Specifications

Bob Stuart answers Questions about the Meridian 598
Page 5
For historical reasons NTSC in the USA (and some other territories) uses a reduced video
dynamic range (contrast) – spanning from 7.5% to 100% (7.5 to 100IRE). In Japan, NTSC
uses the whole dynamic range (0 to 100IRE). PAL also uses the whole 0 – 100% range.
The 598 can generate NTSC in either form and selecting 0 IRE means the 598 will use the full
0 to 100% range. This is preferable if you have a display device set up for PAL and want to
switch between PAL and NTSC without adjusting the black level (brightness). It is also the
way to get the very best picture from an advanced display device, because the 598 can
squeeze in that extra resolution. However, in this case, be aware that the black level
(brightness) will be different when you switch to broadcast or VCR.
0IRE is the correct setting for Japan.
21 What about PAL and NTSC?
598 will play discs authored in PAL or NTSC. If you select Auto TV standard in the Video
Settings menu then 598 will play the disc in its native format.
22 Does the 598 convert PAL to NTSC and vice-versa?
Yes it can, and to enable this you use the Video Settings menu. However there are some
limitations in the handling of menu overlays. It is better if the display device can handle both.
If your display doesn’t do PAL or NTSC then the translation feature should allow you to enjoy
the movie.
23 Does 598 have a progressive output?
Yes, we provide a superb Progressive output option, see Q. 2. The 598 combines Meridian’s
advanced processing with state-of-the-art video conversion and a special implementation of
the DCDi technology from Faroudja. Progressive is available for NTSC discs. See Q. 25.
24 Does 598 have a digital video output?
There are no immediate plans because of copy protection restrictions.
25 Are there plans to offer video scaling?
No. Currently content copy protection rules imposed on DVD-Video prevents the use of more
than 480 active video lines in any non-interlaced format. This means that both progressive for
PAL and scaling are still under review.
26 Does 598 have a screen saver?
Yes. In the Video Setup there is a screen saver menu with choices of the intensity of the
Meridian 598 logo screen and timeout options for Pause and Stop. See Q. 77.
Navigation issues…?
27 Why do you emphasise media navigation?
At the heart of every CD, VCD or DVD player is very complex software that guides the player
through the medium.
Meridian has always written its own navigation software for CD, seeing that as the route to
better playability and hence better sound. With 598 (and 800) Meridian also embraced the
much more complex task of DVD-Video navigation. By developing this in-house expertise and
not relying on third-party navigators we are able to make our players not only intuitive and