Meridian America 598 User Manual
user guide
Meridian 598 DVD Audio Player
Meridian 598 DVD Audio
Player User Guide
Preface
i
Sales and service in the UK
Meridian Audio Ltd
Stonehill
Stukeley Meadows
Cambs
PE29 6EX
England
Tel (01480) 445678
Fax (01480) 445686
World Wide Web
http://www.meridian-audio.com
Part no: 598
Sales and service in the USA
Meridian America Inc
3800 Camp Creek Parkway
Building 2400
Suite 122
Atlanta
GA 30331
Tel (404) 344 7111
Fax (404) 346 7111
Designed and
manufactured in the UK by
Meridian Audio Ltd
Stonehill
Stukeley Meadows
Cambs
PE29 6EX
England
Preface
ii
Copyright © 2002 Meridian Audio Ltd
Dolby, Pro Logic, AC-3, and the double-D symbol
are 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.
MP3 is a registered trademark of Thompson
Multimedia. 2+2+2 is a registered trademark of
MDG. Boothroyd|Stuart Meridian, Meridian, Meridian
Digital Theatre, Meridian Lossless Packing, MHR,
MHR Smart Link, the MHR logo, and MLP are
registered trademarks of Meridian Audio Ltd.
MHR: This product incorporates copyright
protection technology covered by certain patent
applications and intellectual property of Meridian
Audio Ltd. This technology is provided for the
express purpose of securely containing copyright
audio within the Meridian System only. Reverse
engineering or circumvention of this protection is
strictly prohibited.
This product incorporates copyright protection
technology that is protected by method claims of
certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property
rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other
rights owners. Use of this copyright protection
technology must be authorized by Macrovision
Corporation, and is intended for home and other
limited viewing uses only unless otherwise
authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse
engineering or disassembly is prohibited.
This guide was produced by Human-Computer
Interface Ltd, http://www.interface.co.uk
Contents
Introduction 1
Introduces the 598 DVD Audio Player, and
gives examples of two suggested
configurations using it in conjunction with
other Meridian products.
The Meridian 598 DVD Audio Player ........ 2
The Meridian 500 Series .......................... 4
Sample configurations ............................. 5
Specification and accessories ................. 7
Using the DVD player 9
Provides step-by-step instructions on
operating the DVD player, using either the
front panel or the Meridian System
Remote.
Front panel ............................................. 10
Meridian System Remote ...................... 11
Switching on and off .............................. 12
Playing a disc ......................................... 13
Playing DVD-Audio discs ....................... 15
Locating a specific title, chapter,
or track ................................................... 17
Stopping, pausing, and resuming play .. 19
Disc information ..................................... 20
Advanced features 23
Describes the more advanced features of
the DVD player.
Selecting options from a menu .............. 24
Fast and slow-motion play .................... 25
Playing repeatedly ................................. 26
Selecting an audio soundtrack .............. 27
Displaying subtitles ................................ 28
Selecting the camera angle ................... 29
Setting the parental lock ........................ 30
Preface
iii
Configuring disc
options 33
Explains how to set up the default options
using the DVD player’s Setup menu.
Setting default options ........................... 34
Selecting the default languages ............. 36
Selecting the display settings ................ 38
Selecting the audio settings .................. 46
Region codes ......................................... 50
Setting up the DVD
player 51
Describes how to unpack and install the
DVD player.
Unpacking .............................................. 52
Positioning the DVD player .................... 53
Back panel ............................................. 54
Connecting video ................................... 57
Connecting audio ................................... 58
Connecting to other Meridian
equipment .............................................. 60
Configuring the DVD
player 61
Explains how to configure the DVD player
to suit the other equipment in your system.
Choosing standard settings ................... 62
Configuring the 598 DVD Audio Player .. 63
Preface
iv
Troubleshooting 65
Provides suggested solutions to typical
problems.
General operating problems .................. 66
Audio problems ...................................... 68
Video problems ...................................... 69
Maintenance .......................................... 70
Service and guarantee ........................... 71
Glossary ................................................. 73
Index ...................................................... 77
Preface
v
Preface
vi
Introduction
The 598 DVD Audio Player combines Meridian’s extensive experience of
producing audiophile CD players with their close involvement in the
development of DVD formats, resulting in an outstanding DVD player that
takes full advantage of the capabilities of DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and CD.
This chapter gives an overview of the 598 DVD Audio Player, and explains
its key features.
For instructions on setting up the unit turn to Setting up the DVD player,
page 51. Once the DVD player has been set up refer to the next chapter,
Using the DVD player, for information about playing discs.
The Meridian 598 DVD Audio Player
The design philosophy of the Meridian 598 DVD Audio Player is
simply to deliver the highest possible quality audio and video
signals from every format of DVD and CD. It combines
Meridian’s extensive experience in producing audiophile
compact disc players with their experience in applying state-of-
the-art digital processing techniques to audio and video
equipment, resulting in a DVD/CD player that delivers reference
quality signals whatever the media.
The 598 DVD Audio Player uses a precision DVD-ROM drive
with the audio and video data read asynchronously and then
triple buffered to isolate output timing from the mechanics of the
drive. The audio data is also de-jittered using precise master
oscillators to give a clear, open, authoritative sound.
Meridian Smart Link
The 598 DVD Audio Player (digital version) incorporates MHR
Smart Link, a unique multi-channel link, which allows it to
provide a six-channel PCM stream to a compatible digital
surround controller, such as the Meridian 568 Digital Surround
Processor, for the highest possible quality sound.
An additional feature of the Meridian multi-channel link is that it
provides intelligent stream content information from the 598
DVD Audio Player, allowing the digital surround processor to
select an appropriate preset depending on whether the source is
music or a movie soundtrack, and whether it is two-channel or
multi-channel.
DVD-Audio
DVD-Audio discs now make music recordings available with
significantly higher quality than Audio CDs, with up to 24-bit
resolution and up to 192kHz sampling rate. The 598 DVD Audio
Player is capable of taking advantage of the highest-quality
audio available on DVD-Audio discs, and by using the
proprietary MHR (Meridian High Resolution) encoding scheme,
in conjunction with Meridian DSP Loudspeakers, allows the
signal to be preserved at full resolution throughout the
reproduction chain.
The 598 DVD Audio Player also provides access to the range of
additional features available on the DVD-Audio format, including
still images and video sequences.
Introduction
2
DVD-Video
MP3 audio CDs
The multi-channel soundtracks on DVD-Video discs are
encoded and compressed, using the Dolby Digital, MPEG, or
DTS encoding systems. The 598 DVD Audio Player uses
mathematically precise digital signal processing (DSP) to decode
the soundtrack into discrete channels. The video is processed
using broadcast-quality video circuitry, with the ability to
reproduce both PAL and NTSC video formats and to convert
between them if the television or video display is not capable of
displaying both formats.
Audio CDs
Because the CD catalogue is so comprehensive, CD will be the
major source of music enjoyment for many years. In designing
the 598 DVD Audio Player no compromises have been permitted
in reproducing conventional audio CDs. The 598 uses triple
buffering to remove the timing variations that typically occur with
reading data from an audio CD, resulting in an extremely clear
and authoritative sound.
The 598 can also play DTS CDS. The DTS bitstream is provided
on the digital outputs for subsequent decoding.
The 598 DVD Audio Player can also play CD-ROMs containing
directories of MP3 audio files. This provides a convenient way of
archiving record collections to achieve up to 10 times the
capacity of a conventional CD where sound quality is not of
primary importance.
MP3 discs can be created from a computer using appropriate
MP3 encoding software and a CD-ROM writer. Generate the
MP3 files with a data rate of at least 128Kbits per second. Group
the tracks into folders to create separate albums on the disc. Do
not create folders within folders.
Tracks and albums are played in the order in which they are
recorded onto the CD-ROM.
Introduction
3
The Meridian 500 Series
The Meridian 500 Series is a unique system of digital, analogue,
and video components designed to meet the demand for
absolute quality, ease of use, and lasting value.
The flexibility of the Meridian 500 Series is such that you can
assemble a system as simple or as advanced as you need,
perfectly suited to your musical and environmental
requirements, and which can be added to or changed at a later
date should your requirements change.
Each Meridian 500 Series component is housed in a matching
slim line case. Front panel controls provide access to the most
important functions, and the full range of functions is available
from the appropriate remote control using a simple and intuitive
control interface.
500 Series communications
The Meridian 500 Series includes a sophisticated
communications link, to ensure that any configuration of units
will work together as a fully integrated system.
The 500 Series communications system allows you to control
any combination of units using a single remote, and ensures that
your commands from the remote are interpreted unambiguously.
The communications system also allows you to extend your hi-fi
system into two or three rooms, with the ability to control the
sources in one room from the controller in another room.
Professional features
The 500 Series also includes features for professional users,
including RS232 computer control.
The following pages give examples of two suggested
configurations incorporating the 598 DVD Audio Player, to
illustrate the flexibility of the Meridian 500 Series.
Introduction
4
Sample configurations
Meridian Digital Theatre™
DSP6000 DSP6000
598
The Meridian 598 DVD Audio Player is ideal for use with a
Meridian 568 Digital Surround Processor as the heart of a
Meridian Digital Theatre system.
DSP6000DSP6000
DSP5500HC
568.2
The Meridian 568 Digital Surround Processor can connect to the
598 using the Meridian Smart Link, giving full multi-channel
reproduction from DVD-Audio discs.
Introduction
5
Meridian Digital Music System
DSP5000 DSP5000
598
Introduction
6
The 598 DVD Audio Player can be connected directly to
Meridian DSP loudspeakers, as these include DSP volume and
tone controls.
In addition to playing DVD-Audio and DVD-Video discs, the 598
can play audio CDs, VCD, CVCD, and MP3 files on CD-ROM.
By careful design Meridian have achieved a sound quality with
audio CDs which approaches that of their dedicated CD players.
Specification and accessories
Specification
Audio outputs 1 x digital coax SPDIF/IEC1937/MHR
(digital version) for two-channel up to 96kHz, 24-bit
Dolby Digital (AC-3), or DTS bitstreams.
3 x digital coax for multi-channel.
1 x Meridian Smart Link SVGA
connector providing six-channel PCM.
Audio outputs 1 x digital coax SPDIF/IEC1937/MHR
(analogue version) for two-channel up to 96kHz, 24-bit
Dolby Digital (AC-3), or DTS bitstreams.
6 x analogue RCA phono for
multi-channel.
All audio outputs use reclocking to give
extremely low jitter.
Video outputs PAL or NTSC encoded as Composite
(component version) S-video, or Component. Component
progressive available as an option.
Video outputs PAL or NTSC encoded as Composite
(SCART version) or S-video. SCART connector
selectable as Composite, S-video, or
RGB.
Black-level setup adjustable as 0 or
7.5IRE (Extended Black function).
16:9 and 4:3 displays supported.
Screen saver programmable by user.
Communications Two 5 pin 240° DIN sockets.
Full RS232 control and status for
custom integration or automation.
Processing DSP software provides error correction
and on-board decoding for Dolby
Digital, DTS, MPEG Audio, and MLP.
Conversion 24-bit Delta Sigma.
Formats DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD Audio
(CD-DA), CD-R, Video CD (VCD),
CVCD, and MP3.
THD Less than -93dBFS.
Noise Less than -93dBFS.
Display 12-character dot-matrix display.
Indicators for CD, DVD, MLP, and
Repeat. Switchable custom on-screen
display allows instant review of disc
status.
Introduction
7
Introduction
Mechanism Dual-lens pickup with red laser and 5-
axis motor.
Power Universal supply 100-240V, 50-60Hz,
25W. Normally off automatic low-noise
fan cooling.
Finish Black textured enamel and glass.
Dimensions 321mm x 88mm x 332mm
(12.64" x 3.46" x 13.07") (W x H x D).
Weight 6.4kg (14lbs).
Available accessories
The following accessories are available from your dealer:
❍Power cord Europe.
❍Power cord Canada and USA.
If you have problems purchasing these items, you can order
them direct from Meridian Audio Limited, who can also supply a
range of cables suitable for connecting the 598 DVD Audio
Player to other equipment.
8
Using the DVD player
This chapter provides a summary of the functions of the DVD player in
order to identify the controls which you use to operate the unit.
It also describes the basic aspects of using the DVD player to play DVD-
Video, DVD-Audio, and audio CDs.
Unless otherwise specified, each function is available from the front panel
or the Meridian System Remote.
Front panel
1 Open
Opens and closes the disc
tray.
Using the DVD player
10
BOOTHROYD STUART
DVD Audio Player
598
Tray
Display
DVD
Open > Display
1-017
[*= ]Off
12345678
2 > (Play)
Plays a selected chapter/
track.
3 * (Stop)
Stops the disc.
4 = (Pause)
Pauses the disc.
5 Display
Selects the information
displayed.
6 [ (Previous)
Selects the previous
chapter/track.
7 ] (Next)
Selects the next chapter/
track.
8 Off
Switches to standby.
Meridian System Remote
1 ¯ (Fast reverse)
Scans in reverse.
[ Page
Previous DVD-A page.
2 [ (Previous)
Selects the previous
chapter/track.
Angle
Switches the camera
angle.
3 * (Stop)
Stops the disc.
+Function
Opens/closes the
disc tray.
4 > (Play)
Plays the disc.
Audio
Changes the audio
track.
5 ˘ (Fast forward)
Scans forward.
Slow/Page ]
Plays in slow motion,
or next DVD-A page.
6 ] (Next)
Selects the next
chapter/track.
OSD
On-screen display.
7 = (Pause)
Pauses the disc.
8 Subtitle
Turns subtitles on/off.
+Function
Subtitle language.
9 Source keys
Select a source.
1
23456 78
CD RADIO LP TV TAPE 1 TAPE 2 CDR CABLE
10 Number keys
Select a title,
chapter, or track by
number.
11 Repeat/A-B
Repeats a chapter/
track or section.
12 Off
13 Volume keys
14 Mute
DVD
VCR 1 VCR 2 LD
Switches to
standby.
Change the volume.
Mutes or restores
the sound.
9
Repeat
Store
Clear
Display
Off
Mute
10
123
456
789
Function 0Top Menu
#
Angle Audio A-B Phase
[ Page
OSD
Slow/Page ]
EnterReturn
Record
Subtitle
Menu Volume
Setup
DSP
Band
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Hold down Function to access the functions shown in blue on the remote.
11
12
13
14
15
15 Clear
Clears an entry.
16 Function
Selects a special
function.
17 Top Menu
Displays the top
menu.
#
Title/timecode entry.
18 Return
Returns from a
menu.
19 Menu keys
Select or change
parameters.
20 Enter
Confirms a menu
selection.
21 Menu
Displays the disc
menu.
Setup
Displays the Setup
menu.
22 Display
Changes the front
panel display.
Using the DVD player
11
Switching on and off
When not playing, the DVD player should be left in the standby
state. This uses a minimal amount of electricity, but ensures that
the components of the DVD player operate at maximum
efficiency from the moment you start.
After switching on the 598 runs an initialising cycle which takes a
few seconds. Do not press any keys until the standby display
appears.
If you are not going to use the DVD player for several days you
should switch the unit off completely at the rear panel, and
disconnect it from the AC power supply.
To switch on from standby
● Press Open, *, or > (front panel), or select a source on the
remote.
If the DVD player is part of a Meridian system it will automatically
switch on any other unit in the system, such as the 568 Digital
Surround Processor and Meridian DSP Loudspeakers.
To switch to standby
● Press Off (front panel or remote).
The display will show:
If you have other Meridian 500 Series equipment connected to
the DVD player, these units will also switch to standby.
If a disc is currently playing, switching to standby will stop the
disc, and the disc can safely be left in the unit.
Always remove any discs before moving or shipping the 598.
.
Using the DVD player
12
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.
● Inserting the disc and closing the tray will display the Top
Menu.
To insert a disc
● Press Open (front panel) or Function * (remote) to open the
tray.
● Place the disc, label side up, in the tray as shown opposite.
To play the disc
● Press > (front panel or remote).
The on-screen display shows
shows the title and chapter, or track number:
and the front-panel display
Using the DVD player
Ensure that the disc is correctly seated in the tray before closing
the tray.
● Press Open (front panel), Function * (remote) or > to close
the tray.
For example, on chapter 1 of title 2:
2-01
13
To move to the next or previous
chapter or track
● Press ] or [ (front panel or remote).
The on-screen display shows
Note: These functions are normally disabled while the disc’s
copyright notice is being displayed.
To move to the next or previous
album (MP3 discs only)
● Press V or A (remote).
The on-screen display shows
Using the DVD player
14
or .
or .
Playing DVD-Audio discs
The Meridian 598 DVD Audio 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.
❍Multi-channel surround sound.
❍Additional materials, such as photographs, lyrics, and track
listings.
❍Videos.
Each DVD-Audio disc may offer a different selection of these
features, depending on the material on the disc.
A DVD-Audio disc is identified by the following icon on the on-
screen display:
Groups
DVD-Audio content can be divided into up to nine groups,
similar to titles on Video discs. Each group can contain up to 99
tracks. Groups can be used to separate content, like high-
quality audio from movie sections. Alternatively groups might
provide the same content in different forms, such as multi-
channel and stereo.
Some DVD-Audio discs may contain hidden groups that require
a password for access. Follow the instructions given on the
disc.
Still images
DVD-Audio tracks often include still images, called pages, which
are displayed while the disc is playing. These images may
include text or menu buttons. According to the disc these
images may be browsable, selected from menus, or change
automatically.
Using the DVD player
15
DVD-Video compatibility
To display DVD-Audio images
To allow them to be played on DVD-Video players with no DVD-
Audio capability, some DVD-Audio discs provide one or more
groups with the content recorded in DVD-Video format; typically
AC-3 or DTS. Selecting one of these with the Meridian 598 DVD
Audio Player will generally give poorer quality audio than
selecting the DVD-Audio group.
In some cases a DVD-Video group will be used to provide a
music video or video sequence. Some discs provide DVD-Audio
on one side and DVD-Video on the other.
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).
Using the DVD player
16
● Press > or Enter (remote) to play from the group number you
have specified.
● Press Page ] (Function ˘ on the remote) or [ Page
(Function ¯ on the remote) to step between the browsable
images.
Note: These functions will only work if the disc has been
authored to allow browsing.
To display the Top Menu
● Press Top Menu (remote).
The player will go to the disc menu, if it exists.
To resume play:
● Press Top Menu again.
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 player allows you to play an entire disc, or start playing
from any chapter or track number. While a disc is playing you
can go back to the start of the chapter or track or skip to the
start of the next chapter or track.
You can also enter a specific title, chapter, or track number to
locate the appropriate title or chapter/track directly.
To play starting from a particular
chapter or track
● Press ] or [ (front panel or remote) to step through the track
numbers until the display shows the track you want to play:
For example, to play chapter 23:
The on-screen display shows or .
1-23
To locate a chapter or track by
number
● Press # (Function Top Menu on the remote) twice.
The on-screen display prompts for you to enter the chapter or
track number:
● Enter the number of the chapter (DVD) or track (audio CD)
using the number keys (remote).
The number is displayed as you enter it:
Using the DVD player
● Press > or Enter (remote).
The DVD player starts playing from the chapter or track number
you specified.
After a short delay the chapter or track you have selected will
start to play.
17
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.
To play from a specified timecode
● Press # (Function Top Menu on the remote) three times until
the on-screen display prompts for a timecode:
● Enter the timecode using the number keys (remote).
● Press > or Enter (remote) to play from the timecode you have
Using the DVD player
specified.
18
Stopping, pausing, and resuming play
You can stop or pause a disc, and then resume play at the same
position.
To stop playback
● Press * (front panel or remote).
The on-screen display shows
.
To resume after stopping
● Press
The disc will resume playing from the position where you
stopped playback, and the on-screen display shows
>>
> (front panel or remote).
>>
.
To pause playback
● Press = (front panel or remote).
The on-screen display shows
.
To step forward frame by frame
If you are playing a DVD-Video disc you can step forward, frame
by frame, while it is paused:
● Press = (front panel or remote).
The on-screen display shows
.
To continue after pausing
● Press > (front panel or remote).
To return to the start of the disc
● Press * (front panel or remote) while the disc is stopped.
The on-screen display shows
start.
and the disc is reset to the
Using the DVD player
19
Disc information
You can display information about a disc on the front panel or
on-screen display.
To change the front panel display
● Press Display (front panel, or remote if the 598 is controller).
The display will step between the following options:
Display Example
Title and chapter numbers (DVD-Video
disc) or track number (audio CD).
Chapter number and elapsed disc time.
Chapter number and elapsed track time.
Chapter number and remaining disc
time.
Blank. Blanks all Meridian displays if the
598 is controller.
1-37
37 1:17:54
37 0:02:54
37 2:31:19
To display disc information on screen
● Press OSD (Function ] on the remote).
● To display the second DVD on-screen display, press twice.
The following table shows the information displayed for each
disc format:
DVD-Video 1
Title
number
DVD-Video 2
Subtitle
language
Chapter
number
Audio
track
Elapsed
title time
Audio
format
Camera
angle
Repeat
mode
Play
mode
Play
mode
Using the DVD player
20
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