Meridian Audio G61 manual

M ERIDIAN G S ERIES G61 D IGITAL S URROUND C ONTROLLER I NSTALLATION G UIDE[...]

G61 Digital Surround Controller Installation Guide[...]

Preface ii Important safety instructions • Read the instructions . • K eep these instructions . • F ollow all instructions . • Do not use this apparatus near w ater . • Clean only with a dry cloth. • Install only in accordance with the manufacturer’ s instructions . • Refer all servicing to approved service personnel. WARNING: TO RE[...]

Contents iii Contents Introduction 1 Provides information about the digital surround controller , and technical specifications . Specifications 3 Installing the digital surround controller 5 Describes how to install the digital surround controller and connect it to the other equipment in the system. Unpacking 5 Audio inputs 6 Audio outputs 9 Commun[...]

Preface iv Copyright and acknowledgements Sales and service in the UK Meridian Audio Ltd Latham Road Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 6YE England T el +44 (0)1480 445678 F ax +44 (0)1480 445686 Sales and service in the USA Meridian America Inc 8055 T roon Circle Suite C Austell GA30168-7849 USA T el +1 (404) 344 7111 F ax +1 (404) 346 7111 World Wide[...]

Introduction 1 Introduction T his guide provides full information about unpacking the G61 Digital Surround Controller , connecting it to the other equipment in the system, and configuring it using the front panel. Once you have connected and configured the product, refer to the G Series System Guide for information about operating it. T he G61 is a[...]

Introduction 2 carrying explicit information about the nature of the datastream as well as encrypted high-resolution digital signals from DVD-Audio – the first system of its kind to be approved. V irtually all other manufacturers oblige you to go through an analogue connection, losing quality in the process . Y ou can also store separate paramete[...]

Digital coax inputs 6 coax digital inputs , 2 6-channel coax inputs , all MHR. Digital optical inputs 5 optical digital inputs . Analogue inputs 5 stereo unbalanced inputs; 1 6-channel unbalanced input. Digital outputs Main, Centre/Sub, Sides, Rears, A/B*. Unbalanced outputs Main L/R, Centre/Sub, Rears, LZ, RZ † . T rigger outputs 3 12VDC/100mA t[...]

Introduction 4[...]

Installing the digital surround controller Unpacking T he G61 Digital Surround Controller is supplied with the following accessories: • MSR+ remote control with batteries , manual, and spare key caps . • Meridian Comms lead. • P ower cord. • T his manual. • Meridian G Series System Guide . If any of these items are missing please contact [...]

Audio inputs -!).,2 #%.42% 35" 3)$%3 2%!23 !" $)')4 !,/54054 -!)., 2%!22 #%.42% 35" -!).2 2%!2, ,: 2: !.!,/'5%/54054 -!).4%.!.#% 53" 23 -%2)$)!.#/--3 42)''%2 6M! )2). )2). /04)#!,).054 /04)#!,?[...]

Y ou can connect up to 12 digital coax sources to the G61 Digital Surround Controller . • Connect the digital source to one of the digital input sock ets of the digital surround controller , using a 75 Ω screened coax phono lead. If the source is a Meridian product connect together the COMMS sock ets using the Comms lead provided. T o connect t[...]

T o connect to a DVD-Audio player with digital multichannel outputs (eg G98DH D VD Audio T ransport) '$($6$!UDIO4 RANSPORT  X $)')4 !,,%!$3 #/--3,%!$ '$IGITAL3URROUND#ONTROLLER -5, 4) $)')4 !,).054 $6$ #/--3 #/--3 -!).$)')4 !,/54 T he G61 Digital Surround Contro[...]

Audio outputs -!).,2 #%.42% 35" 3)$%3 2%!23 !" -!)., 2%!22 #%.42% 35" -!).2 2%!2, ,: 2: !.!,/'5%/54054 -!).4%.!.#% 53" 23 -%2)$)!.#/--3 42)''%2 6M! )2). )2). / / / / $ $ $[...]

T o connect the G61 to Meridian DSP loudspeakers $30 n -!).2 $30 n -!)., 3PATCHBOX $30# '$IGITAL3URROUND#ONTROLLER $)')4 !,/54054 #/--3 #/--3 /54054 ).054 $)')4 !,).0543  3,%!$ 3,%!$ DIGITAL  UNUSED  3,%!$ [...]

T o connect the G61 to active unbalanced loudspeakers (eg Meridian M33s) M33 M33 PHONO LEAD PHONO LEAD '$IGITAL3URROUND#ONTROLLER !.!,/'5%/54054 • Connect the appropriate analogue out sock ets from the digital surround controller to the speak er inputs, using phono leads. T o connect the G61 to a stereo power amplifier[...]

T o connect an active subwoofer (eg Meridian M1500 or M2500) 3UBWOOFER 0(/./,%!$ '$IGITAL3URROUND#ONTROLLER 35" #2/33/6%2 ).054 $)2%#4 ).054 • Connect the SUB analogue output sock et from the G61 Digital Surround Controller to the subwoofer’ s line-level input using a phono lead. Use RZ and LZ if you have two subwoof[...]

Communications connections -!).,2 #%.42% 35" 3)$%3 2%!23 !" $)')4 !,/54054 -!)., 2%!22 #%.42% 35" -!).2 2%!2, ,: 2: !.!,/'5%/54054 -!).4%.!.#% 53" 23 -%2)$)!.#/--3 42)''%2 6M! )2). )2). /04)#!,[...]

To connect to other Meridian G Series , 500 Series , or 800 Series equipment #/--3 #/--3,%!$ #/--3,%!$ '3ERIES 3ERIES OR3ERIESUNIT #/--3 '$IGITAL3URROUND#ONTROLLER In a system of Meridian products the products should be link ed together in a chain, via the COMMS sockets [...]

Configur ation Wizard T he Configuration Wizard leads you through the correct sequence to configure your digital surround controller . Alternatively , you can skip between the configuration stages , which allow you to reset the configuration, or configure the sources or other settings of the digital surround controller . T o run the Configuration W[...]

Configuring the digital surround controller 16 T he digital surround controller provides several alternative standard settings , called Types , which configure all aspects of the product into the most commonly needed configurations . Choosing one of the Types overrides any other configur ation you may have performed, and so can be used to reset the[...]

T ypes T he following table lists the available Types: T ype Speakers Music Sub Logic Sub 5.1 Movie Sub 0 All analogue . LFE Centre LFE 1 All analogue . Mono Mono Mono 2 All digital. LFE Centre LFE 3 All digital, large centre. None None None 4 Digital left, right, and centre . LFE Centre LFE 5 Digital left and right. LFE Centre LFE Music Sub refers[...]

Configuring the digital surround controller 18 Stage 2: Configuring speak ers T he Speakers configuration stage allows you to set up the digital surround controller for the particular arrangement of loudspeak ers in your system. T o configure the speakers Either: • Press Next after resetting the product; see page 16. Or: • Press Wiz ard ; see p[...]

Speak er options T he following table summarises the speaker options: Option V alues Description Number of Subwoofers: none , one , two , three How many subwoofers . T he main L&R speakers are: small analogue/THX, small DSP , large analogue , large DSP T he types of the main left and right speakers . If you have no subwoofers , you cannot speci[...]

Configuring the digital surround controller 20 Stage 3: Configuring sources T he digital surround controller provides up to 12 sources corresponding to the 12 source k eys on the MSR+: CD , RADIO , DVD , AUX, DISC , T APE, TV , CABLE, SA T , VCR1, VCR2, GAME. F or each source the Configure sources stage allows you to configure a series of options ,[...]

Source options T he following table summarises the source options: Option V alues Description T he source is: in use , not in use Whether the source is enabled. Audio input: D1-D12, MD1-MD2, O1-O5, A1-A8, MA1, Last V alid* T he audio input used for the source; digital, multichannel digital, optical, tuner , analogue, or multichannel analogue. Sourc[...]

Configuring the digital surround controller 22 T he next stage allows you to configure other aspects of the product’ s operation. T o configure other settings Either: • Press Next after configuring the sources; see page 20. Or: • Press Wizard ; see page 15. • Press Skip to skip past the stages 1 to 3. T he display shows the title screen for[...]

Configuring the digital surround controller 23 Settings T he following table summarises the product settings: Option V alues Description T he fan is: used as necessary, never used Specifies how the optional temperature controlled fan operates . Distance measurement: feet/inches , metres Units for displaying and entering distances . Do your subs pla[...]

Configuring the digital surround controller 24[...]

Calibrating the system 25 Calibr ating the system Introduction We recommend that you perform the calibr ation procedure using the MSR+ and from the listening position. As you run the calibration procedure the name of each calibr ation test is shown on the front-panel display , followed by the parameters adjusted in the test. Each calibration test u[...]

Calibrating the system 26 T o start the calibration procedure Either: • Press Next on the last option of configuring settings; see page 22. Or: • Press On/Off to put the digital surround controller into standby. • Press More . If the product is lock ed the display shows: Unlock Version • Press Unlock . T he display shows: Wizard Calib Lock [...]

Calibrating the system 27 Levels T hese tests allow you to adjust the output level to each speaker individually , and it follows the gener al guidelines from Dolby Laboratories and THX. In each test the display shows the speak er being tested, and the current relative level. For example: Left Level +0.0dB ìî ïñ öõú óòô Press More for help[...]

• Use > and < to move between each of the speak ers in the layout. T he display shows the speaker being tested, and the distance: Left Distance 18'0 Units ìî ïñ öõú óòô Press More for help • Use A and V to change the distance . • Y ou can press Units to change between feet/inches and metres. Repeat this for each of the sp[...]

Calibrating the system 29 T hese tests allow you to determine the bass handling capability of large analogue speak ers and subwoofers. Once set, the digital surround controller will limit the bass level to protect the speak ers from potential damage . On starting the test the speak er sizes are set to zero to avoid the possibility of damaging the s[...]

Calibrating the system 30 T his section explains how to use the Sine/Sub/Sens controls to check for room resonances , adjust the subwoofer crossover frequency , or adjust the sensitivity of the analogue sources . T o display the Sine/Sub/Sens controls • If necessary , unlock the digital surround controller as described in Configuration Wizard , p[...]

Calibrating the system 31 T he display shows: Chan óòô öõú Exit Sound CD Sine 80.0Hz An 80Hz sinewave will be played through all channels . Y ou can change the test signal using the menu keys , as described in the following sections . T o select the channel • Press Chan . Y ou can select any individual channel, or All Channels . T o change [...]

Calibrating the system 32 Setting up sources T his section explains how to use the Sine/Sub/Sens controls to adjust the sensitivity of the analogue sources . T o adjust the sensitivity of a source T o obtain the best signal-to-noise ratio for each analogue source you can adjust its sensitivity to give the highest level that does not produce clippin[...]

DSP presets T he G61 Digital Surround Controller provides two types of DSP preset. One set is available if the input is two-channel; eg from a traditional stereo source or a two-channel DVD-A. The other set is available if the input is 5.1 or 6 channels of discrete audio; eg from a Dolby Digital DVD-V or a music DVD-A. T he DSP presets available in[...]

Standard par ameters All DSP presets (except Mono and Direct) provide the following standard parameters . Individual DSP presets provide additional parameters , to allow you to adjust specific features provided by that preset. For full details refer to information about each preset later in this chapter . P arameter Range Default W hat it changes T[...]

DSP presets for two-channel material T he G61 provides several signal processing options for two-channel material. T he Music DSP presets are designed for use with music from sources such as CD , radio , or two channel DVD-A: • Music, T rifield, Ambisonics , Super Stereo , Music Logic, PLIIx Music, Stereo , and Direct. T he Logic DSP presets are [...]

Ambisonics T he Ambisonics DSP preset can decode UHJ format, the two- channel stereo-compatible encoding found on Ambisonically- recorded discs and broadcasts . T his material is specifically encoded for surround reproduction and can give breathtakingly realistic sound when replayed using the digital surround controller . Ambisonics surround sound [...]

MusicLogic DSP preset parameters P arameter Options What it changes Roll Off , Low , Med, Max T he degree of left-right steering. Y aw Off , Low , Med, Max T he degree of front-rear steering. Steered All Steered Rear , Steered Side , Steered All Which of the four surround channels are generated by steering. PLIIx Music DSP preset parameters P arame[...]

PLIIx Movie and PLIIx THX DSP preset parameters P arameter Options What it changes Surrounds Rear , Side , All Which of the four surround channels are generated by steering. Pro Logic Off , On On selects an emulation of the original Pro Logic decoding. DSP presets 38 Stereo and Direct T he Stereo preset passes the left and right input signals direc[...]

TV Logic DSP preset parameters P arameter Options W hat it changes Roll Off , Low , Med, Max T he degree of left-right steering. Y aw Off , Low , Med, Max T he degree of front-rear steering. Surrounds Rear , Side , All Which of the surround channels are generated by steering. Mono DSP preset parameters P arameter Options What it changes Input Auto [...]

Discrete and Cinema DSP preset par ameters P arameter Options What it changes 2+2+2* Off , 5.1, Side, 7.1 Allows you to specify how DVD Audio channels 3+4 should be interpreted: Off ignores them, 5.1 and 7.1 use them for centre and LFE, Side uses them for the side speakers , 7.1 adds side speak ers to 5.1. Surround† Surr . Rear , Surr . Side , Su[...]

THX DSP preset parameters P arameter Options What it changes Surround Surr . Rear , Surr . Side , Surr . All Switches the surround signal between the side and rear speak ers. PLIIx Mov6, THX Surr ound EX, PLIIx Mus6, THX Ultra2 Cinema, and THX Music preset parameter s P arameter Options What it changes LFE -28dB to 0dB T he relative level of the LF[...]

DSP presets 42 Ambisonics T he Ambisonics preset allows you to decode multi-channel sources which have been encoded in Ambisonics B format. Ambisonics B format contains four independent channels of information to give a three-axis representation of the sound at the recording position. T he signals are: mono sound pressure , left-right velocity comp[...]

DSP presets 43 T he G61 Digital Surround Controller allows you to modify any of the built-in presets , and save them for future use . Y ou can either save the changes to the built-in preset, or you can create up to 10 presets of your own, with names of your choice, so you can use them alongside the built-in presets . T o save the preset settings ?[...]

DSP presets 44 F or example, you could change the name to: ìî ïñ óòô Store öõú Write label for preset Concert • When you have entered the name you want to use press Store . T he display shows: Stored ìî ïñ óòô Assign öõú T o make the new preset the default for the current source and audio format: • Press Assign . T o clear a[...]

Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g 45 T roubleshooting We expect you to achieve superb results with your digital surround controller . If , however , you encounter any problems , either when installing and configuring it, or during operation, please check the following pages for suggested solutions . If these suggestions fail to cure the problem, please [...]

T roubles hooting 46 Remote not working Check the following: • T he battery in the MSR+. • Remove the Comms connections from the G61 and check whether it responds now . If so , replace the connections and perform an Auto Configure procedure; see T o connect to other Meridian G Series , 500 Series , or 800 Series equipment , page 14. • See if [...]

Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g 47 Audible hiss at high volume settings T he input dynamic range of most current recordings is at maximum 16 bit. T he reason for this is that currently CD , DVD , and LaserDisc use a 16-bit standard, although DVD can support up to 24-bits. T he analogue sources you have cannot achieve this kind of range . F or comparis[...]

T roubles hooting 48 The preset changes unexpectedly with a multichannel source If you are using a non-Meridian source on the MHR SmartLink input, proprietary data may cause preset switching. • Select For ce this source to be six-channel for the source . See the Meridian Configuration Progr am Guide .[...]

Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g 49 Maintenance Cleaning T o clean the case, display panel, and keypad • Disconnect the power cord before cleaning the unit. T he exterior surfaces of Meridian G Series products are made from solid anodised aluminium, powder coated steel, thermoplastic rubber , and glass . T hey are designed to be easily wiped clean wi[...]

T roubles hooting 50 Service and guar antee Service T he Meridian G Series of hi-fi components has been carefully designed to give years of untroubled service . T here are no user - serviceable parts inside the case , nor do the units require any form of maintenance . In the unlik ely event that your product fails to function correctly, it should b[...]

Index 51 A Academy (DSP parameter) 39 accessories 5 active loudspeak ers, connecting to 11 active subwoofer , connecting to 12 Ambisonics (DSP preset) 36, 42 analogue source , connecting 7 audio inputs 6 audio outputs 9 automatic setup 14 Axis (DSP parameter) 34 B Balance (DSP parameter) 34 Bass (DSP parameter) 34 built-in presets , replacing 43 C [...]

Index 52 DSP parameters (continued) LipSync 34 P anorama 37 P arty? 39 Phase 34 Pro Logic 38 Rear 34 Roll 37, 39 Row 36 R Delay 34 R Filter 35, 36, 40 Sides 34 Steered All 37 Surr . Rear 35 Surround 40, 41 Surrounds 39 S Delay 34 S Filter 35, 36, 40 2+2+2 40 T reble 34 Width 35, 36 Y aw 37, 39 DSP presets Ambisonics 36, 42 Cinema 40 clearing 44 Dir[...]

Index 53 M mains fuse , changing 49 Meridian DSP loudspeak ers, connecting to 10 Mono (DSP preset) 39 MusicLogic (DSP preset) 37 Music (DSP preset) 35 P P anorama (DSP parameter) 37 P arty? (DSP parameter) 39 Phase (DSP parameter) 34 PLIIx (DSP preset) 38 PLIIx Mov6 (DSP preset) 41 PLIIx Movie (DSP preset) 38 PLIIx Mus6 (DSP preset) 41 PLIIx Music [...]

Index 54 T THX (DSP preset) 40, 41 THX Music (DSP preset) 41 THX Surround EX (DSP preset) 41 THX Ultra2 Cinema (DSP preset) 41 T reble (DSP parameter) 34 T rifield (DSP preset) 35 troubleshooting 45 2+2+2 (DSP parameters) 40 T ypes 16, 17 U UHJ format 36 user -defined presets 43 clearing 44 editing name 43 W Width (DSP parameter) 35, 36, 37 Y Y aw [...]