General Forum

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

R Patton — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:16:12 GMT

"Again comparing any other LCD to a BV7 is like comparing apples and oranges, no Samsung, Sharp, Sony etc LCD has the picture processing capabilities, the sound processing capabilities, the ability to run a projector. Look at this way, here in the US a BS 3 is about $7,800, a BL7-4 is about $3800, the stand $1000 for a total of about $12,600. Total price for the ensemble is $14,250 so it can be argued that the basic panel/TV really only costs about $1650, less than competitors. This does not include the DVD player that would have to be purchased with any other TV. Sure, buy a Sony, Krell amps, B and W speakers and you will get basically the same performance, and spend the same, or more. It is all a matter of preferences obviously."

Razlaw I could not agree more with this, I shopped around for various plasma and projector and sound system packages and found out I would be spending nearly the same amount, if not more, when putting together all the components than the B&O system I have now. Throw in excellent customer service and a three year warranty along with B&O design/style the other so called "high end Audio Visual dealers" were not even in the same league.

Roger

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

Razlaw — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:36:52 GMT

The person I referred to was speaking of high def on a Sony.

My dealer does have the latest models in. In fact, manufacturers sometimes use them to unveil new models. See the following article.

Electronics superstore

This dealer currently has approximately 110 different LCDs and Plasmas 36 inch or available.

Also, there was mention here about a new TV in September with a better picture. Have you seen that new TV? Specifications do not tell the whole story. Again, to use the car analogy, most people do not buy a car based on specifications alone, they actually look at and test drive them. The same is true of TVs. New technology does not always equal better.

Bottom line is to truly decide, one must view the various options and then decide. If one defines the best picture by specifications alone, one will always want a different TV as specifications change so rapidly.

Again comparing any other LCD to a BV7 is like comparing apples and oranges, no Samsung, Sharp, Sony etc LCD has the picture processing capabilities, the sound processing capabilities, the ability to run a projector. Look at this way, here in the US a BS 3 is about $7,800, a BL7-4 is about $3800, the stand $1000 for a total of about $12,600. Total price for the ensemble is $14,250 so it can be argued that the basic panel/TV really only costs about $1650, less than competitors. This does not include the DVD player that would have to be purchased with any other TV. Sure, buy a Sony, Krell amps, B and W speakers and you will get basically the same performance, and spend the same, or more. It is all a matter of preferences obviously.

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

tIRED — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:22:21 GMT

That's odd. I feel the "speed" and the contrast of the LCD is better for watching your average cooking or talk show on a weekday night.. It also performs way better in a day lit room (especially with the sun coming in from any angle). The plasma performs close to poor with too much day light (despite of the anti reflection and anti glare treatment on the glass front, which I find somewhat of a joke).

I can add that my fried has a Samsung LCD (about 2 years old) which performs _far_ better than any of my sets in direct sun light.

..however (as someone else wrote). "No sound reason spending a fortune on a red, italian sports car when a moden japanese one kicks it's ass by far at the Ring" (which is true any day of the week). I woundn't wanna be seen in a Toyota (can't even spell it, I think) downtown on a friday night.. I know, vanity is a form of illness.. :)

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

355f — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:04:04 GMT

tIRED:

With the risk of repeating a few comments I'd like to say the following.
1. I have both a 4-50 (BS3 BL7.2 4*8000 BL2) and two 7-40 (MKII, BL7.4 4*8000) and both are great sets. The plasma performs somewhat better watching HD-_movie_content. The LCD is abit sharper (which tends to be better when watching traditional TV-content). The 7-40 looks great in several ways of mounting (freestanding, wallmount low floorstand) as the 4-50 _has_ to be mounted on a flat wall... Pretty much.. As the 7-40 had a built in DVD (bhuuu) player it performs well as a "hub" of your link-system.. A shame that BO can't throw in a simple 100USD BlueRay-player in the BV7-40 as of today... Dell "threw one in" when a bought new laptops for the kids at USD399 per laptop..
2. Both do upscaling farily OK (even though the BS3 is supposed to do it better I can hardly tell a difference) but any high-res panel (like these ones) are built to show high-res, as HD-content always is preferred. Get a cable/sat supplier with HD-content or don't get any of the TV-sets... Get a cable box which is in the PUC-list (your dealer will help you out choosing the right model).
3. Get speakers! Much of the "spoken of" superiour experiece watching movies with these types of sets comes from the sound. No need to argue that once experienced...
4. These TV-sets are nowhere near the best panels you can buy on the market today (or sound processors, for that matter). You get a better and more modern (from a tech-point-fo view) setup for a 5th of the money with Sony or Samsung with a suitable surround decoder and a set of speakers. You simply don't buy these types of setups because they are "a smart buy" and "worth the money". You buy them because they are good looking, integrate well (masterlin, powerlink) and can be handled by your wife (or your kids).
Good luck with your purchase and hope you feel your money is well spent.. :)

Its very interesting that you find the BV7 better when watching traditional TV content- this is against the general perception of LCD. of course HD content ir preferred but its quality is varied.

I agree that on does not buy these sets purely for value for money on the others hand one does not want to make this kindof investment to find far superior pictures at afractoion of the price/

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

355f — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:53:04 GMT

akeithj:
355f - Does you analogy apply equally to the BV 4, or is it specific to the BV 7 ?

I think one has to have the items on test to make a proper judgement, if your buying because you like the package that the BV7 offers thats a worthy reason to buy it. But it makes no sense to post stating its the best LCD picture on the planet when it is not at present and come later this year it will be a long way behind. The new panels that cost about £1500 are superior to the BV7 that costs 5 times that.

The BV4 is a different animal. The picture is good, arguably not a lot that betters it, although the pioneer comes equal or better- but its not inferior.

Again, its very difficult to justify £13K for this TV.

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

tIRED — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:51:39 GMT

With the risk of repeating a few comments I'd like to say the following.

1. I have both a 4-50 (BS3 BL7.2 4*8000 BL2) and two 7-40 (MKII, BL7.4 4*8000) and both are great sets. The plasma performs somewhat better watching HD-_movie_content. The LCD is abit sharper (which tends to be better when watching traditional TV-content). The 7-40 looks great in several ways of mounting (freestanding, wallmount low floorstand) as the 4-50 _has_ to be mounted on a flat wall... Pretty much.. As the 7-40 had a built in DVD (bhuuu) player it performs well as a "hub" of your link-system.. A shame that BO can't throw in a simple 100USD BlueRay-player in the BV7-40 as of today... Dell "threw one in" when a bought new laptops for the kids at USD399 per laptop..

2. Both do upscaling farily OK (even though the BS3 is supposed to do it better I can hardly tell a difference) but any high-res panel (like these ones) are built to show high-res, as HD-content always is preferred. Get a cable/sat supplier with HD-content or don't get any of the TV-sets... Get a cable box which is in the PUC-list (your dealer will help you out choosing the right model).

3. Get speakers! Much of the "spoken of" superiour experiece watching movies with these types of sets comes from the sound. No need to argue that once experienced...

4. These TV-sets are nowhere near the best panels you can buy on the market today (or sound processors, for that matter). You get a better and more modern (from a tech-point-fo view) setup for a 5th of the money with Sony or Samsung with a suitable surround decoder and a set of speakers. You simply don't buy these types of setups because they are "a smart buy" and "worth the money". You buy them because they are good looking, integrate well (masterlin, powerlink) and can be handled by your wife (or your kids).

Good luck with your purchase and hope you feel your money is well spent.. :)

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

akeithj — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:32:29 GMT

355f - Does you analogy apply equally to the BV 4, or is it specific to the BV 7 ?

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

355f — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:11:46 GMT

akeithj:

To use an anlogy from the car world, I suppose it's a bit like comparing the new Nissan GT-R and a Ferrari 430. I don't think there is any question that the Nissan is a technological tour deforce and will be quicker around the Nurburgring than the Ferrari, but which car would you rather have.?
I think for some people at least there is more to choosing things whether it be cars or TV's than just sheer performance alone. Performace is a significant factor, but other things are equally important, looks, style, joy of ownership etc.....if only B&O would reduce their prices we would all be happy.

Im not sure this is a correct analogy!

Whats more appropriate would you prefer a copy F430 with a toyota engine in it( aka BV7) or something techniclaly superior

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

Dave — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:58:30 GMT

I think the BV4 is a stately choice and the latest with the frame looks unbelievable, the BV7 to me looks like an average tv and the price tag scares me when you look at what it can't do compared to tv's a tenth of the price! My opinion anyway...

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

akeithj — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:44:13 GMT

To use an anlogy from the car world, I suppose it's a bit like comparing the new Nissan GT-R and a Ferrari 430. I don't think there is any question that the Nissan is a technological tour deforce and will be quicker around the Nurburgring than the Ferrari, but which car would you rather have.?

I think for some people at least there is more to choosing things whether it be cars or TV's than just sheer performance alone. Performace is a significant factor, but other things are equally important, looks, style, joy of ownership etc.....if only B&O would reduce their prices we would all be happy.

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

355f — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:02:22 GMT

Razlaw:

Our 2 week old BV7 far surpasses the picture quality of any TV I have seen in any store. I had one person in the house, who did not come to see the tv, and he about jumped out iof his shoes when he saw the picture, could not believe how good it was, compared to his LCD. I am sorry, I do not understand why everybody likes to criticize B and O over their price. We all know they are expensive. We also all know that there are far more expensive speaker manufacturers out there. So, the new Sharp panel is about 2k,...does that include a processor that is anywhere close to the BS3? Does it include a speaker that can compare to a Beolab 7? Does it include motorized stand? Our dealer also sells other brands. When we purchased the BV7 he also gave us a price for the latest Samsung 120hz along with a BS3 and BL7. Add in a stand and the price becomes just about the same as a BV7.
Personally, my wife and I prefer the picture quality on the BV7 to the BV4. The color and sharpness of it is amazing. Try the Bee Movie in BluRay, particulary the scene with the Bees flying and the following tennis match.

Firstly if its your prefernce for LCD over plasma thats your choice of course. You mention the individual that came to your house being amazed compared to what he had- out of interest what brand LCD did he have and what sources was he watching- any digital cartoon on blue ray will look good no matter what the panel.

No one is critisising the price. If one can justift the £8K price for build quality and looks thats fine.I think it looks a great TV set- But its a mistake to beleive that its simply the best out there because of the enourmous price tag. If ones sole crtieria is picture quality you can buy better- in september for 70% less than the rpice B&O is asking. If one is prepared to pay 6K for a smart looking tv that has proper aluminium case rather than alum look- thats fine!

Comparing the quality of the BV7 to anything you have seen- well maybe the shops have not got the latest products in. As for the pioneer LCD panel which I have seen, and will be available in september( or thereabouts) You are correct it does not include a processor like the BS3- the panel used is far superior and it does not need it to be better and it does not need a motorised stand as the field of view is far superior to the samsung panel used in the BV7. The market is moving very quickly and B&O is using panels which are not the latest in technology The BS3 will it support HD audio codecs- No it wont. These are the questions individuals should be asking when spending this kind of money

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

Razlaw — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:47:23 GMT

Our 2 week old BV7 far surpasses the picture quality of any TV I have seen in any store. I had one person in the house, who did not come to see the tv, and he about jumped out iof his shoes when he saw the picture, could not believe how good it was, compared to his LCD. I am sorry, I do not understand why everybody likes to criticize B and O over their price. We all know they are expensive. We also all know that there are far more expensive speaker manufacturers out there. So, the new Sharp panel is about 2k,...does that include a processor that is anywhere close to the BS3? Does it include a speaker that can compare to a Beolab 7? Does it include motorized stand? Our dealer also sells other brands. When we purchased the BV7 he also gave us a price for the latest Samsung 120hz along with a BS3 and BL7. Add in a stand and the price becomes just about the same as a BV7.

Personally, my wife and I prefer the picture quality on the BV7 to the BV4. The color and sharpness of it is amazing. Try the Bee Movie in BluRay, particulary the scene with the Bees flying and the following tennis match.

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

Beolab — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:38:49 GMT

355f:
Razlaw:
Yes, the reviews are one year old. What has changed about the BV7 since then? The only changes I am aware of our software which I assume, if anything, improved the TV.
well its a question of what the competition has done in that time, look at new lcd from pioneer due in september, using state of theart sharp panel, 40" is about 2K

The LCD range differentiates itself from KURO plasma TVs in terms of design with an attractive ‘aluminum look’ finish. Aluminum look!!

Here you see a example why B&o are much more expensive than other brands.. But unfortunately the expensive cabinet docent make the PQ!

Regards

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

355f — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:15:48 GMT

Razlaw:
Yes, the reviews are one year old. What has changed about the BV7 since then? The only changes I am aware of our software which I assume, if anything, improved the TV.

well its a question of what the competition has done in that time, look at new lcd from pioneer due in september, using state of theart sharp panel, 40" is about 2K

Re: Beo Vision 4 or Beo Vision 7

Razlaw — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:12:31 GMT

Yes, the reviews are one year old. What has changed about the BV7 since then? The only changes I am aware of our software which I assume, if anything, improved the TV.