The slim player I used to use were from Toshiba and Samsung but were discontinued a while ago now, they are like hen's teeth. Not the finest reliability record either from experience, especially the Samsung unit. 

If it's a MK1 Avant 55 the parts are starting to become a bit limited if it ever goes wrong, although it is 4K it only works from an external source on HDMI1 if memory serves me right. No HDR or Dolby Vision Support either. 

Plus points the sound is pretty solid, the orbital floor stand and moving speakers are gorgeous, the HD picture is still very respectable and it was one of the last TV's to have the proper B&O menus and electronic curtains.  

Firstly,be aware that the Video engine board packs up on these sets at about 5 years,be aware its an expensive fix  about 900

No point in bothering with the top loading DVD thye were not very good anyway,I bought a Panasonic UB820  that upscales standard DVD. play HD DVD also plays CDs and you can screen mirror and get smart TV features ( the avant has them but they are pretty hopeless now as the firmware will never be updated

Love mine, but the video board packed up shortly after purchase, really put me off it!!

This all applies to the Mk1 if its a mark 2 its a whole new worldof android TV problems and a platform thats seen its day

Hi JohnJP,

The pros are that it's a great television with the inbuilt surround decoder so if this is your first BV there is no need for any external AV receivers.  Also the Avant features WISA so will connect to any WISA speakers or other speakers attached to wireless receiver 1's. 

I bought the Toshiba BR player that you mention and i used to play CD's on it attached to the BV and that would be enabled in the multiform with other devices.  I did use it as a BR player but i started to buy a few 4K BR discs and the toshiba is a non 4K BR, so i put it in a box and connected an Xbox to it and set it up as 8bit 4K 

You can also buy the clamper system from STB brackets if you wanted to attach any peripherals on the back.  If you go for the BR player then STB also make the bracket for that too.  Let me know if you want any pictures. 

The cons are that the video engine could go or if it has been replaced on the one you're looking at it should be fine.  The issue from what i understand is that it overheats as the cooling in the back of the Avant could have been better.  It happened to mine and at that point i was wondering if i don't bother with a new BV or spend the money to change the board.  I'm glad I changed the board.  Even though it was expensive, everytime i use the Avant, i like it.  

There was a software update, i think there was only like 3 or something, and 1 of them changed the HDMIs so that nearly all of them are 4K 

There was a Mk2 later on that featured android (which i have on the BV14), but I don't use the OS, i just use the my buttons on the remote for the sources I use, and the android version is so old and didn't feature netflix. the Mk2 had improved wireless too but if you're running ethernet it doesn't matter. The Mk2 also got rid of the quick access HDMI on top too i think.  Also with Android there are no updates with that platform as soon as they changed to it, they left it behind. 

I use the xbox one which can be mounted vertically on the back, and plays BR 4K and 3D bluray. You also can play games and stream from it, and microsoft will support for a long time into the future. 

Thank you for the posts and responses and suggestions, great. !

I did make sure that the video engine is new gen and was replaced.

@ Aussie Michael - yes please do send pictures - how does that look ?

Hi Friends,

is there a chance to see if the video-engine is changed or a newer one at the service-menue ?

Greetings Siggi