Hi
I have just spent the last hour at my dealer who unpacked a BV8 and hooked it up - have now had a good look and listen to it and have the following observations:
- Looks are subjective and do create strong reactions (dealers admitting they are still getting used to it). The logo which is recessed and can only be seen on an angle is a lot more pleasing than the first 'huge brand' pictures I saw. Sliver grill is the same material and quality as newer speaker covers and the rest the surfacing is rubberised.
- The picture, right next to a BV7, seems to suffer more from glare but picture quality in lower ambient lighting conditions appears to my untrained eye very similiar.
- Less subjective is the sound which is very impressive indeed (and will really challenge all of the bacic range TVs below BV7). IMO the sound is good enough to use as a stereo in a smallish link room and I will use it as a visual way of controlling itunes via ML, beoport and BS3 for bedrooms
- Pricing - UK dealers have had to revise original pricing down by £350 on instruction from HO - smallest TV now £1650 with no toys - with ML and most stands about £2000.
So, still expensive no doubt, but with ML added and with the quality of the sound in particular makes a proposition for itself as a reasonable link TV - one which I will try out in one of my bedrooms.
