Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 2009 CES HH Q&A Thread

Does anyone seriously think all this whining is going to provide a positive outcome? I think we all need to take a step back and remember we all own some of the most brilliant high end equipment available today. Yes, there are gaps, but then there are gaps with all manufacturers.

As a number of posts have already mentioned, Meridian is currently focused on the HD621 and Sooloos, and I'm sure a number of other goodies. Meridian will not release their technical road map and in a competitive market, nor would I - so please, stop rehashing, accept it's just not going to happen.

I appreciate there are a number of people left wanting, particuarly for high-res audio, Blu-ray, media server, but as others have mentioned, we wait, because we want it done right. I for one will not be loosing any sleep about whether to turn to another brand and risk incompatibilities or shonky build quality.

Sit back, relax and enjoy... HDMI is finally here. Let's see what M can deliver next with Sooloos.

Let's get back on track and patiently await feedback from M, via JK.

I share your pain, and couldn't be happier

Mark

My dealer finally got a good operational description of Meridian's HDMI/Bluray/True HD options. Based upon the fairly clear explanation of what is in the HD-HD621/HDMI box that seems to be the clear best solution...and I have placed one on order. By the way this doesn't excuse Meridian's poor communication. From what I understand I use my Pioneer 09 BR player, cable box as inputs...the video goes to the Plasma...the audo goes to the 861...this box uses the latest 808.2 anti jitter technology...so I can see the benefit of splitting the audio from the video...and reduce jitter issues which should improve the sound from all sources. I don't understand why this approach couldn't have been laid out in clear English a long time ago....

I agree that Meridian's communication is poor (and that's probably an understatement), but on this forum, many of us have advocated a HD621-style solution for at least three years, if not four. We called it the "G62".

Why did we expect this? Because it was a logical thing for Meridian to do and it ticked all the boxes:

- It removed the need to feed HDMI into the processors (Bob Stuart is on record on a number of occasions as saying this would be a bad thing).

- It fitted in with the distributed processing model (decode in player) that Meridian has consistently championed.

- Critically, it would work with any and all existing Meridian processors that have an MHR SmartLink input. The hardware changes for G61, G61R, G68D, G68J, G68ADV, G68AXV, G68XXV, G68ADX, G68AXX, and 861v3/4 would have been a nightmare for Meridian. With the HD621, even 568.2MM owner are catered for.

My personal disappointment in the HD621 is twofold:

- I feel it should have had SPDIF inputs to decode external vanilla DD/DTS streams. As a modified CLUX owner, I would already be on the HD621 pre-order list if it had this functionality. As things stand, I see no urgent need to "upgrade", because my PS3/CLUX/G68 solution is already delivering the best movie sound I've ever heard.

- I suspect that the SmartLink metadata may not be custom programmable on a per-(virtual)-source basis. I may be mistaken here, but we'll have to wait for the CES answers to know for sure.

You can hire good people, or you can hire anyone whom you lower the bar for. I know which path I take when I make hiring recommendations.

Cheers,

I am sure you are the sort of person, John, that we would all like to work for (and it would be pretty good to work for Meridian, too).

Sigh. I do appreciate all the effort to do these show Q&A sessions, but if it take two months to actually get the answers .... well, it sort of calls the whole process into question!

Perhaps they are waiting to finalize the HD621 before they respond since that is a key part of the questions. I admit the delay is a little frustrating. But late answers are better than no answers.

I suppose ... just find myself with waning enthusiasm.

I don't thing Meridian is waiting to finalize the design...my dealer says he has a spec sheet on the unit (I am awaiting receipt of it...I hope)...units are suppose to arrive at his shop in the next week or two...so obviously Meridian could have a) answered questions posed, b) made the sheet available to their customers...so clearly Meridian has had the answers for a number of months...considering shipments are expected by their long suffering dealers....I am simply amazed at their communication style....but we have waited for a long time....I am modestly hopeful that they are telling my dealer the truth...though of course he/her was under the impression that some solution would have arrived long ago

Perhaps they are just waiting to tidy up loose ends on some issues so they can provide us with better details in the reponses. Be positive.

I am positive....but I am not delusional...interestingly enough our Meridian Friends have just posted an update to the configuration program to handle the mysterious HD-HD621 unit....since they have done that I would assume that the unit "done" and will likely be available soon....but that for some reason don't wish to communicate to their customers product details....