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ARCHIVED FORUM -- April 2007 to March 2012
READ ONLY FORUM
This is the first Archived Forum which was active between 17th April 2007 and
1st March February 2012
Latest post 11-15-2008 8:01 AM by stefan. 7 replies.
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11-13-2008 12:02 PM
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expoman
 
 - Joined on 04-17-2007
- United States
- Posts 222
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by Paul Miller, posted Nov 12th 2008 at 2:25PM Bang & Olufsen knows as well as anybody that you can't (usually) compete only on design and quality these days, people want functionality, and the much rumored, newly official BeoSound 5 is just such a monster. The unit is controlled by the BeoSound 5 controller, a rather large "remote" with a 10.4-inch XGA LCD and an aluminum scroll wheel. On the back end there's a 500GB BeoControl 5 music server running Windows XP Embedded with internet connectivity and patent pending intelligent playlist creation. Naturally there are outputs and inputs galore, and it's not just for audio: the box pumps out DVI-I and HDMI, and can play back plenty of video formats. Oh, but then there's the price. B&O isn't budging on this front, with a £3,500 tag (about $5,262 US) for when this hits in March 2009. We'll take two.
[Via SlashGear]
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expoman
- Joined on 04-17-2007
- United States
- Posts 222
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Re: Beosound 5 early reviews
BANG & OLUFSENBy John Herrman, 6:28 AM on Wed Nov 12 2008, 4,767 views
 When Bang & Olufsen, maker of very expensive things that use electricity, let slip a photo of their upcoming BeoSound 5 home media controller, I saw a lot of potential. The interface looked nice, the hardware classy, and the screen crisp — in other words, if this thing connected with network music shares and played nice with a variety of home A/V equipment, it could be a winner. Well, we've got our hands on the official announcement, and it looks like we might have been a little optimistic.
The control unit is as stunning as the early, blurry pics had implied. With a sharp 1024x768 screen, a brushed aluminum control knob and an attractive, minimalist interface it would be a treat to use as a home media controller. Unfortunately, if predictably, it is only compatible with one product, which is, you guessed it, a Bang & Olufsen server. Called the 500GB BeoMaster 5, the box is a largely unchanged followup to the company's $2700 BeoMedia media center PC.
In other words, the BeoSound controller is just that — a gutless remote. Without the BeoMaster, which it connects to via DVI, it's just a screen with a pretty dial. B&O haven't given any clues as to the price of the unit yet, but the BeoSound and BeoMaster will be, shall we say, luxury items. They're set for sale in May, you can find more detailed info at the B&O forums, or glance the presser below. [Bang & Olufsen via Acquire]
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expoman
- Joined on 04-17-2007
- United States
- Posts 222
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Re: Beosound 5 early reviews
First, I have this to say about it: if this device works as well as its website, I hope it’s banished to the innermost receses of the earth. Please, web designers: no more autoplaying music and pointless intro videos that show nothing. And especially no music that continues to start up 10 seconds after you stop it, again and again and again. Now, on to the product.
It’s an mp3 jukebox of a form factor that has never been tried: supremely awkward. Apparently composed of a rectangular prism intersecting with an oblique column, this gadget was not created with subtlety in mind. I believe the guts are found in the base, and the control interface uses only that silver disc and the buttons thereupon. Honestly, though, why would you get this? It’s ugly as sin and if you’re going to cough up for a nice central mp3 controller, why not go with a touchscreen, either wireless or embedded? No, this appears to be strictly for attention-seekers and interior designers making a “music room” or something. Feh!
[via Acquire]
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KingOfSnake
 - Joined on 02-07-2008
- Posts 359
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Re: Beosound 5 early reviews
'It’s an mp3 jukebox of a form factor that has never been tried: supremely awkward. ' Lovely term of phrase - or is he a left-hander? Maybe there will be two versions and they will be handed i.e. I'll have a left-handed BS5 or I would like a right-handed BS5.
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StUrrock
 - Joined on 02-04-2008
- Cambridgeshire
- Posts 219
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Re: Beosound 5 early reviews
Had the chance to play with the Beosound 5 today. Nice construction, but the user interface is truly awkward and the fact there is no visable feedback via remote controls will mean as a link room product the BS5 will be virtually useless. Sorry Struer you'll have to get back to the drawing board and fast!!!
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Alex
  - Joined on 04-16-2007
- Bath & Cardiff, UK
- Posts 2,990
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Re: Beosound 5 early reviews
How are these reviews? None of the reviewers have even used one in person! Hence why the latter of them states that control is done via 'the buttons and silver wheel'.
How these people keep their jobs as a journalist/reviewer I really don't know...
Weekly top artists:
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moxxey
- Joined on 04-14-2007
- South West, UK
- Posts 2,360
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Re: Beosound 5 early reviews
Alex, has it arrived at the Bath store yet? It was due Friday. BTW, these aren't 'reviews'. They are simply news stories from a blog. Most blog entries are just someone's personal opinion of an object or product. Some may have been at the launch though.
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stefan
 
- Joined on 04-16-2007
- 200 miles from Struer
- Posts 1,733
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Re: Beosound 5 early reviews
 KingOfSnake:'It’s an mp3 jukebox of a form factor that has never been tried: supremely awkward. ' Lovely term of phrase - or is he a left-hander? Maybe there will be two versions and they will be handed i.e. I'll have a left-handed BS5 or I would like a right-handed BS5.
I think he is a left-hander, otherwise he would not even have noticed that. But I can confirm, that - being a left-hander myself- we can drive cars, use a knife without hurting ourselves, lock doors with a key, and even write letters and use a keyboard. Yesterday I had the chance to find out that left-handers even can control a BS5 ! And after a few minutes of trying what the wheels and buttons do ( and this is not very complicated if you have "Beo-experience") it`s pure fun !! It`s a real B&O product and a real Beosound. Stefan
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