Beogram 3000 was a specially designed tangential record deck with a lightweight tone arm featuring the patented suspension system – Optimum Pivot Point – which prevented internal vibrations from interfering with sound reproductions.
Beogram 3000 was a specially designed tangential record deck with a lightweight tone arm featuring the patented suspension system – Optimum Pivot Point – which prevented internal vibrations from interfering with sound reproductions.
Beogram 3000 had an MMC 4 pick up for optimum sound and minimal record wear. A record sensor automatically record size and with it, the correct speed. The platter reduces static electricity and thereby dust in the grooves, and the pendulum suspension made Beogram 3000 ‘danceproof’. The search system worked both forwards and backwards and the new Active Light system was all automatic, giving you light when you needed it, for searching and changing your records etc.. A repeat function allowed you to play the same record up to 7 times in a row.
Beogram 3000 was designed to be used within Beosystem 3000. Beogram 3000 does not have a built in RIAA amplifier and relies on this being in the receiver used with it. Beomaster 3000 – which this deck was designed to work with – has the RIAA built in as do almost every receiver before this time, including the Beomaster 8000. Later equipment such as the Beomaster 7000 and Beomaster 3500 and Beomaster 4500 transferred the RIAA to the record player as this allowed a longer cable to be fitted to the record player and gave better siting options.
Beolink 1000 was Bang & Olufsen’s entry remote control terminal, released in 1986. Its bigger brothers were the two-way Beolink 5000 and Beolink 7000 terminals. It originally came in a number of guises: released in 1987 was Terminal A, followed by Terminal V and then Terminal AV. Their purpose was to control the audio section of various hi-fis (Terminal A); the video sections (Terminal V) and combined functions (Terminal AV).
Beolink 1000 won the ID Award in 1986.
From the Commander to the Beolink 1000 – a leap in ideas
Beomaster 2400’s new element was the Commander – the remote control – which no High-Fidelity producer had even dreamed of making before. In America, however, remote- controlled TVs had already become a reality and in Europe, the first TV commanders, with a plethora of buttons, had turned up in Germany.
Bang & Olufsen’s idea was not to supply remote controls for its systems, it was to provide the user with easier operation – to put the entire selection of sound and picture in users’ hands. Although today, this is perhaps self-evident, this was not the case at the time. Nobody had so far dared to pursue such an obvious concept. It did not take long for the idea to take root. Soon afterwards, all Bang & Olufsen’s systems enabled the user to operate the system from a commander.
The Bang & Olufsen Idea Group insisted that users should be able to operate the commander with one finger on one hand, the thumb. This was vastly different from the commanders manufactured by other producers where the many buttons meant that the user had to hold the commander in one hand, the manual in another while the index finger of the third hand pressed the button selected by the eye.
The concept was dubbed ‘the feel commander’. This meant that the TV could be operated by the thumb on one hand – almost as if the user was feeling his way through a new type of Braille, allowing the eye to concentrate on the essential, the picture.
The culmination of the development of the idea of a ‘total commander’ came in 1985 when David Lewis designed a Beolink terminal where the user, without using his eyes, could control picture, sound and light by applying a slight pressure of the thumb. Incredibly, it could be used in all the rooms of a house. This later system, known as Beolink®, eventually incorporated most of Bang & Olufsen’s audio and video products.
The Beolink 1000 family of remote controls is made up of four unique products; all similar in appearance, but each was brought out at a different time, for a variety of differing functions. First there was the Audio Terminal (or ‘A Terminal’). This was then followed by both the ‘Video Terminal’ (used by Beovisions LX2800 and LX2500) and then the ‘AV terminal’. Lastly was the Beolink 1000 as we recognise it today. Both of these latter Terminals are shown above.
The Audio and Video Terminals are similar in appearance to each other. However, they both accommodate different sets of buttons. With both these controls the bottom plate is stamped to differentiate them as either an Audio or Video Terminal. Size-wise, both Terminals are around 1,5cm shorter than a (current) Beolink 1000 Terminal.
Beolink 1000 Mk III was the last model produced and does not include a ‘turn’ button. To turn over the tape of your Beocord cassette deck, press SHIFT + SOUND.
In order to access ‘Balance’ press SOUND twice and then use the volume up and down to adjust.
To alter ‘Treble’, press SOUND three times and adjust in the same manner; for ‘Bass’ press SOUND four times.
To save your new settings, press SOUND and then STORE.
In comparison, the AV terminal is about 1cm longer than a Beolink 1000. The AV terminal could operate both audio and video and again was released before Beolink 1000. All three Terminals were black and dark grey coloured.
With Beolink 1000 (introduced in 1986), there have been six models. Beolink 1000 Mk 1 and 2 were also black and dark grey. The Mk 1 version would not work with light controllers such as LC1. However, Mk2 could, by simply pressing SHIFT + LINK more>>
Since its introduction in 1986, the Beolink 1000 family of remote controls has been able to control all subsequent Bang & Olufsen products – both audio and video. Beo4 is a direct descendant of these remote controls, together with its (former) smaller brother, Beo1.
Most infra-red remote controls work on a 40KHz carrier. Only Bang & Olufsen and a handful of Sony and Kenwood products use 455KHz as the carrier frequency. This more powerful frequency allows the Terminals to command products from a greater distance and often, it is not a requirement to ‘fire’ them directly at the items’ sensors.
Beolink 1000 was Bang & Olufsen’s entry remote control terminal, released in 1986. Its bigger brothers were the two-way Beolink 5000 and Beolink 7000 terminals. It originally came in a number of guises: released in 1987 was Terminal A, followed by Terminal V and then Terminal AV. Their purpose was to control the audio section of various hi-fis (Terminal A); the video sections (Terminal V) and combined functions (Terminal AV).
From the Commander to the Beolink 1000 – a leap in ideas
Beomaster 2400’s new element was the Commander – the remote control – which no High-Fidelity producer had even dreamed of making before. In America, however, remote- controlled TVs had already become a reality and in Europe, the first TV commanders, with a plethora of buttons, had turned up in Germany.
Bang & Olufsen’s idea was not to supply remote controls for its systems, it was to provide the user with easier operation – to put the entire selection of sound and picture in users’ hands. Although today, this is perhaps self-evident, this was not the case at the time. Nobody had so far dared to pursue such an obvious concept.
It did not take long for the idea to take root. Soon afterwards, all Bang & Olufsen’s systems enabled the user to operate the system from a commander.
The Bang & Olufsen Idea Group insisted that users should be able to operate the commander with one finger on one hand, the thumb. This was vastly different from the commanders manufactured by other producers where the many buttons meant that the user had to hold the commander in one hand, the manual in another while the index finger of the third hand pressed the button selected by the eye.
The concept was dubbed ‘the feel commander’. This meant that the TV could be operated by the thumb on one hand – almost as if the user was feeling his way through a new type of Braille, allowing the eye to concentrate on the essential, the picture.
The culmination of the development of the idea of a ‘total commander’ came in 1985 when David Lewis designed a Beolink terminal where the user, without using his eyes, could control picture, sound and light by applying a slight pressure of the thumb. Incredibly, it could be used in all the rooms of a house. This later system, known as Beolink®, eventually incorporated most of Bang & Olufsen’s audio and video products.
The Beolink 1000 family of remote controls is made up of four unique products; all similar in appearance, but each was brought out at a different time, for a variety of differing functions. First there was the Audio Terminal (or ‘Terminal A’). This was then followed by both the ‘Terminal V’ (used by Beovisions LX2800 and LX2500) and then the ‘Terminal AV’. Lastly was the Beolink 1000 as we recognise it today. Both of these latter Terminals are shown above.
The Audio and Video Terminals are similar in appearance to each other. However, they both accommodate different sets of buttons. With both these controls the bottom plate is stamped to differentiate them as either an Audio or Video Terminal. Size-wise, both Terminals are around 1,5cm shorter than a (current) Beolink 1000 Terminal.
Beolink 1000 Mk III was the last model produced and does not include a ‘turn’ button. To turn over the tape of your Beocord cassette deck, press SHIFT + SOUND.
In order to access ‘Balance’ press SOUND twice and then use the volume up and down to adjust.
To alter ‘Treble’, press SOUND three times and adjust in the same manner; for ‘Bass’ press SOUND four times.
To save your new settings, press SOUND and then STORE.
In comparison, the Terminal AV is about 1cm longer than a Beolink 1000. The Terminal AV could operate both audio and video and again was released before Beolink 1000. All three Terminals were black and dark grey coloured.
With Beolink 1000 (introduced in 1986), there have been six models. Beolink 1000 Mk 1 and 2 were also black and dark grey. The Mk 1 version would not work with light controllers such as LC1. However, Mk2 could, by simply pressing SHIFT + LINK more>>
Since its introduction in 1986, the Beolink 1000 family of remote controls has been able to control all subsequent Bang & Olufsen products – both audio and video. Beo4 is a direct descendant of these remote controls, together with its (former) smaller brother, Beo1.
Most infra-red remote controls work on a 40KHz carrier. Only Bang & Olufsen and a handful of Sony and Kenwood products use 455KHz as the carrier frequency. This more powerful frequency allows the Terminals to command products from a greater distance and often, it is not a requirement to ‘fire’ them directly at the items’ sensors.
It’s better both for your records and for sound quality to play a record the way the master was made – in a straight line from the edge to the centre. This tangential arm record player did just that, giving a far more precise reading of the signals in the groove. The MMC4 cartridge made a vital contribution too; it was feather-weight, with a stylus pressure of only 1,2 grams, giving outstanding sound quality but minimising wear and tear on your records.
There’s more protection too – invaluable for all-night parties. The electronically controlled tangential arm was suspended so that it isolated mechanical vibrations from the cartridge. The suspension chassis was also thoroughly engineered to neutralise vibrations. So keep on dancing – the record player can take it! Beogram 3300 was part of Beosystem 3300 although may be used as a stand-alone item.
One of many tangential decks all utilising the same basic design, the 3300 was noticeable mainly for its grey finish and slightly lurid graphics. Very much a child of the 80s, it was replaced by the 3500 and 4500.
As part of Beosystem 5500, this advanced tape recorder was as close to professional standard as could be made at the time, bristling with features you just loved to use!
There was Auto Reverse, letting you play or record both sides of a cassette as one continuous tape. And automatic adjustment of sound levels avoided annoying volume changes from one recording to the next. Then there was Bang & Olufsen’s famous HX-Pro recording system which gave vastly superior sound quality on the higher frequencies, creating a richer, more detailed sound image.
Beocord 5500 automatically adjusted itself to match standard, chrome or metal tapes. You had the option of Dolby B or C during recording. During playback, the recorder automatically switched itself to the noise reduction system you recorded with. Automatic track search was also included – just key in the track number and the recorder did the rest.
The cassette recorder could be controlled via the two-way Master Control Panel 5500 as part of the Beosystem 5500.
Auto Record level
One of the less-pleasant chores in making a recording is setting level control to its optimum position. Setting it too low raises the level of background noise on the recording. Setting it too high makes the recording distorted at high music levels. With this in mind, Bang and Olufsen introduced an automatic record mode which was called ‘Auto Record’.
Auto Record worked in two steps: when the record button was pressed for the first time, the cassette recorder went into a record pause mode, where the incoming signal was monitored. Under microprocessor control, the highest level was monitored and the record level was set at the optimum level for that music. On pressing the record button the second time, the tape was set in motion and the recording started, but continuing to make minor adjustments. If at any time during the recording, the level of music rose above the monitored level, the level control was lowered by exactly the amount required for the new optimum recording level.
This method of setting the level control closely imitated the action of a highly skilled recording engineer, if asked to set the level for a recording. It was the best that could be done when the full recording could not be monitored before recording started.
This feature incorporated a new method of monitoring the signal, which proved to be a more effective method over conventional methods. It was patented by the company with the patent number 158702.
Beocenter 8000 gave you a powerful receiver – with CD player and cassette recorder hidden under covers which glided to the side when you wished to use them. Bang & Olufsen’s high quality and distinguished design made a dexterous duo with this Beocenter. Grace and simplicity emphasised Bang & Olufsen’s basic principle that technology exists for the sake of humankind – and not the other way around!
Easy Operation:
Light touches on Beocenter 8000 gave you free access to the simple operation. The illuminated display led you through all the functions by showing you what to do at every step. If you preferred, you could also use Beolink 1000 which controlled all the functions from a distance.
FM/AM Receiver:
At the core of Beocenter 8000 was the receiver – the ‘command centre’ of the system. Here you could preset up to 20 FM/AM stations which you could locate easily by choosing a number from 1 – 20 on the display panel.
CD player:
Beocenter 8000’s CD player accepted both 12cm and 8cm compact discs. At any time, you could choose a single track, or change the order in which you wanted to hear the tracks. The option was there too to skip a track.
Cassette recorder:
Both recording and playback on the cassette recorder in the Beocenter 8000 offered the highest quality. One reason was Bang & Olufsen’s patented HX-PRO system which ensures optimal sound reproduction, particularly in the sensitive treble range.
When you were listening to a tape, you could change the listening order of the tracks. You could skip individual tracks, or skip to a certain track regardless of where it was on the tape. Auto Reverse is so sophisticated that you will never hear the tape change sides unless you really listen for it.
The cassette recorder automatically registered the type of tape you were using. And you could choose Dolby B or Dolby C Noise Reduction when you recorded.
Connections: Beocenter 8000 had connections for an extra cassette recorder plus two pairs of speakers. Thee was also a contact for you to connect a turntable, for example Beogram 9500.
Features: CD player with programming, tape recorder with auto reverse, FM/AM radio, finger touch control, optional Beolink 1000 remote control operation, connections for headphones, optional BeoStand.
The mirrored exterior of aluminium and smoked glass gave no hint of the power hidden beneath the surface of Beocenter 9500. Central to the concept was the AM/FM receiver. On the flanks, CD player and cassette recorder awaited their turn in the spotlight. When they were needed, a light touch on the display panel was all that was required to make lids glide to the side giving immediate access to disc or cassette. The Beocenter was designed by Jacob Jensen and was the direct descendant of Beocenter 9000. The two models features here were superceded in 1994 by Beocenter 9300.
Simple logical operation
A light touch directly on Beocenter 9500 was all you needed to access its operation. The illuminated display led you logically through the programming and other functions always showing you what to do next. This ease and simplicity of use was the first impression you obtained of the music system. And equally easy to use was the optional remote control Beolink 1000 terminal.
Entertainment and information from three reliable sources
You could preset up to 20 FM and AM stations on the Beocenter 9500 receiver. And when you made your choice, search and fine tuning were completely automatic. Also, you could preset the receiver to switch on automatically to catch the news, or perhaps a favourite serial at just the right time. If you were out, the cassette recorder could be programmed to record and you could play back at your leisure.
You could also use the Beocenter 9500 receiver as a guaranteed alarm. In the event of a power failure during the night, the clock instantly switched to its own built-in batteries to ensure that you awoke at just the right time.
The CD player which accommodated both 12cm and 8cm compact discs was also ready for your commands. It gave you instant access to a specific track anywhere on the disc and allowed you to change the order in which the tracks were played, or to simply choose only those tracks you wished to listen to. Technology at its most convenient best. When used with Beogram 9500 the music system was known as Beosystem 9500.
The fine art of control of Beocenter 8500 & 9500
The unfailing sensi-touch control of the Beocenter 9500 works through a condenser effect. A graphite area is printed on the underside of the glass panel, and charged with a high frequency current. Even the lightest touch of a finger will spark the reaction.
Beocenter 8500
For individuals who could live without time-programming but wanted the advanced features of the Beocenter 9500, Bang & Olufsen created the Beocenter 8500. There was no difference in the quality of the sound, but the cabinet was finished in a soft grey as an alternative to the polished aluminium finish of Beocenter 9500.
