I read several posts of user who have a Beo4 and Beo5 who have their doubts about the easy operation of the new Beo5.

They sometimes already use their Beo4 again with some commands. Hard pushing on the glass is another complaint. So I wanne know form the owners.

How is the Beo 5 in use compared to the old Beo 4?

 

 

Ive totally gone off the Beo5.  The ridiculous price doesn't help and the configuration. I was thinking how easy Beo4 controlled everything (including SKY+) with only a couple of presses required.

I would say that it is a bit like DOS and Windows. The Beo4 is faster to use, more reliable and never malfunctions. The Beo5 is very user friendly, joy-full to use and can be customized beyond belief.

The Beo5 is much more fun than the Beo4. The Beo4 is a commander, where you hit the buttons need for control, like LIGHT, LIST, 4 and GO - to turn on lamp no. 4.

Instead of "commanding" on a Beo4, I choose a lamp on the Beo5, and then get the options that applies to the lamp. Look at the pictures below (Mere = More, Mindre = Less, Tænd = On, Sluk = Off).
Another example is in the kitchen. When I choose radio on the Beo5 I get the logos of my 8 favorite stations on the screen. Of cause you can lean all the program numbers, and commanding on the Beo4 is faster than choosing of a Beo5, but is just not the same experience.

I would buy a Beo5 again any day, but if you do not have link rooms, lights etc. but "only" a simple one room setup, it might be a little overkill.

 

The Lamp sub menu...

britpop:

Ive totally gone off the Beo5.  The ridiculous price doesn't help and the configuration. I was thinking how easy Beo4 controlled everything (including SKY+) with only a couple of presses required.

I think the price is ok, it IS a unique product.

Regarding configuration I agree. It is too complicated, and the fact that it does not support older products like the LC2, Beovision LX, Beosystem 7000 etc. is a disaster.

I have spend 6 hours setting it up with and without the help from my dealer, and that was a fuss. But now it works, and I have customized it completely, and I love it.

The price isn't ridiculous. There are learning remotes out there which cost over twice as much as the Beo5, and are feel like they've come out of a christmas cracker, and look like a bodged-up PDA.

I personally really like the Beo5, although I've only used it briefly. Seemed well thought out and very flexible. Great fun to use as well, and absolutely looks the-shizzle.

Alex:

The price isn't ridiculous.

It is compared to the Beo4, and offers little more IMO.  

It does support older products but they are not listed in the software. Pretend they are Ouvertures and you will be fine!!

Works my 9500 and 5500 no problem and also my LX6000. 

Beo 5 is a cool design but the learning remote is not really my cup of tea. Completely satisfied with Beo 4 thankyou!

If only B&O still did two way.... *sigh*

Lene:

I get like interested now - you (Christian) say it doesn't support Beosystem 7000 (in what way?). I have an old 6500 system and thought it would work nicely with a link converter! Is it an official statement/print from B&O that say it doesn't support the BS7000 or is it your own experience with the B5 setup?

To make my self clear:

Yes it supports older products, the configuration program does however not.

After the initial Beo5 setup i couldn't exit Text-TV, control my link rooms or control individual lamps. After several hour entering nomuorus commands in the setup software every thing works fine.

Peter:

It does support older products but they are not listed in the software. Pretend they are Ouvertures and you will be fine!!

Works my 9500 and 5500 no problem and also my LX6000. 

Se my post above.

I have written to B&O asking them to make the Beo5 able to operate even older products like BS5000, but they will not - they said.

Did you set up the Beo5 yourself or did your dealer?

It won't work the Beosystem 5000 as that uses completely different codes but anything a Beolink 1000 with work seems to be fine.

I know , but the hardware inside the Beo5 should be able to handle the 5000. I cannot be a big deal to include older IR codes in the setup software.

 

True, but the number of customers who would buy a Beo5 to work a 5000, which had unique codes, would be tiny. Maybe once the 3rd party software comes out?

IF the 3rd part software comes out...  

I know the gain for B&O would be small, but it might mean a lot to the few. Cannot be that difficult.