and the design was finalized.

No Company can support economical upgrades forever. Think Microsoft and Windows 95. Its moved on.
Look how cars have changed. Thats Life im afraid.

Good luck with whatever you do finaly replace your 861 with.

Cheers, Chris

I see no reason to discontinue an already existing upgrade. Oh well... Yea, I'll likely sever my connection with Meridian. I never really liked that annoying clicking relay and the problems with how it handles DTS anyway... I'll probably go with TACT...