Meridian Audio 565 User Manual 2

user guide

Meridian 565 Digital Surround Processor

Sales and service in the UK

Meridian Audio Ltd

Stonehill

Stukeley Meadows

Cambs

PE18 6ED

England

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

World Wide Web

http://www.meridian-audio.com

Part no: 565U/3

Sales and service in the USA

Meridian America Inc

3800 Camp Creek Parkway

Building 2400

Suite 122

Atlanta

GA 30331

Tel␣ ␣ [phone]

Fax␣ ␣ [phone]

Designed and

manufactured in the UK by

Digital Gramophone and Wireless Ltd

Stonehill

Stukeley Meadows

Cambs

PE18 6ED

England

Preface

ii

Copyright © 1995–8 Digital Gramophone and Wireless Ltd.

Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation (Canadian patent 1,037,877), Lucasfilm Ltd. (US patents
5,043,970; 5,189,703; 5,222,059), Trifield Productions Ltd, and Nimbus
Records 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 Inc. MPEG is a registered
trademark of the MPEG organisation. Ambisonic is a registered
trademark of Nimbus Records Ltd. Trifield is a trademark of Trifield
Productions Ltd. LaserDisc is a trademark of Pioneer Electric Corp.
Boothroyd|Stuart Meridian, Meridian, Meridian Digital Theatre, MLP, and
LipSync are registered trademarks of Meridian Audio Ltd.

This guide was produced by Human-Computer Interface Ltd, Cambridge,
England.

Contents

Introduction 1

Introduces the digital surround processor
and describes the alternative surround
sound configurations that it supports.

Using the digital
surround processor 13

The Meridian 500 Series ........................ 2

Sample configurations ........................... 3

Specification and accessories ............... 7

DSP presets ........................................... 9

Provides step-by-step instructions for
operating the digital surround processor,
using either the front panel or the Meridian
System Remote.

Front panel ............................................. 14

Switching on and off .............................. 15

Selecting a source ................................. 16

Adjusting the volume ............................. 17

Changing the DSP preset ...................... 18

Changing the display ............................. 19

Customising the digital
surround processor 21

Describes how to change the built-in DSP
presets, and create your own presets.

Locking and unlocking the menus ......... 22

Changing the DSP parameters .............. 23

Standard parameters ............................. 24

Changing treble, bass, or phase ............ 25

Changing the listening position ............. 26

Changing the integration of the centre .. 27
Changing the spaciousness of the

sound ..................................................... 28

Changing the lip sync and on-screen

display .................................................... 29

Changing the DSP preset for a source .. 30

Defining your own presets ..................... 31

Preface

iii

DSP presets 33

Gives technical information about each of
the DSP presets, with details of the special
parameters available for each one.

Service and guarantee 45

Preface

iv

Logic DSP presets ................................. 34

Music DSP presets ................................ 37

5.1 Movie DSP presets .......................... 42

Gives information about servicing your
digital surround processor.

Glossary ................................................. 47

Index ...................................................... 51

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. The result is a system that produces impressively realistic and
exciting reproduction of music and cinema sound with support for all the
current two-channel and multi-channel audio formats. These include PCM,
Dolby Digital (AC-3), DTS, and MPEG, as well as support for several
proprietary processing modes. MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing) format is
also available as an optional extra.

This User Guide explains how to operate the digital surround processor to
give the best results from your music and cinema sources.

For information about installing and setting up the digital surround
processor refer to the accompanying Meridian 565 Digital Surround
Processor Installation Guide.

Introduction

1

The Meridian 500 Series

The 565 Digital Surround Processor is part of the Meridian 500
Series of advanced 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 complex as you need,
perfectly suited to your requirements, and with the ability to add
to it or alter it 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 Meridian System Remote 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 and balanced connections.

The following pages give examples of eight suggested
configurations to illustrate the flexibility of the Meridian 500
Series.

Introduction

2

Sample configurations

Three-channel stereo system Five-channel surround system

M60

M60C

565

M60

The first step you can take in exploring the benefits of surround
sound is to add a centre speaker to the left and right speakers of
a conventional stereo system. An ideal choice is the Meridian
M60C Active Loudspeaker, which can be connected directly to
the 565.

The digital surround processor takes advantage of the additional
speaker to create a more realistic and stable three-dimensional
image of the original recorded sound for outstanding music and
cinema reproduction.

M6

0

M60C

565

556

M60

The next step in creating a surround system for cinema and
music reproduction is to add a pair of rear channel surround
speakers, to provide cinema effects and add spatial information
to music reproduction.

An ideal starting point is a pair of wall-mounting or bookshelf
speakers powered by a Meridian 556 Stereo Power Amplifier.

Introduction

3

THX system Meridian Analogue Theatre

M60C

M60

M60

M60

M60

Introduction

4

M2500

565

555

556

556

A THX system is designed to recreate the original cinema sound
in your home. It uses a mono subwoofer to enhance the bass
from the main left and right speakers.

If your main speakers have a good bass response you can
choose to use the subwoofer only for the cinema presets, for a
more natural reproduction of music.

M60C

565

The ultimate analogue surround system consists of two pairs of
Meridian M60 Active Loudspeakers, in conjunction with a
Meridian M60C Active Loudspeaker. These speakers can be
connected directly to the 565 to provide a complete five-speaker
surround system.

The 500 Compact Disc Transport provides an ideal addition to
the system for music listening.

Meridian Digital Theatre™ Meridian Digital Theatre using

DSP6000 Digital Loudspeakers

DSP5000

DSP5000

DSP5000C

M2500

565

DSP5000

DSP5000

The Meridian Digital Theatre is a completely digital system which
provides audiophile-quality surround sound for music and film.
Two pairs of DSP5000 Digital Loudspeakers are complemented
by a DSP5000C Digital Centre Loudspeaker and an M2500
Active Subwoofer.

A 562 Digital Control Unit can be added to cater for additional
analogue and digital sources.

DSP6000

DSP6000

DSP6000C

565

DSP6000

DSP6000

The ultimate Meridian Digital Theatre uses a 565 in conjunction
with four or six DSP6000 Digital Loudspeakers and a DSP6000C
Digital Centre Loudspeaker.

Each speaker accepts a digital input from the 565, and uses twin
digital-signal processors for remarkably distortion-free
performance and a breathtakingly realistic sound.

Introduction

5

A complete multimedia surround

LaserDisc 519 565

Optical

RF

Optical

system

An AC-3 LaserDisc system

DSP5000C

Video recorder

LaserDisc

504

586•2

562V 565

The 562 Digital Control Unit is the ideal control unit for use with
the digital surround processor for a complete multimedia
system.

It provides direct digital inputs for digital sources, such as the
586 DVD Player and LaserDisc sound, together with precision
Delta-Sigma analogue-to-digital conversion, for conventional
analogue sources such as the 504 FM Tuner or video sound. It

Introduction

6

also includes video switching for composite and S-VHS signals,
such as from a satellite receiver, LaserDisc player, or video
recorder.

DSP5000 DSP5000

The digital surround processor can be upgraded to provide fully
digital decoding of 5.1 channel AC-3 sources, to give the
highest-possible sound quality available, combined with
comprehensive support for the flexible AC-3 decoding options
and user features.

The Meridian 519 Demodulator converts the AC-3 signal
provided on the RF LaserDisc output, and provides an optical
output to connect to the digital surround processor. When no
AC-3 signal is present it passes the LaserDisc optical output
directly to the 565.

The 565 automatically selects an AC-3 preset when an AC-3
signal is present.

Specification and accessories

Specification

Digital inputs Cable inputs: 75Ω. IEC958 and data

compatible.

Optical input: TosLink to EIAJ, IEC958
and data compatible.

Analogue input Input signal for full digital level: 2Vrms.

Input impedance: 12kΩ.

Analogue/digital conversion: 1 stereo
16-bit Delta-Sigma converter running
with 64-times oversampling at

44.1kHz.

Digital outputs Sampling frequency as input for digital

input sources: internal conversion

44.1kHz ±50ppm.
Cable outputs 1–8: IEC958, 75Ω.

Processing All digital using twin Motorola digital

signal processors running at 60MHz.

7.1 version: Z3 card based on an
additional Motorola DSP running at
88MHz.

Precision Digital input-output up to 22 bits.

Internal precision maintained using 24­and 48-bit arithmetic.

Analogue outputs Outputs: 1–8, output voltage variable

between 0 and 3.5V rms. Output
impedance 47Ω.

Digital/analogue conversion: eight
18-bit Delta-Sigma converters.

Distortion: <0.1% input to output up to
digital full-scale.

Noise and hum: <-90dBFS.

Video input 75Ω composite video (1.5V p–p) NTSC,

PAL, SECAM.

Video output 75Ω composite video (1.5V p–p).

Format and signal level: as input.

Dimensions 321mm x 88mm x 332mm

(12.7" x 3.5" x 13.1") (W x H x D).

Weight 5kg (10lb).

Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend product
specifications at any time.

Introduction

7

Available accessories

PCM, 7.1, and MLP versions

Introduction

8

The following accessories are available from your dealer:

❍Meridian System Remote.
❍Power cord Europe.
❍Power cord Canada and USA.

The Meridian System Remote provides access to all the facilities
available from the digital surround processor, including those
available from the front panel controls. In addition, it allows you
to control any other 500 Series units in your system.

If you have problems ordering these items you can order them
direct from Meridian Audio Limited, who can also supply a range
of cables suitable for connecting the digital surround processor
to other equipment.

The 565 Digital Surround Processor is available in two versions;
a PCM version, which decodes Stereo, Trifield, Ambisonic, and
Dolby Surround materials, and a 7.1 version, which also
supports Dolby Digital (AC-3), DTS, and MPEG. Support for MLP
(Meridian Lossless Packing) format is also available as an
optional extra.

Each version can be upgraded to a higher version at any time.
For more information about obtaining the upgrade please
contact your Meridian dealer.

To take advantage of Dolby Digital on LaserDisc you also need
the Meridian 519 Demodulator, which converts the LaserDisc
RF output to a bitstream which can be fed to the 565. The
519 Demodulator automatically senses the presence of a Dolby
Digital signal, and can select the LaserDisc PCM or DTS digital
audio output when these are not available.

DSP presets

The digital surround processor provides an extremely
comprehensive range of options for decoding both analogue
and digital audio signals and processing them for multi-channel
reproduction.

The digital surround processor provides several digital signal
processing options, called DSP presets, and these are designed
to provide the best results with a range of different types of
music and film material.

In addition to selecting built-in DSP presets, the digital surround
processor allows you to create your own presets based on the
standard ones. For example, you may want to add more delay to
the rear speakers to create a more spacious sound. You can
store your modified preset with a name of your choice, and
recall it for use at a later date.

This section gives information about each of the built-in DSP
presets, and gives recommendations for the best preset to
choose for different types of material.

Multi-channel digital sources

The 565 Digital Surround Processor supports the three
alternative multi-channel digital formats currently available,
which encode up to 8 different channels onto a digital signal:
Dolby Digital (AC-3), DTS, and MPEG Audio. It also supports
Meridian’s own MLP format.

Dolby Digital

Dolby Digital, previously called AC-3, is the preferred sound
format for DVD video and is widely used on LaserDisc
soundtracks. It is also the audio standard for US digital television.

DTS

DTS uses a carefully designed audio compression technique to
encode five channels of audio onto a digital signal. The DTS
format is used to encode multi-channel film soundtracks on
LaserDiscs and DVD video discs.

In addition, a high data-rate version of DTS can be used to
compress five channels of CD-quality audio into the same space
as two channels of unencoded sound, allowing a DTS music CD
to provide over an hour of five-channel music, at a quality
indistinguishable from conventional CD.

Introduction

9

Introduction

MPEG Surround

MPEG Surround is the preferred audio format for DVD in PAL
territories, and along with Dolby Digital is a contender as the
standard for music and performance videos on DVD worldwide.
In addition, it is widely available in US satellite broadcasts.

THX versions

THX versions of Dolby Digital, MPEG Surround, and DTS are
provided to give a better match between the original soundtrack
and typical domestic listening conditions.

Music versions

Music versions of Dolby Digital, MPEG Surround, and DTS are
provided with a lower LFE level, to match the bass levels in
music CDs.

MLP (MLP version only)

MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing) is the standard format for
music on DVD. It allows multiple audio channels, of up to
192kHz 24-bit quality, to be stored on a DVD without losing any
information. It can also be used to store four-channel audio on a
standard CD without any loss of quality.

Multi-channel sources encoded onto
two channels

Several systems have been developed for encoding multi­channel sources onto a standard two-channel analogue signal
so that they can be reproduced by a conventional stereo
system, or decoded with special equipment for multi-channel
reproduction. The 565 Digital Surround Processor provides
decoding of the two most important of these, Ambisonic and
Dolby Surround. Although the channel separation cannot be as
good as with the digital multi-channel formats, the 565 produces
excellent results with these formats.

Pro Logic

The Pro Logic preset is recommended for decoding Dolby
Surround encoded video and LaserDisc soundtracks, and films
on television. Such materials are usually identified by a Dolby
Surround symbol on the packaging, or displayed on the film
before the programme.

10

TV Logic

Conventional stereo sources

TV Logic provides user-adjustable steering, and is
recommended for use with TV broadcasts that are not surround
encoded, where Pro Logic may give reduced intelligibility.

THX Cinema

THX Cinema enhances Pro Logic to replicate the sound of a
dubbing stage or theatre, whether or not the other equipment in
your system is THX approved.

Ambisonic

Ambisonic decodes material specifically encoded for surround
sound reproduction, using a two-channel stereo-compatible
encoding. Recordings encoded in Ambisonic format are
available on CD from several sources including Nimbus Records
and York Ambisonic. Some radio broadcasts are also broadcast
in Ambisonic format.

The digital surround processor can also accept a conventional
two-channel source, such as music on compact disc or a video
soundtrack, and by analysing the information in the signal
separate the two-channel recording into multiple channels to
give better reproduction and a more stable spatial image.

Four alternative DSP presets are provided for reproducing
material originally designed for a conventional stereo pair of
speakers, and which preset you choose largely depends on your
own personal preferences.

All four presets use similar procedures to extract the surround
component of the original recording, which is delivered to the
rear surround speakers, and side surround speakers if present.

Music

Music uses a special technique developed by Meridian to divide
the sound between the left, right, and centre speakers and give
a wide, spacious sound. We recommend this option for large­scale music, such as orchestral and choral music.

Introduction

11

Trifield

Special DSP presets

Introduction

Trifield uses a different processing technique to give a stable,

three-dimensional image, with the ability to adjust the width of
the image. Because of its precision we recommend this option
for solo, chamber, or vocal music.

Super Stereo

Super Stereo provides a form of Ambisonic decoding suitable
for material that is not specially encoded. We recommend this
option for multi-miked or multi-tracked music, such as rock
music.

Music Logic

Music Logic provides user-adjustable steering to give an
exciting sound with many types of music. We recommend this
option for studio-produced music, ie material not produced
using natural soundfield recording.

The digital surround processor also includes the following
special DSP presets, for specific applications:

Mono and Academy

The Mono and Academy presets are designed for reproducing
mono materials through a centre speaker, so that any high­frequency hiss or clicks are centrally localised.

Mono is designed for mono recordings, and multi-language LaserDiscs and video soundtracks.

Academy is designed for early black and white film soundtracks. It includes equalisation designed to correct for a high-frequency balance in some old black and white films.

Stereo and Direct

Stereo and Direct are provided for comparison with the other DSP presets. Direct uses just the main left and right speakers for traditional two-speaker stereo reproduction. Stereo, in addition, uses any subwoofers in the layout to enhance the bass or to protect small speakers.

12

Using the digital surround processor

This chapter provides a summary of the functions of the digital surround

processor to identify the controls which you use to operate the unit.

It also provides step-by-step instructions for operating the digital surround
processor, using either the front panel or the Meridian System Remote.

Using the digital surround processor

13

Front panel

BOOTHROYD STUART

565

Digital Surround Processor

Display

Digital 65

StoreSource VADisplay <>Off

2345678

1

1 Source

Selects the source.

2 Store

Changes the DSP preset
selected for a source.

3 Display

Changes the information
displayed on the front panel.

4 < (menu left)

Selects the previous DSP
parameter.

5 V (menu down)

Decreases the currently­displayed parameter.

6 A (menu up)

Increases the currently­displayed parameter.

Using the digital surround processor

14

7 > (menu right)

Selects the next DSP
parameter.

8 Off

Switches to standby.