Beovision LX 5000 and LX6000 were the classic Bang & Olufsen televisions, with the loudspeakers on either side of the screen. They were equipped with 66cm and 63cm Black Line picture tubes and VisionClear which makes the picture sharper and the colours clearer. Automatic adjustment of the contrast and light strength continuously kept the picture optimal under different light conditions in the room.
The powerful loudspeakers were based on a two-way bass reflex loudspeaker system that delivered the high sound quality of more and more TV programmes and video tapes. Both TVs were equipped with A2 and NICAM stereo systems.
A BeoSat LM satellite receiver could be built in, allowing access to 99 TV or radio programmes via a parabolic aerial. A D2MAC decoder could also be built in. Bang & Olufsen made it possible for you to pre-program the recording of video programmes from the satellite. The satellite receiver and video recorder were operated by the same Beolink® remote control that operated the TV.
The same remote control also did the work if the Beovision LX6000 and LX5000 were coupled to a Bang & Olufsen music system. Other connection options were headphones, decoders, TV games and camcorder.
Beovision LX 5000 and LX6000 were the classic Bang & Olufsen televisions, with the loudspeakers on either side of the screen. They were equipped with 66cm and 63cm Black Line picture tubes and VisionClear which makes the picture sharper and the colours clearer. Automatic adjustment of the contrast and light strength continuously kept the picture optimal under different light conditions in the room.
The powerful loudspeakers were based on a two-way bass reflex loudspeaker system that delivered the high sound quality of more and more TV programmes and video tapes. Both TVs were equipped with A2 and NICAM stereo systems.
A BeoSat LM satellite receiver could be built in, allowing access to 99 TV or radio programmes via a parabolic aerial. A D2MAC decoder could also be built in. Bang & Olufsen made it possible for you to pre-program the recording of video programmes from the satellite. The satellite receiver and video recorder were operated by the same Beolink® remote control that operated the TV.
The same remote control also did the work if the Beovision LX6000 and LX5000 were coupled to a Bang & Olufsen music system. Other connection options were headphones, decoders, TV games and camcorder.
Beovision LX6000 could be combined with Beocord VX7000 hi-fi video recorder. It could also be combined with a Bang & Olufsen music system or with separate loudspeakers such as BeoLab 6000 or 8000. All operations were controlled via a Beolink 1000
David Lewis’ Beosystem 2500 from 1991 marked a new era of design for hi-fi. In its design, he set out to emphasise the function of the machine. The front is protected by a Perspex eyeshade which slides inwards when in use. Lewis here introduced the flat, standing shape which has come to characterise his Bang & Olufsen designs; for instance BeoSound 9000.
Its interface, designed by Sally Beardleys, is simple and well thought out. Since Beosystem 2500 is very compact it has taken a lot of work to make its small loudspeakers effective and harmonious. Among other things this has been solved by making use of separate power sources to the loudspeakers in order to optimise their sound. The design was followed up by BeoSound Century, which, compared to the 2500 is smaller and cheaper.
Tradition had it that music systems should be recognised at such. However, not so at Bang & Olufsen. In spite of its size, Beosystems 2300 and 2500 featured operation and performance on a level that compared with larger B&O audio systems. And adding to the magic of the fascinating new sound experience at the time of its introduction, was the way that the smoked glass doors slid open the instant the beams are broken by a wave of your hand – revealing the controls beneath.
Beosystem 2300 / 2500 gave you two extremely powerful active loudspeakers – BeoLab 2500 – which acted as completely integrated components in the system. The source selection and programming keys you needed to operate Beosystem 2300 / 2500 were located in a central keypad. And just above them was an illuminated display which could keep you informed of the source and track you were listening to. Every time you touched a key, the display told you exactly which function you activated.
Beocenter 2500, or Beosystem 2500 as it was called when used with BeoLab 2500 active speakers, was developed from the idea of a flexible music system that could compete with the sound quality of heavy music systems. Thanks to the advent of active speakers, this was a possibility with both Beocenter 2500 and its CD-only capable Beocenter 2300. With active speakers, each of the powerful bass and treble units were equipped with their own separate amplifiers. In addition, the electronic cross-over network ensured full bass reproduction.
The loudspeakers were located on both sides of a centre console, where two clear glass covers automatically glided to the side when a hand was passed in front of them. Behind the glass covers there was access to the operating panel, receiver, CD player and a cassette recorder.
The receiver allowed the option of presetting 2 x 20 FM/AM radio stations. The cassette recorder featured Auto Reverse, Automatic Recording level, search function and Bang & Olufsen’s HX-PRO recording system, a system which ensures that the sensitive treble range is captured in recording. The memory in Beocenter 2300’s CD player allowed you to edit up to 100 CDs.
Both systems could be operated via their operating panel or a Beolink 1000 or Beolink 5000 remote control. There were sockets for headphones and connection to additional sound sources; extra loudspeakers can also be connected.
Beocenter 2500 was available with loudspeaker panels in cobalt grey, black, white, cerise or jade. It was later known as BeoSound Ouverture and could be made up to the Beosystem 2500 when incorporated with the BeoLab 2500 active loudspeakers.
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
Bang & Olufsen’s Beosystem AV 9000 was a complete home theatre system introduced in 1992 and was designed by the company’s chief designer, David Lewis. The superlative system – in production for seven years – comprised a Beovision AV9000 TV set, a pair of BeoLab 8000 speakers, a pair of BeoLab 6000 speakers, and a Master Control Panel AV9000, similar to a BeoSound Ouverture. In addition, Beovision AV9000 contained not just the television, but also a Dolby Surround Sound processor, a modified Beocord VX7000 and an active centre speaker.
Beosystem AV 9000 was, in the early 1990’s the most advanced combination of sound and vision from Bang & Olufsen and was the B&O approach to complete home entertainment. The TV, video and music system used the same set of loudspeakers, so the sound always comes as close to reality as possible. AV 9000 gave you the freedom to choose one of five different sound-settings for every audio/video source – ranging from Dolby Surround Sound to monologue newsflash. Surround Sound was built into the AV 9000 monitor-unit, while the CD, radio and cassette was handled by BeoSound Ouverture, all seamlessly connected to each other. The whole system was surrounded by two set of loudspeakers: tall, slender BeoLab 8000 in front and BeoLab 6000 at the rear. A fifth source was the central loudspeaker in the triangular bottom-half of the television set. The whole system was controlled by one remote control, the Beo4.
Today it is relatively easy to build a television. But at Bang & Olufsen the company is more committed to bring customers the best possible experience. VisionClear is a simple name for a list of advanced electronics which the viewer experiences, but hardly notices, simply because they work. Automatic picture control, current colour balance correction, automatic cut-off and fine tuning of the aerial signal and a contrast screen.
If you often watch television during the day, you will recognise the problem of carpets, furniture and other home furnishings reflecting in the screen. The solution to this problem is an ultra-thin coating on the contrast screen, which reduces reflection by 90% and makes the black areas appear pitch black.
The anti-reflective contrast screen is standard on the Beovision Avant and was supplied as standard on the Beosystem AV9000. On the AV 9000 even the picture tube was coated with anti-reflective material to ensure 100% reflection-free viewing comfort.
A small electronic sensor in all Beovision TV sets registers the prevailing light conditions in the room and adjusts the picture, so that it’s always sharp, no matter whether a reading lamp is on or the rays of the sun suddenly breaks through the window. Automatic Picture Control is part of the VisionClear concept and only available on televisions available from Bang & Olufsen.
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 were being made for the performance. The lighting and sound were adjusted and the actors took their places. The curtain only went up when everything was ready. The first television to have a curtain was 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!
A brilliant problem
We all know the frustration of trying to watch television in daylight when the brilliance of a window reflection on the picture tube makes it impossible to see a part or all of the picture. This also happens to a smaller degree when light-coloured furniture or a lamp is reflected. In general, reflections lower the quality of the picture on a television screen and reduce the pleasure of watching a TV programme.
The optical process of what happens in such a case is that the contrast of the picture is effectively reduced. The Bang & Olufsen solution to the problem has traditionally been to incorporate a contrast screen. Ensuring that ambient light (which creates the reflections) travel twice through a light absorbing contrast screen whereas the picture formed in the picture tube travels only once, the brightness of the reflection is substantially reduced.
If it were possible, a better solution would be to reduce reflections directly. One method is to make the surface of the picture tube rough, either by sanding or etching the front surface of the tube or spraying a matt coating on the glass. This type of treatment does not actually reduce reflections, but by making reflections more diffuse, reduces their visibility. However, it also makes the picture itself fuzzy and less sharp, so that the overall quality is reduced.
A more attractive method is to use coatings. Coatings for glass surfaces have been used for a long time and for many purposes. The first use was probably for camera lenses, where coatings corrected for optical faults in the lens. Later, coatings were used to reduce reflections and also to correct colour reproduction when colour films became available. Most people will know of coatings from the more expensive spectacles, where coated glass is used to reduce reflections.
Anti-reflection coatings can reduce reflections to between 5% and 10% of their original brightness. They work by what is known as destructive interference and use the fact that light travels in waves of specific wavelengths. By coating the picture tube or other glass surfaces with a transparent layer of a thickness of one quarter of the wavelength of light, the light failing on the surface is reflected twice – once from the front surface and again from the rear surface of the coating. The two reflections are now half a wavelength apart and therefore in opposite phase and thus virtually cancel each other to destroy the reflection.
Of course, this happens perfectly for just one wavelength of light (or light of a single colour) and to lesser degrees for the wavelengths close to this. By adding more than one coating of different thicknesses, a more broadband removal of reflections can be achieved. Thus, for example, three coatings are used for the front screen of the Beosystem AV9000. One of the reasons that antireflection coatings are not used more often is that currently the manufacturing process is extremely expensive for large screens, allowing its use only in high-end television sets. However, as it is considerably less expensive for small screens, especially where only a single coating is used, it is a reasonably popular feature for computer monitors.
One of the features of coated picture tubes is that although reflections are drastically reduced, the coated glass appears to have a residual colour. This happens because some light is still reflected from the surface, the colour of which depends on the number and thickness of the layers. The colours that are not perfectly removed result in the colouring of the glass. This does not affect the colours of the picture, which is viewed through the coating and does not depend upon its thickness.
Also, the effectiveness of the anti-reflection coatings falls off at an angle to the screen, as the effective thickness of the coating changes. Seen from an angle, the colour of the reflections changes for the same reason.
The AV9000 also uses another coating, a thin layer of chrome on the back of the contrast screen. This is an anti-static layer, which is earthed to prevent the build-up of static charge, which can give problems with electrostatic shock. An appealing side effect of the anti-reflection coating of the AV9000 is that when the black curtain behind the contrast screen is closed, the effect of the coating is apparently considerably reduced, so that the whole screen surface appears to reflect. As soon as the curtain is removed, the anti-reflection coating takes full effect, forming a window in which the brightness of reflected light is reduced.
“There was a time when people bought TV and radio in order to keep informed. Today, TV and radio have developed into entertainment media, and here at Bang & Olufsen, we are convinced that this trend will continue. At any rate, that is the reason for what is perhaps our greatest innovation yet.
Beosystem AV 9000 is not just an independent video system and independent music system. It is an epoch-making combination of picture and sound options contained within an exciting Dolby Surround System. What is Dolby Surround anyway?
You have probably had the experience of sitting in a cinema, where the film was so real you almost ducked at the sound of horses’ hooves approaching your seat. That is Dolby Surround. With Beovision AV9000, you can benefit not only from film, but also from the many televised recordings and sports events that are produced and transmitted today with Dolby Surround.
Technically, Dolby Surround is created with the help of three front and two rear speakers. By delaying the sound in the rear speakers relative to the front speakers, you get a three-dimensional sound picture, and suddenly you are in the midst of a giant soccer stadium, a concert hall, or the action of a film. I am not exaggerating when I say that even in smaller rooms, Dolby Surround is incredible.
However, it is one thing to have cinema experience at home in your living room. The other side is that when we developed AV9000, we wanted to make sure that your living room wouldn’t look like a cinema when no one was using the system. Every element is designed to be a beautiful part of the rest of the decor of the room. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be Bang & Olufsen.“
Movies no longer have to be seen in the cinema. With Dolby Surround and Bang & Olufsen active loudspeaker technology it is possible to create a sound environment that even surpasses that of cinema. The technology makes sound so pure, that it can be called natural – just the same that you would hear in a concert hall. With the AV9000 Bang & Olufsen achieved the goal of perfect sound. But, this was only one half of the secret of reproducing cinema in your living room. The other half is gained when you give Bang & Olufsen’s engineers free hand in pursuit of the perfect picture, achieved in the monitor of Beosystem AV 9000.
The built-in video tape recorder had the same capability and operations as Beocord VX7000. The VCR was PAL/NTSC compatible and discreetly hidden from view, unlike a normal free-standing recorder. Together with the active central loudspeaker, it was positioned in the triangle below the 66cm 4:3 screen. The location of the speaker enhanced the impression that the voice came directly from the screen. To direct the voice to face your sitting position, the monitor could be turned 33 degrees to both the left and right by operating its motorised stand with the Beo4 remote control. As all B&O motorised stands, movement of the monitor was entirely soundless.
Perhaps the first thing that the viewer noticed upon looking at the set, was that there appeared to be no screen! Just like in the cinema, the screen was only revealed when the mechanical curtains parted. When the TV was turned on, a black, completely light-resistant curtain glided to the left and right to reveal the picture, creating further the illusion of a small cinema screen. At the same time the monitor turned toward you to its pre-set position. The picture was incredibly sharp, with deep and clear colours.
Beosystem AV 9000 was more than a music system and more than a video system. It was an integrated approach to home entertainment, which fitted unobtrusively into any living room. The polished aluminium surfaces of the active BeoLab 8000 and BeoLab 6000 speakers took on the colours of their surroundings, while the black cloth covers blended in with outmost grace. In regard to sonic qualities, the loudspeakers are still second to none.
Carlton Sarver, a writer specialising in audio and video, with life long experience within the development of electronic media in Europe as well as the USA concluded that “I feel free to give unrestrained opinion of the Beosystem AV9000 in the larger context of integrated audio-video systems. Which is, that somebody finally got it right”.
The Master Panel AV9000 – or MPAV 9000 – was the ‘audio source module’ designed especially for the AV9000 system and was very similar in appearance to the BeoSound Ouverture. The earlier types of AV9000 were sold with the module and used four active speakers to create a full surround system. It used the Beolink 5000 or Beolink 7000 as a remote and was a two-way system. This was replaced when the system was updated to use the Beo4 remote control and the Master Panel was replaced with the Ouverture.
Besides its ability to play music sources, the Master Panel – as its name implies provided the user with a control interface for the entire Beosystem AV9000. This meant, for example, that it could be used to search, play and rewind all the sources in the system. At the approach of a hand the tinted glass doors automatically slid open and the panel lit up. For CD play, a touch of a button caused the CD player’s motorised clamp to lift upward for convenient loading. At another button touch the clamp moved into place, holding the CD in precise position for play. Tracks could be programmed to play in any sequence, using a Beolink 5000 terminal.
The cassette deck offered the same playback convenience as a CD. Sequential track numbers were automatically assigned to selections on a cassette. Any track on a cassette could be quickly located, simply by entering the track number. Playback in any sequence could be programmed. HX-Pro – a headroom extension system developed by Bang & Olufsen and licensed to Dolby Laboratories – was standard. It secured that high music frequencies were optimised during the recording process.
Bang & Olufsen’s microcomputer-based Auto Record Level controlled the recording level more accurately than would be possible manually. Because it subtly reduces recording level when required, never increasing it, its action is virtually undetectable.
The FM/AM tuner incorporated Bang & Olufsen’s developments that increased sensitivity, selectivity and tuning stability. Its use was exceptionally easy. Touching a station preset button – on either the Panel or the Beolink 5000 terminal – caused that station to instantly start playing, even if the system had previously been turned off. With an optional RDS decoder, FM station identification was automatically displayed on the Panel. Users could also manually name individual FM or AM presets.
Beosystem AV 7000 was sold primarily in North America and was designed to work together with Beolink 1000. However, both the Beolink 5000 or the Beolink 7000 remote control terminals could be used but with minor restrictions:
” Neither the Beolink 5000 nor Beolink 7000 terminal is recommended for use with the AV7000 Control Centre and the audio/video products that are used with it. To use a function in your audio system that is only available with the Beolink 5000/7000 terminal, you must reprogram your audio system:
Press SOUND, 1, STORE on the Beolink 1000 Terminal
Then operate the function you wish to use in your audio system, using the Beolink 5000/7000 Terminal
Finally, press SOUND, 0, STORE on the Beolink 1000 Terminal to program your audio system back again for the correct setting for daily use in an AV7000 System
NOTE: If you have the sound from your Bang & Olufsen audio system extended to other rooms in the house (via a Bang & Olufsen Local Control System), a Beolink 5000 or 7000 Terminal may be used for audio operation in that room.”
The unit delivered Dolby Pro-Logic Surround Sound. The system comprised: Beosystem 7000, a Beovision MX6000 television and four active speakers. It was eventually phased out when Beosystem AV9000 was introduced.
To keep up with Beolink’s ability to move sound and picture not only from one product to another, but from one room to another, Bang & Olufsen developed remote control units capable of two-way interactive and visual communication. The handheld Beolink 5000 provided a visual display which helped guide you through every stage of an operation giving you visual feedback of each system’s current status even when you were in a different room.
As the expanded capability of the terminal called for more operating buttons, Beolink 5000 had visual displays and operational buttons on both sides of the unit. Secondary-function buttons were recessed and placed to the rear while primary control buttons were positioned at the front.
Beolink 5000 added a new dimension to Bang & Olufsen’s remote control range in the early 1990’s. A fascinating transparent display, with numbers and letters apparently hanging in mid-air kept you constantly informed about the status of the Bang & Olufsen equipment that you were either watching or listening to. The layout of the unit was similar to that of Beolink 1000. However, because of its expanded capability it called for more operating buttons. To maintain its slim design, these were found on both sides of the hand-held unit. At the front, under the visual display, were the source selection buttons. Below these were the multi-function buttons arranged in a circle and designed for easy thumb operation. The circle contained buttons for analogue operation and menu-operated functions; a total of eleven buttons.
On the back were the secondary function buttons such as programming and recording, recessed in a channel to help prevent accidental operation.
Beolink 5000 was the ideal terminal to use where extra speakers or a second television were linked to a central system in a different room. Its display gave you feedback about the system’s current status to assist you in issuing your instructions.
It allowed you to fully utilise the timer recording, play and play next facilities on the Beosystem 4500 and Beocenter 9500. It was also particularly well-suited for Beosystem 2300. The remote control also maximised the programming capabilities of Beocord VX5000 video system and, via Beocenter 9500, allowed you to program LC1 and LC2 light control units.
Features
Beolink 5000 had the added benefit of a transparent display panel to guide users through complicated operations. Combining this display with fixed buttons which were positioned to provide a clear distinction between primary and secondary operations, allowed for simple and logical overall operation. The unit was light and slim, its display had low power consumption (LCD supertwist which produced map definition and detail even in bright sunlight) with a dot matrix display capacity of two lines, each with seven characters. The display could be read from either side of the handset dependant on which operations were carried out (to be read from either the back or the front).
Other important highlights of Beolink 5000 were:
Hand-held terminal for all video, audio and AV operation in central rooms and Local Control Systems
Two-way operation with display feedback
One-button source selection, video and audio
Logical layout with grouping of related functions
Secondary functions placed on the back to prevent inadvertent operation
Comprehensive secondary functions, e.g. record/time programming with display support and guidance
Companion infra-red remote control units that were available at the time of Beolink 5000’s introduction, were Beolink 1000 and Beolink 7000.
Component features
Beolink 5000 was the key to TV and video systems of the early 1990s. It was recommended for operation of such TV/video packages as Video System 5500 or Video System 6000, because these systems contained numerous advanced functions, especially in the fields of recording- and timer-programming. Beolink 5000 was optimised for the operation of such complex functions where you were guided through the options via prompts on the display of the terminal.
The display responded whenever you activated a function. When you carried out a primary operation, e.g. selected a source, you received status feedback. The feedback was dynamic, i.e. it changed according to the operation you carried out and the subsequent response the terminal received from the system. An example of this was in the adjustment of sound, where the centre balance function was only displayed when the function was available at that time in the system.
When you were in the secondary operation mode, e.g. for recording and programming, the display acted as a menu for operation, i.e. it became an active part of the operation. Thus the display was a reassuring response to your actions when you were in the primary operation mode, and an active guide when you were in the secondary operation mode.
The display was transparent, because some of the operation where the display is an active part, was initiated on the back. One example of this is when you activated the RECORD buttons on the rear of the remote control, the display read out the appropriate cues as seen from the back of the terminal i.e. V.REC PAUSE and the source you selected for the recording.
As most of the timer programming procedure was by the circle buttons on the front of Beolink 5000, the display read out the appropriate cue seen from the front as soon as you activated the PROGRAM button in the back recess. In this way it prompted you to turn the Beolink 5000 around for the rest of the programming procedure.
The advanced functions available via the Beolink 5000 included e.g. clearing TV stations, or making advanced (timer) recordings on your Bang & Olufsen VCR. The hazard with the record and program functions of course is that you could by accident clear or erase programs that you’d already made e.g. a recording on a video tape. So it was vital that the advanced functions were kept separated from the other main functions. By placing the buttons for operation of the advanced functions on the back of the terminal, Bang & Olufsen were able both to extend the number of secondary functions, and to make timer operation a real asset without risking inadvertent operation and confusing clutter on the front. Beolink 5000 was the first hand-held Beolink terminal where timer operation was possible with all recommended systems and even in stand-by.
The buttons for recording were grouped in the back recess to preclude inadvertent recording. To further secure against the inadvertent start of a recording, it was necessary first to point out the recorder and secondly start the recording on a second button.
Recording operation was refined with the Beolink 5000: all record buttons are grouped in the recess, you could address two video recorders, and no matter which one you used, you had direct access to start or stop of the recording and to make a record return.
Once you had summoned the source you wanted to record on to the TV, all you had to do was to turn the Beolink 5000 around and activate the [V.RECORD][REC.START] sequence to initiate a simple recording.
If you wanted to make an advanced recording of a TV programme as a background job, in RECORD PAUSE you selected V.TAPE + the programme number on the front before starting the recording on the back. The REC STOP button was a useful refinement here. When you had commenced a recording and switched to another source, e.g. TV, [REC STOP] gave you direct and instant access to stop of the background recording.
The third record level, timer record, was also initiated on the back, by means of the PROGRAM button. Beolink 5000 allowed you to make the timer operation both when the system was playing and when it was in stand by. In this way you would not disturb other uses of the video system and you need not even switch the system on to make a timer programming.
Picture adjustment was shown on the TV screen, and not on the Beolink 5000. In this way you could monitor and judge the changes directly on the screen, e.g. with regard to contrast. Sound adjustments were displayed both on the screen and on the terminal. In this way the feedback was always placed at the optimal point for operation and adjustments.
Teletext contains a number of secondary functions to enhance its user value, such as enlarging the page, mixing Teletext with the TV program, revealing a hidden information (e.g. VPS information on TV program page), etc. Many users never access these secondary
functions, because they have been assigned low priority on the remote controls and therefore it is difficult to access them. Beolink 5000 accesses the functions easily and as guided by its transparent display. In TEXT-mode, if you pressed MENU the display would read out:
TEXT
MENU?
If the answer was ‘yes’ [PLAY] gave access to the first item of the menu, as shown here:
Secondary Teletext functions available via [MENU]:
MENU (Teletext time programming)
LARGE
MIX
REVEAL
UPDATE
SUBCODE
As an alternative you could step through the options or leave the menu. The menu operation procedure simplified access to the secondary Teletext functions considerably and showed the advantage of using two operation logics: one for routine operations and one for important, but rarely-used, operations.
Beolink 5000 was the key to video systems such as Video System 5500, comprising Beovision MX5500 and Beocord VX5500. It was recommended for operation of such systems because this system contained numerous advanced functions, especially in the fields of recording and timer programming. Beolink 5000 was optimised for the operation of such complex functions, where you are guided through the options via prompts on the display of the terminal. Other important highlights of Beolink 5000 were:
Hand-held terminal for all video, audio and AV operation in central rooms and Local Control Systems
Two-way operation with display feedback
One-button source selection, video and audio
Logical layout with grouping of related functions
Secondary functions placed on the back to prevent inadvertent operation
Comprehensive secondary functions, e.g. record/time programming with display support and guidance
The display responded whenever you activated a function. When you carried out a primary operation, e.g. the selection of a source, you received status feedback. The feedback was dynamic, i.e. it changed according to the operation you carried out and the subsequent response the terminal received from the system. An example of this was in the adjustment of sound, where the previously mentioned centre balance function was only displayed when the function was available in the system. When you were in the secondary operation mode, e.g. for recording and programming, the display acted as a menu for operation, i.e. it became an active part of the operation. Thus the display was a reassuring response to your action when you were in the primary operation mode and an active guide when you were in the secondary operation mode. The display of Beolink 5000 was transparent, because some of the operations where the display was an active part, was initiated on the back. One example of this was when you activated the RECORD buttons on the back when the display read out the appropriate cues as seen from the back of the terminal, i.e. V.REC PAUSE and the source which you had selected for the recording.
As most of the timer programming procedure was by way of the circular button on the front of Beolink 5000, the display read out the appropriate cue as seen from the front as soon as you activated the PROGRAM button in the back recess. this way it prompted you to turn the Beolink 5000 around for the rest of the programming procedure.
The advanced functions available via Beolink 5000 include e.g. clearing (satellite) TV stations, or making advanced (timer) recordings on your VX5500. The potential problem with record and program functions was that you could by accident clear or erase previously-recorded programmes. So with Beolink 5000 the advanced functions were kept separate from the other main functions. By placing the buttons for operation of the advanced functions on the back of the terminal, Bang & Olufsen were able both to extend the amount of secondary functions, and to make timer operation a real asset without risking inadvertent operation and confusing clutter on the front. Beolink 5000 was the first hand-held Beolink terminal where timer operation was possible with all recommended systems, even while in stand by.
The buttons for recording were grouped in the back recess to preclude inadvertent recording. To further secure against inadvertent start of a recording, it was necessary first to put the VCR into a recording pause mode before commencing the recording by way of a second button.
Recording operation was refined with Beolink 5000: all record buttons were grouped in the recess; you could address two video recorders, and no matter which one you used, you had direct access to start or stop of the recording and to make a record ‘return
Beolink 7000, designed by David Lewis was, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful and advanced remote control units ever made. Its completely new, radical design, with hardened glass and anodised aluminium surfaces enclosing sensi-touch panels and display menus, provided a unique interactive dialogue between the user and Bang & Olufsen’s audio and video systems.
The interactive nature of Beolink 7000 came into play as soon as you chose a function. Prompts or questions appeared on the screen to gently guide you through every stage of an operation. Beolink 7000 needed just a gentle touch of your hand to light up and literally, rise towards you, confirming its status as the world’s most advanced control unit. A simple touch on the electronically-sensitive metal front ‘woke up’ the unit and awaited your instructions.
Beolink 7000’s two-way infra-red data transfer capability could be used with every one of the latest (1991) audio and video systems. Its display panel provided two main areas of information. The top section provided data about the products and their functions. It told you which source was playing and offered the menu of functions for you to choose from. The lower section, with its combination of sensi-touch panels and displays allowed you to activate your chosen functions.
Beolink 7000 on its purpose-built wall stand incorporating mains charger to ensure that it was ready for operation at all times
A series of visual prompts guided the user through every stage of the operation with Beolink 7000 finally giving visual confirmation that your instructions had been carried out. Battery-operated for total freedom of use anywhere in the house, Beolink 7000 came with a stylish table-top recharging unit. And of course, being Bang & Olufsen, the terminal could be operated even when it was being recharged. As an alternative, Beolink 7000 could be placed high up on its purpose-designed stand next to your own armchair. The stand was adjustable for height and placed the unit at an angle slightly away from the vertical for optimum ease of operation.
This tall stand also contained a recharging unit to ensure that Beolink 7000 was fully operational at all times.
Beolink 7000 was the ideal terminal for anyone who had, or planned to have, Bang & Olufsen audio video systems linked to different rooms in the house through the Beolink® round-the-house system.
Features: Beolink 7000 was the ultimate in remote control units, its interactive nature making it ideally suited for the more complex operations of Bang & Olufsen’s systems of the early 1990’s, particularly when both audio and video systems were installed. Beosystem 6500 was designed for infra-red operation and only the Beolink 7000 terminal could operate all of its functions. Beolink 7000 was also recommended for rooms equipped with link systems. Additional speakers and an extra TV set extended the use and control of all available Bang & Olufsen sources to any room in the house. By working as part of a local Control System in a secondary room, Beolink 7000 extended the use and control of all available audio, video and light control sources. It could be attached to the wall-mounted unit where it gave a constant display and automatically recharged the terminal even when in use.
Other infra-red remote controls at the time that Beolink 7000 was available were the Beolink 1000 and Beolink 5000 terminals. The later versions of Beolink 7000 were fitted with RDS display as standard (see model Types below) which allowed you to view details of the radio channel to which you were listening. This however, would only function correctly when used with Beomaster 7000.
The MMC1 was the top of the range of B&O’s new cartridge range.
It was only available as an upgrade – even the top of the range Beogram 8002 was only fitted with the MMC2. The MMC1 had a line contact diamond mounted on a tubular sapphire cantilever.
The tubular construction offered less weight than a solid cantilever but with immense stiffness. The diamond profile was similar to that of the MMC20CL being line contact. The way to look at these cartridges was to imagine an elliptical profile but with both the front and rear facets being scooped out. In this way the vertical contact surface was maximised and the horizontal element kept to a minimum.
The MMC1 and MMC2 were essentially the same cartridge with the MMC1 using the best specified diamond tips. The MMC system was carried over from the SP series but taken to an even smaller level.
The MMC2 was the replacement in the B&O line up for the very successful MMC20CL.
Like the MMC1, it boasted a sapphire tubular cantilever and line contact diamond. It was fitted as standard to the top of the range Beograms such as the 8002 and the 7000.