Flat screen with decent sound
Discussion
We moved into a new house aces months ago, and since then I have been looking for a TV for the bedrooms and kitchen that will neatly, and easily allow good picture, and also the ability to listen to music without extra kit.
I should point out I make no excuse about being a massive B&O fan, and have owned very little AV from other manufacturers for years.
Last week, my local B& O store contacted me about the launch of their new TV. I went, I saw, I fell in love and ordered four.
The picture is superb.
I really like the design (a bit industrial, may not be to everyone's liking)
The sound, for a flat screen is amazing. The stereo speaker is better than many iPod docks that people use a their main music player, and easily better than 90 percent of ceiling speakers. If you want to boost the sound further, plug any B&O speakers into the integrated surround module.
DLNA compliance means I can stream all my music and video straight to the tv and through the speaker.
The back is designed to house an apple tv if required.
The superb remote will control any device plugged into the TV. The setup guides you through downloading the relevant software to control the sky box, Sony blu ray, apple tv etc etc straight from the b and o remote. All devices can be hidden out of sight.
Usability is as easy as they come. The TV button on the remote can launch the HD tuner, or your chosen digi box. Radio takes you straight to radio, DVD launches your chosen DVD player etc, no switching of sources required.
Won't suit everyone, but there maybe some out there where this suits them down to the ground who may not have otherwise been aware. Cost is similar to a top end Sony, Panasonic etc with an AV amp, speakers to match the sound quality, and a universal remote.
http://beoplay.com/Products/BeoplayV1
You might hate it, I love the one I have and am looking forward to the 3 for the bedrooms being delivered on the very clever wall bracket.
I should point out I make no excuse about being a massive B&O fan, and have owned very little AV from other manufacturers for years.
Last week, my local B& O store contacted me about the launch of their new TV. I went, I saw, I fell in love and ordered four.
The picture is superb.
I really like the design (a bit industrial, may not be to everyone's liking)
The sound, for a flat screen is amazing. The stereo speaker is better than many iPod docks that people use a their main music player, and easily better than 90 percent of ceiling speakers. If you want to boost the sound further, plug any B&O speakers into the integrated surround module.
DLNA compliance means I can stream all my music and video straight to the tv and through the speaker.
The back is designed to house an apple tv if required.
The superb remote will control any device plugged into the TV. The setup guides you through downloading the relevant software to control the sky box, Sony blu ray, apple tv etc etc straight from the b and o remote. All devices can be hidden out of sight.
Usability is as easy as they come. The TV button on the remote can launch the HD tuner, or your chosen digi box. Radio takes you straight to radio, DVD launches your chosen DVD player etc, no switching of sources required.
Won't suit everyone, but there maybe some out there where this suits them down to the ground who may not have otherwise been aware. Cost is similar to a top end Sony, Panasonic etc with an AV amp, speakers to match the sound quality, and a universal remote.
http://beoplay.com/Products/BeoplayV1
You might hate it, I love the one I have and am looking forward to the 3 for the bedrooms being delivered on the very clever wall bracket.
Looks a bit like a flat TV with a soundbar, only that it's built in. If it really does sound as good as the OP suggests, then I could understand it for fitting in with very minimal decor, plus being easier to use than a good separates and TV setup. FWIW on current Sony TVs they can be setup so that the TV remote's volume control effects the phono outputs, so if connected to a separate soundbar it would be as simple to use (provided you could figure some way of turning the 'bar on with the TV) for considerably less especially in the case of a 32" bedroom option.
However, my main music listening setup isn't a 'sound dock' as the OP seems to think is a typical setup, so there's little chance of any flat screen TV sounding as good as a set of PMC speakers driven by an Arcam Processor and power amp.
However, my main music listening setup isn't a 'sound dock' as the OP seems to think is a typical setup, so there's little chance of any flat screen TV sounding as good as a set of PMC speakers driven by an Arcam Processor and power amp.
OldSkoolRS said:
.
However, my main music listening setup isn't a 'sound dock' as the OP seems to think is a typical setup, so there's little chance of any flat screen TV sounding as good as a set of PMC speakers driven by an Arcam Processor and power amp.
That's easy fixed, you plug any b and O speakers right through the range up to the BeoLab 5 at 2500w each directly into the TV. The TV will then automatically switch to stereo and not use the centre Channel whenever it detects an audio source.However, my main music listening setup isn't a 'sound dock' as the OP seems to think is a typical setup, so there's little chance of any flat screen TV sounding as good as a set of PMC speakers driven by an Arcam Processor and power amp.
Slightly missing my point...no flat screen alone is going to sound as good. Adding external speakers driven by a TV's pre amp isn't likely to either IMHO active speakers or no. It was more that you seemed to think that most people use a 'docking system' to listen to music, I was just pointing out that maybe not everyone does (especially if the source is compressed MP3s...yuck!).
OldSkoolRS said:
Slightly missing my point...no flat screen alone is going to sound as good. Adding external speakers driven by a TV's pre amp isn't likely to either IMHO active speakers or no. It was more that you seemed to think that most people use a 'docking system' to listen to music, I was just pointing out that maybe not everyone does (especially if the source is compressed MP3s...yuck!).
That's not what I meant to say. I said it would match a dock that "many people" use to listen to music, or most pairs of ceiling speakers. I never said it would match or better a dedicated listing setup.
I've obviously not read your post properly...the thought of music only being available as compressed MP3s via Pod docks isn't something I relish, hence my preferance for separates. Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff