Has anyone bought and used this set, as I cannot find any reviews? I am considering purchasing it as I would like to upgrade my BV6 26" to a new HDTV with HDMI. I know this is a buget B&O set but is it anygood.

Cheers
TC

I'm also interested in hearing from those that have a BV-8 as I'm considering purchasing one, too.

If someone writes a small review, or at least offers an opinion on the quality of this set, I'd appreciate some insight in to a specific question that I asked B&O and couldn't get a good answer, nor could I gleam the answer from reading a downloaded BV-8 manual:

Can you shut off the TV speakers so as to only use BeoLabs attached to the PowerLink output of the TV?  I ask because I'd like to attach an Apple TV to the unit and use it to peruse my music files, but have the files play through some attached BL3s rather than the center channel.

TIA,

Mark 

Hey guys!

There are some products that seem to grab you right away (the BeoVision 7 for me), and some that you warm up to over time. The BeoVision 8, for me, has taken some getting used to, but I'm speaking purely about looks. Technologically it looks fantastic. I happen to have a local dealer who is only a few paces from a Sony store so I can do the best side by side comparison available, and the BeoVision 8, even at 720p looks significantly better than any Sony, even the 1080p. I think it goes to show how the picture processing, even when scaled down, is really where Bang & Olufsen shine. 

As for the connectivity, I'm comfortable enough to say that I'm outside Bang & Olufsen's core clientele and they are wise to build for people with more money than me! So in a perfect world where everything is everything and costs nothing, it would decode surround sound and handle more inputs, but if I'm honest, it's dead on perfect as a secondary TV. There are components of a main room system that simply don't need to be in second rooms, so the BeoVision 8 handles (and controls via PUC) 2 sources, as well as powering a stereo pair of BeoLabs (or passive speakers via ML to MCL converter). It will also link up with an audio system or tap into an existing BeoLink network if one exists.

So that leaves the form. As I said earlier I was on the fence, but after spending a bit of time around it I've come to really like it. I think it's nice that there are several distinct form factors in the video family. 

I hope that helps! 

I had the 32" on order, but found it too large when it arrived, and switched to the smaller one. Here are my impressions which I posted on the North American forum at the time:

http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/post/58968.aspx 

I ordered a 32" BV8 which I was going to place in the den -- went to look at it when they got it into the stores, and actually changed my mind for the 26" version. The 32" one is great, but I didn't need that large a screen there. So I can empathize with those who had been hoping for a 26" BeoVision in the US.

The logo has been exaggerated in the pictures. On my TV you can't see it unless you look for it, seriously. Doesn't bother me at all.

I wish it had the electronic curtain, but it doesn't - B&O feels that should be reserved for the Home Theatre TVs. I think it's a distinguishing B&O hallmark and that they made a bad call.

It's a great TV. I have it controlling my STB, and enabling various functions on that without any problems.

Tried out a pair of BL3s on floorstands together with the TV, using the PL Out with a splitter. Nice, rich stereo perspective, and actually providing a very strongly grounded stereo image in SPEAKER 3. However, would you believe that when I switch between SPEAKER 3 & 1 I find 1 serves my purpose quite nicely. The BV8 looks great together with the BL3s, though.

Surround? Sometimes B&O does de-selection with their collective heads in an unmentionable place. Of course this TV should have surround, it doesn't. For some weird, mysterious reason they got it into their heads that the BV8 was a "second-room-television" and that "one shouldn't watch movies on it."

Well, it's perfect for watching movies on, and for a lot of people living in the middle of town with limited space, it's not a question of cramming rooms with TVs but of getting one good screen that can do a lot of things. And surround, for movies/TV/Games is one of those things.
At least make a BS4 that can read DVDs and decode surround, to be used together with the BV8.

For now, if I do want surround with my BV8, I have to pipe the digital Coax from the STB or Toslink optical from the Mac to a non-B&O surround decoder I have, and that can't possibly have been what B&O had in mind when they yanked the surround module out of this TV.

I ordered it with the MasterLink module, because I have a Beosystem 6500 in the den, and wanted the two to work together. Which they're doing wonderfully, through a 1611 Beolink Converter. I'm sending all the sound output from the Beosystem to the BV8s speakers, and controlling all the sources from the Beosystem through the Beo4 without any problems. Actually found that my Beolink 5000 can also control a number of functions on the TV, but not format.

Bringing me to another item, which I haven't figured out. Whenever you wake the BeoVision 8 from standby it defaults to FORMAT 1, which is overscan -- and I always set it to FORMAT 3, which is 16:9.But it doesn't seem as if I can store FORMAT 3 to be the new default ...

I bought a DVI to HMDI converter cable, 5m long. Stuck the HDMI plug into the BV8 and now have the cable ready to roll out when I want to connect it to my laptop, while seated in the recliner in front of the TV. Does 1360x768 without a hitch, and provides me with a good relief screen for work and surf -- just as sharp as my regular Apple Cinema Display screen (which doesn't have an excellent speaker setup built in!).

Bought it with the floorstand, though that has its advantages (aesthetic) and disadvantages (functional). You have to unscrew the sliding/angling metal feet to place it on the floorstand, and then secure it with four bolt-screws. This means that taking the BV8 off the floorstand and placing it, say on your desk, isn't done in a jiff. Actually think I should have gone for the cabinet or just plopping it on a shelf, since that would have let me leave the feet on, making it much easier to move the TV around to wherever I want it in the den. (At my feet, for that sake, in true MX fashion.)

It looks stunning on the floorstand, which makes up for the lack of a spring-loaded clamp system to fix it in place. 

Has the regular contrast/brightness/color adjustment options, but should have a pro menu for more advanced adjustments of the image. Quite happy with the image, but think it would be possible to tweak it to be even better. Good out of the box.

Comes with a long black cable sock, think mine was four meters, which is just what I needed. When the TV is in the corner, it's curled up behind it -- when I move it to the desk, it's just long enough to be able to snake along the floor and rise to the level of the work space.

Now I'm just considering whether I will go for the cabinet instead of the floorstand, sacrificing aesthetics for convenience ...

 

TripEnglish:

Hey guys!

There are some products that seem to grab you right away (the BeoVision 7 for me), and some that you warm up to over time. The BeoVision 8, for me, has taken some getting used to, but I'm speaking purely about looks. Technologically it looks fantastic. I happen to have a local dealer who is only a few paces from a Sony store so I can do the best side by side comparison available, and the BeoVision 8, even at 720p looks significantly better than any Sony, even the 1080p. I think it goes to show how the picture processing, even when scaled down, is really where Bang & Olufsen shine. 

As for the connectivity, I'm comfortable enough to say that I'm outside Bang & Olufsen's core clientele and they are wise to build for people with more money than me! So in a perfect world where everything is everything and costs nothing, it would decode surround sound and handle more inputs, but if I'm honest, it's dead on perfect as a secondary TV. There are components of a main room system that simply don't need to be in second rooms, so the BeoVision 8 handles (and controls via PUC) 2 sources, as well as powering a stereo pair of BeoLabs (or passive speakers via ML to MCL converter). It will also link up with an audio system or tap into an existing BeoLink network if one exists.

So that leaves the form. As I said earlier I was on the fence, but after spending a bit of time around it I've come to really like it. I think it's nice that there are several distinct form factors in the video family. 

I hope that helps! 

Considering Sont cant make a good LCD im not surprised at your findings!

Hi,

I wanted to know if the STB supports fast scrolling on the apple TV. I send a note to Beocare, they replied they would be checking with the product manager.

I would recommend to do the same and then just post here.

Your question would be interesting for me too, I am guessing it works somewhat. You can lower the volume of the center speaker to 0.

What I like to try is, connect the A-TV to both, Audio and Video Master via a split cable. I am hoping that I can switch the audio master to AUX but still have the screen on.

I know that for TVs with surround sound module, you can switch the speaker mode, so what you are asking is done easily. But since the BV8 doesn't have that module, I am not sure how that would work

 

Cheers

JK 

 

The BeoVision 8 has the option to switch speaker modes.

You could connect the aTV to both audio and video master, but I don't see what advantage this would give you other than the ability to switch off the screen of the BeoVision 8 and still hear the sound from the Apple TV.

Hi Mark,

to answer your last question first; yes, you can change the system to 'Speaker 2' with no trouble for music listening.

Anyone following some of these threads carefully will have surmised that TripEnglish and I frequent the same B&O shop, and have the same opportunity to amble down to 'Sony Style' and look at other manufacturers products.  I have to say that I find the BV-8 a compelling proposition in the current US climate, when considered in the context of its design brief.  I do wish we could get the 26" as well and perhaps someday we will.  In any event, the BV-8 seems perfectly suited for use in bed room, den, kitchen, even office (with either VGA or HDMI input available). 

I simply can't understand why people on this forum continue to overlook the BV-8's clear intent to be an entry level, and second room, TV; it was never intended to be part of the 'BeoThetre' concept.  The DSS was not 'ripped out' of the BV-8.  Seems just as foolish to say that Audi ruined the A-3 when they ripped the W-12 out of it, or the V-10 TDI, or the W-8...or...or...or.  Did Ferrari 'ruin' the original 60's era Dino by 'ripping out' the V-12...no, it was meant for the 6 cylinder, and people who undertand that still lust after it because of, not in spite of, the design intent.

 I don't really believe that Audi started designing the A-3 by staring at an A-8 W-12 and asking themselves what should be taken out.  Similarly, I believe that B&O started with a clean sheet and thought about what was essential in a link-room TV, in an 'always on' TV, and kept a keen eye on the concept.  I would guess that adding only the audio section from the BeoSystem 3  engine would take the BV-8 more than half-way to the price of the BV-7/32, and make it far too bulky and heavy to fulfill it's intended role...and I want it because of that...not in spite....

 

Russ 

I think we keep saying they ripped out the surround, cause there is such a huge demand for a lower priced but fully functional TV. In every other environment, adding surround is a relativly low priced option. In B&O because they integrate it into the TV it become a 15,000$ investment. I think we may find that many people may nuy that TV as a full fledged living room option even though it was not marketed like that. I know at least I will.

 Personally, I don't care much for surround but I do need clarity of speech which I don't have right now when watching DVD with my Lab 3 / Lab 2 combination. If the BV8 manages that, with the external speaker attached I think I am in.

 Only question left for me is, can the BV8 fully control A-TV, hoping to get that anwsered soon from Beocare.

Cheers

JK

Have you all seen this?

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665327724

 

$2500USD for an 11" screen and NO Surround Sound!!  What are they thinking?

 

Russ

@ Russ,

I agree completely. For a TV meant as a secondary unit (bedroom, office, den, etc.) surround seems silly. There a great options, though at greater cost, for a "main" room TV.

I do have some complaints that have kept me on the sidelines:

1. I thought the logic of not including a remote control with a TV was to give the user a choice, b/c a complicated main room system might require a more robust solution such as the Beo5. But by definition, BV8 is a less complicated system than BV4/7/9. So why a choice? This logic doesn't work for me. Afterall, the Audi A3 does have, at least in the USA remote keyless entry.

I'll forgive B&O for this.

2. No ML Module as standard? A bit of a disappointment, but I understand. Lots of upgrades available on the Audi A3.

I'll forgive B&O.

3. No sleep timer? What, for a bedroom TV? Oh that's right, B&O designers rule. So let's downgrade the radio in the Audi A3 so that it has no Radio station presets. A major misstep in a piece of equipment that cost nearly $4,500 with all included options (Beo4 and ML)! How much can this feature cost? It's available in $75 sets at Walmart! B&O, you must go to the corner and sit for the next...

You are not forgiven!

>>2500USD for an 11" screen and NO Surround Sound!!  What are they thinking<<

 Not that sony will ever enter my house but they think go ahead and buy one of our 400$ surround receiver.

soundproof:

Actually found that my Beolink 5000 can also control a number of functions on the TV, but not format.

Can you not control "format" with [PICTURE] [1] , [2] or [3] ?

I can control "format" on my BV7-40 with [PICTURE]  (on a Beolink 1000)

My local B&O shop here in Perth, has just told me there is no option for the surround module...I cant belive B&O would not have that option? I have a BV6-26" at the moment and am looking to upgrade it for the BV8-32" really for the HDCP/HDMI input,I know it is meant for a 2nd room, but
not all of us have $16000 (AUS) for a BV7!!

RussR:

Have you all seen this?

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665327724

 

$2500USD for an 11" screen and NO Surround Sound!!  What are they thinking?

 

Russ

 I'll tell you what they were thinking: someone out there must be willing to pay a premium to be one of the first to own an OLED screen with a 1.000.000:1 contrast ratio.

Bad comparison, I think. I own a BV8, bought it in spite of thinking it was really silly of B&O to hobble the TV, when they could easily have made it a complete package. Now I have a non-B&O surround sound processor connected to it.

Russ,

Thank you for your response to my question.  I spoke with a B&O salesperson today, and they stated that when you hook speakers to the PL port, the TV senses the speakers and gives you the option to turn the center channel lower.  However, he felt that you couldn't actually turn the center channel completely off.

If I hook an Apple TV via HDMI to the BV8 and choose "Speaker 2", you're sure that the TV will remain on, but it's inherent speakers will be off?

One other stupid question:  If I hook an Apple TV to the HDMI port and hook a cable box to the component inputs, can I get the BV8's IR repeater to control these items?  If so, is that software that the B&O guys have to load on the TV for me?

 TIA,

Mark D 

Doesn't the dealer have a manual?

I've had BL3s connected to my BV8 - tv speakers were off in SPEAKER 2. 

Soundproof,

 

Thank you.  For the record, I did see that in the manual that I downloaded, but the B&O guy was insistent that the center channel could at best only be turned lower.

Any idea regarding the IR blasters built in to the BV8 controlling a cable box?  Is that something I'd have to have the dealer come and adjust in my house or does the TV already have the software codes built in to it to control a variety of set top boxes?

 

M 

That depends on the BOX you have. The STB software is built in, can be updated and you can even add your own signals to it.

You should be able to call up a list through the menu, the one I saw showed a few cable boxes an Ipod Remote which I believe is used to control A=TV. 

 

Cheers

Jk 

soundproof:

RussR:

Have you all seen this?

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665327724

 

$2500USD for an 11" screen and NO Surround Sound!!  What are they thinking?

 

Russ

 I'll tell you what they were thinking: someone out there must be willing to pay a premium to be one of the first to own an OLED screen with a 1.000.000:1 contrast ratio.

Bad comparison, I think. I own a BV8, bought it in spite of thinking it was really silly of B&O to hobble the TV, when they could easily have made it a complete package. Now I have a non-B&O surround sound processor connected to it.

 

I'm aware that it's a bad comparison, silly really.  It just seems to me that the most strident critics of the BV-8 seem to want a BV-7-32 for $4,000, and don't want to give anything up.  Which likewise seems silly...to me.

 

Russ 

"It just seems to me that the most strident critics of the BV-8 seem to want a BV-7-32 for $4,000, and don't want to give anything up"

 I don't think that is the point. The point is, that many look for a lower priced TV for the living room that goes together with the music system and speakers. It doesn't have to have the picture quality or the expensive materials of a BV7. I think the BV8 shows that you still can "design" the product without Glas/Aluminium everything. Not sure how it would have added to the cost to make the surround module optional?

Some keep saying, but it is a link room TV it doesn't need all that. But then it seems many want it for the main room. Why restrict how you can use a product? I like a lot that they made ML and remote optional, for those who don't need it shaves 600$ of the price 

 

 

Cheers

JK

 

 

Wow Russ, 

jk1002 and Soundproof do have a point. It seems like all of these luxury goods manufacturers keep forgetting to build their products for people who can't afford them! It's very inconsiderate when you think about it. I don't think it's solipsistic at all to think that a brand who builds for the 1-3% of the population who has found enough success to enjoy their product should also throw poor old me a bone now and then!

Heck, I wandered into Alain Ducasse's Louis XV in Monoco a few weeks ago for dinner and when I saw the prices of the entrees I realized I could only afford an appetizer, but when it came to the table it wasn't very much food! I ate it all and was still hungry! Doesn't Alain realize that not everyone can afford his meals! It wouldn't be that hard for them to just throw a lobster or a few veal medalions onto the plate for heaven's sake! After all, you can add sausage links to any meal for $4 at the Olive Garden. I just don't see what the difference is!

But my troubles didn't stop there! Yesterday I found myself on Rue Saint Honoré in Paris and thought I'd stop into Goyard for a new suitcase. I've always loved their designs and the quality of their trunks and leather goods is among the very best in the world. But HOLY MOLY! When I saw the prices of the luggage I realized that I could only afford a wallet (which was $500 all by itself! The nerve!). So I purchased one and went on my way, but when I got back to my hotel room and started packing for my flight home I realized I could barely get a dress sock into my wallet let alone all my shirts and trousers! I went back to Goyard and told them about my problem. You should have seen the looks they gave me! I explained that their trunks were way too expensive and didn't hold luggage any better than a Samsonite, but I wanted one anyway, so if they would just please sell me a wallet that I could fit all of my clothing in I would happily be on my way.

Long story short the Parisian police are no more understanding than the snobs in Goyard! Sometimes I wonder how a poor guy like me is supposed to enjoy the finer things in life!

and... Scene! 

>>It seems like all of these luxury goods manufacturers keep forgetting to build their products for people who can't afford them<<

 It is not only about afford. It is about offering luggage in different sizes. I do care a lot about how a products look, I don't care much about picture quality. I care about size. I don't watch much TV, but I want it to play along with my stereo and speakers.

While I still consider the BV8 too big I take it cause there is nothing else.

Would you be happy if for your weekend trip you would have to take a 4 feet sized goyard trunk? Would you be happy if for you had to match up your goyard wallet with a samsonite weekender? Probably not.

 

JK

Well, JK, the BV-8, as it comes, straight out of the box, WILL play along with your B&O stereo and speakers, if you add the ML socket adaptor, which I will admit is an almost 10% penalty...but if you already own the B&O system, the nyou won't need another remote control, so thats a 5% savings right there.  The problem we are discussing here, does not appear to apply to you as much as some others because you don't watch TV much, and don't seem to need surround-sound. 

 
My issue with some critics is that, having already gotten the PUC as part of the package, these critics seem to think that a B&O quality surround-sound processor can simply be thrown in for nothing, and therefore they are being deprived of something which was 'ripped out' of the TV at the last minute. 

 

The last time I checked, the only Audio-only surround sound processor B&O has everr sold (the AV-7000) was $2,000USD, and it wasn't digital.   A quick Google® search yields a Lexicon processor for $2500, and that is "30% off MSRP",  I am cure that you can do the math.  Once the BV_8 is priced @ $7K, it isn't the 'always on, anywhere', entry level TV they wanted to build.

 

Since I live in the US, I am a bit out of the loop here; but since some of the 8's crotocs keep mentioning it, the BR-6 has the optional DSS module, why not buy that?  How much is it?  What is the price jump to the BV-7-32?  

 

Russ 

@Trip --

The BV8 isn't selling as well as it was hoped it would - in fact, the launch was a stab in the dark compared to the ambition for the product.

Is it entirely unfeasible that this is a result of B&O having miscalculated the product's relevance to its intended target market - and to that market's needs? Think not.
And if B&O is aiming at 1-3% of the market then they have approximately 500 too many B1 stores around the world, so let's get real on that one, as well. Goldmund is aiming that high.

The BV8 is a good television, I bought one. The dealers would have had a significantly easier job selling them if it had been conceived as a capable television on its own, without all the fear of cannibalisation that hobbled it.

But this is becoming a run-on did/didn't thread, and that's not the point.