The Avant US is basically a BeoSystem 1, and a pair of BeoLab 4000's built into a cabinet with a 30" tube.
What too often gets lost in all of the hue-and-cry about HDTV, and 'True HDTV' and God-knows-what the next big thing is that Bang & Olufsen will 'miss', is this simple fact: at normal TV viewing distances (2-3 meters) on a 30" screen, 480p is already finer resolution that the human retina can discern. So instead of worrying that the screen is not HD, B&O concern themserves with the things that the human eye can see, and use the inherent advantages of the CRT to full advantage. Deeper blacks, more accurate color, broader viewing angle, smoother transitions in tone, and brightness. In public settings the Avant could literally stop traffic using nothing more that Panasonic DVD playerr (S-video) and a copy of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' .
I will wager that if you try this out, you will surprise yourself. Hook up your HD Cable or SAT box using the S-video input (tell the box 489i/widescreen) and watch both SD and 'HD' material. Then switch to the component setup (480p/widescreen) watch both SD and HD material. Most users end up on the S-video input, relying on the BS-1 picture engine to do the job for them. Which also frees the component input for some HD-only device like my AppleTV.
Russ
We kid because we love.
Bang & Olufsen Tysons Galleria
McLean, VA USA