Beo5 - where are we?

195 replies
......

Yes keith, what I am asking is what is the IRDesc code doing. I understand the other one (Plus Minus, SkipLeft, SkipRight, Menu...) but not this one.

p. 

The Macbook has the facility to pair remote with a particular Macbook, so if you have more than one Macbook in a room the remote will only effect the one you are paired with much like pairing with Bluetooth.

However there comes a time when you wish to un-pair the remote with the Macbook and you now have the command.

Location: Hampshire, England

The Apple remote also feature "long press" codes, a bit like the Beo4. I have not seen those when I downloaded the XML file and did my config.

A long while ago, I played with a lintronic box, and I could see that the "repeat" code sent by the remote indicating the key was constantly pressed was the the same whatever key was pressed.

For example, if you press PLAY long time, the Apple Remote would send PLAY, then REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT... until you depress the key.

"Long" codes are really useful, you can wake up the Mac or put it to sleep. You also get a smoother up and down scrolling. You can also scrub through a song, rather than just going to the next or previous.

I'd be (many people would be) grateful if you could capture and add that REPEAT code to the XML file. 

Many remotes send the command string several times even when it is not a long press. For example the Sony remotes always send the command five times by default with at least a 33,000 microsecond gap between transmission of each burst and needs to receive at least two correctly to accept the command.

To create a repeat they use what is called a toggle bit, the toggling of this one bit defines if it is the same code being repeated or a new code is being transmitted. This toggle bit is fairly standard and is included in the new Philips RC6 protocol.

Location: Hampshire, England

I have a complete BO system in the living room, with link in the other rooms. Nevertheless I can use all BO world in the other rooms through BO link, I cannot swich on and swich off, from the beo4, a toshiba LCD 28 and a Loewe LCD 32 in the mirror of bathroom and bedroom, respectively

Do you could confirm me that shoud exist a system to integrate into the beo 4 for controlling other TV monitors ?

thank you very much

 

A Beo5 XML template for the Popcorn Hour A100/A110 is now available for download HERE

Location: Hampshire, England

Wow Keith! You're great! Do you already have plans of providing a config file for the excellent Logitech Squeezebox 3?

Greetings from Switzerland
Peter

So, where are we now ? well frankly we have come a long way since the Beo5 was first released.

Today the product allows you to:-

  • Control all products which the Beo4 can/could control.
  • Supports the same large number of STB's (Set Top Boxes) you find available for the PUC 
  • Supports 3rd party products directly from the Beo5

Just before Christmas a new release of Beo5 Configuration Tool software version 2.20 was released to dealers which included a firmware update to 1.40a and I know that many members have received a copy of this new software from their dealer.

Other than general bug fixes, this new release is very focused on 3rd party products and the following are the key points:-

  1. The Pulse1, Pulse2 and Carrier Frequency settings for all RC5 protocols are now fixed within the firmware.
  2. They have fixed the problems related to Repeating/Continuous IR command in RAW..
  3. They have fixed a long standing problem related to what B&O calls "Special Repeat Signal" where a repeat then a long delay did not work correctly.
  4. The “Carrier Frequency” must be defined in full in the XML file when using Firmware version 1.40a or above.

With regards to compatibility issues between Beo5 Configuration Tool version 1.30 with firmware 1.34a in the Beo5 and the new version 2.2 Configuration Tool with firmware 1.40a loaded into the Beo5, the following points should be noted:-

  • Beo5 Configuration Tool version 2.20 is distributed with firmware 1.40a which will be downloaded to the Beo5 when you next download a configuration to a Beo5 where the previous version firmware has been found.
  • Version 2.20 Configuration Tool software and 1.40a firmware is backward compatible with 1.30 Tool and firmware 1.34a EXCEPT when using some 3rd party XML files.
  • 3rd Party XML files which use Philips RC5 or Bitstream protocol which worked with firmware 1.34a will also work with firmware 1.40a BUT all other XML files will no longer work without modification.
  • For 3rd party XML files previously available on the Beo5 Information & Resouces web pages have been updated and are available for download HERE
  • A new version 1.1 Beo5 3rd Party XML Generator will be made available in the coming days which addresses all compatibility issues highlighted above for Silver and Gold members.

ALL firmware changes appear to only effect 3rd Party products and the B&O product part appears unaffected.

Configuration Tool Version 2.2

As with the firmware, all the changes are really around 3rd party products EXCEPT:-

  1. The addition of new product templates such as the Beomaster and Beosound 5
  2. The non-B&O sources which are mostly STB’s are now synced with the PUC meaning these products use standard Configurator commands as if they were a B&O product. In other words from a Beo5 Configuration Tool viewpoint they are like any other product and can be assigned to any socket and source type.

Location: Hampshire, England

Keith wrote: 

  • Supports the same large number of STB's (Set Top Boxes) you find available for the PUC 
  • Not correct, I know for sure that the Samsung DSB-H670N HD sat-receiver is in my PUC-list, but not in the 3rd-party sources in v. 2.2

    /Frank

    Location: Elsinore, Denmark

    ......
    or
    BeoWorld Gold Membership card
    Join BeoWorld

    Register to access the forums, reference material, and exclusive member benefits — including our monthly prize draw.

    Become a Member

    December 2026 Prize Draw

    Gold Members Only

    As a Gold member you're automatically entered into our exclusive prize draw — your chance to win iconic Bang & Olufsen products. A unique benefit of BeoWorld Gold membership, every draw brings a new opportunity to win something special.