Page 4 - Contents; Introduction
iii Preface Contents Introduces the 598 DVD Audio Player, and gives examples of two suggested configurations using it in conjunction with other Meridian products. Provides step-by-step instructions on operating the DVD player, using either the front panel or the Meridian System Remote. Describes the...
Page 6 - Troubleshooting
v Preface Provides suggested solutions to typical problems. Troubleshooting 65 General operating problems .................. 66 Audio problems ...................................... 68 Video problems ...................................... 69 Maintenance .......................................... 70 ...
Page 9 - Meridian Smart Link; The Meridian 598 DVD Audio Player
2 Introduction 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 apply...
Page 10 - Audio CDs
Introduction 3 DVD-Video 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 vide...
Page 11 - The Meridian 500 Series; 00 Series communications
4 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 12 - Sample configurations; Meridian Digital TheatreTM
Introduction 5 Sample configurations 598 DSP5500HC 568.2 DSP6000 DSP6000 DSP6000 DSP6000 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. Meridian Digital Theatre™ The Meridian 598 DVD Audio...
Page 13 - Meridian Digital Music System
6 Introduction By careful design Meridian have achieved a sound quality with audio CDs which approaches that of their dedicated CD players. 598 DSP5000 DSP5000 The 598 DVD Audio Player can be connected directly to Meridian DSP loudspeakers, as these include DSP volume and tone controls. In addition ...
Page 14 - Specification and accessories; Specification
Introduction 7 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 ...
Page 15 - Available accessories
8 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...
Page 17 - Front panel
Using the DVD player 10 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 nex...
Page 18 - Meridian System Remote
Using the DVD player 11 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 ...
Page 19 - Switching on and off; To switch on from standby; To switch to standby
Using the DVD player 12 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 ...
Page 20 - Playing a disc; To insert a disc; To play the disc
Using the DVD player 13 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 o...
Page 22 - Groups; Playing DVD-Audio discs
Using the DVD player 15 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. ❍ Additio...
Page 23 - DVD-Video compatibility; To display DVD-Audio images
Using the DVD player 16 DVD-Video compatibility 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 ...
Page 24 - Locating a specific title, chapter, or track
Using the DVD player 17 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 25 - To locate a title by number
Using the DVD player 18 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 ...
Page 27 - To change the front panel display; To display disc information on screen; Disc information
Using the DVD player 20 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 number...
Page 28 - To turn off the on-screen display
Using the DVD player 21 Audio CD Track number Elapsed disc time Repeat mode Play mode DVD-Audio 1 Group number Track number Elapsed group time Play mode DVD-Audio 2 Number of channels Soundtrack number Coding format Play mode Repeat mode MP3 audio CD Album number Track number Elapsed track time Repe...
Page 30 - Advanced features
Advanced features T his chapter describes the more advanced features of the 598 DVD Audio Player. These features are not essential if you simply want to enjoy DVDs 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 advance...
Page 31 - Selecting options from a menu
24 Advanced features DVDs generally provide a Top Menu, which provides access to the content on the disc. Many DVD-Video discs also provide a disc menu, which allows you to select additional sections or special options. To select a title or group using theTop Menu ● Press Top Menu to display the Top...
Page 32 - To resume normal speed; Fast and slow-motion play
Advanced features 25 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-Vid...
Page 33 - Playing repeatedly; To repeat a specific section of a disc
26 Advanced features ● Press A-B again at the end of the section. 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, chap...
Page 34 - Selecting an audio soundtrack; To select the audio setting
Advanced features 27 Selecting an audio soundtrack To select the audio setting ● Press Audio ( Function > ). Each time you press Audio the next available soundtrack is selected. To switch between stereo and multi-channel (DVD-Audio) Some DVD-Audio discs allow you to switch between stereo and mult...
Page 35 - To display the current subtitle setting; To select the subtitle language; To turn subtitles on or off; Displaying subtitles
28 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 36 - Selecting the camera angle; To display the camera angle; To select or change the camera angle
Advanced features 29 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 37 - Setting the parental lock; To set the parental lock
30 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 until a password is entered. To set the parental lock ● Press Setup ( Function Menu ) while the disc is ...
Page 38 - To change the password
Advanced features 31 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 40 - Configuring disc options
Configuring disc options DVD-Video discs are capable of providing a wide range of options and special features. This chapter explains how to use the options on the Setup menu to configure the operation of the 598 DVD Audio Player. The options described in this chapter are only available using the Me...
Page 41 - To display the Setup menu; Setting default options
34 Configuring disc options The default options are divided into the following five menus of settings: Menu Description Playback options The audio, subtitle, and menu languages, and the parental rating. Video setup The display settings. Audio setup The audio settings. Meridian setup Product configur...
Page 42 - To select an option from a menu; To return to the previous menu; To exit from the setup menus
Configuring disc options 35 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 43 - Selecting the default languages; To set the default subtitle language
36 Configuring disc 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 ...
Page 44 - To select the disc menu language
Configuring disc options 37 ● 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 ...
Page 45 - To specify your display format; Selecting the display settings
38 Configuring disc options The Video setup menu lets you change the video and operational settings of the 598 DVD Audio Player: If your 598 has the progressive output or SCART options, additional menu options will be displayed to allow you to configure these outputs; see To set the progressive outp...
Page 46 - To select the video output format
Configuring disc options 39 To select the video output format This option should be set according to which of the S-video or COMPONENT video outputs you are using. ● Highlight Video output in the Video setup menu, and press Enter . The Video output menu is displayed. The options depend on which vers...
Page 47 - To select the black level for NTSC
40 Configuring disc options Choose CVBS or S to provide a composite video or S-video signal to the SCART socket. S-video is also available on the S-VIDEO OUT socket. Choose RGB , Y , or EURO to provide the corresponding component video, and composite video on the SCART socket. S-video is not availab...
Page 48 - To select closed caption subtitles
Configuring disc options 41 If you are using the 598 DVD Audio Player to play both NTSC and PAL material the recommended setting is O IRE . To select closed caption subtitles Some DVD-Videos include closed caption subtitles, which provide a description of sound effects for the hard of hearing; for e...
Page 49 - To select the screensaver options
42 Configuring disc options ● Press V or A to highlight the option you want, and press Enter . Choose Auto if your television can display both PAL and NTSC video, or choose NTSC or PAL to match the format supported by your television. If your television is capable of displaying both formats the reco...
Page 50 - To set the progressive output options
Configuring disc options 43 The Pause timeout automatically switches the 598 from pause into stop mode if no key is pressed for the specified time. ● Highlight Stop timeout or Pause timeout in the Screensaver options menu, and press Enter . The appropriate menu is displayed: ● Press V or A to select...
Page 51 - To set up SCART switching
44 Configuring disc options The Progressive output menu is displayed: ● Press A or V to highlight the option you want, and press Enter . The Gamma correction affects the display brightness, and can be set to 1.0, 0.8, 0.9, or 1.1. The Sharpness can be set to Off , Low , Medium , or High . The Output...
Page 53 - To select the digital audio format; Selecting the audio settings
46 Configuring disc options The Audio setup menu lets you select the audio settings of the 598 DVD Audio Player: To select the digital audio format This option allows you to specify whether you want the 598 DVD Audio Player to decode bitstreams, such as Dolby Digital or DTS, to PCM on specified outp...
Page 54 - To select Meridian High Resolution
Configuring disc options 47 To specify the maximum samplingrate This option allows you to specify the maximum decoding rate that the equipment connected to each set of outputs can accept, ● Highlight Max rate in the Audio setup menu, and press Enter . The following menu is displayed: ● Press V or A ...
Page 55 - To enable the multi-channel outputs
48 Configuring disc options The following menu is displayed: ● Press V or A to highlight the option you want, and press Enter . If you are connecting either of the outputs to a Meridian product that is MHR compliant, such as the 568, select the option for the corresponding output to take advantage o...
Page 56 - To specify Dolby Digital compression
Configuring disc options 49 To specify Dolby Digital compression This option is useful for reducing the dynamic range of Dolby Digital soundtracks, such as when watching a film late at night. ● Highlight DD compression in the Audio setup menu, and press Enter . The following menu is displayed: ● Pre...
Page 57 - Region codes
50 Configuring disc options Region codes For commercial reasons many DVDs are encoded with one or more region codes to identify the countries in which they can be used. Every DVD player is assigned a region code to determine which discs it can play. The different parts of the world are divided into ...
Page 59 - Unpacking; Radio interference
Setting up the DVD player 52 Unpacking The 598 DVD Audio Player comes in a box containing the following components: ❍ Meridian 598 DVD Audio Player. ❍ Meridian System Remote. ❍ Meridian comms lead. ❍ Power cord. ❍ This manual. If any of these items are missing please contact your dealer. We suggest ...
Page 60 - Positioning the DVD player; Safety warnings
Setting up the DVD player 53 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 61 - Back panel
Setting up the DVD player 54 Back panel Component version MERIDIAN COMMS RS232 Y/G S COMPOSITE VIDEO OUT Pr/R Pb/B OFF ON SURROUND L/R C/SUB AUX DIGITAL OUT SMART LINK DIGITAL OUT MERIDIAN CONNECTION PROGRESSIVE COMPONENT VIDEO OUT MHR Smart Linkoutput Digitaloutputs Auxiliaryoutput RS232connection ...
Page 62 - Audio connections; Video connections
Setting up the DVD player 55 SCART version Use this output To connect to this SCART OUT RGB, S-video, or composite video inputs, depending on the option selected in the Video output menu. S A monitor or television with an S-video input, or a Meridian 562V.2 Multimedia Controller. COMPOSITE A televis...
Page 63 - Communications connections
Setting up the DVD player 56 Use this output To connect to this AUX DIGITAL OUT A surround processor such as the Meridian 561 Digital Surround Processor, a digital preamplifier such as the Meridian 562V, or Meridian DSP loudspeakers. SMART LINK A surround processor such as the 568.2 DIGITAL OUT Digi...
Page 64 - Connecting using component video; Connecting video; Connecting using S-video; Connecting using composite video
Setting up the DVD player 57 Connecting using component video Video lead 598 DVD Audio 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 a...
Page 65 - Connecting audio
Setting up the DVD player 58 To connect to a Meridian 568.2 or 861Digital Surround Processor (digitalversion) 568.2 Digital Surround Processor 598 DVD Audio Player SVGA lead SMART LINK SMART LINK ● Connect the SMART LINK output on the 598 to the SMART LINK input on the 568.2, using the Smart Link ca...
Page 67 - Connecting to other Meridian equipment
Setting up the DVD player 60 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 598 DVD Audio Player. The sequence in which you conn...
Page 69 - Choosing standard settings; To restore the standard settings
Configuring the DVD player 62 Choosing standard settings The DVD player provides four standard settings, called Types, which configure the 598 into the most commonly needed configurations. Choosing one of the four Types overrides any other configuration you may have performed, and so can be used to ...
Page 70 - Configuring the 598 DVD Audio Player; To configure specific options
Configuring the DVD player 63 Configuring the 598 DVD Audio 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...
Page 71 - To configure the sources
Configuring the DVD player 64 To configure the sources If you are using the 598 DVD Audio 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...
Page 73 - General operating problems
Troubleshooting 66 General operating problems 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. A question-mark symbol is displayedon the on-screen display This indicates that the...
Page 75 - Audio problems; Creating MP3 discs; Some of my speakers are quiet
Troubleshooting 68 Audio problems Creating MP3 discs 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 ...
Page 76 - The video picture is monochrome; The video picture is bright blue or pink; Picture whites appear green; Video problems
Troubleshooting 69 The video picture is monochrome If you are using the S-Video output, make sure that S is selected in the Video output menu Otherwise, check your video cabling. The video picture is bright blue or pink If you are using the Component outputs, check that the Y option is selected in t...
Page 77 - Cleaning; Maintenance
Troubleshooting 70 Cleaning When cleaning the DVD player bear in mind that the front of the DVD player is plastic, and the display panel and lid are glass. Disconnect the power cord before cleaning the unit. Note: Do not use abrasive cleaners on any part of the DVD player. To clean the case, display...
Page 78 - Service and guarantee; Guarantee
Troubleshooting 71 Service and guarantee Guarantee The 598 DVD Audio Player is guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. The guarantee is void if the 598 DVD Audio Player has been subject to misuse, accident, or negligence, or has been tampered w...
Page 80 - Glossary
Glossary 73 Glossary Dolby Digital A digital surround sound which provides five full-frequency range channels (left, centre, right, left surround, and right surround) and an additional Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel which is band limited to 120Hz. Dolby Surround The encoding system used for the...
Page 84 - Index
77 Index Index A A-B (remote) 26 accessories 8 advanced features 23 ANALOGUE OUT 56 audio CDs 17 on-screen display 21 audio connections 55, 58 Audio language menu 36 audio settings selecting 27 Audio setup menu 34, 46 automatic setup 60 AUX DIGITAL OUT 56 B back panel 54 Black level menu 40 C camera...
