Great, thanks to all for the input!

I think FM and DAB+ are out for now. FM will be shout down sooner or later and DAB+ is too expensive and too much effort for implementing. There is basically only one DAB+ IC available at distributors and getting the firmware for it is really a pain.

Maybe let's keep it as simple and as inexpensive as possible for the moment. So what about:

• RJ45 PowerLink output
• RJ45 PowerLink input
• 2.4 + 5 GHz b/g/n/ac WiFi + Bluetooth for streaming
• TOSLINK input

So you could connect your old BeoLabs to a modern non-B&O TV using TOSLINK.
Stream digital content like Spotify Connect, AirPlay, Bluetooth, DLNA, webradio.
Listen to the analog-in source.

I'd really like to add B&O IR support. Problem is that there is no 455kHz demodulator available anymore. That means it needs to be built using discrete components. Maybe the simplest method would be building a simple filter and decoding the RAW data in a small MCU. Development is quite time consuming and I'm not sure if it's worth investing that effort.

For other (but similar) devices I'm in the progress of building an open iOS/android app. That could be easily expanded by BeoLab specific settings. 

Regarding NL and B&O app support, I'm basically out. Only good old pre-NL devices here. So I could neither develop nor test that stuff. Nevertheless if B&O is releasing sources or documentation about those two protocols I'm happy to integrate them.

For remote control, could you not incorporate a lintronic converter? - I'm a big fan of this box and have had mine for years - it's been used to control loads of non b&o products over the years and about to get yet another lease of life controlling the yamaha in the kitchen - have to say very impressed with it as it does everything I wanted it to do very well and expanding to multi room will be easy and the app is also well thought out and easy to use.

BeoMotion wrote:

Regarding NL and B&O app support, I'm basically out. Only good old pre-NL devices here. So I could neither develop nor test that stuff. Nevertheless if B&O is releasing sources or documentation about those two protocols I'm happy to integrate them.

Not having NL devices is exactly the point why it would be great to have an NL receiver integrated in this setup. To some degree, this is what the ML/NL converter can do, but it is huge and not well supported. So if there is a way to re-engineer the protocol and have our good old Beolabs, Beocenters and Beolits controlled via the Beomusic / X app, this would be a nice B&O experience. But fully understand if this was wishful thinking...

I like the idea have self been tinkering with some of the same as and SW dev I know about the time issue

The problem with b&o today for me is the pricing and number of boxes.

I think wisa will be a problem but not sure?

PL support is a most it could be one RJ45 and one old they are both containg left and right channel

Toslink input maybe for tv connection and the volume regulation maybe learning.

It could also contain IR translator (puc) from bl4 to a non B&O tv

No amp, it will just raise price complexity and problems ;-)

I like the idea have self been tinkering with some of the same as and SW dev I know about the time issue

The problem with b&o today for me is the pricing and number of boxes.

I think wisa will be a problem but not sure?

PL support is a most it could be one RJ45 and one old they are both containg left and right channel

Toslink input maybe for tv connection and the volume regulation maybe learning.

It could also contain IR translator (puc) from bl4 to a non B&O tv

No amp, it will just raise price complexity and problems ;-)

I'd really like to add B&O IR support. Problem is that there is no 455kHz demodulator available anymore. That means it needs to be built using discrete components. Maybe the simplest method would be building a simple filter and decoding the RAW data in a small MCU. Development is quite time consuming and I'm not sure if it's worth investing that effort.

Just include an interface (I/O pins and power) for a B&O IR eye. Plenty of those around and you can even salvage the circuitry from certain old Beovisions (no shortage of those either). This is what even Lintronic does nowadays afaik.

Hi

I made it simple.

Music server with  spotify and deezer + internet radio + local radio stations + 5TB HDD with ripping disc drive with vortexbox and it works perfect!  

command via logitech squeezer on android or Apple.

connected to BS 9000 or BS 4 :)

steve1977 wrote:

So if there is a way to re-engineer the protocol and have our good old Beolabs, Beocenters and Beolits controlled via the Beomusic / X app

Most likely BeoMusic / X app are still using the BeoRemote protocol and NL the XMPP implementation. Not sure wether it's still clear-text as new streaming services might depend on encryption.

rfrichg wrote:

The problem with b&o today for me is the pricing and number of boxes.
I think wisa will be a problem but not sure?

tournedos wrote:

Just include an interface (I/O pins and power) for a B&O IR eye.

This is an interesting thread....     but, unless I am missing an obvious point, what is the advantage over using a cheapish android tablet (with spotify etc set up) or even an amazon echo dot?

You would still have control via a phone app, and if it is just into an AUX input, that is the job done for well under £100UK

folkdeejay wrote:

This is an interesting thread....     but, unless I am missing an obvious point, what is the advantage over using a cheapish android tablet (with spotify etc set up) or even an amazon echo dot? You would still have control via a phone app, and if it is just into an AUX input, that is the job done for well under £100UK

The problem with normal LINE input on BeoLab's is that they are switching off automatically on low listening levels. Additionally generic streamers aren't controllable by B&O remotes nor do they feed the PowerLink DATA pin with playback information. If the NL or BeoRemote protocol will become available of course it won't be integrated into common streamers. Last but not least most of them are missing a digital TOSLINK input + analog LINE input and only offering limited audio quality.