Razlaw,

I don't have an answer to your question, and I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I have similar questions about the Beo 5 - namely can it's programability get around some issues like the extra button pushing required when operating the Blu-ray player on the BV-7 with the Beo 4 or execute multiple commands (with third party devices like the ones you mention) so that the user only has to press one button to do something like turn on the TV and start the Netflix player?

Mark D

I use the BDP-S550, and it is easier to navigate with the Beo5 since you have all the commands visible on the Beo5's display. But unless you see a need for the Beo5 in general, I wouldn't get the Beo5 just for the BDP-operation... You simply hit MENU on the Beo4 and have all the commands on-screen.

Roger

First the good:  I really like my Beo5.  I use it to control a Toshiba TV, a Motorola cable box/DVR and, of course, my B&O audio.  I have a single button programmed to turn everything on, and have full control of all the devices.  Controlling my Sony DVD is a future project.

Now the bad:  I didi all the programming myself.  This required some investigative work and some knowledge of XML.  My dealer said we don't support this so you are on your own.  The devil is really in the details - according to Keith Saunders, it can control pretty much any IR device as long as you have the codes.  There is a method to convert Phillips Pronto codes to Beo5 codes, but getting these Pronto codes can be difficult, and not all the codes you find on various internet sites are correct.

But there is hope:  Keith can get codes (he gave me the Toshiba TV codes - thank you Keith 🙂), and if you're completey stuck, he can do the programming for you (for a very reasonable fee, imho).

Self programmed, I think the Beo5 is actually a good value.  Compare the price of a Beo5 to some of the upscale universal remotes (Phillips Pronto, etc.), and it's NOT that expensive... and you get a nice design and better materials (imho).

One unknown in my book:  A fairly recent release of the configuration software/firmware broke the ability to create macros that include 3rd party products (i.e. people who upgraded found that their "turn everything on" button no longer worked - or actually cause the Beo5 to hang).  I'm not sure if they have fixed this or if a workaround has been found.  I asked this question on the Beo5 forum a couple days ago, but nobody has responded yet.

Stan

Razlaw,

I think it's almost a necessity for a video system these days. Having all the options laid out on the screen is not only easier for you, but much easier for everyone else as they don't need to know what the green button does or whether to hit menu and then a number. 

Additionally it can display your favorite channels as icons which, with hundreds of channels to scroll through, it more useful than the guide. It can also store favorite radio stations on your BeoSound by name.

And with a B&O system like yours, there's much less (if any at all) custom programming to be done. 

I love mine.

I have only one remote control on my table. I use it to control all my B&O sources, a Tvix 6500, a Clarke Tech Sat Receiver, lights, blinds and curtains, my air conditioner and my Roomba 560 🙂

Can't live without it 😎

Razlaw,

I stayed with the Beo4 for controlling all my equipment (connected to a BV9). But I can understand your frustration. I have a BDP-S350, which has the same remote as your BDP-S550. I did some serious reassignment of buttons and now I am quite happy with the way I can control my blu-ray. I added functions that weren't available thru the puc definition supplied by B&O and reassigned some functions to other keys on the Beo4.

My dealer gave me the puc definition files of the Servce tool and I supplied him with a modified definition file when he did a software update to the BV9. I did some work for the puc definitions of all stbs (Sony BDP-S350, Technisat Digicorder HDS2, Pace Sky Box) to ensure that a key has the same function on every stb (if possible).

If you want, I can give you more details and send you the puc definition file.

Martin

Roger wrote:

I use the BDP-S550, and it is easier to navigate with the Beo5 since you have all the commands visible on the Beo5's display. But unless you see a need for the Beo5 in general, I wouldn't get the Beo5 just for the BDP-operation... You simply hit MENU on the Beo4 and have all the commands on-screen.

Roger

Are you able to turn the BDP on and off?  Does it turn on and off at source change?

msinn wrote:

Razlaw,

I stayed with the Beo4 for controlling all my equipment (connected to a BV9). But I can understand your frustration. I have a BDP-S350, which has the same remote as your BDP-S550. I did some serious reassignment of buttons and now I am quite happy with the way I can control my blu-ray. I added functions that weren't available thru the puc definition supplied by B&O and reassigned some functions to other keys on the Beo4.

My dealer gave me the puc definition files of the Servce tool and I supplied him with a modified definition file when he did a software update to the BV9. I did some work for the puc definitions of all stbs (Sony BDP-S350, Technisat Digicorder HDS2, Pace Sky Box) to ensure that a key has the same function on every stb (if possible).

If you want, I can give you more details and send you the puc definition file.

 

Martin

Yes....please.....could you give me more details?  Sounds pretty technical and complicated what you did? Am I understanding you correctly that what you did would require the dealer to install the modified PUC into the BV7?

Sorry for another question.....Does the Beo 5 control the Blu-Ray and Dish DVR directly or through the ir?  If controlled through the ir does that mean the only devices and functions that can be controlled by the Beo 5 are those that are in the PUC table?  In other words if I wish to add a new device that is not in the PUC I would need new software on the BV7 AND the Beo 5 reprogrammed?  

Our dealer is 3 hours away so new software on the BV7 is not an easy thing to do. Shipping a Beo 5 or taking it in when we travel to the dealer is easy.