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ARCHIVED FORUM -- April 2007 to March 2012
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This is the first Archived Forum which was active between 17th April 2007 and 1st March February 2012

 

Latest post 01-06-2011 3:18 PM by PhilLondon. 60 replies.
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  • 12-28-2010 9:11 AM

    Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    After many frustrating years of dissatisfaction with my Beosound 2 (clunky Beomedia software, on numerous occasions failing to recognise there is a Beosound 2 attached, inability to work with itunes etc. etc., impossible-to-memorise press button combinations to, for instance, get it to play random), I have taken the plunge and bought myself an ipod shuffle for a mere £39.  It looks great, sounds great, works seamlessly with itunes (of course) and costs a great deal less than the Beosound 2.  In addition, the voice over function, lets me know what song is playing and which album it is from - all for £39

     

    I recently tried to have a Beomedia 1 fitted to an early version of the Beovision 7, and that failed.  The dealer suggested Apple TV - it works fantastically, looks great and, again, cost a good deal less

     

    So my point is, B&O make fantastic televisions, speakers and audio equipment and, indeed, telephones.  Stick to what they do best and get out of the digital media market.  Apple have it all sewn up.  If they did this, there would be no overlap of products.  So here we have 2 high-end manufacturers, each specialising in what they do best.  Why on earth did B&O collaborate with Acer (I think!) to produce fantastic sound for one of their laptops.  Why not collaborate with Apple?  In fact, why not merge retail outlets and have the two brands on sale under the same roof?  I think it would be a total success and ensure a successful continuation of the brand we all love

     

    Any thoughts? 

     

     

  • 12-28-2010 9:17 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    thorne:
    Any thoughts? 

    One.

    Somebody dial 911 for Trip. He just face-palmed his nose through his skull.

    • B&o bottle opener
  • 12-28-2010 9:26 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    I don't agree. I think digital media is the future and simply to abdicate and base products around another company will be disastrous.

    On the products you mention:

    The Beosound 2 was a fine sounding device when introduced eight years ago. It still sounds pretty good but clearly the lack of display and limited storage means that it is obsolete, as indeed are the competitors that it was up against then. It has continued only due to demand because of its inherent build and sound quality. I agree that the software is rubbish - this I am afraid has been a B&O failing. It is now not supported which makes life even more difficult. I would do just as you have done and buy an iPod - in fact I did many years ago!

    The BeoMedia 1 was a first attempt and actually not made by B&O - this was the era of reacting to perceived demand by providing half developed products and letting the customer sort out the problems. I believe this period has come to an end.

    I think the new generation of properly developed products will compete on a level playing field and will show that Apple, although excellent, cannot offer the true B&O experience.

  • 12-28-2010 9:42 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    I have no idea what that means!

  • 12-28-2010 9:57 AM In reply to

    • symmes
    • Top 200 Contributor
    • Joined on 04-21-2007
    • Freedonia
    • Posts 290
    • Bronze Member

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    thorne:

    After many frustrating years of dissatisfaction with my Beosound 2 (clunky Beomedia software, on numerous occasions failing to recognise there is a Beosound 2 attached, inability to work with itunes etc. etc., impossible-to-memorise press button combinations to, for instance, get it to play random), I have taken the plunge and bought myself an ipod shuffle for a mere £39.  It looks great, sounds great, works seamlessly with itunes (of course) and costs a great deal less than the Beosound 2.  In addition, the voice over function, lets me know what song is playing and which album it is from - all for £39

     

    I recently tried to have a Beomedia 1 fitted to an early version of the Beovision 7, and that failed.  The dealer suggested Apple TV - it works fantastically, looks great and, again, cost a good deal less

     

    So my point is, B&O make fantastic televisions, speakers and audio equipment and, indeed, telephones.  Stick to what they do best and get out of the digital media market.  Apple have it all sewn up.  If they did this, there would be no overlap of products.  So here we have 2 high-end manufacturers, each specialising in what they do best.  Why on earth did B&O collaborate with Acer (I think!) to produce fantastic sound for one of their laptops.  Why not collaborate with Apple?  In fact, why not merge retail outlets and have the two brands on sale under the same roof?  I think it would be a total success and ensure a successful continuation of the brand we all love

    Any thoughts? 

    You make some very interesting points, but except for shareholder performance and how they treat their employees, I wouldn't call Apple a high-end anything.  In my opinion, curved slick white plastic and complete market domination don't make an interesting bedfellow for Bang & Olufsen.  I think Bose and B&W would sell their souls to be on Apple shelves.  We will see, won't we?    

  • 12-28-2010 9:57 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    I agree with Doctor, there's no reason for B&O to leave this playing field, but they do have to recognize that the absolute convenience they once offered in the analog domain is something customers also expect in the digital. A BeoSound 2 without display, one-way remotes, and a BeoSound 3200 which you had to name the music in with your Beo4, keypunch by keypunch, as you stored 400CDs, are not good solutions. I will refrain from stating what I think of BeoMedia.

    There are reasons why B&O didn't want to collaborate with Apple - they fell for Microsoft propaganda as to where that company was headed with its media centre, and didn't want to step on any toes in Redmond.

    I have hopes for the Encore that's coming now, it's definitely a step in the right direction. I don't get the Apple hates/likes -- it's just the new format for the selling, reproduction, archiving and playing of digitally stored information. It is multi-platform and completely conversant with every protocol used for data transfer. Nothing else comes close, offering similar convenience -- it makes no sense to want to keep it away from B&O, as little sense as if B&O at one point refused to use LPs, tape or CDs.

  • 12-28-2010 10:08 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    burantek:

    thorne:
    Any thoughts? 

    One.

    Somebody dial 911 for Trip. He just face-palmed his nose through his skull.

     

    LOLLaughing

  • 12-28-2010 10:44 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    symmes:
    curved slick white plastic

    They have stopped using white plastic long time ago. Look at a recent iMac...  what do you see? Aluminium and Glass. Then look at a Beovision 7...

    Apple is not high-end in sound quality (unless you invest in a decent DAC), but the build quality, design, ease of use is superior to all large consumer brands.

    I had read a few years ago, that Apple wouldn't want to be seen near B&O as they do not want to be perceived as an exclusive brand.

    ---

    Coming back to the subject, digital is here to stay. B&O have abandoned mobile phones and MP3 players, fine, but they have no choice but to update their TV, Hifi to embrace Digital, HD, etc... at all levels (reception,  multi room, ). They are late already, but it looks like it is coming. 

  • 12-28-2010 10:52 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    In my view digital is here to stay, so if B&O still wants a slice of the hifi market they should invest in this technology.

    Beoworld's twenty-eighth ninth prize winner and fifty-first second prize winner. Best £30 I've ever spent!

  • 12-28-2010 10:53 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    I'll add that Apple hardware and software is what is used to record and post produce the majority of the music we hear, while also being used for television and movies. The LOTR-trilogy was postproduced, image and sound, in its entirety using Apple computers, for all special effects and sound work.

    B&O could provide unique front ends for that A/V, focusing on ensuring it is displayed to its best in any listening and watching environment, instead of trying to copy those functions with obsolete MS solutions and bad programmers.

    Check out the BeoPlayer app for a little taste of what could have been.

  • 12-28-2010 11:59 AM In reply to

    • Puncher
    • Top 10 Contributor
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    • Joined on 03-27-2007
    • Nr. Durham, NE England.
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    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    Although B&O missed the first bus when digital music made the major shift from optical to disk based storage the good news is the bus hasn't gone anywhere - if the Encore ticks all the boxes regarding formats, control, distribution, design etc. it can still be the must-have digital music system. The format isn't going anywhere anytime soon and so the Encore can be the basis of your system for years to come.

    My only concern would be where technology is still moving at a pace in which case there can be a significant lag.

    Generally speaking, you aren't learning much if your lips are moving.

  • 12-28-2010 12:10 PM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    My dealer told me that the "Encore" is going to be a simplified BS5... What? Shouldn't it be getting more elaborate?

    -Andreas

     

    BLab5, BLab5000, BLab8000, BV10, BS9000, BS3, Beo5, Beo4, BLink1000, BLink5000, BLink7000, A2, A8, Form2

     

     

     

  • 12-28-2010 12:12 PM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    bayerische:

    My dealer told me that the "Encore" is going to be a simplified BS5... What? Shouldn't it be getting more elaborate?

    Perhaps simplified means: no (or less) cabling and independence from the BM5. Less is more, right?

    • B&o bottle opener
  • 12-28-2010 12:14 PM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    burantek:

    bayerische:

    My dealer told me that the "Encore" is going to be a simplified BS5... What? Shouldn't it be getting more elaborate?

    Perhaps simplified means: no (or less) cabling and independence from the BM5. Less is more, right?

    Hopefully! 

    Really looking forward to such a product.

    -Andreas

     

    BLab5, BLab5000, BLab8000, BV10, BS9000, BS3, Beo5, Beo4, BLink1000, BLink5000, BLink7000, A2, A8, Form2

     

     

     

  • 12-28-2010 12:16 PM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    I don't think it will do video or photo, but I think it'll be a better product if you do not need multimedia, but just need digital music.

  • 12-28-2010 12:17 PM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    bayerische:

    Hopefully! 

    Really looking forward to such a product.

    Me too!

    It is shaping up to be what was expected from the BM/BS5 and likely a whole lot more.

    Exciting times!

    • B&o bottle opener
  • 12-28-2010 1:07 PM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    burantek:

    thorne:
    Any thoughts? 

    One.

    Somebody dial 911 for Trip. He just face-palmed his nose through his skull.

    I can truly say I laughed out loud at this.

    However, I can't actually fault anyone for being disappointed with our digital music offerings up to the BeoSound 5. It's only with that product that I'll argue that we're delivering a truly competitive product and setting out in the right direction. While the BeoSound 2 has a little bit of charm, it was really never easy to use. It was less than a knife to a gun-fight. It was a spoon. The BeoMedia's only redeeming value is that it could be said to be a stepping stone that got us to the BeoSound 5. It could also be said that it held us back from producing the BeoSound 5 Encore out of the gate. Who knows. I really don't.

    But the BeoSound 5 is pretty damn good as it sits, and the Encore answers, almost to the bullet point, the list of concerns and criticisms about the BeoSound 5. 

    There is scarcely anything in this world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey. - John Ruskin

  • 12-28-2010 1:49 PM In reply to

    • symmes
    • Top 200 Contributor
    • Joined on 04-21-2007
    • Freedonia
    • Posts 290
    • Bronze Member

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    They have stopped using white plastic long time ago. Look at a recent iMac...  what do you see? Aluminium and Glass. Then look at a Beovision 7...

    Interesting.  I am looking at my brand spanking new MacBook, and it is shiny white plastic.  Hmmmmmmmh.  But in all honesty, it was just meant to be a figure of speech.  

    Let me add while I am not an Apple fanboy, I really do appreciate that they are the big dog.  That means I don't have to worry about other people's "boxes" and protocols.  Apple TV is just fine, thanks.  Airport Express and Extreme?  No PhD necessary.  iTunes?  I sure don't like it, but life is hard without it. I AM ALL IN, and have a smile on my face.

     

  • 12-30-2010 11:52 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    Thanks for all the interesting comments and replies to my , sometimes, half-thought-out points.  I think that the general view, that B&O should stick with digital media is absolutely right, because it is the future and they have to keep up (or preferably) move ahead of the opposition.  But they have to improve the software and make sure it works before issuing it, followed by umpteen updates to correct errors

     

    The Encore sounds interesting.  Where can I find more details?

     

    P.S  I still have no idea what Burantek meant - though others here obviously did!!!  Anyone care to explain?

  • 12-31-2010 8:24 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    thorne:

     

    P.S  I still have no idea what Burantek meant - though others here obviously did!!!  Anyone care to explain?

    Look towards the bottom of this page.

    I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure. [W C Fields]

  • 01-01-2011 4:28 PM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    Bang and Olufsen, wasn't it: "See, Hear and Feel". "Sound and Vision", etc?

     

    As earlier mentioned, only the carrier of the music has changed from cd to mp3 (wma, flac and Apple's shitty i-tunes used mp4's).

    The music on the cd was already digital and they have done a very good job with the range from cdx till the 9000 and inbetween. So the BM5 is the first serious step to easy control and usability for the whole family. And not just for the single one with his/her iPod/Phone/Pad etc. 

    I wouldn't be pushed towards an Apple-like solution/purchase if it comes to sound as a module-extension for the rest of my system.

    I do have/like Apple. I use it for work (administration of the company). I like it for it's stability (no virusses etc)

    But when it comes to experiencing audio and video, then and then only it has to be a B&O solution as it stood for stability throughout my whole (link)system for years.

    I sure hope they succeed to answer to my requests for the next coming years.

    B&O surprise me.

  • 01-02-2011 3:24 AM In reply to

    • Dave
    • Top 50 Contributor
    • Joined on 04-17-2007
    • Brisbane, Australia
    • Posts 2,328
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    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    thorne:

    After many frustrating years of dissatisfaction with my Beosound 2

     

    I recently tried to have a Beomedia 1 fitted to an early version of the Beovision 7, and that failed. 

     

    HAHA!!

     

    These were B&o's first attempts into the big world of digital, BS2 was made 10 years ago mate, of course it's clunky!!

     

    They are still practicing, practice makes perfect, we look forward to the beosound 5 encore >>>>

    TripEnglish:

     

    I can truly say I laughed out loud at this.

    However, I can't actually fault anyone for being disappointed with our digital music offerings up to the BeoSound 5. It's only with that product that I'll argue that we're delivering a truly competitive product and setting out in the right direction. While the BeoSound 2 has a little bit of charm, it was really never easy to use. It was less than a knife to a gun-fight. It was a spoon. The BeoMedia's only redeeming value is that it could be said to be a stepping stone that got us to the BeoSound 5. It could also be said that it held us back from producing the BeoSound 5 Encore out of the gate. Who knows. I really don't.

    But the BeoSound 5 is pretty damn good as it sits, and the Encore answers, almost to the bullet point, the list of concerns and criticisms about the BeoSound 5. 

    Including the price, which is a little high for what it offers lets face it.

    “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.”

    Your health and well-being comes first and fore-most.

     

     

  • 01-02-2011 5:06 AM In reply to

    • Kokomo
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    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    Beobuddy:
    The music on the cd was already digital

     

    Hey Beobuddy, just to be pedantic, it wasn't the music that was always digital, just the medium used for its recording, storage and reproduction.

    Seriously though, does anyone recall when CDs has letters such as AAD, ADD, DDD to indicate the analogue or digital element?

    I always thought the last 'D' was unnecessary as by defintion, the CD always utilised the digital process for reproduction.

  • 01-02-2011 6:31 AM In reply to

    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    You got the message though Wink

    You called it medium, I called it carrier, but nevertheless. Just to point out that LP was analog and the cd got the digital version..

    But about the AAD etc, wasn't it ADD, analog recording, analog remixed, digitally mastered, ADD, analog recording, digitally (re)mixed, digitally mastered, DDD, digital recording, digital (re)mixed, digital mastered?

    Correct if I'm wrong. Probably some wikipedia site will have the correct answer.

  • 01-02-2011 9:36 AM In reply to

    • Kokomo
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    Re: Should B&O get out of the digital media market and concentrate on what they do best?

    Beobuddy:
    But about the AAD etc, wasn't it ADD, analog recording, analog remixed, digitally mastered, ADD, analog recording, digitally (re)mixed, digitally mastered, DDD, digital recording, digital (re)mixed, digital mastered?

    That's the point I was trying to make. The last 'D' was always to mean digitally mastered in all 3 variants. It's only the first 2 letters which were subject to change. What not just AA, AD, DD and omit the final D ?

    I remember sometimes seeking out DDD CDs just for the novelty, although as I remember the sound was always 'cleaner', but often colder and more clinical.   

    Now all my CDs are boxed away and all my thousands of music tracks are on my ATV through my B&O system. Don't tell Trip though!

     

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