Changing to a non-B&O TV: what equipment is needed

12 replies
J(
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Justin (archived)
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Posted January 9, 2009 at 07:54 GMT
#1865232

I suspect this should be obvious from previous threads, but not being very tech savvy can I have your advice.

I have a B&O set up - BV3/DVD1/V8000, BL9 front, BL3 rear and BL2. At some point I'd like to change the TV for an LCD or plasma, as the BV3 is just too big for the space it sits in in my new house but I cannot go to the price of a new B&O TV (and don't want 2nd hand) - given the way developments on TVs go now, I can't justify the cost and be outdated in a year - I know this is a topic that has been done to death in other threads, so please lets not dredge that one up!

Say I bought a Panasonic or Sony, how easy is it to connect up, and use my existing BL speakers. And what functionality would I have/lose (eg switching on/off speakers with the TV. I suspect if I had a beosystem3 that would be the easy answer, but not something applicable if I'm toying with getting a £1000 Sony TV.... In that case I may as well bite the bullet and get a BV7, but as noted, don't want to spend so much - am recently married so justifying such purchases is rather harder now (though diamond necklaces is not such a problem...) 

The change probably won't happen that soon, my BV3 is excellent but at sometime needs to be replaced for a thinner, leaner model (just like Steve Austin did). 

Your thoughts will be very welcomed - I suspect I might not be the only person in this sort of position.

Cheers and happy weekend,

Justin 

FT
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Flappo The Grate (archived)
Bronze
Posted January 9, 2009 at 09:36 GMT
#1865233

i would think that as you're so tied into the entire bno system it would be rather tricky to just plonk a normal tv into it

as you said , i'm sure a lot of people are in the same position as you as the recession bites and they just can't justify paying so much for a tv

i know i am 

SK
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SKApretto71
BronzeFounder
Posted January 9, 2009 at 09:53 GMT
#1865234
I'd say BeoSystem 3 is the only available option.
B(
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Beobird (archived)
Bronze
Posted January 9, 2009 at 10:10 GMT
#1865235

Just buy a pre-amp from a brand you like (you can think about one with hdmi ports), and connect the beolabs to the outputs on the back (you will need some rca to din cables). The only thing you have to make is a 12v trigger for the automatic on/off function (there was a topic a few weeks ago with the how-to-make-it).

For the image I would look at a Pioneer or a Panasonic plasma (new or old range, they're both very good). They have the best and most beautiful colours, and they look pretty good if you hang them on the wall (the stands are Ick!). Pioneer has got some white models, don't know if you like that. 


Bieele
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Bieele
BronzeFounder
Posted January 10, 2009 at 04:45 GMT
#1865236

I have been thinking about a similar solution for quite some time now.

The way I would do it is as follow:

- Buy a good pre-amp/surround sound processor

- Buy a B&O center speaker

- Buy a flat screen tv 

- Build a connection box with inputs: 12V trigger and 6 times RCA (for each speaker); output 6 times 8-pin DIN powerlink 

My main point of concern is the pre-amp; it is hard to figure out how the (sound) quality will compare to a B&O solution. You could buy a surround receiver and use the pre-outs; but most review tell this works ok for surround sound; but not for stereo. You could also buy a decent pre-amp/surround sound processor, but then you would have to spent quite a lot of money:

- Pre-amp minimum 2000 euro

- center speaker minimum 1000 euro (second life BL4000)

- Flat screen: minimum 2000 if you go for a decent Pioneer Kuro

- Connection box and cables: 300 euro

- If you want to keep using one remote: add Lintronic or other solution 

Total minimum 5300 Euro.

When I was thinking about this solution I started of by lower price components; but because of quality concerns I looked for higher end components, until the price level shown above. For me this is now the biggest question because this price level is very near to B&O price levels.

My decision has been to try to get my Avant repaired and try to win time for the new releases of the BV7 and BV8 later this year.

Hope this information is of some help.

Regards,

Bieele 

J(
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Justin (archived)
Bronze
Posted January 10, 2009 at 05:49 GMT
#1865237

I'm not a technical person, and like to keep things simple, and I think from what you are saying is that doing something that will work well will cost (virtually) the price of a Beovision. So I suspect this means I'll sit tight with my BV3 and wait till I can upgrade to a B&O TV (maybe BV7 Mk VIII....)

Cheers for your thoughts - they seem to match mine that once you enter B&O territory you never get out!!

Justin 

 

Bieele
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Bieele
BronzeFounder
Posted January 10, 2009 at 16:29 GMT
#1865238
Never take sides against the family"

Bieele 

D(
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DoubleU (archived)
Bronze
Posted January 10, 2009 at 21:29 GMT
#1865239

Any Loewe can do the job. An ac3-module (199 euro) is optional, but once it is installed, you can connect the BL's to the tv. The 12V-triggering can be done from the tv. There is a plug that is normally connected to a Loewe subwoofer, but since this connector is not used, you can use this plug and use the 12 Volt to trigger the Beolabs. This means some modifications/soldering have to be done to get the 12 Volts in to the powerlink-cables, to switch on/off your speakers. But I know there are B&O dealers, that also sell Loewe, who can get this working. They have customers that where in the same position, you are now.

However, your DVD1 will be obsolete in this setup.

 

 

 

FT
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Flappo The Grate (archived)
Bronze
Posted January 11, 2009 at 02:27 GMT
#1865240

seems like so much faffing about and hidden costs that you may as well spend a little bit more and get a beovision

anything but a loewe thank you very much..eurgh

the bv7 40 mk4 will be out soon , i'd wait and see what that's like before doing anything drastic 

T(
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TripEnglish (archived)
Bronze
Posted January 11, 2009 at 10:59 GMT
#1865241
I agree with Flappo. The BeoVision 7 is a great value as you can buy it solo with no BL7 or stand to start with. Here in the US that puts it at about $9.5k with a BeoSystem 3, Disc Drive, and 40" LCD inside. Since you already have a great speaker setup this might be a great value. If nothing else, the MkIIIs will get a healthy markdown with a transition to the MKIV!
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