General Forum

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

darioazul — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:27:01 GMT

Mark D:

Great use of metaphors...

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

linder — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:19:38 GMT

I don't care for Windows either but I accept that B&O will be doing most future development on the Windows platform. I like iTunes and Macs. I have been ripping music and sometimes adding video using iTunes to a 2 terabyte ethernet hard disk. I use an Airport Express connected to a high quality DAC which in turn is connected to the Aux port on a Beocenter 2. It works well and sounds wonderful.

I have a Beomedia 1 and have tried to use it for digital music but it was too cumbersome. I do like the n.radio function for internet radio and will continue to use it for internet radio. TBS said that B&O will be more software oriented. I hope he means that B&O will do much better than they have in the past.

For future audio and video products, B&O may well consider that not everyone will use their digital offerings. They should have more HDMI and Aux connections.

Bill

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

waltoninn — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:52:29 GMT

I think what TBS meant about Windows being a more "stable" platform referred to the annoying fact that Windows has about a 93.00 share of the desktop computer market. I don't think he was referring to the software's actual operating characteristics. Although I don't care for Windows very much, hardly at all, in business and many areas of computers it's almost impossible to avoid it as a software operating system, but that's what one gets when a true monopoly exists without being challenged. A number of years ago the US Department of Justice tried, but when elections brought a new administration, the antitrust case was ceremoniously abandoned, despite what others may believe. The antitrust case appears to have turned out differently in the European Union though, which might provide some balance of power measure sorely needed in the desktop software market.

Given that, thanks for posting the interview. It was very interesting, informative and insightful to know where the captain of the ship would like to sail! Thank you.

Charles

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

BeoNut1 — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:26:57 GMT

Sal,

I agree with you - Mr. TBS has put too much faith in Microsoft as a company and in Windows as an OS. If we are to learn anything from history, these are misplaced faiths (witness the Zune versus the "Plays For Sure" crowd). I also thought the Windows is a "safer technology platform" quote humorous though somewhat scary.

Regarding, B&O looking to "free the consumer", B&O must realize that it is Apple that is leading the fight to bring about the gradual diminuation of DRM - at least as it pertains to music. Whether you consider Steve Job's "open letter regarding DRM" as the motivating factor or (more likely) the music labels conspiring to decrease the influence of iTunes by offering DRM-free mp3s on Amazon, you have to admit that Apple has brought about this recent trend of decreasing DRM in the internet audio arena. Apple is so good at building software and hardware that (contrary to popular belief) they aren't worried about the media they sell being "unlocked". B&O would be wise to consider cooperating with Apple if for no other reason than to follow a business organization that has proven itself adept at navigating the digital media market.

One other thing: I can see downloaded music generally becoming DRM-free, but I think the movie studios are scared that what has happened to the music labels will eventually happen to their industry. Thus, I think it unlikely that movies will be downloaded without DRM. Wouldn't B&O be wise to hitch their wagon to a company that will most likely deliver downloaded movies in an easy, consumer-friendly fashion? Does B&O plan on having a store within their software to purchase this media? If not, will their software tie in to other online media stores? And, if so, how will they know who's store will prove the most "future proof"?

The cheese is being moved, and I want B&O to position themself where the hockey puck will be rather than where it is (please excuse the liberal use of American lingo and sayings). Apple, in collaboration with Google, will, in my humble opinion, prove most adept in these regards. These two companies are a couple of chess moves further down the road than most other American companies.

I truly hope that I'm wrong (as I want B&O to succeed), but I think B&O's loyalty to Windows will prove to be a mistake and I think the digital market place may be much less forgiving of "niche players" (like B&O) than the analogue market place was. I also hope that the BeoSound 5 blows me away in terms of hardware, software and integration. If the future proves B&O to have chosen wisely in these regards, I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong. In fact, I want to be wrong as I love B&O (otherwise I wouldn't bother to write these lengthy diatribes). But, I'm tired of all the "work arounds" (to which Sal alluded) that must be employed to get my B&O equipment to integrate with the ubiquitous digital media vendor.

Just my .02,

Mark

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

Yendys — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:32:41 GMT

Great question & interview Lee. Very enlightening!

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

KingStreet — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:55:28 GMT

joeyboygolf:
It's interesting to note that TBS knew how to operate the product and could talk about it's capabilities. I am sure that the MD of my previous employers would not have been able to do that without someone technical holding his hand.

Thats a very good point, and having dealt in the past with the likes of Sony/Sharp/Panasonic/Philips etc its certainly the case that B&O are one of only a very few companies that engender such loyalty / pride in its staff, business partners and customers alike.

It must be the case if you think about it, because, otherwise, no one would read this

Its hard to put a value on the feelgood factor in owning a product when you know it comes from a company with a true history of being interested in the people who use, make and distribute the products it creates.

On a related subject, there is a short DVD available to see at most dealers called 80 Years of Passion ; watch it, and you will maybe see why TBS is simply following a long, proud tradition.

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

Dave — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:30:06 GMT

Oh wow that would have been adrenalin plus for you wow!! Great reading, i was surprised as to how short it was but sharp and shiny with plenty of good information yay!

I MUST say this, i do not care what even the CEO says, the new mp3 player is a lousy design (visually). Look at the this page for instance, it just does not fit in.

He must be very proud of the Serenata though.

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

Sal — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:30:28 GMT

9 LEE:

TBS – We are exploring both Linux and Windows, and at this moment we see Windows as a safer technology platform for us in the short run. We have a good collaboration with Apple in the stores with the earphones in the USA, and are even experimenting with BeoLab 4 – but one thing that we will never do though is imitate. Although I agree that Apple have a fantastic user interface, it does tend to ‘lock people in’ to using Apple products if you say refer to iTunes. Bang & Olufsen are looking to free the consumer, but this is a complicated process due to legal issues and encryptions. We would like Bang & Olufsen users to be able to upload any kind of music, bought or ripped, to our products.

Call me cynical, but I found his view regarding Windows as a stable platform pretty funny. And as for B & O looking to free consumers... isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black? There are countless threads on these forums alone where people offer workarounds for B & O to be used with other products, workarounds wouldn't be necessary if B & O was truly "freeing" the consumer.

In any case, I am pretty passionate about Apple (maybe moreso than B & O), but gimme break.

Mr. Sorensen, one doesn't have to imitate in order to cooperate.

-Sal

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

GuyHui — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:19:00 GMT

Thanks Lee for your review with TBS.

It's interesting to know that he was living with B&O during his childhood and that B&O is part of the life (and tradition) of the Danish people.

I appreciated the fact that B&O will work on a great challenge : Lifting up their competences in the software side to match the mechanical side of their future products. Whoa ! That's an interesting project !

Concerning the case of the (Porsche) Cayenne and (Volkswagen) Touareg or the partnership between Samsung and B&O, I am aware that the internal parts of the product have been enhanced following the Firm's high standards.

I am impatient to be astonished by the upcoming products from B&O.

That's MAGIC ! Whoa!!! ....will be my words in a close future...

Guy

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

Roger — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:44:58 GMT

wtlc2zpx:

I see the BS5 as a mix between the BS4 (wheel), a BS3200 (A CD player with a HD A.MEM, and a Beomedia like Interface on a LCD screen.
I see it having a dual way of distributing music: Over ML and over Ethernet.
p

Great interview! He said a lot using few words, and I was delighted to read about the imminent future. BeoWorld'ers tend to be early adapters, and those that got the BeoPlayer Sw and a BeoSound 2 with the 128 Mb card found it to be easy to use - a few years down the road the same people now have a BeoMedia with 250 Gb that they try to navigate through a BeoSound 9000 using a Beo4. A change was needed, but it will not be the revolution (iTunes) some hoped for - a "light" version is available for the Serenata, but it gives all the clues as to how IdeaLand would like us to interact with digital music. And TBS now confirmed the same approach for the BeoSound 5.

Roger

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

Puncher — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:35:28 GMT

Maybe the Serenata should have had one built in!

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

9 LEE — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:24:35 GMT

jandyt:

What a great account of your trip Lee.
You seem to have found a hidden talent as a reporter.
Thank you so much for putting so much time and effort into all your posts since your return from Berlin.
It appears that you and TBS have clicked with each other and I anticipate further ties strengthening between B&O and Beoworld. Who knows, there may well soon be a link on the official site to Beoworld!
Just out of curiosity, were you writing franticly whilst conversing or did you use some other method of recording your chat?
Andy T.

I bought a Sony voice recorder for £39.99 the day before - i'm no fool - my shorthand is non-existent.

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

Jandyt — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:18:06 GMT

What a great account of your trip Lee.
You seem to have found a hidden talent as a reporter.
Thank you so much for putting so much time and effort into all your posts since your return from Berlin.
It appears that you and TBS have clicked with each other and I anticipate further ties strengthening between B&O and Beoworld. Who knows, there may well soon be a link on the official site to Beoworld!
Just out of curiosity, were you writing franticly whilst conversing or did you use some other method of recording your chat?

Andy T.

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

Bieele — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:08:56 GMT

Hi Lee,

Good job! When I read it I feel amoust like being there; drinking a beer as well!

Bieele

Re: The Torben Ballegaard Sørensen Interview..

joeyboygolf — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:01:53 GMT

It's interesting to note that TBS knew how to operate the product and could talk about it's capabilities. I am sure that the MD of my previous employers would not have been able to do that without someone technical holding his hand.