How to set PlayMaker to fixed volume output for use with an audio system

8 replies

Hi everyone,

I've received a few questions about this, so I thought I would post a "how-to" guide.  Basically, when you connect PlayMaker to a Beosound or other audio system (instead of plugging speakers directly into the PlayMaker), the best option is to fix the PlayMaker volume at full (line level) output, to get the clearest sound.  Here is how to do it using a Beo4 remote:-

1) Press A.AUX or A.MEM to set the Beo4 to Audio mode

2) Press LIST until the Beo4 display shows A.SETUP then press GO

3) Press LIST until the Beo4 display shows S.STORE, press 0 (zero) then press GO

The PlayMaker light will then flash green to confirm that the volume has been set.  Connecting the PlayMaker to a Beosound audio system is very straightforward.  First, you need an adapter to convert the PlayMaker for use with normal audio cables (link)

This adapter connects a cable like the one below and this links to the AUX socket on the back of the Beosound audio system ()

To listen to the PlayMaker, simply press A.AUX on the Beosound keypad, or select this on the Beo4 remote control by pressing the A.AUX or A.MEM.

Hope this helps!

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England

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Cables, friendly advice and great ideas for connecting Bang & Olufsen! Ask any questions at https://soundsheavenly.com to get the best from your B&O! Please visit my B&O YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables
Thanx Steve!

I've done the same to my Playmaker.

But, do your instructions before you put the Playmaker in A.OPT 0, otherwhise the Playmaker won't accept commands. ;-)

Your solution then works like a charm. Thanx for posting!

Thanks Beofan,

That's useful to know!

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England

My B&O Icons:

Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
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Beosound-Emerge.png Beosound-Emerge.png
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Beoplay-Beolit17.png Beoplay-Beolit17.png
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Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beolab-18.png Beolab-18.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Cables, friendly advice and great ideas for connecting Bang & Olufsen! Ask any questions at https://soundsheavenly.com to get the best from your B&O! Please visit my B&O YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables

Hello Beoworlders,

I read in several threads that Playmaker should be placed in option 0.

This implies that it will no longer respond to IR commands.

How to get it back to it's initial setting (and which one is it BTW)?

I imagined another solution: to place the Playmaker in option 6 which is, if I well remember, the option to use when a link product is placed in a main room.

In this case, it could respond to a LINK-xx command.

Would it work?

Kind regards,

Yann.

Location: Brittany, France

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Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-Beosound1.png Beoplay-Beosound1.png
Beolab-50.png Beolab-50.png
Beolab-18.png Beolab-18.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
Infected at the age of 13 by a BG 4000 in Dad's Hifi shop.

YannChris wrote:

I imagined another solution: to place the Playmaker in option 6 which is, if I well remember, the option to use when a link product is placed in a main room.

In this case, it could respond to a LINK-xx command.

You should use option 4 if you want the PM to respons only to LINK-xx commands.

Location: Sweden

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Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-Beosound1.png Beoplay-Beosound1.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png

Hiort wrote:

You should use option 4 if you want the PM to respons only to LINK-xx commands.

 

Thank you.

Location: Brittany, France

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
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Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoremote-Halo.png Beoremote-Halo.png
Beoplay-P2.png Beoplay-P2.png
Beoplay-H95.png Beoplay-H95.png
Beoplay-Form-2i.png Beoplay-Form-2i.png
Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-Beosound1.png Beoplay-Beosound1.png
Beolab-50.png Beolab-50.png
Beolab-18.png Beolab-18.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
Infected at the age of 13 by a BG 4000 in Dad's Hifi shop.

Double post, sorry :)

Location: Brittany, France

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png Beovox.png
Beosound-Theatre-.png Beosound-Theatre-.png
Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoremote-Halo.png Beoremote-Halo.png
Beoplay-P2.png Beoplay-P2.png
Beoplay-H95.png Beoplay-H95.png
Beoplay-Form-2i.png Beoplay-Form-2i.png
Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-Beosound1.png Beoplay-Beosound1.png
Beolab-50.png Beolab-50.png
Beolab-18.png Beolab-18.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
Infected at the age of 13 by a BG 4000 in Dad's Hifi shop.

Thread resurrection, etc.  (Who can still be using a PlayMaker in 2019?!)

Seems like there are a few advantages and disadvantages to each method. Let's assume the use of 1990s equipment such as an Ouverture or 9000.

If I understand this correctly:

BeoLabs connected to PlayMaker, BeoSound connected to PlayMaker AUX IN
Set PlayMaker to 0 - 78 volume range via S.STORE, GO
Set PlayMaker to respond to A.AUX remote commands via A.OPT, 5 

+ Touch control of volume and play/pause on PlayMaker
+ Automatic speaker power-on when AirPlay begins 
+ Track forward and reverse from Beo4 commands interpreted by PlayMaker and relayed over AirPlay

-/+ Automatic speaker power-off when AirPlay ends (clicks can be annoying)

- No volume control from BeoSound keypad (understandable as the BeoSound might well be in StandBy)
- If PlayMaker is off, no output from BeoSound
- Starting a CD or Radio program on the BeoSound will not switch PlayMaker away from an active Airplay source automatically 

 

BeoLabs connected to BeoSound, PlayMaker connected to BeoSound AUX IN
Set PlayMaker to fixed 78 volume via S.STORE, 0, GO
Set PlayMaker to respond to A.AUX remote commands via A.OPT, 5
 

+ Track forward and reverse from Beo4 commands interpreted by PlayMaker and relayed over AirPlay
+ Volume control from BeoSound keypad and remote
+ Source switching between A.AUX, RADIO, CD, TAPE etc from BeoSound keypad

- No volume control on PlayMaker (understandable as you have the much nicer BeoSound in front of you)
- No play/pause on PlayMaker (unfortunate if your phone or iPad is a long way away)
- System must be turned on via A.AUX on BeoSound keypad or Beo4 remote before AirPlay begins
- No track forward and reverse from Beo4 (no DataLink pins present in the Aux connection)
- No automatic speaker power-off when AirPlay ends (BeoSound will stay on forever in AUX mode)

 

Corrections welcome!

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