Hi Guys,

Age old problem here champagne tastes lemonade pockets ( it's the kids bleeding me dry honest guv honest).

 I need some of your well seasoned advice regarding which way to go with a new(ish) TV although I expect I already know the answer.

I currently have a Beosystem 2 with a Panasonic 42" screen as the video master in the snug/playroom  & an Avant as a slave in our living room. I am looking to replace the BS2 combo with something more modern with better connections i.e HD etc but keeping the link system in place. I have been seriously thinking about a used MK2 BV7 screen only available from our foremost site sponsor.

I know thats its not bang up to date & is less desirable than the later versions i.e only HD ready not full HD 1080P, no Beosystem 3 etc but they are twice as much, but it can be expanded with a HDMI expander to enable more HD inputs & as the vast majority of programming broadcast is still SD the lower res panel should provide a good compromise- plus the cinema mode etc etc for a projector later on.

In the words of Natwest is there another way or is this the best option - please dont tell me to wait as I have already been waiting, if the car hadn't cost Five grand to repair over the last six months the I would not be posting this

Thoughts & advice most appreciated

Regards Simon

I picked up a MKII HD  DVD version last January for about the same price, and as you say, it isn't the latest model - but I am exceptionally happy with it.  Unlike all my friends with their top-end Sony's and Panasonics, the panning is far superior.  Having just watched the world cup at a number of places - not once did the ball stutter across the screen on my TV - definitely couldn't say the same about my friends.

Also, I didn't have zillions to spend so I have a single Beolab 4 active as the centre speaker and Beolab 6000’s for fronts.

My only comment is that I replaced a BV3 32 with the BV7 –– mainly for size reasons, but on almost every level the BV3 gave me more pleasure – you can pick these up for an absolute bargain now. I’m tempted to get one back when I move house.

Have you connected any HD sources or have you got any experience with HDMI expander.

We use the Avant most nights as this is in our room i.e no children, but I do tend to watch sport & movies in the playroom on the bigger screen.

<>I'm afraid I have to admit I'm not particularly techie savvy, a B&O free lance guy came round and set it all up for me - the Virgin V+ HD box is connected via the DV-I input - apparently that is the same as using HDMI - I could be wrong.  If you get an HDMI expander I would be very interested to know how you get on with it.

I am OK with the tech bit just wanted hear others thoughts etc regarding the relative value of such  purchase when for less money I could go  & get the latest sony 1080p led backlit screen but no integration unless I go down the Lintronic route but that does not help with the link system etc.

Maybe your BS2 is HD ready? Get a new HD Screen (Panasonic Professinoal Display) with DVI input and you are set...

At least for an HD connection. Don't know if more than that is possible.

Best regards

Ralf

Hi Simon,

I have just fitted a Samsung UE46C5100 that cost me £975, now they are under £850.  It's a wall mounted super slim LED TV, only 30mm thick. The complement of connections (4 x HDMI, 2 x USB, VGA, Scart, UHF........ etc) is more than enough to cover all needs.

The TV is connected directly to a SKY+HD box via HDMI and audio is dealt with by a BS2 connected to the SKY box via DVI scart input.  Control of the SKY box is just as it would be if a TV were connected to the BS2, even through link room TV's going via the BS2 UHF modulator link output.  An  Avant that used to be the link driver is now redundant except for use as a TV.

All the link products (DVD etc) work as they should, the only control issue is having to use the Samsung remote for controlling the TV On/Off and other TV features.  If the extra input capabilities were not there or the TV wasn't full HD i might consider having to use the non Beo4 remote as an issue.

The cost of a BV7 etc - v - cost of using a non B&O TV that comes with the extra benefits is an easy calculation, but i realise it is sacrilegious to mention using non B&O tv's in the same sentence as discussing a BV7.  My local B&O dealer told me i could only do this with a BS3 and could he have £5,500 please.  With help from Beoworld this was made possible for me.

If you go the non B&O route, depending on size you want, the 46C8000 from Samsung is the prettiest, new, LCD backlit TV I've seen for £2K. Forget the fact that it's 3D, the 2D performance is great, using the latest version of the same panel used in the BV10 and it'll plug into anything (except B&O). It's wafer thin and looks stunning when wall mounted. I thought long and hard about it (it was SWMBO's preferred choice) but ultimately, I preferred the picture of a plasma model and so ended up with a Panny P46G20 - at half the price! Certainly not as pretty to look at, it isn't quite as slimline (but still thin for a plasma) but as it is a corner location the thickness isn't an issue, it sits well and isn't at all obtrusive. Again, filled to the gills with connectivity, has FreeviewHD (and Freesat) and the picture quality is stunning.

I would seriously suggest you have a good look at the picture of a BV7mkII and compare to the above (or other models if you prefer) before making your decision - it's all very well looking good when turned off, but if it's your main TV and you watch it regularly I would personally make sure picture quality was as good as I could afford.

I'm sure others will speak differently of relative "value" - it comes down to whether the looks of the BV7 (not for me, I prefer the BV10) and B&O connectivity is worth more to you than the best picture quality you can afford and connectivity to everything else.

well courtesy of our forum sponsors I had a good demo today of both a MK2 & a MK3 BV7.

The differences to my eyes when viewing a 1080i HD trailer played from a PS3 over HDMI were minimal, the MK3 was slightly brighter & possibly had more depth i.e contrast but they were very close.

With a dvd of the Bourne identity again played from the PS3 they were very similar, the copy/production quality of the disc was very poor with neither screen producing a good picture.

I was overall impressed with MK2 with HD but have not been able to test it with SD.

The main differences would be the additional audio inputs & decoding formats that the MK3 would provide over the MK2, HDMI is not an issue due to the option of the expander/switcher to be added to the MK2 but it will take up an additional PUC port. I could look into the addition of a Lintronic as additional control options.

I know moxxey has had all the BV7-40 versions so maybe he add some thoughts to mine.

I bought a new BV7-40 MKII, with beolab 7.2 and the low motorized floor stand in 2006. I am still very pleased with it, I think it looks stunning on the low floor stand! We only use analog cable and the built-in DVD player, plus a linked Beocord V8000. There is no decoder or other digital stuff connected to it. The quality of the panel is very good. Although it is already considered old technology, it still sweeps my friends new Loewe away, especially in fast panning sequences. Also, the panel production standards were very high four years ago, since these Samsung panels were very expensive to produce in the then relatively new 40 inch format. I wonder if the production quality nowadays hasn't suffererd because of the constant pressure for lower panel prices form the world's leading suppliers. From what I read here, there seem to be much more problems with the MK III, IV & V panels & software then with the MKII version. It doens't have the now standard HDMI inputs, but apart from that I don't think you could go wrong with a fair priced BV7-40  MKII!!!