I have a beo5 and some B&O kit. You need to programme the software on the remote in order to work with your devices. 

Apple TV you will have no problem. Varilight and the sky box you will have issues with. 

Pgrantuk wrote:

 is this something i can program myself?

As Chris says, you will have to program the remote yourself and you will need to find a copy of the software as B&O don't give it out. (it is possible to get though 😁)

Again, as Chris says, your Apple TV will be in the database in the software but your other items are unlikely to be, but take a look linkfor some excellent Beo5 FAQs. There are a very good group of users/experts on this forum who will be able to help you get your remote up and running and a Beo5 should be able to control most IR controlled hardware.

Varilight IR switches cannot be controlled by the B&O IR as it is a different frequency, however, if you chose a non B&O product such as Sony, Panasonic etc, you could program the Beo5 with a set of buttons/codes from them to control your lights.

Read up in the FAQ about XML files and it is those that will help you get a Beo5 working with all your stuff.

I also use one of

Stoobie, do you control Sky TV with the 5/6?

Hey Chris,

I'm afraid I rely on freeview and control a Humax box via the STB controller.

Stu

If you want to be independet from B&O stuff you need a way to copy your existing remotes and this works best with a device like the Lintronic IR-Box. It not only converts IR-signals it can record them with computer software and than you can convert the raw data into a format that the Beo 5/6 software can handle.

I bought a Lintronic box a few years ago and copied all my required remotes this way. It's a lot of work but my Beo 5 controls all required non-B&O devices, too. 🙂

http://www.lintronic.dk/Products.aspx 

I have also heard the same thing some time ago but I was hoping it is was wrong! 

This is truly a waste of potential - I agree!

/Erik

Is there a new remote planned? What a shame from B&O! The Beo 5 / 6 is one of the best universal remote controls as soon as you understood the programming syntax and add 3rd party IR codes.

I still need and want a remote control with real physical buttons! it is NOT comfortable to grab a tablet or smartphone, unlock it, open the application just to change the volume... I hope somebody at B&O realises this. Even Bose has introduced a new remote control for their new wireless audio systems.

Perhaps we should open a new thread about the death of the Beo 6 :-(