Sorry guys, but this is not completely true..
I have my BeoPort Powerlink output connected to the Powerlink out on my BV3, and since the powerlink signal is looped, it goes straight to the BeoLabs that are connected to the BV3! So I can turn on the front speakers without Masterlink cable or direct connection to the BeoLabs from BeoPort. This is useful for me as BeoPort & BV3 are in the same room, but I use the Masterlink cable for another link room as I didn't want to go through the cable splitter/junction box thing.
So if you have a set of BeoLabs on your TV or audio system, connecting another TV or audio system to a free Powerlink output will turn on the speakers.
Another thing I found out last week: I bought a B&W subwoofer to connect to my BV3, and used a simple phono to powerlink adapter like the one used for BeoLab 3, but the other way round, and it works perfectly, both through the subwoofer output (for proper 5.1 sound), or any other Powerlink output (to extend the bass range from main speakers in an audio setup) !
It's also a quick & cheap way to extend your system to other rooms where you only need mono sound from a BeoLab with phono input or non B&O active speakers.
Reunion Island is greeting you!