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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
I have just obtained a Beovision 7-40 Mk1 and a Beovision 7-32 Mk3 along with motorised stands, two 7.4 speakers and four Beolab 6000s for a ridiculous price, to be used as bedroom TVs. These are my first B&O Televisions, and I'm struggling to know what to do next as I know little of their history; despite reading partial answers to my connectivity issues elsewhere in the forum, I can't quite see the bigger picture (no pun intended..), so any advice would be appreciated please.
So, when I connect each TV to an aerial there is only white noise on the screen, and trying to tune them in does not produces any stations; I presume this means there is no internal DVB tuner upgrades installed in either set... Since I will have no Sky or Cable TV access for these TV's, I assume I will therefore need to buy a 'Freeview' box for each set?
Rather than buy just any inexpensive Freeview box, I'd like to get the most appropriate one connection-wise for these TVs, and also I'd like to use the BEO4s to control them if possible. So, the first question is, should I I buy 'HD' Freeview boxes for these sets, or does the screen resolution not warrant the extra cost on these early TVs? If so, I understand I should buy a box with an HDMI output to plug into the DVI socket via an adapter (I have two already...), and an audio L/R output, so that I can plug this in to the 'Audio In' sockets on the TVs; Am I right in thinking this means the video will be Digital, but the sound will be Analogue? Does this matter? Would I be as well using a scart-to-scart cable from the box to the TV, or is there another good option for getting the best possible picture/sound from them? I was given a Scart cable and an 'HDMI-to-Component+L/R Audio' cable with the sets, but I don't know what would allow me to get the best picture/sound out of this set-up...
Also, when I look at the STB menus on the TV's they give me a list of obscure/older boxes (NOKIA/PACE/Humax/Kathrien?!), which ideally I would obtain so that I could control them using the BEO4 handset - is my understanding correct here? If I want to use a more modern box, does this mean that I have to get an engineer to reprogram each TV for the new box type, or is there a suitable UK-available Freeview box that should 'just work' with these older TV's? Is it likely that, for example, a 'new' Humax box would work when selecting its older cousin from the menu?
Apologies for asking so many (possibly dumb) questions, but I'm still quite new to B&O, and I'd just like to find the best way forward to get a good picture without spending too much money on what is admittedly older technology. I had intended to buy much later examples of each TV, but I lost my brain when I saw their excellent condition, super-low price, and the amazing speakers being thrown in to the deal - I think the Beovirus must have taken hold of me!
Anyway, thanks in advance for any assistance.
Hi. Sorry I don't know much about the BV7 range but I don't think either of these sets had a freeview module built in, hence the set top box controller. Getting a freeview HD set top box that is on the internal STB list I would say is highly unlikely, and I would even question if the MK1 BV7 40 has an HD screen.
My thoughts would be to get a compatable - early - set top box from the compatable list on the set and just enjoy that feature as it is. Suggest searching eBay for starters. If you do find 1 you will need the infra red lead for the controller as well as the scart lead.
Technology is moving so fast these days that any new TV is out dated as soon as you take it out of the box. The sets you have were great in their day, ( still are) , and with the Beolab 6000 will look and sound good too. I'm not sure if the mk3 7-32 had a similar list for bluray players?
Good luck .
graeme
Double post. Sorry.
G.
First things first. Beovision sets have the option of a security pin code. Without this you cannot use the TV. Do they ask for a code ?
Beo Century ,Beoplay V1, Beocenter 6, Ex-Beolit 12, Beotime , A8. Beolit 15 , Form 2i , Beolab 2000, Beoplay A3.Beosound 1
Simonbeo: First things first. Beovision sets have the option of a security pin code. Without this you cannot use the TV. Do they ask for a code ?
Good point.
When the TV is on, press the menu button on your BEO4. Do you get the menu options? You can use '00 GO' when the menu screen is open to access the service menu, in there it will tell you if the PIN is active or not.
Dave.
The pin is probably not the issue, since Beocat47 already has had a look at the entries in the STB list!
A lot of what Beocat47 assumes is right.
The only way to get a decent picture on these oldies, is to get a relatively modern Freview box.
Maybe one of the entries in the STB list will work - otherweise the help of a B&O tech will be needed.
Depending on your location there are some Freeview boxes, that are modified and will work with a Beo4 'out of the box'. In Denmark the Triax boxes are often used. They ir-communicate with the tv's through the scart connection and can be hidden away after installing.
You may do some experiments with the HDMI to DVI connection (running it parallel to the scart), but as far as I remember it can be rather tricky by the MK1. Personally I would not bother trying.
This might be easier with the 7-32 MM3 - but then again, will it matter much on a 32" screen!
Personally I would try to get things going with either a 'B&O compatible box' or with one, that uses one of the entries in the STB list (ir codes are othen 're-used' for never version of he same brand). Since I don't know your region, I am not able to recommend any.
For time being I'd forget about connecting any digital device - (although some have succeeded in connecting the AppleTV box using the DVI connection).
Maybe you should start looking for a 7-40 MK3 (at least) and just swap the monitor (which includes the BSys3) to your existing stand/speakers.
Good luck experimenting - and have fun with your 'low cost setup'
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Thanks all for your initial feedback. If it helps then I am in the UK, I have the pin-codes, and I also have IR leads for both sets.
I have already looked at the 'menu00go' pages (thanks, previous posts..), but I don't understand all of it, obviously; interestingly, they both say in TV service menu 'Tuner system B/G, L, D/K,I -'ON' M - 'OFF'; does this mean anything useful, or is this to do with the built in analogue tuners?
Re. compatible boxes, any suggestions for suitable 'modern' makes/models would be appreciated - I think I could head out this weekend to the Maplins/Currys/John Lewis type dealers to buy a new box to prove that I can at least get a picture on these sets, and then start to look for used ones which are on my 'compatible' list on Ebay over the next few weeks. I don't intend to connect anything else to the TVs - I don't even need to go down the Freeview/Hard disk route, as these TVs are purely for visiting friends & family.
I knew from the outset that I didn't need anything 'sophisticated' and thought (hoped!) two cheap compatible Freeview boxes would complete these two lovely systems for 'a song'. If I do have to spend money then that's OK, but I don't really want to undermine the 'bargain basement' nature of these purchases if it can be helped.
Sadly I am not that much into which freeview boxes are used in the UK - maybe someone else can help.
You could try emailing Triax UK to ask if they provide B&O compatible versions of their boxes sold in the UK.
But you are right - get 'some box' to get things going.
P.S. Please don't mess with the 'menu00go'-thing. These menus are for B&O technicians or equally skilled enthusiasts.
Just a quick question for my clarification...
I have seen online a 'Freeview' box (Alba) with Scart only for £20, or a 'Freeview HD' box with 'HDMI/audio' output (Manhattan) for £45: Will I 'see' the HD channels on these TVs with the HD box, or should I just stick with the cheaper box? I'm still a bit confused by 'HD-ready', 'full HD' etc.
Millemissen:P.S. Please don't mess with the 'menu00go'-thing. These menus are for B&O technicians or equally skilled enthusiasts.
I wasn't advocating any messing, just checking of status. I don't do anything with mine except check a few parameters so I can repôrt issues or give the complete info to service it.
@Dave
It was meant as a general warning - not everyone can control themselves, when they see the lot of parameters, that could/might be changed a bit....
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
Millemissen: @Dave It was meant as a general warning - not everyone can control themselves, when they see the lot of parameters, that could/might be changed a bit.... MM
Yes, it can be dangerous. I can control myself and won't change anything that's set in there. I'm paranoid about it. If it's in the service menu, it's there for a reason - i.e. for service people/B&O engineers and not non-service people. The main menu should have everything in it that we need to do.
A quick update:
I bought a Manhattan Plaza HD.T2 Freeview box today for £44 (Currys...), and connected this to 'AV2' on the 7-40 MkI via SCART-to-SCART, and also via HDMI-to-DVI cable; I also attached an IR receiver to the TV.
In the 'Connections' Menu I set AV2 Source to DTV, Audio Socket to NONE (using SCART for audio I think?...), IR Socket to C1, and HDTV to DVI-I; I selected DTV on the Beo4, tuned in the Manhattan box and voila - BBC1 HD in full glory.
Going back in to the Connections menu, it then takes me to an 'STB Setup' menu with 23 older boxes listed (Pace SKY+, Virgin+, Humax etc.etc..); I've tried working down the list - selecting a box, going back to DTV, then seeing if I can change channels on the Manhattan using my Beo4 pointed at the IR receiver - but so far I've had no joy. I'll persevere through the list this weekend, but (clutching at straws...), I'll phone Manhattan on Monday to see if the can offer any technical advice. I'm also hoping that the connection of the HDMI lead to the TVs' DVI isn't stopping the use of the IR Receiver, as I understand that over-rides the STB menu from being displayed?
Any helpful comments or advice would be gratefully received.
PS: I didn't tamper with the 'Menu00Go' thing! I immediately knew I was out of my depth and I know from bitter experience that meddling only makes things worse...
I use a Humax PVR-9200t with my BV-5 TV (I had to try a couple of the Humax boxes listed as the first choice didn't have the code to control recoded TV). It works really well, has a great non HD picture and works with the IR eye. Plus you get the Hard Disc recording as well.
Humax have the name for some the best PVRs here in the UK at the moment and they are abundant on ebay etc.
Stoobie
Thanks Stoobie - that's exactly the kind of first-hand experience which I was hoping to hear. I was actually thinking of looking out for a Humax box on ebay for the second set I have, as there are quite a few on my STB list and I hoped they might 'recycle' their codes - you've given me a bit more confidence to do so now.