yep it's annoying I've had to give up on the app and use Chrome as my browser .... Like to see some pics at some time sounds like a fun piece of kit

Great choice. Always loved the 5. Enjoy it...

I love my Beovision 5. The picture is still more than good enough and the sound is indeed 'stellar' but it's the connections that let it down. The only way I can watch netflix is to connect a nintendo Wii which doesn't give the best picture quality.

If we could find a decent latest version with DVI connections, I'd buy it in a shot. My wife and I both agree that the picture on our 7-40 Mk3 which was full HD, wasn't as good. If I'd bought one of these with a lot of hindsight, I would haven't had bought my 7-40/10-46 or 11-46. 

The 7-55 is obviously a different machine, but I have to admit. When it comes to vocals I prefer my mother in laws Avant 32 and our 5-42.

To think this tech is nearly 14 years old, and is still relevant even to a " must always get the latest tech geek" like me, shows what work goes into this stuff.

I agree Chris.

When I was buying my TV at that time it was between the 7-40 III and the BV5. I wrote many posts on Beoworld before making my decision and was constantly battling with which to buy.

My heart was totally sold on the BV5 and this was the first time in my life I had ever gone against the grain and not followed my heart. I bought the 7-40 III in the end due to better connectivity options, 1080p full HD, the integrated DVD player, a newer panel update, BeoSystem 3 and the white power on/off light. Apart form the light, which I saw more as a nice little extra, the other upgrades were far too significant to dismiss at that time. I felt the 7-40 III would have more longevity than the BV5; represented much more in terms of features, was current and up to date.

I wanted to connect an Apple TV, external Blu-Ray Player and Playstation 3, all of which would have been difficult (or impossible) concurrently with the BV5. It was a heartbreaking decision in many ways and I was so sad that the BV5 hadn't been updated so I could still have chosen that design over the 7 series. The BV9 was coming out to replace the BV5 around that time but I wasn't going to spend £16,000 on it new. I updated to it a few years later at a price point I was happy with. I also changed my speakers from 8000s/6000s to the 9s and this remains my setup to date.

I am so happy with the design of the BV9 and while the picture may not be as good as current technology (displaying blacks specifically) it is more than good enough for me and for the types of television I watch. I will update soon enough, perhaps this year depending on what B&O release, but the BV9 will simply move to another room. I could only ever part with it if it died.

The 7-40 III was a remarkable TV and gave me a lot of pleasure too. It's picture was impressive with the B&O magic in the DVD module and the LED light when the tray opened. I loved it, but it didn't capture my heart in the same way the BV5 did. In terms of design current and older, I still think the BV5 and BV9 models look the best aesthetically. I also thought the BV8s were an interesting take on design but never owned one.

Cheers,
Simon. 

What baffles me Simon is that I've never actually liked plasma, even the latest versions. So to get this potentially 14 year old tv that admittedly isn't as sharp as the 7-55 and can come across a little grey, is a revelation. Is the Mk4 with DVI HD ready screen that much better does anyone know?

Nice one Chris. I'm struggling to think of a better way to spend £300. Enjoy your new TV. 

Guys have you tried one of these converters so that you could have your Apple TV working with the BV5 etc?

http://www.nexxia.co.uk/product.asp?s=Audio%20Connectors&c=hdmi%20converter%20Adapters&product_code=NX-HDMI-055

I believe there is quite a noticeable difference Chris with the 720p DVI version yes, but only when watching HD channels. Standard def is going to be just as sharp on both and if I recall from owners at the time, many preferred watching SD on the non-DVI models. As I haven't ever owned either I am just recalling conversations from this forum around that time and from my own observations in stores, of which there were many.

I can tell you that the BV9 I bought is a Mark 2, so 720p version and HD is very impressive on it, especially The Voice on BBC1 HD and The X Factor ON ITV HD. I see such a significant difference when watching these 2 shows in HD compared to any other HD channels. I can only assume that the cameras being used to record these 2 shows are in some way better or more up to date; either that, or the other HD programmes I am watching are perhaps upscaled HD as opposed to originally recorded in HD. The only thing I notice is blacks looking dark grey - and noticeably so - but in a lit room this is disguised and the eye doesn't pick it up so much, if at all in fact.

Watching 4K programmes on this TV also seem amazingly sharp, which is something I can't explain at all. They do actually appear better than HD to my eye, but how with it only being a 720p panel? This makes me think it so much more about the recording equipment being used and not the 'output device.'

Considering this BV9 is probably a 2007/2008 model I am amazed at the picture quite frankly. I was looking for Mark III 1080p models but chose this one instead at the time as it had less than 3 months usage on it from new and was very reasonably priced. It was far too good to pass up as I felt I was getting a brand new tv pretty much. It's worked flawlessly since purchase and still has relatively low mileage.

I would imagine we are both looking at very similar pictures aside from the 720p HD channels on the BV9, which I rarely watch anyway as I a don't subscribe to the Sky HD channels. To buy a BV5 for £300 is ridiculous but quite marvellous too! Who wouldn't?

Simon.