The Avant 55" Mk I panels with 1.5D local dimming are notably better than the later one-zone global dimming panels.

Basically, if you look at the detailled specs of BV11-55 at bang-olufsen.com, Avant Mk I has a similar panel, except 4K of course.

The only downside of Mk I is that it has only one "future proof" 4K HDMI input. There was discussion and debate about this on these forums when Avant was launched – about the actual relevance of such inputs, back in the day. Now they are becoming more and more relevant, depending of course on 4K sources you need, if any.

Just a small addition. I don't have the MK2, "only MK1.

However, we just had some guests over today and they were really impressed by the elegant and subtle start up procedure of the TV. The discrete B&O logo "flash-fading" when starting up until the speakers appear and the curtains open.

That is just a small piece of elegant and conjuring opening of the TV. True B&O style.

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I have the Mk1, my third one. They first hd some manufacturing issues (which mostly are ironed out and still exciting on mk2 somewhat - fingerprint and dust risk on the inside of the contrast glass).

I think Mk2 has a different gasket around the glass to keep dust from entering though.

As Aussie Michael has pointed out main differences are the change to Android OS - which is super flaky at best. Even when I went into the store last time their BV14 and horizons where crashing constantly.

I very much enjoy my mk1 Avant and would prefer the edge lit panel of the backlit global dimmed mk2 because it is just one zone: meaning the entire screen dims when there is dark zones - making bright materials dimmer and really screwing with the picture too much.

Edge lit is actually a more expensive technology due to the glass dispersion plate design and stronger leds on the side but comes with the clouding issue that is more apparent. But at least it can dim zones. It also cuts the black bars on cinematic video perfectly. Meaning black bars. On the mk2 those bars will be bright black.

I've not seen any improvements on mk2 and the panel is a cheaper panel by far. Not a Samsung anymore either. Less color accuracy. Not even sure it is an IPS screen. All the Mk2 and BV14 I've seen seem to have a matte screen with the blank contrast glass leaving me with a perplexed opinion. It looks weird to me only. Mk1 has a glossy screen under glossy contrast glass. Meaning that colors pop more and it feels sharper. Maybe a little more glare but since there's a glass in front this will be there no matter what.

The panel in mk1 was a well thought of and expensive Samsung panel with high specs and probably longer life than the newer cheap panels.

Also mk1 custom OS looks better to me but of course lacks apps that's worth anything. The built in web radio works well and the DLNA player is quite good. I use the latter with Plex server but I mainly connect by my Apple TV or Nvidia shield.

One thing worth mentioning is B&Os sudden stop in updates. I have an issue with 4K Netflix over Nvidia shield. B&O wrongly implemented hdmi edid handshake not to report its Dolby digital plus capabilities and this makes the shield default Netflix to stereo sound.

Apple TV gives me surround on Netflix in full hd but I think it just doesn't care what the tv say. I have asked and told B&O about the issue and they have tried and confirmed it but their R&D department seemingly don't want to fix it(!). I've asked why and have not received an answer.

Since the tv is under warranty and is supposed to support it I will require them to fix it. For now I have to live with stereo sound upscale to fake surround by true image.

But except for this I'm very happy with the system. I would never replace it with the mk2 android.

Michael - I have the same issue with my Roku Premiere Plus where my Avant Mk1 no longer plays Dolby Digital Plus and have not been able to understand why.  Any suggestions on who I can contact to pressure B&O to fix this, as you are doing?  I'm also disappointed that we stopped receiving Software Updates on the Mk1 (last update was October 2016 to upgrade Netradio capabilities)

"One thing worth mentioning is B&Os sudden stop in updates. I have an issue with 4K Netflix over Nvidia shield. B&O wrongly implemented hdmi edid handshake not to report its Dolby digital plus capabilities and this makes the shield default Netflix to stereo sound."

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ssbrig wrote:

Michael - I have the same issue with my Roku Premiere Plus where my Avant Mk1 no longer plays Dolby Digital Plus and have not been able to understand why. Any suggestions on who I can contact to pressure B&O to fix this, as you are doing? I'm also disappointed that we stopped receiving Software Updates on the Mk1 (last update was October 2016 to upgrade Netradio capabilities)

"One thing worth mentioning is B&Os sudden stop in updates. I have an issue with 4K Netflix over Nvidia shield. B&O wrongly implemented hdmi edid handshake not to report its Dolby digital plus capabilities and this makes the shield default Netflix to stereo sound."

I don't know. I even asked for a reply by one of the executives and was promised before summer to get an explanation but they have not done that yet. I am very surprised by this. Not sure the BeoLab 50 can even be connected to this set due to the lack of updates. But not being able to get surround sound in Netflix is really annoying. And the fix is so extremely simple. They have to change maybe a few words in one line of code...

BAND'OH! wrote:

Many thanks for all your comments so far. Do others agree with SolidSnake that on the Mark I you can see the light bleed on the screen during some scenes? I know this would bug me a lot if noticeable. Would also be interested to know how the Mark I handles motion as I am sure I remember thinking it wasn't great when I first viewed it on release several years ago, thanks...

You have to see this for yourself and judge if it bothers you. A lot of people don't mind it. I did, I found it too distracting. It won't be noticeable at all with a full colour image or bright image. It is only noticeable on dark scenes or when the screen is mostly black, or dark - like titles. But that is the big downside to edge lit. Pop into a showroom and see if you can watch something with the lights in the room lowered. You will definitely notice it, it's just whether it bothers you or not.