Has anyone had any experience using a Beovision 4 without a Beosystem? I'd like to connect an Apple TV directly to a Beovision 4 via a component to 15-pin D-Sub cable.

The BeoTech section explains that this can be accomplished with a pre-programmed Pronto remote from B&O. However, I've been advised by B&O that they no longer offer such pre-programmed Pronto remotes. I would think that I could achieve the same results by programming a Beo 5 with Keith's new software. Does anyone know what remote codes/commands are needed to operate the Beovision 4 as a stand-alone TV without a beosystem? 

Unfortunately you can't easily. The Beovision 4 is a Panasonic plasma panel hidden behind the nice aluminium bezel - control of the panel is via a separate IR sensor which interprets the commands from the BEO4 and sends the commands to a Beosystem which then translates them and sends them to the panel via the RS232 connector (including power on/off, input select, colour setup etc.).

The only way I can see you being able to do this is to remove the bezel and use a Panasonic plasma remote control to control the screen (or drill a hole in the bezel in the lower left corner where the IR sensor for the panel is). The Pronto codes for the remote are probably available from the usual places, so you could programme a Beo5.

 With regard to the AppleTV, as you say, this is only a digital output where the D-Sub 15 (VGA) socket on the panel is analogue - you will either need to insert a DVI or HDMI card into the panel (it can take 3 'blades') or convert the AppleTV output to analogue using a converter box. The card is probably the best option.

 On balance, I wouldn't bother with any of it and buy a second-hand Beosystem 2.

Thanks for the info. Still, the BeoTech area on Beoworld has a description of a way to use the Beovision 4 as a stand-alone tv using a component cable to vga adaptor cable and using a B&O "hockey puck" IR receiver attached directly to the IR input on the back of the BV4. It does sound, however, that it might need non-B&O IR codes to control the Panasonic screen -- which I could achieve with a Lintronic code-converter or a Beo5 with Keith's new 3rd-party IR software. Has anyone tried this? I just need a temporary solution until I can find a second Beosystem 1 at a reasonable price.

From what I've found on the internet, it seems that you might be right about the analog/digital issue, Frog. Fortunately, I have a converter box that I can use.

Are these dvi cards easy to install by a layman? Do you know what the cost is for such a card? 

Yes, the cards are easy to get hold of and install - 4 screws and it's like putting in a PCI card.

 Depending on the panel version that you have you should find the right blade to do the job. I think you are on the west cost of the USA, so try: 

http://shopbig.com/ty-fb8hm-panasonic/search-html - this is for the 8 and 9-series panel. There is adifferent one for 6 and 7 series panels. (fb7hm)

 I'm not convinced of connecting the IR puck to the Beovision 4 directly as the codes to control the TV are completely different via the serial port. I did upload *years* ago the serial protocol and commands to this site, but don't know where it went.

The Lintronic box would, of course do the job 

 

If you want to use Beo5, you'll still have to drill a hole through the aluminium bezel for the remote sensor of the screen to work!