The cabinet of the Beovision 9002 was finished in genuine, rich-grain teak or rosewood and had a beautifully crafted tambour screen door that rolled back to reveal the screen – and switched the set on at the same time. When you had finished viewing, just slide the door shut. The set switches off automatically. The screen was protected from dust and accidents, and you were not confronted with a blank, staring screen every time you entered the room. Beovision 9002 replaced Beovision 9000 when it came to the end of its production run in 1983.

All the technical features and facilities of the Beovision 8802 were included in this luxury 66cm (viewable screen) model. The infra-red remote control terminal allowed you to operate all the primary functions from the comfort of your chair – including Teletext and Beocord video cassette recorder.

Beovisions that put the future at your fingertips
All Bang & Olufsen’s ‘luxury’ Beovision models of the time were fitted 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 is touch a key on the Beovision Video terminal. So although B&O gave their “future-safe” luxury TV range more micro-electronics, more features and more connection possibilities than ever before, they made 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” (1983 catalogue)

Beovisions 5502, 7702, 8802 and 9002 all shared the same advanced chassis design and offered the same user-benefits. They were true “luxury” set because all the features and facilities which, in other brands, are offered as ‘extras’ are included as standard with their Bang & Olufsen counterparts.

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 this station. If it was an unsatisfactory reception from a distant transmitter (or simply a station you didn’t like!), you just pressed ‘tune’ again to continue the search. When you found a station you enjoyed, 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 touched 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.

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.

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)