Meridian America 800 Version 4 - Manual (Page 4)

Information contained in this data sheet is correct as far as possible, but Meridian Audio accepts no liability for errors or omissions. Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend
product specifi cations at any time. Third-party trademarks are recognized as the property of their respective owners. Further technical details, images, product reviews and
company history are available from Meridian Audio or from our web site, www.meridian-audio.com. ©Text & images 2004 Meridian Audio Ltd.
800V4 v2.6 • 04022005 RE
Outline Specifi cation
Formats: DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD Audio (Red Book)
CD Video (White Book), MP3
Drives: Supplied with 1 x ATAPI 2 DVD ROM drive. A second
drive bay is included for future expansion.
Audio outputs: Independent copy and 2room+ capabilities where second
room can receive raw or decoded audio streams.
6-channel main and 2-channel auxiliary 24-bit, 96 kHz
S/PDIF digital outputs with MHR
Option for simultaneous digital outputs at different
sample rates from DVD and CD
Option for simultaneous output of Dolby Digital com-
pressed stream for a decoder (like 861) and a decoded
version for a second zone.
Optional 2 + 4 channel analogue outputs on both phono
and XLR (balanced) with 24-bit, 192 kHz converters
(800DAX version).
Audio DSP: 800 uses Meridian’s proprietary DSP software to provide
on-board decoding for DTS, Dolby Digital and MPEG
Audio, error correction, resolution enhancement, up and
down-sampling and high-resolution digital gain control.
Video in and out: Selectable inputs for 2 composite and 2 S-video in NTSC
or PAL format signals, plus component in. Outputs scaled
and available simultaneously as composite, S-video,
component, HDMI or RGB.
Video DSP: Software-based video decoding for MPEG1 and MPEG2
video. Digital video backplane allows options for future
video processing enhancements.
Controls, etc: Front-panel fascia controls for Play, Stop, Pause, Previous,
Next and Off. Hinged control panel provides additional
switches for Drive switching, Source, Copy, DVD menus,
Display, Mute, Volume
Display: 20-character dot matrix display with adjustable bright-
ness and contrast. Lights for CD, DVD, MLP, Drive A/B
and Repeat.
800 Version 4
Reference Optical Disc Player
The architecture of the 800 ensures that
all functional parts of the machine can
be upgraded, improved, added to or
interchanged, within reason. In this way
we set up not only the best opportunity to
stay ahead of changing technology, but we
retain the maximum fl exibility to improve
performance through future changes to
software or hardware. This architecture
allows our customers to enjoy and invest in
the best audio/video systems now.
Set-up and adjustments can be made via
the OSD or by using MConfi g, the latest
computer-based confi guration system from
Meridian. This Windows application also
supports the 861 with Meridian Room
Correction. MConfi g includes a graphic
system defi nition tool (see illustration
on previous page) which enables a
comprehensive system architecture to be
built up on-screen and then uploaded to
the unit(s) concerned. All the decoding
algorithms are in video and audio DSP, so the
800 can be re-programmed in the future to
improve or extend its capabilities. Software
updates are available on Meridian’s website.
800 Version 4
Version 4 is the latest incarnation of the
800 Optical Disc Player, which combines
new software with a modifi ed ‘core’ card
complement offering a signifi cant increase in
the quality and fl exibility of the system.
The new VI00 Video Input card is included
along with the recently-released VE12
HDMI/Progressive Component output card.
These enable the 800 to be interfaced with
a display via a single interconnect, the 800
providing video switching and scaling of
internal and external video signals.
The VI00 provides two composite, two S-
Video and one interlaced component video
input, and allows analogue video sources
to be converted to the common broadcast
resolution standard digital video format that
is used internally in the 800.
The VE12 provides HDMI output for
compatible displays, and automatically
handshakes with the display to determine the
highest quality signal that can be provided by
the player. The card also provides analogue
progressive component video out.
800 Version 4 also includes the VE00 card
providing interlaced and NTSC/PAL-encoded
outputs, and supports analogue video input/
switching cards designed originally for the
861. Controls provide adjustment of aspect
ratio, picture position (progressive only),
brightness & contrast, and NTSC hue.
Full details of the cards installed in the
two standard versions of the 800 can be
found on Page 2 of this document. Note
that these versions are not upgradeable
on an individual card basis. If this is what
you need, special confi gurations can be
created to order, and Version 3 units can be
upgraded in many cases: contact your dealer
or installer, or Meridian Audio to discuss your
requirements.