Problem Solving

How do I clean the tape path?

The tape path, that is, the tape heads, pinch rollers and other parts which the tape touches during playback or recording, should be cleaned every now and then to avoid dust and fluff build-up.

It is a good idea always to clean the tape path prior to making a recording. Use a tape head maintenance kit or simply a cotton wool stick dipped in a cleaning fluid (preferably iso-propyl alcohol which will not harm plastics if spilt) intended for this purpose.

The cleaning process must be carried out while there is no cassette in the tape compartment.

Press [A.TAPE]. The tape head and the right-hand pinch roller are now exposed, enabling you to clean them.

Press [TURN]. The left-hand pinch roller is now exposed.

Press [Stand-by] or switch to another source when you have finished the cleaning process

Which remote control will work my equipment?

First ascertain that your equipment can be controlled by remote. The Beocenter 2200 looks the right design and era but is completely manual as an example.

If it is remote control, then there are various families of remotes to consider.

The very first B&O remotes used ultrasound rather than infra-red and were seen initially for use with the Beomasters 2400 and 6000 and Beovision 6000. Each remote was unique to the individual product and could not really be used to operate any other device.

The ultrasound system was improved in the later Beovision Control Module which was used for the Beovision 3802, 4402 and 6002. This was a superb remote designed so that the user could identify buttons by feel as well as appearance.

These remotes were superseded by the first infra-red devices though the ultimate goal of audio-visual integration was still not realised. The Video remote, known affectionately as the Mars Bar, allowed both TV and video to be controlled and was a lovely metal alloy device. It controlled the Beovision 8800 series sets and its derivatives. It was also used in the first of the MX range, the MX2000.

Meanwhile the audio remotes were becoming complicated! The Beocenter 7000 had been released with its own hand held infra red controller and this design was now used for all the different audio systems. However the codes used were not common so to all intents, you needed the correct controller for each product. The Beomaster 8000 was the next to be introduced and this remote featured far more controls than that for the Beomaster 2400, with the ability to control both Beogram and Beocord as well as change balance and switch the filters in and out. Radio channels and volume were of course also catered for. The same design was used for the Beomaster 6000 that followed though the functions were subtlety changed and if used with the other product, not all keys behaved as advertised!

Similar style controllers were then introduced for the Beomaster 3000 and 5000, though again, the codes varied. Mention must also be made of the terminal for the Beogram CD50, the only stand alone remote for a CD player made by B&O which necessitated the fitting of a board in the CD50. These are rare.

The last of this style of remote was that for the Beomaster 3300 and was the most interesting as it now possessed the codes that would serve as the basis of all remote codes used by B&O from then to the present day: a muted start to a revolution in control.

This was we had been waiting for and within the year we had the first of a completely new range of remotes which were to become the Beolink 1000. To start with we had the Audio Terminal, the Video Terminal and, most interestingly, the AV Terminal. The last operated both audio and video systems realising the dream of one remote to control them all!

Within a short time, the remotes were simplified and the Beolink 1000 was born.