I have a non RF avant 32 vcr, currently connected to a standard sky receiver. I also have a Topfield 5800 pvr which I bought on the advice of a b&o bod who said it could be used with the beo4. I've tied swapping the ir "thingy" on to the topfielf (although it's not as obvious as with the sky box where to stick it!) but no luck with any control via the beo4. Presently, I turn on the toppy to view through that / record etc. The annoying thing though, is that if I switch to sky, there is no way to switch back to the toppy without turning it off and then on again. 

Am I right in thinking that I need a software update (the list of receivers on the avant looks well out of date) ? If so, is that a dealer only job? Presumably they come to my house with a laptop to do it or is there a physical alteration / swap? How much is it likely to cost, given that the avant is only worth about 70p now anyway.

Am I also right in thinking that I will have to chose between the sky box and the toppy as to which I want to operate from the beo4 (given that there is only 1 ir lead connector on the avant)? I'm thinking of dumping sky anyway, but this might be the straw which tips it over the edge.

Finally, all "components" will be about 20 feet away from the avant once our room is remodelled and hidden in a cabinet (wife vs cables on show divorce issues) hence the need to control via beo4, with just a flat scart and ir lead discreetly running under the edge (non traffic) of the carpet.  

I'm also currently looking for a bs 3000 or 3200. Presumably that should just be plug and play with the avant? 

 Thanks in advance, and sorry for the lack of technical sense here which doubtless comes accross in this post!

 

Dan 

  

I am sorry that I cannot be helpfull with your main question, but regarding a BS3x00, yes it is plug and play. You might need to change an option setting, but that depends on your setup. The Avant will control the speakers, and the BS will provide the music.

BR Christian

Hi Dan,

If you are feeling brave, you can order the chip and do the upgrade yourself ... even as a first time, you should be able to do this in about 30 mins.  Dealer likely to charge you an arm and leg to do this.

Where are you based?

Neil
 

Neil, I'm based in Bedford, my nearest store is in Milton Keynes. I'm not averse to dabbling with a circuit board if the chip is a straight swap. What worries me more is my lack of knowledge of the whole process really. i.e. once the chip is in, what then? Would I order the chip from a store or from B&O directly, and what, exactly, do I need to order?  (My experience is that some stores scratch their heads and look blank when the conversation strays beyond what they can sell you off the shelf)

Will respond by PM as I dont want to encourage others to start opening their tvs ...

 

Neil thanks for the PM

Local store want £50 for the board (!) or £185 fitted and set up with the toppy.

 

Surely you only need the new PROM chip, not the whole board. That should be a lot cheaper.

 

Mark 

Sorry, probably my lack of accuracy over the terminology. It is indeed the chip, not the entire board.

Ouch, that's a lot of money to just upgrade a data table. I've heard that it may come as a kit to upgrade TV, VCR and STB-C firmware all to the latest version. I guess that if that's what they're offering then it's good value.

If it really is just the STB-C chip, then I'm surprised that no-one has yet decoded the structure of the data table, to allow the control codes to be changed. Not that I would advocate such a course of action...   

Mark 

I can confirm that to update the STB controller table all you need to do is change one chip which is shown in the picture below.

You need a plastic tool to remove the chip and an anti-static wrist band before starting any work. You will also need a splind screw driver to remove the board.

Whilst not particularly difficult for the technically minded/trained. Should not be attempted by others.

Mark, it sounds like you will need the services of your dealer to do this job.