800 Cover a/w 6.
Meridian 800 Reference DVD/CD Player User Guide $RIVE ! $6$ 2EPEAT $RIVE " #$ -ERIDIAN /FF i
PREFACE Important safety instructions • • • • Read the instructions. Keep these instructions. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. • Clean only with a dry cloth. • Install only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. • Refer all servicing to approved service personnel. Safety warnings WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE • Do not expose the speakers to dripping or splashing.
Contents Introduction 1 The 800 Reference DVD/CD Player 2 Typical specification 5 Using the 800 Reference DVD/CD Player 7 Front panel keys 8 MSR+ keys 9 Switching on and off 10 Playing a disc 11 Playing DVD-Audio discs 12 Locating a specific title, chapter, or track 14 Stopping, pausing, and resuming play 16 Changing the front-panel display 17 Displaying disc information on screen 18 Video controls 19 Advanced features 21 Selecting options from a menu 22 Fast and slow-motion
Configuring disc options 35 Setting default options 36 Selecting the display settings 38 Selecting the audio settings 45 Selecting the playback options 48 Region codes 50 Configuring the DVD/CD player Choosing a standard setting 51 52 Glossary 55 Index 59 iv
PREFACE Copyright and acknowledgements Sales and service in the UK Sales and service in the USA Meridian Audio Ltd Latham Road Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 6YE England Meridian America Inc 8055 Troon Circle Suite C Austell GA30168-7849 USA Tel (01480) 445678 Fax (01480) 445686 Tel (404) 344 7111 Fax (404) 346 7111 World Wide Web – http://www.meridian-audio.
PREFACE vi
Introduction Welcome to the Meridian 800 Reference DVD/CD Player! This User Guide provides full information about using the DVD/CD player in conjunction with your other equipment, to achieve the superb results you can expect from it.
INTRODUCTION PREFACE The 800 Reference DVD/CD Player The design philosophy of the Meridian 800 Reference DVD/CD Player is simply to deliver the highest possible quality audio and video signals from every format of DVD and CD, without compromises at any stage.
INTRODUCTION PREFACE The 800 also provides analogue progressive component video outputs, in addition to interlaced and NTSC/PAL encoded outputs. Picture controls allow you to adjust the aspect ratio, picture position (progressive only), brightness, contrast, and hue (NTSC only). In addition to providing high-quality video outputs, the 800 has the ability to give help and system control information via an on-screen display.
INTRODUCTION PREFACE Audio CDs Because the CD catalogue is so comprehensive, CD will be the major source of music enjoyment for many years. In designing the 800 Reference DVD/CD Player no compromises have been permitted in reproducing conventional audio CDs. The 800 uses triple buffering and a FIFO to remove the timing variations that typically occur with reading data from an audio CD, resulting in an extremely clear and authoritative sound.
INTRODUCTION PREFACE Typical specification Drives • Internal ATAPI/IDE drive, with space for a second drive. Audio outputs The 800 is supplied as standard with digital or analogue outputs, or both: • 6-channel (multichannel) digital outputs, normal or encrypted, PCM or compressed. • 2-channel (auxiliary) digital output, normal or encrypted, PCM or compressed. • 6-channel analogue output, balanced and unbalanced.
INTRODUCTION PREFACE Hinged control panel provides additional switches for: • Open, Function, Source, Copy, Store, and Setup. • Top Menu, Parameter menus, Return, and Enter. • Display, Mute, Gain+, and Gain-. Display • 20-character dot-matrix display with adjustable brightness and contrast. • Lights for MLP, Multi, Repeat, and DVD/CD.
Using the 800 Reference DVD/CD Player This chapter provides a summary of the functions of the 800 Reference DVD/CD Player to identify the controls which you use to operate the unit. It also provides step-by-step instructions for operating the DVD/CD player, using either the front panel or the MSR+.
USING THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Front panel keys 2EPEAT 2EPEAT INDICATOR -ULTI -ULTI CHANNEL AUDIO INDICATOR -ENU KEYS !LLOW YOU TO SELECT AND CHANGE PARAMETERS -,0 -,,0 INDICATOR 3TORE 3TORES THE PARAMETERS FOR A PRESET 4OP -ENU $ISPLAYS THE 4OP -ENU #OPY #ONTROLS COPY SOURCE 3OURCE 3ELECTS THE SOURCE 3ETUP $ISPLAYS THE 3ETUP MENU $6$ #$ 3HOWS THE TYPE OF DISC PLAYING /PEN 3TORE 3OURCE #OPY 'AIN 3ETUP $ISPLAY -UTE 'AIN 'AIN 'AIN #HANGE THE SYSTEM VOLUME -ENU &UNCTION &UNCTION
USING THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER MSR+ keys 2EPEAT 2EPEATS A CHAPTER TRACK !" 2EPEATS A SELECTION -ENU +EYS 3ELECT OR CHANGE PARAMETERS %NTER #ONFIRMS A MENU SELECTION 3OURCE KEYS 3ELECT A SOURCE #$ 2!$)/ 0REVIOUS 3ELECTS THE PREVIOUS TRACK 0AGE "ROWSES PREVIOUS $6$ ! PAGE &AST REVERSE 3CANS BACKWARDS !58 $6$ $)3# 4!0% 0LAY 0LAYS THE DISC !UDIO #HANGES THE AUDIO TRACK .
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Switching on and off When not playing, the DVD/CD player should be left in the standby state. This uses a minimal amount of electricity, but ensures that the components of the DVD/CD player operate at maximum efficiency from the moment you start. After switching on, the 800 runs an initialising cycle which takes a few seconds. Do not press any keys until the standby display appears.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Playing a disc Most DVDs start playing automatically when you close the tray. Some DVDs are double-sided, and need to be turned over during play. DVD-Audio discs usually behave differently depending on whether you start them by closing the tray, or pressing >. Depending on how the disc is authored the typical behaviour is: • Inserting the disc and pressing > will start playing immediately from group 1, track 1.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Playing DVD-Audio discs The Meridian 800 DVD/CD Player allows you to take full advantage of all the benefits provided by DVD-Audio discs, including one or more of the following features: • • • • • Higher-quality audio up to 24 bit, 192kHz. Longer playing times. Multichannel surround sound. Additional materials, such as photographs, lyrics, and track listings. Videos.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER To locate a group by number • Press # (Function Top Menu on the remote). The on-screen display prompts you to enter the group number: • Enter the group number using the number keys (remote). • Press > or Enter (remote) to play from the group number you have specified. To display DVD-Audio images • Press Page ] (Function ] on the remote) or [ Page (Function [ on the remote) to step between the browsable images.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Locating a specific title, chapter, or track Normally, DVD-Video discs are divided into one or more titles, and the titles are subdivided into Chapters. Audio CDs are divided into tracks. The DVD/CD player allows you to play an entire disc, or start playing from any chapter or track number. You can also enter a specific chapter/track or title number to locate the corresponding section of the disc directly.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER To locate a title by number • Press # (Function Top Menu on the remote). The on-screen display prompts you to enter the title number: • Enter the title number using the number keys (remote). • Press > or Enter (remote) to play from the title number you have specified.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Stopping, pausing, and resuming play You can stop or pause a disc, and then resume play at the same position. To stop play • Press * (front panel or remote). . The on-screen display shows This Stop/Pause icon indicates that you can resume from the current position. To resume after stopping • Press > (front panel or remote). The disc will resume playing from the position where you stopped playback, and the on-screen display shows .
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Changing the front-panel display The 800 Reference DVD/CD Player displays information about the current disc and settings on the 20-character front-panel display. You can adjust the contrast and brightness of the front-panel display for optimum viewing, and choose what information is displayed. To change the contrast or brightness • Press Function > or < (remote or under the front panel), until the display shows the current contrast or brightness.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Displaying disc information on screen You can display information about the current DVD or CD on the on-screen display. To display disc information on screen • Press OSD (Function blue • key on the remote) or Function Display (under the front panel). • To display the second DVD on-screen display, press twice.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER Video controls The 800 Reference DVD/CD Player includes several video controls to allow you to adjust the video image. The video controls are available for video sources, and the picture position controls are also available for the internal DVD. Note: The menus do not appear unless you have a locked video input. To display the video controls • Press the red • key on the remote. If you have reprogrammed the remote you may need to press Function DVD first.
USING PREFACE THE 800 REFERENCE DVD/CD PLAYER To change the image aspect ratio With correctly authored DVDs the DVD player will automatically select the correct scaling. For external inputs or incorrectly authored DVDs you can specify the aspect ratio of the image by pressing the green • key on the remote, which cycles through the following options: Option Description 4x3 Typical VHS and broadcast TV. 14x9LB 4x3 picture with black bars top and bottom enclosing a 14x9 image.
Advanced features This chapter describes the more advanced features of the DVD/CD player. These features are not essential if you simply want to enjoy DVD-Video discs or audio CDs, but they allow you to take full advantage of the range of options available with the DVD format. Note that many of the advanced features depend on the content of the particular disc you are playing.
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE Selecting options from a menu DVDs generally provide a Top Menu, which provides access to the content on the disc. Many DVD-Video discs also provide a disc menu, which allows you to select additional sections or special options. You can operate the menus either using the remote or using the keys under the front panel. To select a title or group using the Top Menu • Press Top Menu to display the Top Menu on the screen.
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE Fast and slow-motion play You can play back DVD-Video discs faster than normal, at between twice and eight times normal speed, or in slow motion, at between one-half and one-sixteenth of normal speed. You can also play back audio CDs faster than normal. Note: The sound is muted when playing back DVD-Video discs faster or slower than normal. To play DVD-Video discs or audio CDs faster than normal • Press ˘ or ¯ (remote) during playback.
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE Playing repeatedly You can play back a specified title, chapter, track, or section of a disc repeatedly. To repeat a title, chapter, or track • Select the title, chapter, or track you want to repeat. Repeat is not available for DVD-Audio discs. • Press Repeat (remote) to switch between Ch. (chapter repeat), Title (title repeat), and Off (no repeat).
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE Selecting an audio soundtrack You can select one of the audio soundtracks from those included on a DVDVideo disc during playback. To display the current audio setting • Press OSD (Function ] on the remote) or Function Display (under the front panel) twice to display the second on-screen display bar: This gives the following information: Information Examples Soundtrack language (when available) ENG, FRE, GER, SPA.
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE Displaying subtitles Many DVD-Video discs include subtitles in up to 32 different languages. While you are playing a disc you can turn the subtitles on or off, and select the subtitle language from those provided on the DVD-Video disc.
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE Selecting the camera angle Some DVD-Video discs include scenes recorded from up to nine different camera angles, and you can select the camera angle while you are playing the disc. To display the camera angle • Press OSD (Function blue • key on the remote) or Function Display (under the front panel) to display the first on-screen display bar.
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE Setting the parental lock Some DVD-Video discs are provided with a parental lock function to allow you to restrict playback of scenes whose content exceeds a specified rating unless a password is entered. You can operate the menus either using the remote or using the keys under the front panel. To set the parental lock • With the disc stopped press Setup. The Setup menu is displayed on the on-screen display: • Press Enter to select Playback options.
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE The following screen prompts you to enter the password: • Enter your four-digit password using the number keys (remote), and press Enter. Initially the password is set to 7890, but you can change it to any password you choose as described in To change the password, page 30. The following screen then allows you to set the rating level: • Press A or V to highlight the rating level you want to set, or highlight Off to turn the parental lock off, and press Enter to select it.
ADVANCED FEATURES PREFACE To change the password • Highlight Change password on the Set rating level screen and press Enter to select it. The following screen allows you to specify the new password: • Enter the four-digit password you want to use and press Enter to select it. The password cannot start with a zero. Take care not to forget your password, or you will need to contact your Meridian dealer to reset it for you.
Using the DVD/CD player preamplifier features In addition to playing DVD discs and audio CDs, the 800 Reference DVD/CD Player can act as a controller for up to 11 other sources. This chapter explains how to use these features from either the front panel or the MSR+.
USINGPREFACE THE DVD/CD PLAYER PREAMPLIFIER FEATURES Selecting a source The 800 Reference DVD/CD Player can be used as a system controller to select sources within a Meridian system. It can also be configured to provide video switching for specified sources. The DVD/CD player provides the following 12 sources: CD, Radio, LP, TV, Tape 1, Tape 2, CDR, Cable, DVD, VCR1, VCR2, LDisc.
USINGPREFACE THE DVD/CD PLAYER PREAMPLIFIER FEATURES Adjusting the system volume The 800 Reference DVD/CD Player can be used as the controller in a system with Meridian DSP loudspeakers, in which case you can adjust the volume using the front panel or remote. The volume changes in precise steps of 1dB, where 9dB is equivalent to doubling the loudness. The current volume setting is displayed in dB on the front-panel display, and can be varied in the range 1 to 99dB.
USINGPREFACE THE DVD/CD PLAYER PREAMPLIFIER FEATURES Changing the balance or phase If the 800 Reference DVD/CD Player is configured to drive a two-channel power amplifier or active speakers directly, it provides control of the balance and phase. To change the balance • Press Function < or > (remote or under the front panel) until the display shows the current balance. CD For example: Balance <0> • Press Function A or V (remote or under the front panel) to move the listening position.
Configuring disc options DVD-Video discs are capable of providing a wide range of options and special features. This chapter explains how use the options on the Setup menu to configure the operation of the 800 Reference DVD/CD Player. You can operate the menus using either the remote or the keys under the front panel.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS Setting default options The default options are divided into the following four menus of settings: Menu Description Video setup The display settings. Audio setup The audio settings. Playback options The audio, subtitle, and menu languages, parental rating, and screensaver. Information The region code and engineering information You choose the menu of settings you want from the main Setup menu.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS To return to the previous menu • Press Return. To exit from the setup menus • Press Setup.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS Selecting the display settings The Video setup menu lets you change the video and operational settings of the 800 DVD/CD Player: To specify your display format You should set the Display aspect option to the format that your display can accommodate. Select 16:9 if you have a widescreen display, or an external processor for picture formats.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS To select the video output format This option should be set according to which of the S-video or Component video outputs you are using. • The option you select will not affect the composite output, which is always available. Highlight Video output in the Video setup menu, and press Enter. The Video output menu is displayed: • Press V or A to highlight the appropriate option, and press Enter. Choose S video or Component to use the corresponding output.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS To select closed caption subtitles Some DVD-Videos include closed caption subtitles, which provide a description of sound effects for the hard of hearing; for example “door creaks”. • Highlight Closed caption in the Video setup menu, and press Enter. The Closed captions menu is displayed: • Press V or A to highlight On or Off, and press Enter. To select the TV standard DVD movies are produced in both PAL and NTSC television formats.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS If your television is capable of displaying both formats the recommended setting is Auto, which supplies the unconverted video signal. A separate Powerup std option lets you specify the standard to be selected when you bring the 800 out of standby: • Press V or A to highlight the option you want, and press Enter. To specify the screensaver options • Highlight Screensaver in the Video setup menu, and press Enter.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS The appropriate menu is displayed: • Press V or A to select the timeout delay, and press Enter. You can also adjust the intensity of the logo screen. • Highlight Logo screen in the Screensaver options menu, and press Enter. The Logo screen intensity menu allows you to select between High, Low or Off: To set the scaler options These specify how the interlaced video signal from the DVD should be upconverted to the HDMI and component outputs.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS The Scaler setup menu is displayed: • Press A or V to highlight the setting you want to change, and press Enter. The Scaler mode options are explained in the following table: Scaler mode Description Deinterlace Converts 480i (NTSC) to 480p and 576i (PAL) to 576p. 720p Upconverts to High Definition standard 720p progressive video. 1080i Upconverts to High Definition standard 1080i interlaced video.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS To set the HDMI options • Highlight HDMI options… in the Video Setup menu, and press Enter. The HDMI setup menu is displayed: • Press A or V to highlight the setting you want to change, and press Enter. The HDMI mode can be set DVI or HDMI. Only choose DVI if you are connecting to a DVI input using a suitable adaptor cable. The Colour space can be set to RGB or YCrCb.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS Selecting the audio settings The Audio setup menu lets you change the audio settings of the 800 DVD/CD Player: To specify the digital format • Highlight Digital format in the Audio setup menu, and press Enter. The following menu is displayed: • Press V or A to select the output you want to configure, and press Enter, then press V or A to select Yes or No, and press Enter to confirm the setting. Main outputs specifies the setting for the main multichannel outputs.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS To specify the maximum sampling rate • Highlight Max rate in the Audio setup menu, and press Enter. The following menu is displayed: • Press V or A to choose between 48kHz and 96kHz, and press Enter. Choose the appropriate rate for the decoder or preamplifier your 800 DVD/ CD Player is connected to. When playing audio at higher rates it will be downsampled to the rate you have specified.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS • If you are connecting either of the outputs to a Meridian product that is MHR compliant, such as the 861, select the option for the corresponding output to take advantage of MHR. • Select Neither if there are no MHR-compliant Meridian products in your system. To enable the multichannel outputs • Highlight Multichannel in the Audio setup menu, and press Enter. The following menu is displayed: • Press V or A to select between No and Yes, and press Enter.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS Selecting the playback options The Playback options menu lets you change the default language for the audio soundtrack, subtitles, and on-screen menus, the parental rating, and the screensaver: To select the default soundtrack language Most DVD-Video discs include a selection of soundtrack languages. English is usually the default soundtrack language, but you can use the Audio language menu to set a different default language if you prefer.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS To set the default subtitle language DVD-Video discs can include subtitles in up to 32 different languages. The 800 DVD/CD Player allows you to select whether subtitles are displayed by default, and specify the preferred language if it is available on the disc. • Highlight Subtitles in the Playback options menu, and press Enter. The Subtitle language menu is displayed: • Press <, >, A, or V to highlight the language you want to use, and press Enter.
CONFIGURING PREFACE DISC OPTIONS Region codes For commercial reasons many DVDs are encoded with one or more region codes to identify the countries in which they can be used. Every DVD player is assigned a region code to determine which discs it can play.
Configuring the DVD/CD player This chapter explains how to set up the 800 Reference DVD/CD Player for most standard configurations of outputs and sources using just the front-panel controls and MSR+. For complete control over all aspects of the DVD/CD player’s configuration it is recommended that you set up the unit using the Meridian Configuration Program; for full information see the Meridian Configuration Program Guide, available separately.
CONFIGURING PREFACE THE DVD/CD PLAYER Choosing a standard setting The DVD/CD player provides several sets of standard settings, called Types, which configure all aspects of the 800 into one of a number of alternative standard configurations. Types 0 to 5 are factory settings, designed to cater for the most commonly needed configurations of associated equipment.
CONFIGURING PREFACE THE DVD/CD PLAYER To select a standard setting Warning: this procedure will reset any configuration and calibration changes you have made. • Switch off any power amplifiers that are connected to the 800 and put any digital speakers into standby. • Put the DVD/CD player into standby by pressing Off (front panel or remote). • Press and hold down Gain+ (under the front panel). Type in... 3 The display shows: • Keep holding down Gain+ for a further three seconds. Type- please wait.
CONFIGURING PREFACE THE DVD/CD PLAYER This is the unit that will respond to the remote. All the other units will be configured as non-controllers, and display: Not Con. Your system is now set up and ready for use. If for any reason the automatic setup does not give the configuration you want, restore the default operation by selecting one of the standard Types; see Choosing a standard setting, page 52.
Glossary $RIVE ! $6$ 2EPEAT $RIVE " #$ -ERIDIAN /FF 55
GLOSSARY PREFACE AC-3 An alternative name for the Dolby Digital format. Controller The product in a Meridian system that uses the infra-red signals from the remote to control the system. The controller is normally chosen automatically, but the installer can override this. CPPM Content Protection for Prerecorded Media, a cryptographic method for protecting entertainment content when recorded on physical media. CSS Content Scrambling System, a method for protecting the copyright in recorded works.
GLOSSARY PREFACE DVD-Audio A DVD containing audio tracks in one or more of a number of alternative formats to provide higher quality or higher capacity than CD, multichannel audio, together with the option of still images or video. A DVD-Audio disc may also include lower quality versions of the material in DVD-Video format for compatibility with players that do not support DVD-Audio. DVD-Video A DVD containing video tracks together with one or more soundtracks, menus, and other entertainment features.
GLOSSARY PREFACE MPEG Video MPEG Video is a video compression technique used to encode video for DVD-Video discs. MSF Meridian Settings File, a file containing settings and User Types for one or more Meridian Products. MSR+ The Meridian System Remote or handset. OSD On-screen display, which the 800 can superimpose on the video image to give information about the disc. PCM Pulse Code Modulation, the method used to encode music digitally, as used on audios CDs.
Index A F A-B repeat 24 aspect ratio, changing 20 audio CDs 14 on-screen display 18 Audio language menu 48 audio soundtrack, selecting 25 Auto setup 53 fast play 23 front-panel display 17 front panel keys 8 G glossary 55 H B balance, changing 34 black level, changing 19 Black level menu 39 brightness, front-panel display 17 HDMI, connecting to 44 HDMI options 44 horizontal picture position, changing 19 hue, changing 19 C I camera angle, changing 27 chapters 14 moving to next/previous 14 playing fr
soundtrack languages 48 selecting default 48 sources 32 selecting 32 specification 5 standard settings, selecting 53 standby, switching to 10 stepping forward frame by frame 16 stopping play 16 subtitles 26 closed caption 40 displaying current settings 26 selecting languages 26 setting the default language 49 turning on or off 26 Subtitle language menu 49 switching on and off 10 O on-screen display 18 changing 17 disc information 18 opening the disc tray 11 P parental lock, setting 28 pausing play 16 phase
