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I n t r o d u c t i o n

Introduction

This guide provides full information about unpacking the G61R Digital Surround Controller, 

connecting it to the other equipment in the system, and configuring it using the front panel.

Once you have connected and configured the product, refer to the 

G Series System Guide for 

information about operating it.

The G61R is a powerful, flexible surround controller, with eight 
unbalanced analogue outputs and eight digital outputs.

At the heart of the G61R is a powerful DSP engine consisting 
of five Motorola 56367s running at 150MHz – delivering an 
incredible 750MIPS (million instructions per second) capability. 
Processing is performed at high sample rates and with 48-bit 
precision throughout, ensuring that all filtering, processing, and 
other operations are carried out beyond the limits of human 
hearing. The G61R is thus a perfect processor for the very latest in 
digital audio.

Inputs

Analogue signals are converted via a 24-bit Delta-Sigma converter 
to high-sample-rate digital on input to the processor, while all 
digital signals are reclocked to minimise jitter and maintain total 
data integrity. The G61R includes two six-channel S/PDIF digital 
inputs (coax), a USB audio input, four TOSlink optical inputs, and 

six more stereo coax digital inputs. In addition, there is a six-
channel analogue input, and five stereo analogue inputs.

Formats supported

The G61R combines controller and surround processor functions, 
meeting the latest THX specifications and including MPEG, DTS, 
Dolby, Trifield, and Ambisonic decoding. In many cases the decoders 
incorporate our own code, giving them superior integration with 
the Meridian design philosophy, as well as superior performance. 
As a result, the G61R can decode surround signals from all PCM 
optical discs. The G61R is thus an ideal complement to a G Series 
optical disc player like the G96.

Smart Source feature

The G61R’s ’Smart Source’ feature continually monitors the digital 
inputs and automatically loads the correct decoding software for 
the format, speaker layout, and encoding of the incoming signal. 
This capability is enhanced by MHR SmartLink, which provides 
a digital link between a Meridian optical disc player or HD621 

Summary of Contents for G61R

Page 1: ...G61R Digital Surround Controller Installation Guide...

Page 2: ...uch as a vase on the product Do not place naked flame sources such as lighted candles on the product To avoid interference Do not position the product Near strong magnetic radiation such as near a pow...

Page 3: ...ols Configuration Wizard 17 Stage 1 Resetting the product 18 Stage 2 Configuring speakers 20 Stage 3 Configuring sources 22 Stage 4 Configuring other settings 24 Calibrating the system 27 Describes ho...

Page 4: ...re 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 trad...

Page 5: ...rate digital on input to the processor while all digital signals are reclocked to minimise jitter and maintain total data integrity The G61R includes two six channel S PDIF digital inputs coax a USB...

Page 6: ...ing on whether the incoming signal is stereo or surround so that any source material is played with the DSP mode of your choice Meridian Room Correction The G61R incorporates Meridian Room Correction...

Page 7: ...ll analogue inputs and outputs Formats Include Dolby Digital DTS MPEG Surround and AAC DSP modes Direct Music Trifield Ambisonics Super Stereo MusicLogic Mono TV Logic PLIIx Music PLIIx Movie PLIIx TH...

Page 8: ...I n t r o d u c t i o n...

Page 9: ...uide Meridian Configuration Program Guide If any of these items are missing please contact your dealer Note You should retain the packaging in case you need to transport the unit This chapter explains...

Page 10: ...4 D6 The multichannel digital output of a source such as the G96 DVD Transport a Meridian HD621 or three digital sources DIGITAL INPUT D7 CD D8 DISC D9 VCR2 D10 D12 The digital output of a source such...

Page 11: ...ets using the Comms lead provided To connect to a digital source eg G06 24 bit CD Player G61R Digital Surround Controller DIG IN D7 CD DIGITAL LEAD COMMS LEAD COMMS DIGITAL OUT COMMS G06 24 bit CD Pla...

Page 12: ...er USB USB A B CABLE G61R Digital Surround Controller USB INPUT You can connect a Windows PC or Macintosh to the G61R via the USB input to allow you to use the G61R as a digital audio output device On...

Page 13: ...nel analogue input Connect the ANALOGUE OUTPUT sockets from the source to the analogue multichannel inputs on the digital surround controller using six phono leads Optionally connect a digital output...

Page 14: ...GITAL INPUT IR IN A8 A7 VCR1 A6 CABLE A5 TV A4 TAPE SURR R LFE RIGHT MA1 AUX SURR L CENTRE LEFT L R MULTI ANALOGUE INPUT Analogue outputs Analogue outputs SpeakerLink outputs Use this output To connec...

Page 15: ...R automatically assumes that the main left speaker is the master unless it is analogue in which case the DSP centre left side or left rear is used in order of priority unless explicitly set differentl...

Page 16: ...wn in the previous section The G61R automatically assumes that the main left speaker is the master unless it is analogue in which case the DSP centre left side or left rear is used in order of priorit...

Page 17: ...R provides eight analogue outputs to allow you to connect to power amplifiers and passive loudspeakers or 300 Series Active and Passive Installation Loudspeakers powered by the G41 Active Crossover Am...

Page 18: ...must be used if you do not have a digital main speaker Connect the SUB analogue output socket from the G61R Digital Surround Controller to the subwoofer s line level input using a phono lead Use RZ an...

Page 19: ...RS232 connection Trigger outputs 2 3 Use this connector To connect to this DIN COMMS Other Meridian G Series 500 Series or 800 Series equipment or Meridian DSP loudspeakers BNC COMMS Other Meridian G...

Page 20: ...used to set up the Comms correctly between several products Switch all the units to standby Press Clear MSR Each unit will display Auto One unit will then be designated as the controller and display C...

Page 21: ...between the configuration stages which allow you to reset the configuration or configure the sources or other settings of the digital surround controller To run the Configuration Wizard If necessary p...

Page 22: ...IP ACK 0RESS ORE FOR HELP 2ESET SETTINGS Press Enter to proceed or Skip to go stage 2 If you pressed Enter the display shows ACK 9ES 2ESET ALL SETTINGS Press Yes to proceed or Back to exit The display...

Page 23: ...tre LFE 5 Digital left and right LFE Centre LFE Music Sub refers to a subwoofer used for all Music DSP presets Logic Sub to a subwoofer used for all Logic DSP presets and 5 1 Movie Sub to a subwoofer...

Page 24: ...ration option z wxy ACK EXT UMBER OF 3UBWOOFERS ONE Press Next or Back to step between options A description of each option is shown on the top line of the display and its current value is shown below...

Page 25: ...alogue large DSP The types of the side speakers The Rear speakers are small analogue THX small DSP large analogue large DSP The types of the rear speakers The Subs are used for movies only always When...

Page 26: ...itle screen for stage 3 3KIP ACK 0RESS ORE FOR HELP NTER ONFIGURE SOURCES Press Enter to proceed or Skip to go to stage 4 The display shows the first source and the first configuration option for that...

Page 27: ...ital USB optical tuner analogue or multichannel analogue Source name Any name of up to five characters Trigger 1 High Low Last Valid Trigger outputs for the source Trigger 2 High Low Last Valid Trigge...

Page 28: ...go to the calibration procedure The first setting is displayed z wxy ACK EXT 4HE FAN IS USED AS NECESSARY A description of each setting is shown on the top line of the display and its current value is...

Page 29: ...48 1 2m Separation between rear speakers only available when there are four surrounds Timeout to Home buttons on off Whether the soft keys revert to the home keys after a delay Diagnostic displays on...

Page 30: ...Con figuring the di gi tal surround controller 26...

Page 31: ...el meter to C weighted and Slow Take readings with the meter at the listening position pointing vertically You should hold the meter with an outstretched arm to minimise reflections from your body You...

Page 32: ...ed information about this and the other calibration tests see the following sections To exit from the calibration procedure You can exit from the calibration procedure at any time and any parameters y...

Page 33: ...idian DSP loudspeakers they cannot be set above 0dB Note You cannot set the level of a subwoofer by ear because low frequency noises sound quieter To set the subwoofer correctly either use an SPL mete...

Page 34: ...th other speakers on the layout Use and to move between each of the speakers in the layout The first display allows you to adjust the phase For example Left Phase Press More for help The next display...

Page 35: ...to avoid the possibility of damaging the speakers and the display shows Press More for help Sizes set to zero The display then shows the first large analogue speaker for example Press More for help L...

Page 36: ...ofer crossover frequency Select a source then display the Sine Sub Sens controls as described above Press Xovr or Xovr to decrease or increase the crossover frequency The display shows the current cro...

Page 37: ...d direction as follows Display Description Chan Exit Sound CD 88 5Hz Fast sweep up Chan Exit Sound CD 81 5Hz Slow sweep up Chan Exit Sound CD Pause 80 0Hz Paused Chan Exit Sound CD 78 5Hz Slow sweep d...

Page 38: ...ne Sub Sens controls as described above Press Sens or Sens to decrease or increase the sensitivity The display shows the current sensitivity and the peak level for example Sine Xover Sens TV 1 4V Peak...

Page 39: ...following pages Speaker layouts The G61R Digital Surround Controller provides great flexibility in the way in which you use the loudspeakers in your system For example the speaker step of the Configu...

Page 40: ...o 3 1 The vertical balance Balance 10 to 10 0 The L R balance HS Output Y or N Y Select Y for high rate audio upsampled if necessary Select N for standard rate audio downsampled if necessary Centre 3...

Page 41: ...und technique Trifield As for the Music DSP preset the Trifield preset extracts the mono and surround components of the original recording It then calculates the signals for the front left centre and...

Page 42: ...Ambisonics surround sound and conventional stereo is that the signals from all the speakers combine to produce a coherent soundfield at the listening position giving the illusion that you are sitting...

Page 43: ...Low Med Max The degree of left right steering Yaw Off Low Med Max The degree of front rear steering Steered All Steered Rear Steered Side Steered All Which of the four surround channels are generated...

Page 44: ...d with the original Pro Logic decoding Meridian s implementation of Pro Logic IIx uses proprietary code based on 48 bit precision to give outstanding clarity The PLIIx THX DSP preset uses the same PLI...

Page 45: ...f there is no centre to centrally localise high frequency hiss and clicks Note If Party is set to Yes full range bass is played through any speakers that are not supplemented by a subwoofer and this m...

Page 46: ...all use the Music speaker layout and the multichannel Movie presets all use the 5 1 Movie speaker layout see Speaker layouts page 35 Cinema The Cinema preset is recommended for listening to multichan...

Page 47: ...dtracks PLIIx Mus6 also creates four surround signals it is intended for multichannel music playback from sources such as DVD A or SACD music discs THX Ultra2 Cinema and THX Music use a THX proprietar...

Page 48: ...the recording position The signals are mono sound pressure left right velocity component front back velocity component and up down velocity component Using dynamic range control If the input format is...

Page 49: ...ple Store Pick Preset to overwrite User 1 If you want to overwrite an existing user defined preset press A to select the preset you want to overwrite For example Store Pick Preset to overwrite Classic...

Page 50: ...preset the default for the current source and audio format Press Assign To clear a user defined preset Make sure the menus are unlocked see To run the Configuration Wizard page 17 Press DSP to select...

Page 51: ...is connected correctly Check that the ON OFF switch on the back panel is in the ON position If the light still does not illuminate check any fuses in your power supply and the fuse in the inlet of the...

Page 52: ...ation around the unit Audio problems Hum on analogue input Check the source equipment Disconnect each source in turn If the hum originates from a ground loop an antenna or cable supply may be the caus...

Page 53: ...hiss when the sources are stopped This hiss is lower than the background noise of your recordings and should be of no consequence Sound not clear If speech sounds muffled in a system with a centre sp...

Page 54: ...nexpectedly with a multichannel source If you are using a non Meridian source on the MHR SmartLink input proprietary data may cause preset switching Select Force this source to be six channel for the...

Page 55: ...eaners Ensure that no liquid enters the casework and that the product is completely dry before re connection To clean the audio and video connections The audio and video sockets on the back of the pro...

Page 56: ...ntee proof of the date of purchase will be required Guarantee The product is guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for two years from the date of purchase The guarantee is void if the...

Page 57: ...tance 29 fine tuning 30 levels 29 speaker size 31 Centre DSP parameter 36 37 Channels DSP parameter 38 Cinema DSP preset 42 cleaning 51 COMMS connecting 16 communications connections 15 Compress DSP p...

Page 58: ...All 39 Surr Rear 37 Surround 42 43 Surrounds 41 2 2 2 42 Treble 36 Width 37 38 Yaw 39 41 DSP presets Ambisonics 38 44 Cinema 42 clearing 46 Direct 40 Discrete 42 Mono 41 multichannel 42 Music 37 Musi...

Page 59: ...IIx Mov6 DSP preset 43 PLIIx Movie DSP preset 40 PLIIx Mus6 DSP preset 43 PLIIx Music DSP preset 39 PLIIx THX DSP preset 40 presets multichannel 42 standard parameters 36 two channel 37 user defining...

Page 60: ...equency 32 subwoofers connecting to 14 crossover frequency 32 Super DSP preset 38 Surr Rear DSP parameter 37 42 43 Surrounds DSP parameters 41 T THX DSP preset 42 43 THX Music DSP preset 43 THX Surrou...

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