Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 3x S/PDIF modded HD-DVD player in the works...

I have been searching through a few forums with respect to 3 x SPDIF output from HD.
The holy grail for me is 3 x SPDIF from a 'box' connected to the HDMI from my Sony Blu-Ray player.

There's some great reviews of the Oppo 981 with such an modification outputting PCM x 3 from SACD and DVD-Audio. An Oppo universal HD DBD, BR, DVD-A and SACD player modd'ed would be something indeed!

Vince:

Thanks for the linky linky. I'll have to get in touch with SF and see about modding my HD-A1 or maybe a newer model with 1080p output.

THis could be an excellent interim solution.

BTW, it isn't too clear on Shawn's website what the coprocessor board really does.

Best,

Vince,

"where all is revealed..."

Or at least that of it which I have gotten online.

I don't have any info up there about the card I mentioned on the site as the XR55 input card. That card is actually a transceiver card which can be used as a 3x SPDIF input, 3x SPDIF out or 3x SPDIF In/OUT for dejittering. That card also does away with the info about setting the master clock ratio as it handles that itself and supports 384xFs so that it is compatible with the Oppos. That card itself was really initially designed more for the SPDIF input functionality for a direct 3x SPDIF->PWM amplifier mod from a digital crossover with 3x SPDIF outputs. I have one of them running in a 970 and it does output SPDIF but the channels are backwards and the Oppo seems to feed its DACs a signal with reduced volume levels.

Since there is interest in the Oppos I am in the process of revising that transceiver card to make it more suitable for the 3x SPDIF output functionality, while keeping the other functions too. Those changes includes buffering the clocks/data lines and allow for channel mapping inversions as needed in the 970 and maybe others.

Shawn

John,

"BTW, it isn't too clear on Shawn's website what the coprocessor board really does."

It is sort of explained here:
http://www.switch-box.com/S_PDIF_installation/Entries/2007/10/17_Determining_Master_clock_ratio.html

The 3x SPDIF output board that is on the site uses dip switches to configure the Master Clock Ratio. The Toshiba's change this ratio depending on the sampling rate of the material they are playing back. So that card with its dip switches only works at the sampling rate you have it set based around (44.1/48 or 88.2/96). The coprocessor board watches the sampling rate and reconfigures the output board for the MCR as needed automatically.

The 3x SPDIF transceiver board(s) I mentioned above handle the MCR automatically by themselves anyway. No coprocessor or measurements needed for them.

Shawn

Hey Shawn,

Has my player arrived at your doorstep yet? I believe today was Fedex's eta.

Happy Trails!
Vince@Freewheelcycle.com

Vince,

Yup, just arrived.

Thanks,

Shawn

Shawn:

On a related note; are there any Blu-ray players the mod works on as well?

Best,

John,

"are there any Blu-ray players the mod works on as well"

I haven't tried it on any of them yet, should work fine though as the manor of transporting PCM audio data internally is pretty common in all current equipment. Typically it is in one of three formats and the boards support all three of those formats.

The main thing to watch for is that the player has the decoders for the various formats you want to listen to. It seems like a fair number of Bluray players lack internal decoding. The audio data has to be decoded back to PCM for output with my board. The other 'gotcha' is if the channels are backwards in each SPDIF output but the new transceiver board I am finishing up will take care of that.

Shawn

Shawn:

Don't get my feeble little mind working

I'm trying to decide 'tween sending in an HD-DVD or a blu-ray player for you to work on.

Are you game for a Sharp Blu-ray player?

Best,

I'm interested in the Oppo mod for both of my systems. Where was the modded 981 reviewed?

Vince, of course an 861v4 has an IA 42 card. My 800 v4 is connected by MHR into the IA 42. What I'm getting at is how an 861 could support an 800 via MHR as well as both a Bluray and HD DVD modded inputs as well without using an external box.

Tim

I don't think it can unless you can add a second IE42 (which is not possible, right?).