Colour / Finish: Silver

Posted on by

BeoVision Avant 32 VCR

Bang & Olufsen BeoVision Avant 32 VCR

TV isn’t just something you watch, it’s something you experience. That’s why BeoVision Avant makes a big deal about giving you the best in audio-visual entertainment. The BeoVision Avant was created as a video system, but during its design, the idea came up of making the television a picture on the wall. This has been achieved by deceiving the eye: this is a familiar ploy in the very best of designs.

The BeoVision Avant gives you a television that acts like a picture on the wall: a wall you personally position in the room. It has a built-in video which is invisible to the viewer. Everything is operated via the Beo4 remote control. You have full control from the best seat in the living room, and the television turns towards the viewer using the motorised base.

BeoVision Avant – designed by David Lewis – was a totally new concept from Bang & Olufsen and was introduced in 1995. This video system is completely integrated holding a widescreen television, a hi-fi stereo VCR and a couple of active speakers in its attractive-looking cabinet. It was also the first wide-screen TV from Bang & Olufsen ever. Although by the end of the twentieth-century widescreen TVs were taking more and more market share, most TVs still used the 4:3 format. When Bang & Olufsen started planning for this model they originally envisaged to use the same technology then currently used in the MX series but along the way they decided to develop a completely new chassis. This new chassis is much more advanced.

The Avant is also a very environment-friendly TV using a lot of recycled material as well being recyclable itself at the end of its serviceable life. The set can also be expanded with several add-ons. For example: picture-in-picture (PIP), satellite receiver and Dolby Pro-Logic or Dolby Digital decoder. The Avant is the pathway to the future of video systems; a whole new concept of the most advanced video system from Bang & Olufsen to date.

The widescreen format 16:9 picture tube is used for the first time in the BeoVision Avant. This created conflict between designer David Lewis and Bang & Olufsen’s technicians, as the designer could not see the point of it. A new picture tube that could not be filled by the TV picture. Where randomly placed grey stripes on the picture tube were a part of the framing of the picture most of the time. The technicians did not think it could be their fault. Wide format 16:9 was an attempt to consolidate a whole industry around a new market standard. The designer’s talk of trimming and stretching the picture to fill out the frame was, in their eyes, simply distortion. There was no ideal solution to the dilemma.

Together they had to find the solution that would work best in practice. It was not possible to fill the 16:9 format with a 4:3 TV picture. The necessary trimming and stretching annoyed the eye too much. On the other hand, wide format had a lower limit. In the eyes of designer David Lewis, that lower limit lay in the 14:9 format. The technicians struggled to implement the format with as little distortion as possible. They also checked to see whether designer David Lewis would notice the difference if the format was a little bit smaller. Just a few millimetres smaller on the longer element! But David Lewis saw it straight away. There was a distinct limit in the eye’s perception of the transition to wide format, and it lay at 14:9.

Finally, they managed to come up with a method that could handle the problem satisfactorily in practice. A method that has subsequently been further developed to implement the 15:9 format that is close to the aesthetic ideal: the golden rectangle. Programmes recorded and distributed in 16:9 are the ideal way of filling the wide format, but the range is still limited. Bang & Olufsen’s wide-format TV offers a practical solution to filling the screen with ordinary TV and video programmes. It was created by trained eyes.

TOP TIP

Information valid for:

BeoVision Avant 50 HZ MK I MK II

Intermittent jamming of cassettes during eject; VTR fails

Symptom: Intermittent jamming of certain types of cassettes in the tape mechanism during eject.

Cause: An edge of the cassette or a misfitted label, etc. may catch the lower part of the cassette lid and prevent the cassette from being ejected.

Solution: Replace the cassette lid by the new type, which is fitted with two small round knobs on the lower part of the lid.

To avoid colour differences the lid is supplied together with side panels and the small triangle (BeoVision Avant TV, service manual pos. 9016).

This solution is implemented in the production as from Avant serial number 12159658 (week 38 of 1996)

Its standard features were: VisionClear Technology and multi-format picture. It houses a 16:9 widescreen television with automatic picture adaptation, which means that every broadcast, no matter where it originates, is automatically shown with the optimum reproduction, from news reports in standard format, to movies in widescreen.

BeoVision Avant features the same functions as Beosystem AV 9000. When you turn it on, first it turns on its motorised stand toward your favourite watching-place. Then comes the sound, produced by four active loudspeakers hidden directly underneath the widescreen, while behind the black curtain the picture adapts to its format and to the lighting conditions in the room, before the curtains glide aside and reveal a perfect picture.

BeoVision Avant encourages you to lose yourself in a sound and picture experience – and not in the technology. That’s why we hang the 16:9 Real Flat wide-screen on its own smooth wall and conceal everything else behind it – including a set of speakers that will outpace the average hi-fi and a video recorder that tunes itself automatically.

You can choose a built-in DVD player or video tape recorder and from a range of five colours. There’s also the option of a simplified 66cm version with no integrated entertainment source.

Design
Close your eyes and imagine the perfect TV. Open them again and take a look at BeoVision Avant. It’s a widescreen TV that’s easy to understand, effortless to use and always a pleasure to watch.

Though a widescreen TV is never going to be small in size, it doesn’t mean that it has to dominate its surroundings. The Avant has a subtle presence and comes in a range of colours that allow it to compliment any environment in which it’s placed.

At Bang & Olufsen, it is taken for granted that when you watch TV, you want to concentrate on the experience rather than on the technology. That’s why the Real Flat screen is ‘hung’ on its own “wall” with everything else concealed behind.

Widescreen
The picture quality provided by the Avant is as close to the real thing as you can get. Its smooth Real Flat widescreen provides the perfect format for movie watching – and together with the exceptional sound creates a spatial illusion that’s second to none.

Switch on the Avant and it automatically adjusts any broadcast to the optimal widescreen picture – no matter what format it was produced in. News and sports broadcasts are expanded from the traditional 4:3 format into 15:9, while movies shot in widescreen are reproduced in a 16:9 format that’s as close to the original cinema version as you can get. And, if you don’t like the picture as it is, you can easily change to another format with the Beo4 remote control.

BeoVision Avant models:
BeoVision Avant 100Hz MK III (832x)

BeoVision Avant 100Hz MK I MK II (830x)

BeoVision Avant 28 DVD (834X)

BeoVision Avant 32 MK II MK III (842x)

BeoVision Avant 32 DVD (844X)

BeoVision Avant 50Hz MK III MK IV (810x)

BeoVision Avant 50Hz MK I MK II (81xx)

BeoVision Avant CTV (836x)

BeoVision Avant RF 28 (833x)

BeoVision Avant RF 28 CTV (837x)

BeoVision Avant RF 32 (843x)

BeoVision Avant US (8490)

Features
Watching movies should be about simple entertainment, not complicated technology. That’s why the Avant is available with its own built-in DVD player or video recorder. Its presence is only given away by a discreet lid on the front. All cables are hidden in the back of the set.

To ensure even greater viewing comfort, the Avant has its own motorised stand that turns effortlessly through a 70 degree arc. You can program it to turn automatically towards your favourite viewing chair, or use the Beo4 to turn it in the opposite direction. When you switch the Avant off again, it returns silently to its original position in line with your furniture.

A red LED display on top of the cabinet gives you a discreet status of the source you are viewing, without intruding on the picture. It also shows the volume status when you adjust the volume level, and other information related to recording, Dolby Surround and so on. On the back of the display is a hidden push button panel for the most frequently used controls.

The Beo4 remote control is used to access all the various functions of video-playback and recording, menus, tuning, text-television, picture optimisation, sound properties and so on. Beo4 is designed for user-friendly and ergonomical operation with one hand. The buttons in a star-shape for search, ultra-sharp still-picture, super slow-motion, programme shift and fast forward can be controlled by your thumb only, you don’t even have to move your eyes. Beo4 also controls all the latest B&O audio systems as well – it’s the key to complete home entertainment!

A discreet display on the upper right hand corner of the Avant lets you know what source is playing and a small control panel placed behind it offers hands-on control of all basic functions.

This television became the basis for renewed efforts in the US television market which has been overall successful.

Let the show commence!
It has been said that ‘Bang & Olufsen’s products are enchanting’ ! And the magic, the good idea, often comes into being in the course of finding a solution to some practical problem. The practical problem here was that there was a short time lag between pressing the button and a picture appearing on the screen. So you would sit and wait expectantly for a little while. The experience of waiting reminded designer David Lewis of a theatre before the curtain went up! Behind the curtain, preparations are being made for the performance.

The lighting and sound are adjusted and the actors take their places. The curtain only goes up when everything is ready. The first television to have a curtain was the BeoVision AV 9000. The curtain was a thin steel sheet that was slid to one side by a clever mechanism when the stage was set. Bang & Olufsen’s wide-format television, the BeoVision Avant, is equipped with an electronic curtain. From the moment you press the button until the curtain slides away, the technology is busily working unnoticed. No pop from the loudspeakers, no random flash of light from the screen. Only when the sound is ready and the picture is in place can the performance begin.

VCR
Underneath the loudspeakers is the access to the VCR. The Avant incorporates the same video-technology as the V8000 systems, namely a stereo VCR that can play back recordings of all standards. The video machine has, naturally, record indexing and it can show the elapsed or remaining time of any cassette being played. Dolby Surround is an option, and when installed, Avant can take the place of the AV9000 video system. Another option is a PIP-module (Picture-In-Picture).

Sound
The perfect picture deserves a sound to match and that’s exactly what the Avant offers. A pair of specially developed loudspeaker units – capable of outperforming many traditional hi-fi setups – are discreetly placed below the screen and offer an exceptional sound performance that will enhance the best action-movie or concert footage.

The BeoVision Avant features a built-in Dolby® Digital* module that lets you bring the cinema directly into your living room. With a pair of loudspeakers from Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLab range positioned at either side of the TV and two more placed at the rear, you can put yourself in the middle of a surround sound experience that’s second to none.

The sound quality of the active loudspeakers can compete with any modern audio system. When the herd of horses approaches your seat from within the widescreen, you can feel the tremble of the horses’ hooves – so powerful is the bass. And as a video-master in a Beolink system, Avant can distribute sound and vision all over your home – just as it can play the music from your audio system in its speakers.

The Perfect Illusion
Press a key on the Beo4 remote and the electronic curtain glides aside to reveal a perfect picture. A theatrical gimmick or another technological leap forward? Actually, a bit of both! In the short reaction time before the curtain glides aside, a comprehensive circuit adjusts contrast levels, brilliance and colour to the prevailing light conditions in the room, ensuring the optimum picture reproduction every time.

An anti-reflective coating on the picture tube, as well as on the contrast screen is provided to eliminate reflections from windows, carpets and furniture. If you watch television during the day you’ve probably experienced the glare and reflections caused by direct sunshine. To minimise the problem, the Avant’s picture tube and contrast screen have been given a special anti-reflection coating that reduces reflections by up to 99%.

Home Cinema
There was a time when watching a movie on TV was a poor imitation of the real thing. But not anymore! BeoVision Avant brings the movies directly into your living room with a smooth, true-to-life picture and totally convincing sound.

BeoLab 2 completes this ultimate surround setup and – together with the other four active loudspeakers – allows you to make the most out of the advanced sound opportunities offered by the Avant’s built-in Dolby® Digital* module.

Colours
BeoVision Avant comes as one integrated unit. All you have to do is to plug in the mains and the antenna and you’re ready to watch. There are no other visible cords, allowing the Avant to be viewed from all sides – so it does not have to be set up in a corner or next to a wall. It fits nicely into any kind on home, thanks to the range of many available cabinet colours: pearly blue, pearly black, pearly red, pearly green and silver.

When the system is turned off, it turns back to its original position, the sound fades away and the curtains glide in front of the screen. Just like being in your own private small-screen cinema!

Wax & fix
The weight of the Avant’s widescreen picture tube called for new thinking in terms of construction. High density fibre board turned out to be as solid a solution as it is environmentally healthy. To disguise its low tech appearance, it is treated to a high quality two-component lacquer of the same type as is used at the upper end of the car industry. It will not scratch easily, but should this happen, a minor scratch can be polished away using liquid silicone car wax.

*Dolby Digital is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation

Posted on by

BeoVision Avant 32 DVD

Bang & Olufsen BeoVision Avant

At the end of 2001 several variations of the BeoVision Avant were on offer – the BeoVision Avant 28 with and without VCR, and BeoVision Avant 32 with VCR or DVD player built in as standard. Then from March 2002, the BeoVision Avant 28 DVD was introduced to join its larger-screened brother.

BeoVision Avant encourages you to lose yourself in a sound and picture experience – and not in the technology. That’s why Bang & Olufsen hang the 16:9 Real Flat wide-screen on its own smooth wall and conceal everything else behind it – including a set of speakers that will outpace the average hi-fi and a video recorder that tunes itself automatically.

You could choose a built-in DVD player or video tape recorder and from a range of five colours. There was also the option of a simplified 66cm version – the BeoVision Avant CTV – with no integrated entertainment source.

Features
Watching movies should be about simple entertainment, not complicated technology. That’s why the Avant is available with its own built-in DVD or video recorder. Its presence is only given away by a discreet lid on the front. All cables are hidden in the back of the set.

To ensure even greater viewing comfort, the Avant has its own motorised stand that turns effortlessly through a 70 degree arc. You can program it to turn automatically towards your favourite viewing chair, or use the Beo4 to turn it in the opposite direction. When you switch the Avant off again, it returns silently to its original position in line with your furniture.

A red LED display on top of the cabinet gives you a discreet status of the source you are viewing, without intruding on the picture. It also shows the volume status when you adjust the volume level, and other information related to recording, Dolby Surround and so on. On the back of the display is a hidden push button panel for the most frequently used controls.

The Beo4 remote control is used to access all the various functions of video-playback and recording, menus, tuning, text-television, picture optimisation, sound properties and so on. Beo4 is designed for user-friendly and ergonomical operation with one hand. The buttons in a star-shape for search, ultra-sharp still-picture, super slow-motion, programme shift and fast forward can be controlled by your thumb only, you don’t even have to move your eyes.

Beo4 also controls all the latest B&O audio systems as well – it’s the key to complete home entertainment!

A discreet display on the upper right hand corner of the Avant lets you know what source is playing and a small control panel placed behind it offers hands-on control of all basic functions.

The sound quality of the active loudspeakers can compete with any modern audio system. When the herd of horses approaches your seat from within the widescreen, you can feel the tremble of the horses’ hooves – so powerful is the bass. And as a video-master in a Beolink® system, Avant can distribute sound and vision all over your home – just as it can play the music from your audio system in its speakers.

The Perfect Illusion
Press a key on the Beo4 remote and the electronic curtain glides aside to reveal a perfect picture. A theatrical gimmick or another technological leap forward? Actually, a bit of both! In the short reaction time before the curtain glides aside, a comprehensive circuit adjusts contrast levels, brilliance and colour to the prevailing light conditions in the room, ensuring the optimum picture reproduction every time.

An anti-reflective coating on the picture tube, as well as on the contrast screen is provided to eliminate reflections from windows, carpets and furniture. If you watch television during the day you’ve probably experienced the glare and reflections caused by direct sunshine. To minimise the problem, the Avant’s picture tube and contrast screen have been given a special anti-reflection coating that reduces reflections by up to 99%.

Home Cinema
There was a time when watching a movie on TV was a poor imitation of the real thing. But not anymore! BeoVision Avant brings the movies directly into your living room with a smooth, true-to-life picture and totally convincing sound.

BeoLab 2 completes this ultimate surround setup and – together with the other four active loudspeakers – allows you to make the most out of the advanced sound opportunities offered by the Avant’s built-in Dolby® Digital* module.

Colours
BeoVision Avant comes as one integrated unit. All you have to do is to plug in the mains and the antenna and you’re ready to watch. There are no other visible cords, allowing the Avant to be viewed from all sides – so it does not have to be set up in a corner or next to a wall. It fits nicely into any kind on home, thanks to the range of many available cabinet colours: pearly blue, pearly black, pearly red, pearly green and silver.

When the system is turned off, it turns back to its original position, the sound fades away and the curtains glide in front of the screen. Just like being in your own private small-screen cinema!

Features of the two Avant DVD models: Set-Top Box Controller module and Anti-Reflex coated Contrast Screen fitted as standard. All other modules are optional.

Motorised stand
The motorised stand of the Avant is rigorously tested. It’s built to be able to turn through an arc of 70° at least 20,000 times. If the TV was turned on and off 5 times a day, the motorised stand should perform flawlessly for more than ten years. In its tests, B&O stopped after 80,000 turns. A painted iron base plate, an aluminium top plate which carries the entire weight, with the actual turning mechanism of a 36 ball bearing race between them is how the stand is made up. Tests such as dropping it several centimetres directly onto the rim of the bottom plate ensure that the stand has many years of life in front of it.

*Dolby Digital is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation

Posted on by

BeoVision Avant 85

Bang & Olufsen BeoVision Avant 55

Unfolding sound

BeoVison Avant is a celebration of movement.

An unforgettable fusion of Ultra High-Definition (4K) picture and iconic Bang & Olufsen sound, that unfolds before your very eyes.

Redefining TV sound

Precision tuned to Bang & Olufsen’s most exacting standard, BeoVision Avant redefines the audio impact a TV can deliver. The 3-channel speaker system harnesses three dedicated tweeters, three midrange units and

two powerful bass drivers. The result is a fusion of clarity and power that truly embodies Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to ultimate sound.

Contrasted imagery

BeoVision Avant combines local dimming across more than 8 million pixels, bringing out the tiniest details in the action. Experience the most extreme sports or action footage with crystal sharp, dynamic precision.

Posted on by

BeoVision Avant 75

Bang & Olufsen BeoVision Avant 55

Unfolding sound

BeoVison Avant is a celebration of movement.

An unforgettable fusion of Ultra High-Definition (4K) picture and iconic Bang & Olufsen sound, that unfolds before your very eyes.

Redefining TV sound

Precision tuned to Bang & Olufsen’s most exacting standard, BeoVision Avant redefines the audio impact a TV can deliver. The 3-channel speaker system harnesses three dedicated tweeters, three midrange units and

two powerful bass drivers. The result is a fusion of clarity and power that truly embodies Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to ultimate sound.

Contrasted imagery

BeoVision Avant combines local dimming across more than 8 million pixels, bringing out the tiniest details in the action. Experience the most extreme sports or action footage with crystal sharp, dynamic precision.

Posted on by

BeoCom 3

Bang & Olufsen BeoCom 3

The crowning glory of Beolab 20 is the Acoustic Lens that delivers smooth high-frequency sound in full 180 degrees. The results are uncompromising listening experiences across your room and much greater freedom in terms of where you place your speaker for optimal sound.

Posted on by

BeoCord V8000

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord V8000

BeoCord V8000 video tape recorder matched the Beovision MX range of Bang & Olufsen televisions in looks as well as performance.

You could store a channel on the Beovision MX TV and it was automatically communicated to the V8000. Recording was a simple matter of selecting the programme directly from Teletext using the Beo4 remote control. It could be positioned by using one of the stands as part of a Beovision TV.

BeoCord V8000 rewound a three-hour tape in 95 seconds and it shifted from fast forward to play in a split second.

Other features included NTSC stereo playback. Looks-wise it embodied a black fascia with a choice of cabinets in pearlescent shades of blue, green, red, grey and black, plus glossy grey and glossy white.

Posted on by

BeoSound 2 (2002)

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 2002

People who consider the world their home shouldn’t be restricted from true Bang & Olufsen solutions.

With Bang & Olufsen earphones and the new BeoSound 2, it’s easier than ever to bring music with you. BeoSound 2 is our version of a light and pocket-friendly digital music player that allows you to enjoy hours of your favourite music when you’re on the move – without compromising on quality” B&O Catalogue 2001 – 2002

With BeoSound 2 you can download up to four 5 compact discs’ worth of music (depending on bitrate) and listen to it wherever you are, thus freeing up the hard drive of your home computer. It has a form and size that sits easily in the hand and in the pocket – and with no internal moving parts you never have to worry about knocks and vibrations ruining the musical experience.

The unit is made to be moved and built to last. Manufactured in hard-wearing stainless steel and firm rubber, it has been designed to withstand all the knocks that portability can throw its way. The keypad can be locked when on the move and with no internal moving parts, jogs and bumps will never interrupt the playing of the recorded music.

BeoSound 2 has been designed for transferring Internet-downloaded MP3s or music tracks that you have created yourself, into its solid-state memory for later playback through the supplied pair of A8 Earphones. Its built-in battery gives the user between 2 and 4 hours’ worth of uninterrupted use; the batteries should last for around 8 hours before they need recharging by placing BeoSound 2 into its specially-designed docking station. This special station provides the connection to a computer and acts as a convenient power charger for the player. Its 128 MB SmartMedia memory card (which may be expandable to 256MB) allows you to download up to 4 albums’ worth of music; the card itself may be reused as many times as you like. BeoSound 2 also plays back AAC and WMA-compatible files.

With simple and straightforward Bang & Olufsen operation, you can step easily from track to track and between different play lists. However, there is no display on the unit. Bang & Olufsen has made BeoSound 2 so simple to operate that you don’t need to look at it while in use. The intuitive layout of the keypad ensures that everything can be carried out with a thumb.

You can adjust the volume, step up or down through tracks or switch between different play lists – without ever having to take BeoSound 2 out of your pocket. And to make operation even easier, its one-touch control has been combined with a series of sounds that guide the user through each operation. In the same way, a light indicator on the docking station gives you the current status on the different functions including battery recharging.

BeoSound 2 is created to be used together with BeoPlayer and Beolink® PC2, but will also function with Windows Media Player. However there is no point having a product that will last for years if its software is outdated in a matter of months. That’s why Bang & Olufsen has ensured that future software updates may be downloaded via the official BeoPlayer Web site. In March 2006 BeoSound 2 had an updated software version: 2.5, which allows for easier downloading to its SD card and also allows the use of a 2 GB card.

As from late 2002 BeoSound 2 may also be used by Mac users.

BeoSound Press Release – June 2002
Music on the move from Bang & Olufsen – Portable BeoSound 2 always on hand

Bang & Olufsen takes another step into the digital music world with the introduction of BeoSound 2, a pocket-friendly digital music player. As with the successful Beolink® PC 2 concept, BeoSound 2 draws upon the computer as a source for musical entertainment and allows you to enjoy your MP3 files in a myriad of environments.

Navigation at your fingertips
Fitting comfortably into the palm of your hand, you navigate simply between tracks or adjust the volume in your accompanying Bang & Olufsen earphones without ever needing to glance down. Utilising a minimum of buttons, BeoSound 2 provides you with both audible and tangible feedback during operation.

The smooth stainless steel cabinet and absence of sharp edges allow BeoSound 2 to slip comfortably into your pocket – and prevent it from disturbing you when you’re on the move.

“Digital music has proven itself to be an important player in today’s world of musical entertainment. BeoSound 2 harnesses the strengths of these file formats and combines them with Bang & Olufsen skills within ease of use, craftsmanship, design and sound quality. Whilst physically small, the BeoSound 2 experience is large – where integration with additional Bang & Olufsen products plays an considerable role”, says Bang & Olufsen President & CEO Torben Ballegaard Sørensen.

The concept
“BeoSound 2 is a shining example of how Bang & Olufsen puts the user situation ahead of industry hype. We aim to provide simplicity and clarity in the otherwise swirling sea surrounding Internet music, just as we do in the field of home entertainment” continues Sørensen.

Automatic organisation
BeoSound 2’s musical experiences take place in close co-operation with BeoPlayer, Bang & Olufsen’s Web music organiser, which can be downloaded free of charge to a computer from the Bang & Olufsen Web site.

BeoPlayer automatically sorts all your digital music by artist, genre, song title and album title, as well as allows you to create your own specially composed play lists. Just drag-and-drop your songs from BeoPlayer to BeoSound 2, and you are on your way out the door.

Future-safe
Two-way communication between BeoSound 2 and the computer allows BeoSound 2’s software to be updated simply and easily. In this fashion, BeoSound 2 endures as an up-to-date and relevant music player, benefiting from the rapid evolvement of the Internet-based music arena.

Additionally, the stainless steel cabinet takes on an appealing patina the more it is used, gaining character from sharing the pocket with keys, coins and the like. BeoSound 2’s robust construction supports Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to quality and ensures a long physical lifetime.

Music included
Six pre-recorded music samples are included on the 128 Mb SD memory card that accompanies BeoSound 2. Approximately four hours of tunes may be contained on this size card, and additional cards may be purchased separately.

Out of the office
Furthermore, your digital music can also be moved about in your home with Bang & Olufsen’s Beolink® PC 2, which utilises your computer as a source in a Beolink® system. BeoPlayer again takes care of all file organization, providing you with identical operation whether in the home office, kitchen or on the go.

BeoSound 2 XSD Update (June 2004)
From 14 June 2004 the product specifications of BeoSound 2 will be changed. To allow customers greater freedom in the selection of memory cards, as from 14 June 2004, BeoSound 2 will be delivered without the standard 128 MB SD card. However, three higher capacity cards may be bought from Bang & Olufsen – 128MB, 256MB and 512MB – although BeoWorld recommends that customers shop around for other more economical, equally-compatible SD cards. A8 Earphones come as standard accessories to use with BeoSound 2 XSD

Posted on by

BeoTime

Bang & Olufsen BeoTime

In the dark days of a recession, which threatens the type of luxury brand that B&O epitomises, somebody has let the B&O designers produce a device which is simply a little piece of joy, made to lift one’s heart and bring a smile. This is the BeoTime. A visual and tactile delight, this is a clock in the shape of a flute, with the most central of the ‘keys’ being a control surface and three slightly smaller keys having LCD screens in them. It is beautifully made from a single piece of aluminium with the four keys on the top surface. Small plastic ribs at either end protect both the BeoTime and any surface it is put upon.

Functionally it is an alarm clock, either using its own alarm or activating a B&O audio or TV system – it has a single alarm time with no day or date functions and the ability to choose between either a 12 or 24 hour format. There is a sleep function as well and, if desired, the device can be used as remote for any B&O system with the ability to change source, channel and volume through a fairly intuitive set of controls. Once again we have a B&O product for which a manual is relatively superfluous.

The control surface is a square, slightly upwardly curved, piece of aluminium with a central square button. The only other controls are an end plunger to activate the alarm feature and a motion sensor which is automatic and makes sure the display is always the correct way up.

The displays lateral to the control surface are slightly smaller with an aluminium frame surrounding the small LCD screens. These have a white/blue back-light which is activated by tapping the BeoTime. The first screen shows either the status of the alarm, giving a time and source, or acts as an indicator of the function you are using by being a navigation panel. The displays are a simple monochrome design but clear with a very pleasant scrolling action. A definite case of less being more.

The second and third screens are the time panels with the first being hours and the second minutes. These double up as displays when using the BeoTime as a remote or when using the more complex functions.

Is this a ground breaking product? No. There are better clocks and better remote controls, but I cannot think of either a remote or a clock that has the jovial charm shown by the BeoTime.

This would make an ideal gift for either a loved one or a friend, with or without a B&O system. For those without, it shows the best in design and ergonomics to a new audience which could only encourage further purchases.

Posted on by

BeoSound Ouverture

Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Ouverture

“BeoSound Ouverture: the design may be a Bang & Olufsen classic, but BeoSound Ouverture and BeoSound 3000 refuse to rest on their laurels. Access to new musical sources and fresh loudspeaker options ensure that the concept remains an open invitation to make something special out of your music” (B&O catalogue 2001 -2002)

This stereo has two different names: BeoSound Ouverture in Europe and BeoSound 4000 in the rest of the world. This is the only stereo system, so far, to support the new MasterLink system without any add-ons. It’s really a follow up to the Beocenter 2500 which was the first and original stereo with this somewhat different look. Along with the launch of this unit in 1991 (as the BeoSound 2500) Bang & Olufsen also started selling the new remote control – Beo4. The difference between the Ouverture and Beocenter 2500 is that the newer model doesn’t feature two-way communication and it has instead a completely new CD mechanism. It also holds some new features when it comes to the CD. But the most important difference is the MasterLink connection. With this system you can connect the unit to, for example, a BeoLab 2000 or BeoLab 3500 without any further electronics. Reach out and the doors glide quietly aside, while a gentle light spreads from within. It’s BeoSound Ouverture’s way of saying, “welcome” and part of the experience every time you put on a new tape or CD. CD player with programming, tape recorder with auto reverse, FM/AM radio with pre-set, timer function, optional Beo4 remote control operation, connections for Beolink® and headphones, optional wall bracket and floor stand. BeoSound Ouverture’s unassuming rubber key pad hides a contact foil, which, in turn, covers a matrix of vertical and horizontal cords. When a control is pressed, the cords connect and the microprocessor is activated.
Design
Music is more than just something you listen to, it’s an emotion you experience. So isn’t it time your favourite music was played on something that lets it express itself to the full? BeoSound Ouverture stands up and invites you to make something special out of your music – over and over again.
Features
Bring new life to old CDs by changing their track sequence with the Random Play function. Or programme it to skip over any unwanted tracks and to play the ones you want in the order you prefer. Transferring the music of a CD onto tape doesn’t have to mean poorer quality. The Ouverture constantly monitors and adjusts the signal during any recording to ensure a uniform sound level throughout – and will automatically stop recording when the CD finishes playing. There’s room for up to 30 pre-set stations on the Ouverture’s intelligent AM/FM radio.
So how do the sliding glass doors work?
The glass doors on the BeoSound 3000 and BeoSound Ouverture are opened and closed by steel wires driven by an electric motor via a gearbox. The motor is triggered by an infrared system that detects your approach… Why wake up to an annoying alarm clock when it could be your favourite piece of music instead? The timer function on the Ouverture can be programmed for the entire week and will automatically turn itself off again after playing for any length of time you choose.
Specials
Just raise a hand and watch as the glass doors glide silently aside. It’s the Ouverture’s way of saying “welcome” and reveals that a special experience is about to begin. Of course, a simple on/off button would do, but then what would be so special about that?

Easily Placed
It’s a dream come true – a music system that can fill your life with music without filling your home with equipment. The flat upright design of BeoSound Ouverture means that it’s slim enough to sit by itself upon the narrowest shelf or light enough to be hung directly on a wall with a pair of loudspeakers.
Use
With its mix of glass and aluminium, the Ouverture grabs the attention without shouting out loud. Its compact size and visual presence ensures that it enhances rather than dominates the surroundings in which it’s placed – which makes it the perfect audio system for the home and place of work. The stereo can also be controlled by the optional Beo4 remote control.

Mounting Options
This classic design was reincarnated over a 21 year period with various mounts and stands. Floor stands were available with a pole stand or CD and tape storage, wall mount solutions allowed for the Hi-Fi only, or with BeoLab2500 speakers until these were discontinued

Posted on by

BeoCenter 6-26

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 6-26

The widescreen BeoCenter 6 LCD television is available in 23” and 26” versions. Both come custom-fitted to match your needs. For example, you could have built-in FM and DAB radio in the compact 6-23 in your kitchen and Surround Sound and DVB-S modules in a 6 – 26 used for watching TV in a small living room or a bedroom. Or you could mix and match. Your ‘second television room’ just became the place to be. The integration of picture and sound in the compact cabinet creates a simple and elegant plug-and-play television concept.

Gorgeous from good morning to good night

The handcrafted cabinet of the BeoCenter 6 speaks volumes about the dedication that went into its creation. The sleek lines of the BeoCenter 6 blend in anywhere in your house. Both in your kitchen, drinking your morning coffee, or in your bedroom – enjoying the late night comedy before you go to sleep. The elegant aluminium front and frame are available in a selection of dashing colours as well as discrete aluminium, black and dark grey versions. Using its special digital input, BeoCenter 6 can function as a spectacular computer monitor that would take pride of place in any room, especially if matched with the compact BeoLab 3 or BeoLab 4 loudspeakers in striking red or blue – or perhaps the golden anodised aluminium of BeoLab 4000.

Fewer boxes. More TV and radio

The new BeoCenter 6 takes intelligent integration to a new level and introduces DAB radio options together with a TV for the first time ever. When you are listening to the radio, the screen can display available programme information. Equipped with wake-up timer and timer play the BeoCenter 6 makes the perfect choice for a second room television. A selection of wall mounting brackets and stands are available for versatile placement. The motorised floor and table stands can be controlled from the Beo4 remote control, turning the TV 35° to each side. In addition, the tilt mechanism means easy adjustment of the television up and down on the vertical axis.

The definitive BeoLink screen

BeoCenter 6 can function as a stand-alone television, or as the second-room TV in a BeoLink setup. You can enjoy all sources from the main room on the BeoCenter 6, such as DVD, digital music, etc. For instance, you can watch satellite TV in your bedroom on your BeoCenter 6 – 23, even though the satellite receiver is in your living room. BeoCenter 6 can also be used as an ‘audio link master’ that lets you access the radio function from other rooms, if linked to a pair of BeoLab speakers.

True Bang & Olufsen picture and sound

The BeoCenter 6 uses the best LCD screens available, and has been further improved with Bang & Olufsen VisionClear picture technologies, which are implemented in all TV solutions from Bang & Olufsen. Whenever BeoCenter 6 is switched on, VisionClear adjusts the image automatically in relation to light conditions in the room. Within seconds, the TV automatically adjusts contrast levels, brilliance and colour to match the light conditions at any given time. BeoCenter 6 – 23 utilises a compact one-way loudspeaker system, and BeoCenter 6 – 26 a two-way system, slightly more powerful to match the larger screen size and longer viewing and listening distances. The digital surround sound module available for BeoCenter 6 – 26 provides a digital surround sound experience in any setup with BeoLab loudspeakers. The television´s loudspeakers will in this setup function as a powerful centre speaker.

The new BeoCenter 6 takes intelligent integration to a new level and introduces DAB radio options together with a television for the first time ever. One of the best LCD screens available has been further improved with Bang & Olufsen’s own VisionClear picture technologies, to ensure the best possible picture in all situations.

When BeoCenter 6 is switched on, these picture-optimising technologies adjust the image automatically in relation to light conditions in the room. Within seconds, the television automatically adjusts contrast levels, brilliance and colour to match the current light conditions – and will carry on doing so until the television is switched off again.

BeoCenter 6 can function as a stand-alone television, or as the second-room television in a BeoLink setup. In the latter case, you can enjoy all sources from the main room on the BeoCenter 6, such as DVD, digital music, etc. BeoCenter 6 can be used as an ‘audio link master’ that lets you access the radio function from other rooms, if linked to a pair of BeoLab speakers.

Four placement options help BeoCenter 6 fit in, even in the smallest of spaces. The motorised turning function on the floor and table stand is controlled from the Beo4 remote control, and turns the television 35° to each side. In addition to this, the tilt mechanism means easy control of the television 13° up and down on a vertical axis.

The widescreen and high-definition ready LCD monitor is available in 23” and 26” versions. The integration of picture and sound in the compact cabinet creates a simple and elegant plug-and-play television concept. Connections for earphones, external entertainment sources, and BeoLab loudspeakers, are combined with digital interface for computers (DVI) – making the BeoCenter 6 the perfect companion for both work and entertainment.

When the FM radio, which is standard in the 23” version and optional in the 26” version, or the DAB radio feature, which is optional in both, is switched on, available radio text information rolls across the screen. A factory fitted wake-up timer supports the radio functionality still further.

BeoCenter 6 – 23 utilises a compact one-way loudspeaker system, and BeoCenter 6 – 26 a two-way system, slightly more powerful to match the larger screen size and longer viewing and listening distances. The digital surround sound module available for BeoCenter 6 – 26 provides a digital surround sound experience in any setup with BeoLab loudspeakers. The television’s loudspeakers will in this setup function as a powerful centre speaker.

Mounting Options & Stands

The tilt table mount was available for counter top mounting, designed to allow the bass port on the underside of the TV to ‘breath’. Motorised floor and table stands were complimented by a wall mount bracket which gave manual tilt and turn.