Colour / Finish: Rosewood

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BeoVision LX 5500

BeoVision LX 5500

Beovision LX was the result of several generations of development. Superb technology offering a wealth of functions. And the elegant design was sheer pleasure to look at. Without doubt, Beovision LX was a thoroughbred, according to Bang & Olufsen’s 1990 catalogue. And the Beocord VX5000 video cassette recorder a worthy stable mate.

Bang & Olufsen continually seeks new ways not only to streamline operation and function but to simplify exteriors. The powerful speakers of Beovision LX had a totally smooth facade when they were originally introduced in 1990. The contrast screen in front of the picture tube stretches from the very top to the very bottom of the cabinet. And the lacquer was as polished as a grand piano’s.

The result was unity; no knobs or displays interrupted the flow.

You could keep an eye on more than one programme at a time by letting a miniature picture run in one corner of the screen. Or you could show 4, 9 or 16 ‘clips’ from programmes on air at that very moment. Beovision LX 5500 also gave fast, direct access to to four Teletext pages you used the most. And there was room for a satellite receiver to be installed as well as using the TV set for the connection of extra speakers, loop amplifier for the hard of hearing and TV game consoles.

By mounting the whole TV set on a motorised base, you could sit in your armchair and turn the TV up to 35 degrees to each side with just one press of your Beolink 1000 remote control terminal.

By programming it into the set, the TV then turned automatically towards your favourite viewing position every time the set switches on. And, naturally, the TV returned to centre stage each time you switched it off.

Colours: Beovision LX 5500 / 4500 – high-gloss black, white or grey or rosewood.

A stage designer can creative positive associations of purity by using predominantly white or light grey in stage sets and costumes. White and grey symbolize a simple style of living and, as the audience, we associate this virtue in our mind’s eye with the person who decorates with, or dresses in, these light colours. In interior design white and grey give a modern impression with everything blending together, perfectly executed down to the tiniest detail. For those who prefer an all-white look,. Bang & Olufsen in 1990 dressed its Beovision LX range completely in white; even the back.

You could put Beovision LX White Line in the middle of a large room if you so desired. It looked discreet and elegant and spoke its own, well-modulated design language. If a pleasant light grey was more to your taste, the Beovision LX range was available in a light grey finish too. All the other technicalities internally were identical to the other LX family members.

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BeoVision 8000

BeoVision 8000

The BeoVision 8000 was the non remote version of the Beovision 8800 but, apart from this feature, shared all the other qualities with this set.

In common with the Beovision 8800 it had a 14W amplifier with a two way speaker system – a feature that made it stand out from other sets at the time. Not a big seller as those willing to buy a 26″ set were likely to opt for the Beovision 8800 with the remote control.

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BeoVision 8100

These high quality remote control colour TVs had 8 channels which could be pre-tuned for instant access via the infra-red Video Terminal. Volume level and picture adjustments could also be made without moving more than a finger. Bass and treble tone and picture contrast adjustments were made via the controls sited behind the set’s front fascia.

All models used the 30AX in-line self-converging picture tube with its High Bright characteristics. Bang & Olufsen’s unique Permanent Colour Truth circuitry ensured that the balance between colours was always correct. Together, these features guaranteed a top quality picture that would not deteriorate as the set got older.

Teletext was available as an optional feature on all three models. When fitted, Teletext was accessible via the same Video Terminal used for ordinary entertainment viewing.

Beovisions 5100, 7100 and 8100 came complete with a smooth gliding undercarriage. Apart from screen size and cabinet options, they were technically identical in all respects.

Sound output was 6 watts RMS. Connections were provided for an extension speaker and tape recorder; the tape socket had an alternative function – you could use it to feed the TV sound through your hi-fi system. (From B&O Catalogue Supplement Winter 1982/83)

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BeoVision 8802

BeoVision 8802

“As yet, none of us need 32 TV channels, let alone 100. But satellite re-broadcasting systems and cable TV, including regional and community networks, might soon change that” (1983 catalogue)

Therefore, Bang & Olufsen equipped all the luxury Beovision models with an advanced digital tuner that had the capacity for receiving 100 UHF channels, 32 of which could be stored in the set’s microcomputer memory for instant recall at the touch of a button.

Beovisions 5502, 7702, 8802 and 9002 all shared the same advanced chassis design and offered the same user-benefits. They were true “luxury” sets because many ‘extras’ offered by other companies, were given as standard by Bang & Olufsen.

The Beovision Video Terminal supplied with Beovisions 5502, 7702, 8802 and 9002 offered a plethora of operational benefits. In addition there was also an advanced ‘tune and store’ function that allowed you to operate the automatic tuning system from the comfort of your chair.

One touch of the ‘tune’ button started the digital tuner scanning the wavelengths of the UHF band. When it found a station, it stopped – giving you the opportunity to either reject or accept it. If it was an unsatisfactory reception from a distant transmitter (or simply a station you don’t like!), you just pressed ‘tune’ again to continue the search. When you found a station you enjoy, on a channel giving a good, clear reception, you could instruct the set’s microcomputer to remember that transmission frequency by pressing ‘store’ followed by your own choice of pre-set programme number (e.g. for BBC2 you might designate pre-set number 2). Thereafter, whenever you wanted to watch BBC2, you simply touch button ‘2’ on your remote Terminal.

Up to 32 different TV stations could be located and stored in this way, so your Beovision really is ‘future-safe’ because it has plenty of spare capacity to accommodate new programme sources as and when they come ‘on stream’.

The latest type of Beovision Video Terminal also had a button marked ‘sound’. This was only effective with Bang & Olufsen stereo TVs – Beovision 7802 and Beovision 8902.

Beovision 5502 had a 50cm screen and measured 62cm wide, 40cm high (71.5cm including stand) and 39cm deep.

Beovision 7702 had a 22″ screen. Dimensions were 67.5cm wide, 43.5cm high (76cm including stand) and 41.5cm deep.

Beovision 8802 had a 26″ screen and measured 77cm wide, 49cm high (80cm including stand) and 45.5cm deep.

All three models had slim cabinets finished in a choice of natural teak or rosewood. White finish was available to special order.

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BeoVision 7102

In the days before widescreen, active speakers and Dolby Digital modules, the catalogue of 1985 stated that: “it would be foolish to spend more money that you needed. Why pay for multiple features and facilities when all you wanted was the best possible picture quality, good sound and instant remote access to all available UHF TV channels?”. Unfortunately, those days have long since gone!

The most sensible and economic answer to such a modest set of demands was right there, it stated, in the ‘traditional’ Beovision 5102, 7102 and 8102. All three sets were identical; it was only the size of the tubes that differed. You obtained the same type of picture tube as in the luxury sets (the Beovision 5502, 7702 and 8802 range, for example): automatic colour balance, high reliability… and a bright, clear, natural-looking picture. Sound quality was 6 watts RMS.

The remote control was identical too – the Beovision Video Terminal was used on all of the sets. You could tune across the entire UHF band and store up to 32 station frequencies in the set’s microcomputer memory for instant recall. The Beovision Video Terminal made it easy to control.

Sound output was 6 watts. Connections were provided for an extension speaker and a tape recorder; the tape socket had an alternative function – you could use it to feed the TV sound through a hi-fi system. And connecting a Loop Amplifier would allow a person with a hearing aid to enjoy TV sound more fully.

All three models could be supplied with or without Teletext facilities. The slim-line cabinets were identical in design but offered an alternative in materials and finish: a furniture-crafted wood cabinet finished in rich-grained natural teak or rosewood; Beovision 5102 was also finished in natural grey.

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BeoVision 7700

BeoVision 7700

Beovision 7700 was a 22″ colour TV with remote control of up to 16 stations. You could also adjust brightness, colour and sound levels – and switch the TV off – without moving from your chair.

True high fidelity sound was a natural accompaniment to the excellent video performance of this set, thanks to a 14 watts sound amplifier and log-line dual speaker system. There were also sockets for connecting optional headphones and an extension loudspeaker, and an additional connection for recording the TV sound on a cassette deck or feeding it through your hi-fi system.

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BeoVision 5502

BeoVision 5502

“As yet, none of us need 32 TV channels, let alone 100. But satellite re-broadcasting systems and cable TV, including regional and community networks, might soon change that” (1983 catalogue)

Therefore, Bang & Olufsen equipped all the luxury Beovision models with an advanced digital tuner that had the capacity for receiving 100 UHF channels, 32 of which could be stored in the set’s microcomputer memory for instant recall at the touch of a button.

The real boon for most viewers is that you could locate, store and recall any of these stations without leaving your armchair. All you had to do was touch a key on the Beovision Video terminal. So although B&O gave its “future-safe” luxury TV range more micro-electronics, more features and more connection possibilities than ever before, they made, at the same time, all the complex technology even more accessible – instantly. To borrow a phrase from the computer industry, Bang & Olufsen’s ’02-Series’ TVs were “user-friendly”.

Beovisions 5502, 7702, 8802 and 9002 all shared the same advanced chassis design and offered the same user-benefits. They were true “luxury” sets because many ‘extras’ offered by other companies, were given as standard by Bang & Olufsen.

The Beovision Video terminal supplied with Beovisions 5502, 7702, 8802 and 9002 offered a plethora of operational benefits. In addition there was also an advanced ‘tune and store’ function that allowed you to operate the automatic tuning system from the comfort of your chair.

One touch of the ‘tune’ button started the digital tuner scanning the wavelengths of the UHF band. When it found a station, it stopped – giving you the opportunity to either reject or accept it. If it was an unsatisfactory reception from a distant transmitter (or simply a station you don’t like!), you just pressed ‘tune’ again to continue the search. When you found a station you enjoy, on a channel giving a good, clear reception, you could instruct the set’s microcomputer to remember that transmission frequency by pressing ‘store’ followed by your own choice of pre-set programme number (e.g. for BBC2 you might designate pre-set number 2). Thereafter, whenever you wanted to watch BBC2, you simply touch button ‘2’ on your remote Terminal.

Up to 32 different TV stations could be located and stored in this way, so your Beovision really is ‘future-safe’ because it has plenty of spare capacity to accommodate new programme sources as and when they come ‘on stream’.

The latest type of Beovision Video terminal also had a button marked ‘sound’. This was only effective with Bang & Olufsen stereo TVs – Beovision 7802 and Beovision 8902.

Beovision 5502 had a 50cm screen and measured 62cm wide, 40cm high (71.5cm including stand) and 39cm deep.

Beovision 7702 had a 22″ screen. Dimensions were 67.5cm wide, 43.5cm high ( 76cm including stand) and 41.5cm deep.

Beovision 8802 had a 26″ screen and measured 77cm wide, 49cm high (80cm including stand) and 45.5cm deep.

All three models had slim cabinets finished in a choice of natural teak or rosewood. White finish was available to special order.

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BeoVision 5500

BeoVision 5500

Beovision 5500 had a 50cm High Bright tube with automatic contrast regulation, so the picture always looked bright and clear, with true-to-life colour even in daylight viewing.

Quality was not compromised simply because it was physically a small set. Picture and sound reproduction used the same high technology as that featured on the 26″ Beovision 8800. The remote control system wa also identical, with up to 16 channels available for instant selection.

Beovision 5500 – like the other Beovisions in this family – was exceptionally cool running, with maximum power consumption under 75 watts – less than an ordinary light bulb! Because less heat was generated inside the set, vital components were exposed to less physical stress and therefore had a longer working life. High reliability was, and still is, an important factor when choosing a new TV.

If remote control or access to Teletext was not required, then Beovision 5000 was a suitable alternative offering manual selection of up to 12 stations. The rest of the facilities offered by this television set were the same as its more luxurious brother, the Beovision 5500.

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BeoVision 5100

BeoVision 5100

These high quality remote control colour TVs had 8 channels which could be pre-tuned for instant access via the infra-red Video Terminal. Volume level and picture adjustments could also be made without moving more than a finger. Bass and treble tone and picture contrast adjustments were made via the controls sited behind the set’s front fascia.

All models used the 30AX in-line self-converging picture tube with its High Bright characteristics. Bang & Olufsen’s unique Permanent Colour Truth circuitry ensured that the balance between colours was always correct. Together, these features guaranteed a top quality picture that would not deteriorate as the set got older.

Teletext was available as an optional feature on all three models. When fitted, Teletext was accessible via the same Video Terminal used for ordinary entertainment viewing.

Beovisions 5100, 7100 and 8100 came complete with a smooth gliding undercarriage. Apart from screen size and cabinet options, they were technically identical in all respects.

Sound output was 6 watts RMS. Connections were provided for an extension speaker and tape recorder; the tape socket had an alternative function – you could use it to feed the TV sound through your hi-fi system. (From B&O Catalogue Supplement Winter 1982/83)

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BeoVision 4002

BeoVision 4002

Beovision 4002 and 4402 were colour receivers with 26″ screens. Natural colours, sharp, precise image definition and high-fidelity sound reproduction are all features you can take for granted, according to the 1970 – 80 Bang & Olufsen product catalogue. Their high reliability levels were due to modular construction techniques and low heat-generation. Beovision 4002 consumed only 110 watts – less than a black and white set of years previously.

Both sets were extremely easy to use. There were facilities for presetting up to eight stations so that subsequent programme selection was just a matter of pressing one button. This turned the set on at the same time.

Beovision 4402 had the additional convenience of a cordless (ultrasonic) remote control. The set could also be supplied equipped for Teletext reception. There was automatic synchronisation of VCR programmes on all channels.