Hi!
I just bought a beomaster 7000, beogram cd 7000, beocrod 7000 and beogram 4500 (with MMC2 pickup).
They all look really great, and I think I got a pretty good deal. :-)
Now, since I don't have a BL7000 I was wondering what I can do.. if I had a MCP5500/6500, could I access all the functions I could with a BL7000? Obviously I would like to get a BL7000 at some point, but it's a bit steep, so I'm looking for a cheaper solution for the time being. Does it matter whether I get the MCP5500 or 6500, or do they have all the same functionality?

I have also bought a couple of Innovus dimmers (they're being sent, not received yet), so I would like to be able to program the beomaster to control those. Can I do that without a BL7000?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks!
/  Johan 

Definetely your system 7000 needs a BL7000 with RDS functionality which a MCP does not have. There is a new one for sale here on Beoworld. Not sure if it has RDS. Got one for sale as well (RDS) if you need one.

Congratulations

You can't do everything with an MCP - most notably you will need a BL7000 for programming the light control timers - but otherwise it is quite enough. The main nag is that if somebody has programmed timers into the Beomaster, you will need to use the same remote to get rid of them. Option programming can't be done with an MCP either.

MCP5500 & 6500 are functionally identical, but a 5500 won't quite match the looks of your setup (the aluminum surfaces are brushed instead of polished).

Either way, I suggest you also get either a Beolink 1000 or a Beo4 for daily use. Neither the MCPs or a 7000 are too convenient to use on the sofa with a beer in one hand...

Thanks for the quick replies!
I'll consider getting a BL7000 then.
I do have a BL1000 for every day operation.
I don't think there are any timers programmed in, the guy I got it from only had a BL1000.
Thanks!
/  Johan 

Oh, one more question just to clarify.. can light control timers be programmed with the BL7000 only, or could I do it with a BL5000?
Thanks!
/  Johan 

According to the BL5000 user manual, it seems to be possible, but I've never tried it myself. I have the other remotes but have avoided the 5000, because the displays have a tendency to go out pixel row by row, and they can't be repaired; no spare parts available.

One more thing I forgot to mention: the Innovus dimmers (if you mean the RAone SmartDimmer) aren't 100% BL7000 compatible. They don't respond to single LAMP commands from a BL7000, so you can't adjust them separately up & down. Using preprogrammed light pictures, and controlling them all at the same time is fine. Everything works with a Beo4 though, and I suppose BL1000 as well if you have a later version with the LIGHT button. It could be a software version issue, but at least mine are all like that.

Yeah, I saw too that BL5000 could be used with the BC9500 to get light control. I don't know if that means it can also be done with the BM7000.
Thanks for the info on the dimmers.
I think I'll just use the BL1000 to control them for the time being, and perhaps save up for a BL7000. Unreliable as they are reported to be, I think a purchase could be motivated by the cool look. :-)
Thanks you all!
/  Johan 

You can program everything on the BM7000 with a BL5000 remote. The diff between BL7000 and BL5000 is just the general overview when programming, it's easier/more informative on the 7000 than the 5000, but light and play/stop timers can all be done with the 5000...

/Weebyx

Thanks!
Well, looking on ebay it seems BL7000 in reasonable condition is cheaper than a usable BL5000, so I guess the choice is simple.
 /  Johan

sumozid:

Thanks!
Well, looking on ebay it seems BL7000 in reasonable condition is cheaper than a usable BL5000, so I guess the choice is simple.
 /  Johan

Are you sure? I think it's the other way around unless the 7000 has been badly scratched! Beolink 5000 has the well known pixelfailure...

Got these as well buit for the moment without any failures 

Well, ok, BL7000 with some scratches was cheaper than a "new" BL5000. :-)
/  Johan