e i d u g n t i o l l a t a s i n Meridian 565 Digital Surround Processor
Sales and service in the UK Meridian Audio Ltd Stonehill Stukeley Meadows Sales and service in the USA Cambs PE18 6ED Meridian America Inc England 3800 Camp Creek Parkway Building 2400 Tel␣ ␣ (01480) 52144 Suite 122 Fax␣ ␣ (01480) 459934 Atlanta Digital Gramophone and Wireless Ltd GA 30331 Stonehill World Wide Web http://www.meridian-audio.
Contents Introduction 1 Introduces the digital surround processor, and gives guidelines and suggested layouts to help you plan your surround Setting up the digital surround processor 7 system. Describes how to unpack and install the Planning a system .................................. 2 digital surround processor, and gives Planning sources ................................... 6 details of the video and speaker Configuring the digital surround processor 19 connections.
Calibrating the system 33 Explains how to use the digital surround processor’s built-in calibration procedure and test signals to set up your system for Setting up sources 45 the best possible sound. Explains how to set up the sources Using the calibration procedure ............ 34 connected to your digital surround Calibration tests ..................................... 36 processor and configure them to suit your Test signals ............................................ 44 other equipment.
Introduction The Meridian 565 Digital Surround Processor is unique in being the first completely digital surround-sound processor, and it defines the standard for both music and cinema performance. To achieve this we have combined the latest techniques in high-precision analogue electronics and digital signal processing with a careful analysis of all types of recorded music.
Planning a system Before unpacking and setting up your digital surround processor it is worth spending a little time planning how to set up the Three-channel surround system (Layout G or L, No Surrounds) speakers, and the other components of your hi-fi system, so that they will give the best results when used in conjunction with the 565. The digital surround processor can be configured to work with a wide range of different speaker layouts.
Four-channel surround system (Layout M, 2 Surrounds) Five-channel surround system (Layout G, 2 Surrounds) If you are primarily interested in home cinema you may prefer to Our recommended surround system for music and cinema uses extend an existing stereo system by adding a pair of rear five speakers, with the main left and right speakers providing the surround speakers, for cinema effects and ambient sounds. bass.
THX system (Layout A) Seven-channel surround system (Layout G, 4 Surrounds) If your primary interest is cinema, you can use a mono subwoofer to enhance the bass performance for both cinema The digital surround processor allows you to add side surround and music presets. speakers, to enhance the effect of the rear surrounds in home cinema reproduction.
Surround system with full-range speakers (Layout L) Using the 565 with Meridian DSP Loudspeakers Meridian systems will often contain two or more units that can be controlled by the Meridian System Remote infra-red remote control. The Meridian 500 Series avoids conflicts in such a situation by designating one of the units as the controller for the system, and making all the other units receive their instructions from the controller via a special communications cable.
Planning sources The 565 provides three audio inputs: analogue, digital-cable, Using an analogue preamplifier and digital-optical. These inputs will allow you to set up a surround system with the following sources, without the need for Alternatively, the 565 can be used in conjunction with an an additional preamplifier: analogue preamplifier, such as the 501 or 501V Control Unit, connected to the 565 analogue input. In this case digital ❍ CD or DVD connected to the digital-cable input.
Setting up the digital surround processor This chapter explains how to install the digital surround processor. It describes what you should find when you unpack the processor, how you siting constraints. Before you begin installation you should ensure that your digital surround processor is the correct voltage for you local AC supply. If it is not, do not try to install the unit, and contact your dealer.
Unpacking The digital surround processor comes in a box containing the following components: ❍ Near strong magnetic radiation, such as a near a power amplifier. ❍ Near to a television, or where connecting cables may be ❍ Meridian 565 Digital Surround Processor. subject to or cause interference. ❍ Power cord. ❍ 500 Series communications lead. To avoid overheating ensure that air can flow through the ❍ Digital-audio cable. cooling slots on the base and rear panel.
Connecting the digital surround processor Rear panel RS232 connection Analogue outputs 5 – 8 Analogue outputs 1 – 4 S-Lead connections REAR-L SIDE-L/SUB CENTRE Analogue inputs MAIN-L S-LEADS OFF 7 5 3 1 L 8 6 4 2 R SUB REARS SIDES CENTRE MAIN /SUB /SUB MAIN-R ANALOGUE INPUT OUT IN COMMS DIGITAL IN Comms DIGITAL BYPASS Digital input OPTICAL IN Optical input Video connections The table opposite gives details of the two video connections.
Audio inputs Audio outputs The following table gives details of the three audio inputs: The following table gives details of the analogue and digital Setting up the digital surround processor outputs: 10 Use this input To connect to this ANALOGUE INPUT An analogue source such as a TV, L and R video recorder, radio tuner, or analogue preamplifier. DIGITAL IN To connect to this MAIN 1-2 Main left and right speakers.
You specify whether you are using the digital or analogue output Communications connections for each channel in the Speaker Set configuration option; see Setting up the speaker outputs, page 28. Note that you should The following table gives details of the communications always leave the unused analogue or digital output for each connections: channel unconnected.
Connecting video On-screen display Television MONITOR IN Setting up the digital surround processor 565 Digital Surround Processor VIDEO OUT OUT C-VIDEO IN Video lead If your surround system includes a television the 565 can add a text overlay to the video signal, to provide additional information about its operation in the form of a textual on-screen display (OSD). In normal operation this repeats the information provided on the 565 front panel display.
Connecting speakers To connect to Meridian DSP Loudspeakers (eg DSP5000) ● If your system includes more than two Meridian DSP Loudspeakers, use an S5 lead to bring back the COMMS output from the master digital speaker, and connect it to one DSP5000C Centre (master) of the S-LEAD sockets on the 565.
To connect to a 556 or 557 Stereo Power Amplifier or other power amplifier To connect an M2500 Active Subwoofer 565 Digital Surround Processor 565 Digital Surround Processor MAIN-L 556 Stereo Power Amplifier INPUT INPUT Setting up the digital surround processor 14 DIRECT INPUT SUB MAIN-R Subwoofer CROSSOVER INPUT Audio lead Audio lead ● Connect the SUB output from the digital surround processor ● Connect the appropriate outputs from the digital surround to the subwoofer’s line level input.
Connecting sources To use the digital surround processor as a preamplifier To connect to a 519 Demodulator 565 Digital Surround Processor You can connect one analogue, one digital, and one optical source to the 565 without needing a separate preamplifier.
To connect to a 562 or 562V Digital Control Unit 565 Digital Surround Processor DIGITAL IN DIGITAL OUT MAIN Setting up the digital surround processor Digital lead 16 562 Digital Control Unit Up to 8 analogue, 5 digital, and 2 optical sources. ● Connect the main digital output of the 562 or 562V to the 565 DIGITAL IN, using high-quality 75Ω screened cable. ● Connect all the analogue and digital sources you want to use to the appropriate inputs of the 562 or 562V. ● Configure the 562 to Type 1.
To use the digital surround processor with a 551 Integrated Amplifier The 551 Integrated Amplifier provides an ideal companion to the digital surround processor because its preamplifier section can be used to supply up to five analogue sources, with the power amplifier section used to drive one pair of speakers.
Connecting to other Meridian equipment To connect to other Meridian 500 Series equipment One unit will then be designated ● Connect one of the COMMS sockets on the back panel of the This is the unit that will respond to the remote.
Configuring the digital surround processor This chapter explains how to configure the digital surround processor to your system. The first stage in configuring the digital surround processor is to choose one of the standard Type settings, which are designed to set most of the parameters to typical values. The next stage is to configure the 565 for those aspects of your layout that differ from the standard setting you chose.
Choosing standard settings The digital surround processor provides 12 alternative standard To select a standard setting settings, called Types, which configure all aspects of the 565 into the six most commonly needed configurations. ● Switch off any power amplifiers that are connected to the 565 and put any digital speakers to standby.
565 standard settings A second set of six types, referred to as Type 0 562 to Type 5 562, are identical to Type 0 to 5 but configure all the sources The following table shows the options configured by Types 0 to to␣ use the 565 digital input. These are intended for use with a 5 on the digital surround processor: 562/562V Digital Control Unit.
Specifying the speaker layout When you reset the digital surround processor to one of the standard settings an appropriate speaker layout is selected How to use the table of speaker layouts based on the Type number you have chosen, as shown on the previous page.
If you have a subwoofer you can use it to augment the bass from the centre channel (Layouts B or H). If the subwoofer is not very high quality we recommend using it only for the cinema presets, and not for music (Layouts AB or AG). With Dolby Digital sources an additional option is to use the subwoofer for the LFE channel.
Speaker layouts Main Configuring the digital surround processor Large (1, 2) 24 Centre Subwoofers Sides Rear Layout None None Optional (5, 6) Optional (7, 8) M None Optional (5, 6) Optional (7, 8) G Centre (4) Optional (5, 6) Optional (7, 8) B Centre (4) cinema presets only Optional (5, 6) Optional (7, 8) AB Mono (4) cinema presets only Optional (5, 6) Optional (7, 8) AG Centre (4), Surround (5) No Optional (7, 8) H None Optional (5, 6) Optional (7, 8) L Mono (4) Optio
To set the speaker layout To define the shape of the speaker layout ● Switch off the 565, using the power switch on the back panel. ● Switch off any power amplifiers that are connected to the 565. ● Switch on the power again while holding down the Display In some of the DSP programmes the digital surround processor makes use of information about the shape of your speaker layout, or aspect ratio. key on the front panel.
To specify the number of surround speakers To specify the type of the surround speakers ● Press > or < until you see a display ● Press > or < until you see a display 2 Surrounds such as: Rears Small such as: ● Press A or V to step between the following options: ● Press A or V to select Small if the rear surround speakers Configuring the digital surround processor have limited bass handling (eg bookshelf speakers), or Large if 26 Option What it means If you have side surround speakers, an add
To select a 5.1 LFE subwoofer Option If you have the 7.1 version of the 565 you can add an LFE subwoofer to layouts that do not normally have one (such as G, Xover 24 Bit? Communications mode (500 Comms LFE 5.1 Sub display such as: ● Press A or V to change the 5.1 Sub option. 500 Comms or 200 Comms) Controller mode (Auto Setup, Auto Setup Controller, or Not Con.) With layouts with no subwoofer the choice is between No 5.1 Sub or LFE 5.1 Sub.
Setting up the speaker outputs The next stage in configuring the 565 is to specify information Left Sub Centre Right about each of the speakers in your layout, and adjust their delays to time-align the system so that sounds are coincident when they arrive at the listening position. Configuring the digital surround processor To time-align the system 28 Before setting up the speaker outputs you need to measure the distance, in cm or inches, to each speaker from the listening position.
To set up a speaker output To change the settings for a speaker ● Switch off the 565, using the power switch on the back panel. ● Press Source until the name of the speaker output you want ● Switch off any power amplifiers that are connected to the 565. to adjust appears. 1 Main Left ● Switch on the power again while holding down the Source For example: key on the front panel.
● Use A and Vto choose between the following options: To set the output delay Choose this ● Press > or < until you see a Meridian For this type of speaker A Meridian DSP Loudspeaker such as the DSP5000, DSP5000C, DSP6000, or DSP6000C connected to the 1 Delay +0.0 display such as: ● Using the diagram you completed at the start of this section, calculate the correct delay as follows: Configuring the digital surround processor appropriate digital output.
To set up speaker protection for 5.1 sources Because of the high bass levels that 5.1 channel sources are capable of reproducing, the digital surround processor allows you to set up automatic protection of each full-range speaker or subwoofer in your system.
To specify the type of subwoofer The remaining parameters are set up automatically by the calibration procedure described in the next chapter; see ● Press > or < until you see a display 4 Narrow ● Press A or V to specify the subwoofer filtering. The options Configuring the digital surround processor are shown in the following table: 32 Calibrating the system, page 33. They are summarised in the following table for reference.
Calibrating the system To help you to set up your installation to give the best possible sound with any particular combination of associated equipment the digital surround processor includes a built-in calibration procedure. This calibration procedure uses test signals to present a series of sounds, which you use to adjust certain aspects of the system to their optimum settings.
Using the calibration procedure We recommend that you perform the calibration procedure Using a Sound Pressure Level meter using the Meridian System Remote and from the listening position.
To start the calibration procedure To exit from the calibration procedure ● Put the 565 into standby by pressing the Off key. You can exit from the calibration procedure at any time, and any parameters you have set will be retained. ● Press and hold the front panel Off key for at least five seconds. ● Press Off on the front panel or Meridian System Remote.
Calibration tests ● Use A and V to adjust the level of the speaker. Ignore any Levels tonal difference. For correct THX reproduction you should adjust each speaker to 75dB SPL using an SPL meter. Even if your speakers are not THX approved this setting is recommended. Note that you cannot set the level of a subwoofer by ear, because low-frequency noises sound quieter.
● Use A and V to change the phase. Main Choose the correct setting as follows: Setting What it sounds like Correct A centrally focused sound image which remains stable as you move your head. Incorrect An uncomfortable, phasey, diffused image which appears to come from behind you, and which changes dramatically as you move your head. This test allows you to set the relative phase and the relative delay between the left and right main speakers.
Centre Phase Choose the correct setting as follows: Setting What it sounds like Correct The centre speaker reinforces the sound. Incorrect The sound from the centre cancels some of the image formed by the left and right speakers. When setting the delay the display shows the relative As in the previous test, signals are applied to the main left, right, displacement, in feet, of the centre speaker.
As you increase the delay the centre speaker will appear to This calibration test adjusts the relative phase between the front move away from you. In practice we usually find that the ideal speakers and the rear surround speakers. delay setting is +0.5 more than the value used to time-align the system. Surr R Phs + After a short delay the display shows: For example, if the original value was Centre +1.5' +1.0' adjust it to: ● Use A and V to change the phase of the right surround speaker.
Surround Unless there is a fault in the wiring, the correct setting should be the same phase as you set for the right surround speaker in the previous calibration stage. Confirm that in this position there is a more focused central image between the two surround speakers, as for the Main test. You should not adjust the delay as this has already been specified when you time-aligned the layout.
Sides Subwoofers If your layout includes side surround speakers an additional In this calibration test the Low noise signal is used to allow you Sides option allows you to adjust the relative phase and delay. to calibrate the phase and delay of each subwoofer in turn Side L presents the signal to the front left, rear left, and side left relative to another reference speaker. The reference chosen speakers and you adjust the phase of the side left speaker for depends on the layout.
Layout Sounds Adjusting Adjust phase for A L and MS MS Crossover reinforce B L and CS CS Bass adding to L bass C, K L and LS LS Crossover reinforce Other subwoofers R and RS RS Crossover reinforce ● Press Store to adjust any additional subwoofers in the system LS and RS RS Bass reinforcing check D L and MS MS Crossover reinforce E L and CS CS Bass adding to L bass LS and CS CS Bass adding to LS LS and RS RS Bass reinforcing check L and LRS LRS Crossover reinforce Choo
ADC Check The digital surround processor selects its analogue input, and replays the signal through the speakers. The display shows when the input level Over comes within 3dB of full scale: Play any analogue source, or sources connected via an ancillary preamplifier or switchbox, choosing the loudest material. The input signal level should be adjusted so that the Over display hardly ever occurs. This test provides metering to help you set the level of the What next? analogue inputs.
Test signals In Calibration you can make adjustments using a number of To select a different test signal different signals, shown in the table below. Normally the 565 selects the most appropriate signal for the test. ● Press the Display key. Signal Description To test for room vibrations High Continuous ‘pink’ noise, band-limited 500Hz–2kHz. Low Continuous ‘pink’ noise, band-limited 20Hz–80Hz.
Setting up sources This chapter explains how to set up the sources connected to the digital surround processor, and configure them to suit your other equipment. When you set up the digital surround processor to one of the standard settings, 12 sources are automatically set up for you. If you wish, you can configure each source individually to choose its label, the audio input it selects, and the DSP preset it uses.
Standard source settings The digital surround processor provides 12 sources When the digital surround processor is set to one of the corresponding to the 12 source selection keys on the Meridian standard settings the sources are set up with the labels, inputs, System Remote. and presets shown in the table below.
If the configuration you want is not catered for by one of the standard settings, you can configure each source individually. For each source you can configure: ● Press Source until the left-hand pair of characters identifies the source you want to configure. For example, to configure the CD CD CD source the display initially shows: ❍ The label used for it on the front panel display, from 54 alternative labels.
The options are summarised in the following table: Option Initial value Label CD CD Audio input CD Digit.In 2-channel preset CD Music Alternative values Explanation CD, RD, LP, etc. See To change a source label, page 50. Digit.In, Opt.In, Anlg.In, Choose the appropriate option for the digital, optical, or or Last Valid. analogue inputs, or Last Valid to use the last valid input. Music, ProLogic, etc, Choose the DSP preset you want to use for two-channel No Preset, or user preset.
Option MPEG preset Initial value CD MPEG Alternative values Explanation MPEG, MPEG THX, Choose the DSP preset you want to use for MPEG audio MPEG Mu, or user preset. streams. MLP preset CD MLP MLP or user preset. Choose the DSP preset you want to use for MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing) audio streams. DTS delay DTS Delay Y Y or N. Allows you to add a 30 msec delay to avoid an initial hiss with non-video DTS sources. The last valid, or L.V.
Examples of configuring the sources source options to your own requirements. To use a source key to change DSP preset To change a source label If you have fewer than 12 different sources you can use some of The following examples illustrate how you can configure the the source keys on the Meridian System Remote to change the ● Display the source you want to configure, together with its DSP preset. current label, as described in To configure a source, page 47.
To set up a system with two Meridian CD players To set up two sources for DVD, one for audio CDs and one for video DVDs ● Configure the source you are going to use for the first CD ● Configure the source key you are going to use for audio CDs player. with the digital input, and an appropriate 2-channel preset. For example: Source CD, Label C1, Audio input Digit.In, Comms For example: Source CD, Label CD, Audio input Digit.In, type 1C, Address 1A. 2-channel preset Trifield.
52 Setting up sources
Troubleshooting This chapter provides suggested solutions 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 following pages, please contact your Meridian dealer or Meridian Audio Ltd.
General operating problems Standby point not lit Communications not working with other Meridian products Check the following: ❍ Check the connections carefully. ❍ There is AC power connected to the socket on the rear of the ❍ Are you using a mix of 200 and 500 Series units? 565. ❍ The power switch on the rear panel of the 565 is turned on. Erratic or unexpected system behaviour If the 565 will still not illuminate, check any fuses in your power supply and the fuse in the inlet of the 565.
Audio problems Hum on analogue input There is radio interference There is no reason for the 565 to produce hum on the analogue The 565 is a digital audio and computing device which has been input. designed to very high standards of electromagnetic compatibility. ❍ Check the source equipment. Disconnect each source in turn.
Audible hiss at high volume settings sources are stopped. This hiss is lower than the background noise of your recordings and should be of no consequence. The input dynamic range of any recordings you have are at maximum 16 bit. The reason for this is that currently CD, DVD, The 565 has 18-bit output precision on the analogue outputs. and LaserDisc use a 16-bit standard although DVD can support up to 24-bits.
Sound not clear There is a hiss when starting DTS LaserDiscs ❍ If speech sounds muffled in a system with a centre speaker, check that sound is coming from the centre as there may be a The DTS audio stream is indistinguishable from a PCM audio connection problem. In a digital or Meridian feed to the centre stream; the 565 takes 30 msec to identify the encoding, during you may have set it up to be right instead of left so that it is which a hiss is heard. playing a subwoofer signal.
Video problems TV does not work using the 565 Poor picture quality ❍ Check all video connections; the input is the lower connector Picture quality may suffer if you do not attend to the following: of the pair. ❍ Temporarily remove the 565 from the video circuit. The fault will probably be elsewhere or in a cable.
Index A CD players, two Ambisonic 4 Analogue input 10 setting sensitivity 43 setting delay C-VIDEO 12 Analogue preamplifier 6 setting phase 38 Analogue speakers, troubleshooting 10 38 C-VIDEO IN 9 C-VIDEO OUT 9 57 Checking room vibrations connecting 10 44 CENTRE/SUB 3-4 10 Choosing standard settings Audio inputs 10 Communications mode 27 COMMS 11 Communications, communications 11 Automatic setup troubleshooting 18 Components Calibration procedure 33 20 cables 11 Aspect ratio,
D DIGITAL IN Layouts (continued) Hum on analogue input 55 Digital connections, cables 11 G 2, 3, 4, 24 10 DSP Loudspeakers.
O On-screen display (OSD) Sound Pressure Level meter during calibration 34 Sources troubleshooting changing label 58 Subwoofers 34 crossover 14 in layouts 23 50 Optical connections 11 configuring 47 LFE 3 OPTICAL IN 10 connecting mono 3 15 setting phase 41, 42 planning 6 P Planning a system 2 setting up Planning sources 6 Speaker outputs specifying type 32 Poor picture quality 58 gain Surround system with full-range Poor sound quality 55 output delay Positioning output preci
Types 20 standard 46 with 562 21, 46 U Unpacking 8 V Video connections 9 Index Volume mode 27 62
