It isn't Beosystem 3 based - it is just the display. Connect a Beosystem 3 to either and you have a working solution.

Panasonic VX200U = Bang & Olufsen Beovision 4-85 (without the nice frame).

Do you really think B&O have the resources to change the 3D processing in the panel?

not from what I understand and have seen. The BV4 has a seperate IR panel integrated into the bottom of the frame which is a new proprietary IR sync system (B&O purchased) to run the sync of the glasses. Plus naturally 3D can only be transferred via a HDMI signal which has also been switched out from the old DVI only outputs of the old BS3. If you can find a new BS3 only and a way to setup a modular IR sync then you would have a simple solution as explained...... it's not like the old 42/50/65's :)

frog wrote:

Ah, that would be the Panasonic TH-85VX200! http://panasonic.net/proplasma/products/85vx200/index.html

Only $30,000 - much better price..... same thing.

Clearly you havent seen it.

Alex wrote:

frog wrote:

Ah, that would be the Panasonic TH-85VX200! http://panasonic.net/proplasma/products/85vx200/index.html

Only $30,000 - much better price..... same thing.

Clearly you havent seen it.

Is it really twice the price better?

Have you seen them side-by-side???

Like many luxury goods, the value proposition of the BV4-85 is highly subjective.

Personally given the pace in visual display technology, the relative pricing of the BV4-85 seems excessive to me. 

Then again, I think the pricing of the Beolab 5 is quite reasonable - many would think otherwise....

BTW I'm curious if anyone could explain the vast difference in the power consumption figures quoted for BV4-85 on the B&O vs that for the VX200 on the Panasonic website. Is the BV4-85 far more power efficient or is it just a matter of difference in the way power consumption is measured by the companies (apologies for my ignorance)

Panasonic

It's a fair comment - but then I guess you haven't seen both either. The trend with Beovision 4's favour my view though.

BeoMegaMan wrote:

not from what I understand and have seen. The BV4 has a seperate IR panel integrated into the bottom of the frame which is a new proprietary IR sync system (B&O purchased) to run the sync of the glasses. Plus naturally 3D can only be transferred via a HDMI signal which has also been switched out from the old DVI only outputs of the old BS3. If you can find a new BS3 only and a way to setup a modular IR sync then you would have a simple solution as explained...... it's not like the old 42/50/65's :)

Now this IS interesting if it is the case - and also puzzling why they would do this. The synch of the glasses is a pretty mundane thing - needing only 60hz per eye for the shutters (assuming 120hz framepacking mode, which Panasonic use) - and really no need for a 'specialist' solution. I wonder why they did this - the press release makes no mention of it - concentrating on the motorised stand, and I would have thought they would have done if they had introduced something new. My guess is that they have had to add a new emitter because the bezel would be in the way of the Panasonic one!

With regard to your other point, I assume (as I haven't done this yet myself as I don't have a 3D TV) the Beosystem 3 can output a 3D switching signal to an appropriate TV, and, as DVI is electrically compatible with HDMI, with the right plug on the other end (HDMI 1.4 3D connector), then there should be no issues for the system to work well. Again there is no mention of needing a different Beosystem 3 to drive the screen in the press release.

BillC wrote:

Then again, I think the pricing of the Beolab 5 is quite reasonable - many would think otherwise....

I can't remember seeing a single person who has argued that BL5s are "overpriced", which means that just about everyone would agreed they are quite reasonably priced.

Indeed, compare the BL5s price point with rival speakers and they come in very competitive. The BV4-85 is less competitive - it's twice the price as its nearest competitor. I don't think that makes the BV4-85 comparable to the BL5s.

frog wrote:

Again there is no mention of needing a different Beosystem 3 to drive the screen in the press release.

Peter Pan posted this link where the R&D guy (second guy in the clip) says they upgraded the Beosystem 3

At 14.5k the price of a new BL5 is getting a little stretched, certainly when at launch price of 10k is very reasonable.

At Harrods I compared the Panasonic 103 and went to the knightsbridge store to watch the 85 soon after, somehow the 85 is much more vivid and more'alive'.. The 'extras' that B&O has put on is certainly worth the money for a particular set of buyers.

I wonder why there is no 3d for the 50 and 65. The picture quality should be as stunning.... and should bring the price down.

Vince