Masterlink Gateway vs. BeoLink NL/ML Converter - what are the main differences?

I would like to connect my Masterlink set-up (Beovision 9 and Beocenter 2) with my new Beosound core.

Can I use for this connection only BeoLink NL/ML Converter or the older Masterlink Gateway, too?

What are the main technical differences between the Beolink NL/ML Converter and Masterlink Gateway?

The Beolink NL/ML Converter seems to have additional Powerlink and a Aux connections, I do not think that I need these.

You can only use the NL/ML converter. The ML Gateway is not suitable. 

Tagging along with this topic to ask a question regarding the NL/ML-converter - is this user case supported?

Setup: ML-television with NL-music system.

1. Can I program an alarm starting an NL-source on the ML-television? E.g. BV7 in the bedroom starting a Tune-In radio station?

2. Can I let the ML-television "JOIN" another NL-source from the B&O-App?

 

I guess for 2. I need the NL/ML-converter + delay box if I don't have an Audio Master. But scenario 1 is still a mystery to me!

Alsfeld:

I would like to connect my Masterlink set-up (Beovision 9 and Beocenter 2) with my new Beosound core.

It all depends upon the level of integration you want:

1. Sometimes playing music from the Core on the BV’s speakers ?

( I am presuming no speakers are attached to the BC2 ... if there are then you are heading towards needing a BLC NL/ML)

OR ...

2. Sometimes playing audio from the BV/BC on the speakers attached to the Core ?

OR ...

3. Sometimes wanting both #1 AND #2 ?

OR ...

4. Wanting full bi-directional audio (#3) frequently and often, and with full bi-directional command & control (e.g. from the room where the Core is, cause the BV to switch channels, or go to the BC2 as its source) ?

I ask because I have an NL/ML operating as in #4 and I don’t believe I get value from it.

Today I probably get more flexibility with AirPlay2 from our BV’s ATV to the Core.

Thank you for the feedback.

Correct, no speakers at the BC2.

The beovision9 (with connected speakers) is in the living room. The Beosound Core with connected speakers is in the hobby room.

I would like to listen (occasionally) to CDs in the hobby room, using the Beocenter 2. Certainly I can rip the CDs and put them on my NAS. The other way around could be more interesting. Listening to music of my NAS in the living room via Beosound core instead using the ATV (like today). But this depends on the usability / integration the converter offers. 

But I was interested what are the functional difference (for my use case) between BeoLink NL/ML Converter and older Masterlink Gateway. Because looking at the manuals I do not see really the big differences.

I can’t talk about the gateway ... my naive understanding is that you use for home automation integration.

The converter which acts as a bridge between the new NL world and old ML world is the kind of function you are looking for.

However if you use is occasional then my view it is:

1. Too expensive to purchase, and

2. Too time consuming to configure

It is really intended for homes with multiple rooms and many products on both networks

It does however convert the digital audio to analogue and vice versa which is the two uses you described

In the following series of screen shots

#1 I use the B&O App to start a CD (the Converter forwards that command in the ML network, the CD starts playing, and I can hear the music through my BV’s speakers in the other room).

#2 I then click the join button on the right hand corner of the Converter screen in the B&O App

#3 I am then presented with a list of NL devices (if I had two or more Converters like some BeoWorlders do I would see a 2nd etc Converter here which would give me fine grain control of my ML devices).

#4 I then select the NL devices I want to be joined to the Converter to listen to its source). In this case you see I have selected BL6000s attached to an Essence (Mark II) and BL20s attached to a Core (Mark I).

So now the CD is playing in up to 4 (if I had speakers attached to the BeoSound/ BeoCentre) locations.

Note the limitations:

1. I get no meta-data displayed in the App about the CD (no title nor artist, no track info: number/ title/ duration/ progress).

2. I can’t join the 6000s to a different ML source from the 20s - if I want that I need additional Converter(s)

#1

H

#2

#3

#4

And here is your reverse use case.

#1 start music on Core output to BL20s

#2 note Essence & it’s 6000s can be joined but where is the Converter ?!

#3 & 4 go to the main screen of App and change product selection

#5 & 6 scroll down choice of sources on Converter - select Music ... Converter is now “ready”

#7 walk (!!!) into BV room and use it’s Beo4 to select [N.MUSIC] ... BV’s speakers now play Carla Bruni (with the screen off so no cover art, no meta data, etc ... but then you don’t get cover art over an ML network anyway) ... if I want Information about what’s playing I can use my iPhone to peek at the B&O App. I can however use the Beo4 to skip backwards and forwards through tracks.

#8 finally I press the top left corner of the App and confirm that I want ALL products (NL and ML) off. Note you can be in any room (even the garden if your WiFi goes that far) to do this

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7 👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

#8