Specifications

Bob Stuart answers Questions about the Meridian 598
Page 4
15 What is MHR?
MHR (Meridian High Resolution) is a proprietary method for getting the highest possible
sound quality in playback systems that use Meridian components like 598, DSP
Loudspeakers or decoders such as 568.2 or 861.
MHR also uses proprietary encryption and anti-copy techniques to ensure secure transfer of
audio streams between elements of a Meridian-only system for the purpose of playback only.
It provides a secure copyright protection environment and has the very important benefit of
lowering jitter and improving sound quality on all material.
MHR is an approved method to pass the highest possible sound quality from 598 to other
Meridian products like the DSP loudspeakers.
16 What is audio copy protection?
Some DVDs use encryption to protect the audio content. In some cases this carries
restrictions on the audio quality permitted on unprotected digital outputs. If you can’t use MHR
then 598 always operates so as to provide the highest quality possible.
If you have a Meridian playback system that supports MHR (like our DSP speakers, 568.2 or
861) then the 598 is always able to put out the maximum resolution from the disc.
17 What about CD copy protection?
In an attempt to stop CDs being copied in computers, some music companies are
experimenting with ways of making CDs non-compliant so as to trip up the copying process.
Meridian fully supports legitimate copy protection, but we cannot condone ad-hoc techniques
that result in so-called CDs that do not comply with the Red Book specification and which may
interfere with legitimate playback in CD or DVD players. Meridian cannot guarantee to play
any and all such discs that violate the CD Red Book standard and whilst we will make all
efforts to support such discs we cannot be held responsible for other companies mistakes!
We do make strenuous efforts to ensure that 598 is not troubled by these copy protection
methods; so far we have been successful. However if labels choose to degrade the
robustness of their discs in efforts to stop computer copying then there may be cases where
the music suffers. If you have trouble with such a disc, be outraged; send it back for full credit!
18 Does 598 have upsampling?
No. Upsampling requires a DSP resource that 598 does not have but that can be provided by
an associated 568.2 or 861. Upsampling is a feature of 800 (also see Q. 5).
Video issues…?
19 What is video copy protection?
Meridian 598 uses Macrovision analogue video copy protection to prevent DVDs being copied
on VCRs. This is a mandatory feature of all DVD players. The copy protection will not
interfere with picture quality so long as the display device is reasonably modern. We cannot
supply any option to disable Macrovision.
20 What are the options for video black-level?
Extended black is an interlaced-video output option on 598.