Page 3 - Sales and service in the UK
Preface ii Sales and service in the UK Meridian Audio Ltd Stonehill Stukeley Meadows Cambs PE29 6EX England Tel (01480) 52144 Fax (01480) 459934 World Wide Web http://www.meridian-audio.com Part no: 596 Sales and service in the USA Meridian America Inc 3800 Camp Creek Parkway Building 2400 Suite 122...
Page 4 - Contents; Introduction
iii Preface Contents Introduction 1 Introduces the 596 DVD player, and gives examples of two suggested configurations using it in conjunction with other Meridian products. The Meridian 500 Series ...................... 2 Sample configurations ......................... 3 Specification and accessories...
Page 5 - Setting default options 27
Preface iv Setting default options 27 Explains how to set up the default options using the DVD player’s Setup menu. Setting default options ....................... 28 Selecting the default languages ......... 30 Selecting the display settings ............ 32 Selecting the audio settings ...............
Page 6 - Troubleshooting
v Preface Troubleshooting 55 Provides suggested solutions to typical problems. Troubleshooting ................................. 56 Maintenance ...................................... 59 Service and guarantee ....................... 60 Index .................................................. 61
Page 9 - The Meridian 500 Series; 00 Series communications
2 Introduction 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 o...
Page 10 - Sample configurations; Meridian Digital TheatreTM
Introduction 3 Sample configurations 596 DSP5500HC 504 Meridian Surround Processor DSP6000 DSP6000 DSP6000 DSP6000 The Meridian Surround Processor can decode Dolby Digital (AC-3), MPEG Surround, DTS Audio, and Dolby Surround soundtracks. Meridian Digital Theatre™ The Meridian 596 DVD Player is ideal...
Page 11 - Meridian Digital Music System
4 Introduction By careful design Meridian have achieved a sound quality with audio CDs which approaches that of their dedicated CD players. 596 DSP5000 DSP5000 The 596 DVD Player can be connected directly to Meridian DSP loudspeakers, as these include DSP volume and tone controls. In addition to pla...
Page 12 - Specification and accessories; Specification
Introduction 5 Specification and accessories Specification THD Less than -93dBFS. Noise Less than -93dBFS. Mechanism Dual-lens pickup with red laser. Formats DVD-Video, CD Audio (CD-DA), CD-R, Video CD (VCD), CVCD, and MP3. Processing DSP software provides error correction and on-board decoding for ...
Page 13 - Available accessories
6 Introduction 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 conn...
Page 14 - Using the DVD player; order to identify the controls which you use to operate the unit.
Using the DVD player T his 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 discs and audio CDs. Unless otherwise specified, each function i...
Page 15 - Front panel; Display
Using the DVD player 8 Front panel 1 Open Opens and closes the disc tray. 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...
Page 16 - Meridian System Remote; Page
Using the DVD player 9 Meridian System Remote Subtitle Off Enter Return Function 0 Top Menu # Record Slow/Page ] OSD [ Page Angle Audio A-B Phase Setup Band 7 8 9 4 5 6 1 2 3 Menu Volume Display Mute DSP Clear Store Repeat CD RADIO LP TV TAPE 1 TAPE 2 CDR CABLE DVD VCR 1 VCR 2 LD 16 17 18 19 20 21 2...
Page 17 - Playing a disc; To switch on from standby
Using the DVD player 10 Playing a disc During normal use the DVD player should be left in the standby state. This uses a negligible amount of electricity, but ensures that the components of the DVD player operate at maximum efficiency from the moment you start playing a disc. If you are not going to...
Page 18 - To play the disc; Note: These functions are normally disabled while the disc's; To switch to standby
Using the DVD player 11 To play the disc ● Press > (front panel or remote). The on-screen display shows and the front-panel display shows the title and chapter, or track number: For example, on chapter 1 of title 2: 2-01 To move to the next or previouschapter or track ● Press ] or [ (front panel ...
Page 19 - Locating a specific title, chapter, or track
Using the DVD player 12 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 ...
Page 20 - To locate a title by number
Using the DVD player 13 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 p...
Page 22 - To change the front panel display; To display disc information on screen; Disc information
Using the DVD player 15 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 596 is controller *). The display will step between the following options: Display Example Title and chapter numb...
Page 23 - To turn off the on-screen display
Using the DVD player 16 To display information about DVDvideo disc features ● Press OSD (remote) twice while a DVD disc is playing. This shows the following information about DVD features: Subtitle language Audio track Audio format Repeat mode Play mode To turn off the on-screen display ● Press OSD ...
Page 24 - Advanced features; his chapter describes the more advanced features of the 596 DVD
Advanced features T his chapter describes the more advanced features of the 596 DVD Player. These features are not essential if you simply want to enjoy DVD video discs or audio CDs, but they allow you to take full advantage of the range of options available with the DVD format. Note: Many of the ad...
Page 25 - To select an option from the disc menu; Selecting options from a menu
18 Advanced features Many DVD video discs provide additional sections of video or special options, which you can select from an on-screen menu. Some DVD video discs which contain several titles also provide a title menu, from which you can select one of the titles. To select an option from the disc ...
Page 26 - Note: The sound is muted when playing back DVD video discs; To resume normal speed; Fast and slow-motion play
Advanced features 19 You can play back DVD video discs faster than normal, at between twice and eight times normal speed, or in slow motion, at between one-half and one-sixteenth of normal speed. You can also play back audio CDs faster than normal. Note: The sound is muted when playing back DVD vide...
Page 27 - Playing repeatedly; To repeat a specific section of a disc
20 Advanced features The on-screen display shows A–B: The DVD player automatically returns to the start of the section and plays it back repeatedly. To cancel the repeat press A-B a third time. Playing repeatedly You can play back a specified title, chapter, track, or section of a disc repeatedly. T...
Page 28 - Selecting a playback audio setting; To select the audio setting
Advanced features 21 Selecting a playback audio setting To select the audio setting ● Press Audio (Function > ). Each time you press Audio the next available soundtrack is selected. You can select one of the audio soundtracks from those included on a DVD video disc during playback. To display the...
Page 29 - To display the current subtitle setting; To select the subtitle language; Displaying subtitles
22 Advanced features Many DVD video discs include subtitles in up to 32 different languages. While you are playing a disc you can turn the subtitles on or off, and select the subtitle language from those provided on the DVD video disc. To display the current subtitle setting ● Press OSD (Function ] ...
Page 30 - Selecting the camera angle; To display the camera angle
Advanced features 23 Selecting the camera angle Some DVD video discs include scenes recorded from up to nine different camera angles, and you can select the camera angle while you are playing the disc. To display the camera angle ● Press OSD (Function ] ) to display the first on-screen display bar. ...
Page 31 - Setting the parental lock; To set the parental lock
24 Advanced features Setting the parental lock Some DVD video discs are provided with a parental lock function to allow you to lock out playback of scenes whose content exceeds a specified rating. To set the parental lock ● Press Setup (Function Menu) while the disc is stopped. The Setup menu is dis...
Page 32 - To change the password; Note: The password cannot start with a zero.
Advanced features 25 Initially the password is set to 7890, but you can change it to any password you choose as described in To change the password, opposite. The following screen then allows you to set the rating level: ● Press A or V to highlight the rating level you want to set, or highlight Off ...
Page 34 - Setting default options; he DVD format allows disc manufacturers to provide a wide range of
Setting default options T he DVD format allows disc manufacturers to provide a wide range of options on DVD video discs, and the 596 DVD Player allows you to choose between these options. Which of these features is available depends on the DVD video disc you are playing. For information about changi...
Page 35 - To display the Setup menu
28 Setting default options The default options are divided into the following five menus of settings: Menu Description Playback options The audio, subtitle, and menu languages. Video setup The display settings. Audio setup The sound format. Meridian setup Product configuration options. Information T...
Page 36 - To select an option from a menu; Press Enter to select the option.; To return to the previous menu
Setting default options 29 To select an option from a menu ● Press A or V to highlight the option you want: ● Press Enter to select the option. To return to the previous menu ● Press Return. To exit from the setup menus ● Press Setup.
Page 37 - Selecting the default languages; To set the default subtitle language
30 Setting default options The Playback options menu lets you change the default language for the audio soundtrack, subtitles, and on-screen menus, and the parental rating: To select the default soundtracklanguage Most DVD video discs include a selection of soundtrack languages. English is usually t...
Page 38 - To select the disc menu language
Setting default options 31 ● Highlight Subtitles in the Playback options menu, and press Enter. The Subtitle language menu is displayed: ● Press < , > , A , or V to highlight the language you want to use, and press Enter. Alternatively, select Auto to automatically display subtitles in the spe...
Page 39 - Note: The SCART switch option only appears with the SCART; To set the default picture format; Note: The pan-scan feature is not available on some discs, in; To select the video output format; Selecting the display settings
32 Setting default options The Video setup menu lets you change the video and operational settings of the 596 DVD Player: Note: The SCART switch option only appears with the SCART version of the 596. To set the default picture format Some DVD video discs allow you to choose between the 4:3 (normal t...
Page 40 - Note: The option you select will not affect the composite output,
Setting default options 33 ● Highlight Video output in the Video setup menu, and press Enter. The Video output menu is displayed. The options depend on which version of the 596 you have; see below. ● Press V or A to highlight the appropriate option, and press Enter. Note: The option you select will ...
Page 41 - To select the black level
34 Setting default options To select the black level ● Highlight Black level in the Video output menu, and press Enter. The Black level menu is displayed: ● Press V or A to highlight the appropriate option, and press Enter. If you are using the Composite or S-video outputs of the DVD player select t...
Page 42 - To select the TV standard
Setting default options 35 To select the TV standard DVD movies are produced in both PAL and NTSC television formats. The 596 DVD Player is capable of converting between formats, to allow you to view DVD movies in either format even if your television is not capable of displaying that format. Howeve...
Page 43 - To select the screensaver timeouts
36 Setting default options To select the screensaver timeouts ● Highlight Stop timeout or Pause timeout in the Video setup menu, and press Enter. The appropriate menu is displayed: ● Press V or A to select the timeout delay, and press Enter. The pause timeout automatically switches the 596 from paus...
Page 44 - When playing activates the output when the 596 plays a video; By Source activates the output for sources which have the
Setting default options 37 When playing activates the output when the 596 plays a video disc or is put into setup, and it remains active until the 596 is put into standby. By Source activates the output for sources which have the SCART switch option set to On in the Source configuration menu. This a...
Page 45 - To select the digital audio format; Note: The analogue outputs are not affected by this setting.; Selecting the audio settings
38 Setting default options The Audio setup menu lets you select the 596 audio settings: To select the digital audio format ● Highlight Digital format in the Audio setup menu, and press Enter. The Digital audio format menu is displayed: ● Press V or A to highlight the format you want, and press Enter...
Page 46 - To select the audio output rate
Setting default options 39 To select the audio output rate ● Highlight 96kHz enable in the Audio setup menu, and press Enter. The following menu is displayed: ● Press V or A to highlight the option you want, and press Enter. Only choose Yes if your digital surround processor is capable of decoding a...
Page 48 - your other audio equipment, and the siting constraints.
Setting up the DVDplayer T his chapter explains how to install the DVD player. It describes what you should find when you unpack the DVD player, how you should connect it to your other audio equipment, and the siting constraints. You should not make any connections to the DVD player or to any other ...
Page 49 - Unpacking; Radio interference; FCC Warning: This equipment generates and can radiate radio
Setting up the DVD player 42 Unpacking The 596 DVD Player comes in a box containing the following components: ❍ Meridian 596 DVD Player. ❍ Meridian System Remote. ❍ Meridian comms lead. ❍ Power cord. ❍ This manual. If any of these items are missing please contact your dealer. We suggest that you ret...
Page 50 - Positioning the DVD player; Safety warnings
Setting up the DVD player 43 Positioning the DVD player Safety warnings ❍ Do not expose the unit to dripping or splashing. ❍ Do not place any object filled with liquid, such as a vase, on the unit. ❍ Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, on the unit. To avoid overheating Do not ...
Page 51 - Back panel; Component version
Setting up the DVD player 44 Back panel Component version MERIDIAN COMMS RS232 Y/G S COMPOSITE LEFT RIGHT COMPONENT VIDEO OUT VIDEO OUT Pr/R Pb/B ANALOGUE OUT DIGITAL OUT OFF ON RS232connection Componentvideo outputs Compositevideo outputs Digitaloutput Analogueoutput Power Comms SCART version MERID...
Page 52 - Video connections
Setting up the DVD player 45 Use this output To connect to this COMPONENT Component version only: A monitor or projection television with component video inputs. SCART SCART version only: Component, S-video, or composite video inputs, depending on the option selected in the Video output menu. S-VIDE...
Page 53 - Audio connections; Communications connections
Setting up the DVD player 46 Audio connections The following table gives details of the two alternative audio outputs: Use this output To connect to this DIGITAL OUT A surround processor such as the Meridian 561 Digital Surround Processor, a digital preamplifier such as the Meridian 562V, or Meridia...
Page 54 - Connecting using component video; Connecting video; Connecting using S-video; Video output setting.
Setting up the DVD player 47 Connecting using component video Video lead 596 DVD Player COMPONENT VIDEO COMPONENT VIDEO IN Television If your television, monitor, or projection system includes component video inputs, these will give the highest possible quality from DVD videos. ● Connect the appropr...
Page 55 - Connecting audio
Setting up the DVD player 48 To connect to a Meridian 561 DigitalSurround Processor 561 Digital Surround Processor DIGITAL OUT 596 DVD Player Digital lead DIGITAL IN ● Connect the DIGITAL OUT on the 596 to the DIGITAL IN on the 561. ● Set the Digital format menu option to Bitstream; see To select th...
Page 57 - Connecting to other Meridian equipment
Setting up the DVD player 50 To connect to other Meridian 500Series equipment ● Connect one of the COMMS sockets on the back panel of the DVD player to one of the COMMS sockets on another 500 Series unit, using the 500 comms lead provided with the 596 DVD Player. The sequence in which you connect th...
Page 59 - Choosing standard settings; To restore the standard settings
Configuring the DVD player 52 Choosing standard settings The DVD player provides three standard settings, called Types, which configure the 596 into the most commonly needed configurations. Choosing one of the three Types overrides any other configuration you may have performed, and so can be used t...
Page 60 - Configuring the 596 DVD Player; To configure specific options
Configuring the DVD player 53 Configuring the 596 DVD Player To configure specific options ● Highlight Meridian setup in the Setup menu, and press Enter. The Meridian setup menu will be displayed: To set configuration options The configuration options are generally set to an appropriate value when y...
Page 61 - To configure the sources; configuration menu and press Enter, select the value you
Configuring the DVD player 54 To configure the sources If you are using the 596 DVD Player as the controller in your Meridian system, you can use the Source config option on the Meridian Setup menu to configure each of the sources in your system. ● Highlight Source config in the Meridian Setup menu,...
Page 62 - occur when setting up or using the DVD player.
Troubleshooting 55 Troubleshooting T his chapter provides suggested solutions to typical problems that may occur when setting up or using the DVD player. If you are still not able to resolve a difficulty with the help of this guide and the suggestions in the following pages, please contact your Meri...
Page 63 - There is no sound when playing a disc
Troubleshooting 56 Troubleshooting No lights are displayed whenswitching on ❍ Check that your AC power supply is connected correctly. ❍ Check that the ON/OFF switch on the back panel is in the ON position. There is no sound when playing a disc ❍ Check that your preamplifier is switched on, and the v...
Page 64 - The video picture is bright blue or pink
Troubleshooting 57 The video picture is bright blue or pink If you are using the Component outputs, check that the Y option is selected in the Video output menu; see To select the video output format, page 32. Otherwise, check your video cabling. Picture whites appear green ❍ Check that RGB is selec...
Page 65 - Creating MP3 discs
Troubleshooting 58 A question-mark symbol is displayedon the on-screen display This indicates that the function you have selected is not available on the disc you are playing. The pause timeout automatically switches the 596 from pause into stop mode if no key has been pressed for the specified time...
Page 66 - To change the mains fuse; Cleaning; Note: Do not use abrasive cleaners on any part of the DVD; Maintenance
Troubleshooting 59 used. Otherwise, it is recommended that you unplug and reconnect the plugs at least once a year. A proprietary contact cleaner can be used to some advantage. The electrical digital output should be treated in a similar way. To change the mains fuse Fuse Spare ● Remove the mains co...
Page 67 - Service; Service and guarantee
Troubleshooting 60 Service The Meridian 500 Series of hi-fi components have been carefully designed to give years of untroubled service. There are no user- serviceable parts inside the case, nor do the units require any form of maintenance. In the unlikely event that your DVD player fails to functio...
Page 68 - Index
61 Index Index A A-B (remote) 20 accessories 6 advanced features 17 ANALOGUE OUT 46 audio CDs 12 on-screen display 15 audio connections 46, 48 Audio language menu 30 audio output rate, selecting 39 audio settings 21 Audio setup menu 38 automatic setup 50 B back panel 44 Bitstream option 38 Black lev...