Meridian Meridian 568, User Manual

Page 1: ...Meridian 568 Digital Surround Processor u s e r g u i d e...

Page 2: ...i Preface Meridian 568 Digital Surround Processor User Guide...

Page 3: ...trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Lucasfilm THX and THX Cinema are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theatre Systems Inc MPEG is a re...

Page 4: ...tem Remote Front panel 14 Meridian System Remote 15 Quick guide to operating the 568 with the remote 16 Selecting a source 17 Adjusting the volume 19 Changing the DSP preset 20 Changing the display 21...

Page 5: ...d processor 49 Describes how to unpack and install the digital surround processor and gives details of the video and audio connections Unpacking 50 Positioning the digital surround processor 51 Connec...

Page 6: ...eating a new settings file 82 Setting up speakers 85 Setting up sources 90 Configuring presets 93 Changing the setup options 96 Calibrating the settings with your system 98 Creating a User Type 100 Co...

Page 7: ...Preface vi...

Page 8: ...ma sound The 568 Digital Surround Processor accepts both analogue and digital sources and supports all the current two channel and multi channel audio formats including PCM Dolby Digital AC 3 DTS and...

Page 9: ...ital signals de jittering To expand the precision of the signal to use the full available range To resample the signal to take advantage of the highest rate available upsampling To perform filtering o...

Page 10: ...ridian only system for playback only 500 Series communications The 568 Digital Surround Processor is part of the Meridian 500 Series of advanced digital analogue and video components and these incorpo...

Page 11: ...good response for such a compact case and can be mounted either horizontally or vertically for total flexibility The 568 Digital Surround Processor can connect directly to up to eight Meridian active...

Page 12: ...l Centre Loudspeaker to provide audiophile quality sound A further two or four D33 Active Digital Loudspeakers can be added as side or rear loudspeakers to give extremely convincing multi channel repr...

Page 13: ...using 24 and 48 bit arithmetic Analogue outputs 4 x stereo 24 bit Delta Sigma DAC 8 x unbalanced outputs for centre sub rears mains and sides or subs 3 x balanced outputs for mains and centre Outputs...

Page 14: ...patch box provides a convenient way to interconnect the S leads between up to eight Meridian DSP digital loudspeakers It is required if your 568 system includes more than two DSP loudspeakers Meridian...

Page 15: ...t it either runs when the 568 is out of standby or when the temperature rises above the recommended level Rack mount kit The Meridian 500 Shelf is a tray produced by Middle Atlantic Products which wil...

Page 16: ...ormation about each of the built in DSP presets and gives recommendations for the best preset to choose for different types of material Multi channel digital sources Several alternative multi channel...

Page 17: ...lity to be stored on a DVD without losing any information It can also be used to store four channel audio on a standard CD without any loss of quality Multi channel sources encoded onto two channels S...

Page 18: ...surround processor can also accept a conventional two channel source such as music on compact disc or a video soundtrack and by analysing the information in the signal separate the two channel recordi...

Page 19: ...ing Special DSP presets The digital surround processor also includes the following special DSP presets for specific applications Mono The Mono preset is designed for reproducing mono materials through...

Page 20: ...hapter provides a summary of the functions of the digital surround processor to identify the controls which you use to operate the unit It also provides step by step instructions for operating the dig...

Page 21: ...source 3 Preset Changes the preset 4 Mute 5 Display Changes the information displayed on the front panel 6 V Decrease Decreases the volume 7 A Increase Increases the volume 8 Off Switches to standby...

Page 22: ...er For controlling a DVD Player 7 Menu keys For customising the 568 8 Preset Changes the DSP preset 9 Display Changes the front panel display 10 Volume keys Mute Change the volume Meridian System Remo...

Page 23: ...V Mute Mute Mute Change display Display Not available Change DSP preset Preset Preset Move to next or previous menu Menu Function Menu Change the value of this menu Menu A V Function Menu A V Store s...

Page 24: ...Meridian system it will automatically switch on any other unit in the system such as the CD player and Meridian DSP loudspeakers To select a source Press Source front panel until the display shows th...

Page 25: ...switch to standby Press Off on the front panel or the remote The display will show If you have other Meridian 500 Series equipment or Meridian DSP loudspeakers connected to the digital surround proces...

Page 26: ...ried in the range 1 to 99dB When you first connect power to the digital surround processor the volume is set to 65 which is similar to the midway position of the rotary volume control on a conventiona...

Page 27: ...ess Preset front panel or remote to step between the different DSP presets The display shows the current preset for example M u s i c You will be able to choose any of the predefined DSP presets or an...

Page 28: ...addition the following symbols on the front panel display indicate which of the DSP processing modes are operating Symbol What it means THX processing is operating Dolby processing is operating Input...

Page 29: ...Using the digital surround processor 22...

Page 30: ...d range of more advanced adjustments for each DSP preset to allow you to change the characteristics of the sound to the settings you want This chapter explains how to change these advanced parameters...

Page 31: ...hat the parameters cannot be accessed To display or change the DSP presets or to define your own presets you first need to unlock the digital surround processor menus To lock the menus Press Off to pu...

Page 32: ...nes See Defining your own presets page 34 Standard parameters All DSP presets except Mono and Direct provide the standard parameters shown on the next page Individual DSP presets provide additional pa...

Page 33: ...Rear 30dB to 10dB 0dB The level of the rears Sides 30dB to 10dB 0dB The level of the sides R Delay 0ms to 30ms 15 0ms The delay of the rears S Delay 0ms to 30ms 15 0ms The delay of the sides LipSync 0...

Page 34: ...peaker For more information see the speaker user guide To change the treble Press or remote until the display shows the current treble For example T r e b l e 1 5 Press A or V remote to change the tre...

Page 35: ...icates the position where 0 is central 8 is in line with the corresponding main speaker and 10 is fully to one side Note that this adjustment is not available for the Mono preset A conventional stereo...

Page 36: ...dB You can change the relative loudness of the rear loudspeakers from 30dB about one eighth of the loudness to 10dB about double the loudness For example to double the loudness of the loudspeakers Ad...

Page 37: ...ay from the listening position If you have a centre loudspeaker you can adjust its relative loudness to provide the best integration of the centre with the main left and right speakers You can also ad...

Page 38: ...ilable for the Direct Stereo or Mono presets To change the relative delay of the rear or side speakers Press or remote until the display shows the speaker s you want to adjust For example R D e l a y...

Page 39: ...setting of 12ms Press or remote until the display shows LipSync 0 Press A or V remote to change the delay in milliseconds You can adjust the delay between 0 and 30ms where 30ms corresponds to sitting...

Page 40: ...hange by pressing the Source key on the front panel or the appropriate source key on the remote eg CD If necessary select a signal in the appropriate format For example to change the DSP preset used f...

Page 41: ...remote to select the DSP preset you want to modify and then associate with the source For example T r i f i e l d Change the preset parameters to the values you want to store see To change a DSP param...

Page 42: ...Each press steps through the sequence A to Z a to z 0 to 9 full stop and blank You can also select a blank directly by pressing Mute front panel or Clear remote If you are using a Meridian DSP loudsp...

Page 43: ...us page 24 Press Preset front panel or remote to select the DSP preset you want to clear For example U s e r 2 Press and hold down Clear remote for several seconds The display shows P r e s e t C l e...

Page 44: ...ed by each DSP preset and gives details of the types of material you should use with each preset It also gives details of the special DSP parameters available for each preset The DSP presets are divid...

Page 45: ...oding system based on a phase amplitude matrix whose output can be decoded by a very simple passive matrix Such a decoder gives quite a poor separation The Pro Logic system uses psychoacoustically opt...

Page 46: ...nd Processor this decorrelation is optimised to give spacious surround sound that has no artefacts disturbing to music or other sensitive sounds in the mix The time synchronisation between loudspeaker...

Page 47: ...d on a two channel carrier If Party is set to No the combined or selected signal is played only through the centre speaker or the left and right speakers if there is no centre to centrally localise hi...

Page 48: ...round technique Trifield As for the Music DSP preset the Trifield preset extracts the mono and surround components of the original recording It then calculates the signals for the front left centre an...

Page 49: ...and the width of the image can be adjusted Music and Trifield DSP preset parameters Parameter Options What it changes HS Out Y or N High rate audio Centre Flat EQ1 to 3 The timbre of the centre louds...

Page 50: ...dio LP or CD The digital surround processor uses accurately matched frequency dependent phase amplitude matrices to decode the signal and construct the signals for each speaker feed The fundamental di...

Page 51: ...e cutoff of high 9kHz frequencies from the side surrounds Super Stereo only Ambisonic only Music Logic Music Logic is a music DSP preset with user adjustable steering designed to provide an exciting e...

Page 52: ...nd subwoofer upsampled if necessary N gives standard rate audio using all speakers downsampled if necessary DTS Music DTS Music is a special version of the DTS preset designed with a lower LFE level o...

Page 53: ...y high bass levels that Dolby Digital can produce DTS DTS is unusual among the compressed surround formats in that it can deliver high quality music at high bit rates CDs and LaserDiscs are currently...

Page 54: ...gital format it allows dynamic range control without the distortion involved in analogue methods The Compress parameter can be set to one of the following options Option Description Off No compression...

Page 55: ...e subwoofers the parameter is named Max SPL and it sets the peak level limit for the LFE channel If your loudspeaker layout contains no subwoofer the parameter is named Limit and it sets the peak leve...

Page 56: ...t to your other audio equipment and speakers and the siting constraints Before you begin installation you should ensure that your digital surround processor is the correct voltage for your local AC su...

Page 57: ...port the unit Radio interference FCC Warning This equipment generates and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used correctly in accordance with our instructions may cause inter...

Page 58: ...such as a radiator Directly on top of heat producing equipment such as a power amplifier Ensure that air can flow through the cooling slots on the base and top cover Alternatively an optional Fan kit...

Page 59: ...p inputs include DC rejection OFF MERIDIAN COMMS RS232 ON LD O1 SUB MAIN R A2 A1 CENTRE MAIN L MAIN COMPOSITE S ANALOGUE INPUT BYPASS REARS SIDES SUB 5 6 7 8 3 4 1 2 DIGITAL OUTPUT VIDEO CENTRE SUB EX...

Page 60: ...table cables are available from Meridian We do not recommend using audio cables which do not have adequate shielding or the correct impedance or cables intended for UHF applications as these do not pr...

Page 61: ...or an analogue speaker in conjunction with a suitable power amplifier connect the input of the power amplifier to the appropriate analogue output Communications connections The following table gives d...

Page 62: ...e 568 front panel display During calibration the on screen display provides additional guidelines to help you perform the calibration sequence Connect either the composite or S video output from the v...

Page 63: ...typically the centre speaker Use the audio part of the M5 lead to connect the digital speaker to the appropriate digital output socket If your system includes more than two Meridian DSP loudspeakers y...

Page 64: ...to a stereo power amplifier eg Meridian 556 or 557 556 Stereo Power Amplifier INPUT INPUT 2 568 Digital Surround Processor 1 Audio leads MAIN L MAIN R Connect the appropriate analogue output sockets f...

Page 65: ...ubwoofer and for best results you should use these instead of the subwoofer s crossover To do this set the subwoofer filtering to Narrow and remove any crossover in the subwoofer or set it to its high...

Page 66: ...rround Processor Connect the digital source to one of the digital input sockets of the 568 using a high quality digital phono lead To connect to an analogue source eg Meridian 504 FM Tuner ANALOGUE IN...

Page 67: ...ng a digital lead To connect to a LaserDisc player OPTICAL OUTPUT LaserDisc player Meridian 519 Demodulator OPTICAL OUTPUT OPTICAL INPUT RF INPUT RF OUTPUT Optical lead RF lead Optical lead DIGITAL IN...

Page 68: ...nput socket of the 568 using screened audio cable This takes advantage of the high quality 24 bit analogue to digital converter in the 568 to perform the conversion of analogue sources If you are usin...

Page 69: ...tandby Press Clear remote Each unit will display A u t o S e t u p One unit will then be designated as the controller and display C o n t r o l l e r This is the unit that will respond to the remote A...

Page 70: ...ront panel controls and Meridian System Remote This chapter explains how to configure the digital surround processor without using a computer and then how to calibrate the loudspeakers and sources for...

Page 71: ...on screen display also provides additional text explaining what to do For information about setting up the on screen display refer to Connecting video page 55 The Type you choose depends on the follo...

Page 72: ...T y p e 2 0 A _ _ Wait for a few seconds while the display shows T y p i n g w a i t Press the Off key on the front panel The display shows E x i t i n g T y p e To set up the 568 for use with a 562 o...

Page 73: ...settings Source Audio 2 channel Digital DTS MPEG input preset preset preset preset CD CD D1 Trifield Digital DTS Mus MPEG Mus Radio RADIO A2 Music Digital DTS Mus MPEG Mus LP RADIO A2 Music Digital DT...

Page 74: ...ng position As you run the calibration procedure the name of each calibration test is shown on the front panel display followed by the parameters adjusted in the test If your digital surround processo...

Page 75: ...t panel for at least five seconds The display shows the distance units M e t r i c or I m p e r i a l To start the calibration procedure Put the digital surround processor into standby by pressing Off...

Page 76: ...t test Press remote to move back to an earlier test Press Store front panel or remote to jump to the next set of tests The calibration tests are described in the following sections To exit from the ca...

Page 77: ...layout in the sequence Left Centre Right Side R Rear R Rear L Side L and subwoofers Use A and V to adjust the level of the speaker Ignore any tonal difference For correct THX reproduction you should...

Page 78: ...b Left Right Left Side Right Side Left Rear Right Rear Surround Sub Measure from the ear height at the listening position to the tweeter on each speaker where applicable in the distance units you have...

Page 79: ...ows you to adjust the phase For example L e f t If you have an on screen display it shows The next display shows the distance or delay for the same speaker For example L e f t 1 8 0 If you have an on...

Page 80: ...tention to the centre channel as this can have a dramatic effect on the overall sound As you increase the delay the speaker will appear to move away from you You have now completed the calibration of...

Page 81: ...e Repeat the above procedure until the display shows S i n e S u b O f f To adjust the subwoofer crossover frequency The 568 allows the crossover frequency for any subwoofers which you have to be adju...

Page 82: ...nal The display shows P a u s e 8 0 H z An 80Hz sinewave will be played through all channels You can change the test signal using the menu keys as described in the following sections To change the swe...

Page 83: ...the current channels For example A l l C h a n n e l s Press A or V to select a specific channel or All Channels To select other test signals Press or remote until the display shows the current signa...

Page 84: ...and the other equipment in your system To configure the 568 you use the Meridian Configuration program an intelligent Windows based application that is supplied with the 568 This allows you to create...

Page 85: ...ion of the on screen display the information provided on the front panel displays the startup volume and settings affecting its operation in multi room systems Speakers Lets you configure the digital...

Page 86: ...Configuration program installation disk Choose Run from the Start menu Type A setup and press R Follow the on screen instructions inserting the second installation disk when prompted Planning the conf...

Page 87: ...d User Types to attached products Disconnect Disconnects the program from attached products Add product Adds a product to the current settings Copy Copies text or settings onto the clipboard Paste Pas...

Page 88: ...d Connect one end to the RS232 connector on the back panel of the 568 Digital Surround Processor Connect the other end to one of the serial ports on the PC or PC notebook computer Then specify the ser...

Page 89: ...an appropriate name for the file such as your name and click the Save button The section explains how to create a new settings file using the Meridian Configuration program and how to enter personal...

Page 90: ...t are displayed after the product version and serial numbers if you press the front panel Display key in standby To display the settings Double click the Surround processor icon to open it and display...

Page 91: ...do not change these settings To display or edit the settings Double click the Settings icon The Meridian window will change to show the four categories of settings contained in the settings file Setup...

Page 92: ...first stage in setting up the speakers is to specify the number of speakers in the layout and the type and size of each speaker The 568 Digital Surround Processor can support up to eight analogue or...

Page 93: ...The options available for the Mains Centre Surrounds and Subwoofers drop down menus are explained in the following sections Mains Use the Mains drop down menu to specify the size and type of the main...

Page 94: ...f rear speakers and side speakers you have in your surround system Use the Sides and Rears drop down menus to specify the type of the rear and side speakers Subwoofers Use the Subwoofers drop down men...

Page 95: ...kers in your system are set to Max as these include built in protection You can use SizeCalc to help you calculate the correct value for your speakers Click the Size calculator button to display the S...

Page 96: ...peaker setup You have now completed the first stage of setting up the 568 and you should save the changes you have made by choosing Save from the File menu You can ignore the Distances Crossovers Prec...

Page 97: ...his section describes how to use the Meridian Configuration program to configure the sources provided by the digital surround processor To set up sources Click the Sources icon in the left hand panel...

Page 98: ...ormats PCM Dolby Digital MPEG DTS or MLP Each drop down menu gives the built in and user defined DSP presets appropriate for that audio format From the Audio input drop down menu specify the digital o...

Page 99: ...source Only ever play DTS for this Creates a video DTS source source that will avoid any DTS noise when switching audio formats Number of frames of delay Adds a delay required by to apply to audio ce...

Page 100: ...also create up to 12 additional user defined presets Each user defined preset is based on one of the built in presets and can have any name of your choice To set up presets Click the Presets icon in...

Page 101: ...ass settings will not be available if your system includes DSP loudspeakers because in this case the DSP speakers handle the treble and bass adjustments For more information about the DSP parameters a...

Page 102: ...e this preset button To copy a preset to a specific position in the list of user defined presets Highlight the preset you want to copy Choose Copy from the Edit menu or click the Copy button in the to...

Page 103: ...parameters product On screen display Specifies the default position of the position on screen display Multi room displays Includes displays of information from Meridian sources eg CD track number or...

Page 104: ...m Remote operate the DVD CD Player menus rather than the Digital Surround Controller menus Meridian High Specifies whether the digital output Resolution uses Meridian High Resolution for all sources o...

Page 105: ...nd source settings so that you can check that they correspond to your system configuration Check that there is a printer connected to your PC Click the Settings icon in the left hand panel of the Meri...

Page 106: ...r each of the loudspeakers in the system See Calibrating the system page 67 To fetch the calibrated settings Finally fetch the calibrated settings back from the digital surround processor as follows M...

Page 107: ...ou need to When you store one or more User Types to the 568 they become available in the list of Types alongside the built in Types For more information about selecting one of the Types see Choosing a...

Page 108: ...on in the left hand panel of the Meridian Setup window eg Standard Click the Copy as new user type button The new User Type will be specified as In use as identified by the circle icon in the left ha...

Page 109: ...from the Edit menu or click the Paste button in the toolbar You can also copy and paste source and preset settings from one section of a user type to the same section of another user type as follows H...

Page 110: ...Digital Surround Processor Click the Store button The settings will then be downloaded to the 568 The 568 will display R e c e i v i n g As the download proceeds the following dialogue box shows its...

Page 111: ...104 Configuring the digital surround processor using a computer...

Page 112: ...olutions to typical problems that may occur when setting up the digital surround processor If you are still not able to resolve a difficulty with the help of this guide and the suggestions in the foll...

Page 113: ...ss Clear on the Meridian System Remote Observe all units responding correctly If this fails the memory of the 568 may have been corrupted If this is suspected perform a full reset see Choosing a stand...

Page 114: ...ude a two channel Dolby Digital soundtrack which will use the default two channel preset Select a six channel soundtrack if it is available Unit is overheating If there is not adequate ventilation aro...

Page 115: ...igital audio and computing device which has been designed to very high standards of electromagnetic compatibility If this equipment does cause or suffer from interference to from radio or television r...

Page 116: ...bit capability on its internal analogue to digital converter which is used for analogue sources When the volume is turned up high you may hear its dither as a hiss when the sources are stopped This hi...

Page 117: ...ed a layout that expects one See To specify the speaker layout page 85 Centre not working There may be a connection problem In a digital or Meridian feed to the centre you may have set it up to be rig...

Page 118: ...h good connectors Is there a ground loop created between any of the components connected to the 568 Remember that reception of broadcast or cable signals can be significantly deteriorated by cross mod...

Page 119: ...ited if your layout includes the corresponding speakers Meridian Configuration program repeatedly fails to talk to the product Check that you have selected a COM port Check that no other program curre...

Page 120: ...guarantee Guarantee The 568 Digital Surround Processor is guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for two years from the date of purchase The guarantee is void if the 568 Digital Surrou...

Page 121: ...114 Troubleshooting...

Page 122: ...surround sound which provides five full frequency range channels left centre right left surround and right surround and an additional Low Frequency Effects LFE channel which is band limited to 120Hz D...

Page 123: ...o the main loudspeakers Max SPL A DSP parameter that sets the peak level limit for the LFE channel Menus The flexible system for choosing options and configuring settings in Meridian products On the 5...

Page 124: ...of the system and to help during configuration PCM Pulse Code Modulation the method used to encode music digitally as used on audio CDs Preset A DSP decoding option in the 568 You can create user defi...

Page 125: ...that follows Dolby Pro Logic Surround decoding to give a more faithful reproduction of cinema sound in the home Trifield A music decoding system designed to extract centre and surround signals from a...

Page 126: ...r using a computer 77 without a computer 63 Controller setting 62 Copying settings between user types 102 Crackling on optical inputs 109 Crossover frequency adjusting 74 D Defining your own presets 2...

Page 127: ...ion 44 R Delay 26 R Filter 44 Rear 26 29 Roll 40 44 S Delay 26 S Filter 44 saving 34 Sides 26 29 Surr Rear 47 Treble 26 27 Width 42 44 Yaw 40 44 DSP preset assigning to a source 33 DSP presets 9 37 Am...

Page 128: ...32 Listening position moving to the left or right 28 Locking the menus 24 Logic DSP presets 38 Loudspeakers connecting 56 setting up using a PC 85 specifying layout using a PC 85 specifying the sizes...

Page 129: ...meter 26 32 Outputs audio 54 Overheating problems 107 Owner icon 83 P Party DSP parameter 40 PC using to configure the 568 77 Peak level limiting 48 89 Personal details entering using a PC 83 Phase DS...

Page 130: ...8 90 Spaciousness of the sound changing 31 Speakers connecting 56 setting up using a PC 85 specifying layout using a PC 85 Speakers icon 78 Special sub option 64 Specification 6 Standard settings 64 c...

Page 131: ...opying settings between 102 creating 100 naming 100 User defined presets clearing 36 creating 94 deleting 95 editing name 35 V Ventilation 51 Video connecting 55 connections 52 problems 111 Volume adj...