General Forum

Re: Masterlink with CAT5: IT WORKS! eh kind of..

dp — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:44:53 GMT

In my previous post to this I mentioned the reason for having all this hassle was because he only had CAT5 and BOSElink cable in the walls.

Well we've managed to convert the Boselink to masterlink

Re: Masterlink with CAT5: IT WORKS! eh kind of..

kallasr — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:58:44 GMT

I am using the Lexcom cables as well. Beolink Passive works.

BUT - I got Cat 7 cabling in the house (ML distribution box in the server room), see pictures in one of my posts.

So, this might be the issue...

Ralf

Re: Masterlink with CAT5: IT WORKS! eh kind of..

The Stig - ver. 1.7 — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:17:55 GMT

As I remember CAT 5 don't have a screen used for ground, that very BAD (lexcom cable is CAT 7). 4 pairs is ok because white/blue and pink use the same +5V, when a connection box or original b&o lexcom cable are used. BL active need the ML sense to work.

Re: Masterlink with CAT5: IT WORKS! eh kind of..

Keith Saunders — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:27:57 GMT

Why not check with a multimeter which pins of the Masterlink are connected to the RJ45.

I notice from the user manual on the web that they use mains earth as their signal return meaning pin 3 is the most likely connection missing.

Re: Masterlink with CAT5: IT WORKS! eh kind of..

dp — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:19:10 GMT

A bit tricky as the excom is terminated in a RJ45 meaning its difficult to see what's what when it connects to a wall socket!

I suppose I'm lucky enogh to get the TV and Hi-fi working together. I just didn't realise the active/passive kits were different than the TV and hi-fi's - I though ML was the same !

I'll update if anything improves...

Re: Masterlink with CAT5: IT WORKS! eh kind of..

Keith Saunders — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:48:54 GMT

I have never played with a Lexcom system, but I would guess as CAT 5 only has 4 pairs of wires meaning 8 wires and MasterLink signals are 9 active wires plus ground then they are likely to have not used pin 3 of the Masterlink which is "ML Sense" which is not used in a lot of products but may well be used in Beolink Active.

I suggest you check to see which wires on the Masterlink cable are connected to the Lexcom system.

Masterlink with CAT5: IT WORKS! eh kind of..

dp — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:59:18 GMT

ok since my last post didn't get much response maybe this is of interest to people:

I have succesfully got Cat5 linking a BeoVision 7 and BeoSound 3200 (cat5 in walls, with RJ45 wall sockets, with lexcom RJ45 to Masterlink cables connecting the B&O to the wall)

I get full control and it sounds & works great.

However when I try the same with an active kit it don't work at all :(

Any ideas why? what's the difference between the ML in a TV or Hi-fi and the ML in an active/passive box?