Depth, power and detail. Meridian G96/Meridian G68 kit gives excellent picture on any of the video channels. With this pair you can create a single center for processing audio and video signals received from a variety of external sources. Meridian G96/Meridian G68 makes it possible to build not only home theater in one room but also create two additional entertainment zones.
Meridian G96 DVD transport kit and Meridian G68 AV processor
FEATURES
Meridian G96. DVD transport Meridian G96 is intended for playing DVD disks, and video signals it can output both in analog and digital formats through HDMI interface . Component YPbPr video signal is formed by Faroudja video processor with DCDi technology and is output via BNC connectors. For compatibility with the usual RCA-cables the package includes three adapters BNC-RCA. Not only can the machine output a variety of video signals, but it is also equipped with video inputs. Three S-Video inputs are provided for connecting external picture sources and game consoles. Two composite CVBS inputs provide receiving video signals from VCR and TV.
The Meridian G96 has no built-in audio DAC, that is why it can only output sound in digital form for which three coaxial interfaces are used â one for transmission of front channels, the second one for rear channels and the third one for center and subwoofer. All coaxial connectors including BNC video outputs, as well as S-Video connectors are gold-plated.
A pair of DIN-5 connectors and a bayonet-type connector are used to connect to other Meridian components. In addition, there are RS-232, a trigger connector and inputs for the connection of the remote IR receiver.
Front panel features large control keys that recall tape recorders of the 1980s. There are no inscriptions on them, all indications are shown on the display exactly above the keys.
The set includes a universal educational remote control with backlit buttons. The unit allows you to control any other Meridian component as well, including the Meridian G68 AV processor.
Meridian G68. This unit is designed to convert digital audio data received from external devices, such as the Meridian G96, into analog audio signals, and to switch and amplify external analog audio and video signals. Up to three entertainment zones can be created with the Meridian G68 using its numerous audio and video jacks. If you look at the back of the unit, the abundance of inputs and outputs just charge your eyes, there are more than 90, and all coaxial connectors gold-plated.
Two S-Video, two Composite and one Component video outputs are assigned to the main zone, and one Composite and one S-Video output each to the second and third zones. Four S-Video, four Composite and three Component YPbPr video inputs are used to connect external video sources.
The unit allows you to connect all kinds of digital for digital-to-analog conversion and analog for pre-amplification audio signals. Multichannel digital audio can be received through coaxial interfaces, multichannel analog sound and a variety of stereo audio signals, both digital through coaxial and optical interfaces, and analog through regular stereo RCA pairs.
A pair of DIN-5 and one bayonet-type connectors are used for switching with other Meridian components. The processor is also equipped with RS-232 and USB-B interfaces, as well as a trigger input and an external IR receiver jack. Finally, this unit is also an AM/FM tuner, so you can use it to receive music radio stations.
SETTINGS AND FUNCTIONS
Both DVD transport and AV processor can be controlled using either remote control or front panel keys. With their help, you can perform basic functions and navigate through the menu. It should be mentioned that itâs rather difficult to master the remote control, we werenât able to make friends with it so we used the keys on the front panel and extraordinarily informative displays of transport and the processor, which show most of the settings and all the necessary menu items. Indications are displayed in large steel gray characters that are very easy to read.
Meridian G96. On-screen interface translated into English only. Using the menu you can adjust the aspect ratio 16:9 or 4:3 , adjust the black level 7.5, 0 IRE , gamma function four modes 1.0, 0.8, 0.9, 1.1 and sharpness three levels of the image.
Meridian G68. The processor can decode multi-channel sound formats DolbyDigital, DolbyDigital EX, dts, and is THX certified, which means it meets cinema standards. In addition, it has a built-in DolbyProLogic IIx processor, which allows for multi-channel sound from stereo audio.
PICTURE
HDMI. The picture has minimal video noise. The information value of the dark images is impressive, and they are rendered in great relief even in areas where the color is close to black. The palette is very natural and corresponds to the real colors as much as possible.
The image detail is quite high, even though the detail is not maximal, the smallest details are hidden by the video circuitry.
YPbPr. This video signal produces crisp lines and low video interference in most but the darkest scenes. The palette is very rich and natural, but the flesh colors are slightly emphasized, so the actorsâ faces are slightly more red than necessary. The dark picture detail is high and the black itself is very clear.
Scaling of progressive video up to 1080 lines is done very well without loss or additional artifacts, Faroudja is Faroudja.
The dynamic image is displayed flawlessly, at virtually any speed of the camera while filming, the picture is very smooth and stable.
S-Video. Of the three video signals tested, S-Video was the most comfortable for the eyes. The clarity, smoothness, and naturalness of the image surprised. Through S-Video pair gives a better picture than many other DVD-players give through the component video output. Image has a surprisingly high level of detail, very low video noise and high line definition. The palette was also very realistic. A slight disadvantage of S-Video was a slightly lower overall image brightness.
STEREO SOUND
The main sound ranges, bass, midrange and top end are balanced in relation to each other almost perfectly. I liked the clarity of the sound and the timbre.
The sound is detailed, but not overloaded with details. This pair is able to draw a very large scale sound, to create an extended stereo image, although you have to admit that not all the air is present in the sound.
Dynamic characteristics are such that the sound is understated, even detached in places. The loud component of the music is the most detailed, while the stereo track, in our opinion, doesnât pay enough attention to the background music layer, which adds vividness and realism to the musical canvas.
MULTICHANNEL AUDIO
The movie sound is surprisingly rich. For the test we used, among others, the disc with the film âItalian Jobâ remake of âRobbery in Italianâ , which abounds with acute fragments and episodes with different acoustic design.
Most striking of all is the depth, strength, and detail of the low-frequency sound. The pair delivers the most powerful engine bass that makes you feel like a real car is passing ten feet away. The characteristic sounds are reproduced very well so that the action under water, in an open space or indoors looks remarkably realistic. Itâs interesting to see how realistically the sound changes when the action goes underwater and everything takes on a characteristic muffled sound character.
The voice-over music is very detailed, though it should be noted that the bass of this pair is not musical, it is more suitable for home theatre tasks.
The panorama, which is created by the surround sound channels, has a uniform depth and elaboration regardless of where the sound comes from and where the main action of the film is currently developing, so in any scene, both sharp and quiet, you always hear a lot of details of the near scene and the periphery of the sound space.
Remote Control
The dip in bass begins at 50 Hz -0.3dB at 20 Hz , in treble from 10-11 kHz -0.1 dB at 20 kHz . Harmonic Distortion Ratio THD at 1kHz just above 0.001%. Almost no harmonics exceed 0 throughout the entire frequency range.001%, only in the high frequencies the second and the third THD components rise up to this value, and in the bass near 50 Hz the harmonics form the maximum.
G68 connectors
G96 connectors
Price
: Meridian G96 â about 200,000 Dollars, Meridian G68 â about 308,000 Dollars.
Can you please provide more information about the test set Meridian G96/G68? What features does it offer and how is it different from other test sets?