ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Just as I’m finalizing my matrix installation in my BeoHome, I’m beginning to wonder if it was truly necessary and worth the effort. One thing has always stood out to me when going into a B&O store: the tidy, clean, lack of cables and source devices. Looking at my horrid messes of tangled cables behind my BeoVisions or cabinets, I’ve long sought for the day of cleaning all of that up with one of those tidy matrixes they use in the B&O showrooms.
What made me question the need for a matrix recently was news that my cable company, Spectrum, has a deal with Apple for the Apple TV to be used as a replacement for their cable box later this year. No more need for cable boxes connected to each TV. Roku already has support for this cable provider, but I suspect that the Apple TV will improve on this. I thought about what I truly use for content on my BeoVisions these days.
-I use the cable box for live TV.
-I use the Apple TV to stream Netflix, Hulu, my own content from my computer’s hard drive, and movies from the various streaming services.
-I occasionally use the blu-ray player when I want to focus on a cinematic experience with the best video and sound quality. This is now just occasionally on weekends.
-I have a Roku, but it has pretty much the same content as the Apple TV and I really don’t use the Roku.
-One might add a gaming device. I buy those and connect them, but I really don’t use them. Besides, you really wouldn’t use one of those with a matrix since you need the device to be present in the room for the controller and you need to avoid any delay in signal or control.
-I remember years and years ago when I drooled over the concept of a Kaleidescape movie server – and cringed at the price of those. However, now with digital downloads and Movies Anywhere, we have a nice interface on the Apple TV or other devices to be able to have all of our purchased movie collection in one place.
So this brings me to the conclusion that I might really only need an Apple TV. I don’t mean to sound like an Apple fanboy. I think a Roku would work just as well, and we have nice options now for streaming devices, but we really just need one of those. Already, I find that as I move from room to room in my home that the Apple TV in each room shows me just where I left off viewing content in other rooms – much like a matrix would. Also, the streaming device (be it Apple or Roku) is just as small as a matrix receiver and can be strapped onto the back of a BeoVision.
The support at Atlona has been exceptional and they really honor their 10-year warranty. Still, this took a lot of time and expense to install the matrix and sort out the bugs. I find the Atlona matrix to be very temperamental, and it needs exceptionally solid connections.
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So I’m wondering what other BeoWorlders have been finding with regard to the evolution of their source connections on their BeoVisions and BeoSystems.
You’re correct, as long as your sources are digital, you don’t need a matrix. I’m using Apple TV and a NAS, everything is working perfectly. I add that with this and an iPad, you can resume a video anywhere with the iPad, where you left it on the tv!
diisign.com
yep, i tend to agree that they are less obvious these days.
I think the use case is quite narrow. I have a lounge set up (cable box, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Blu-Ray all connected to my BV12-65) that i wanted to replicate / access on my bedroom Avant 55. The key being having only a screen in the bedroom, no additional boxes. But the key to needing this set up is that i don't want a second cable box in the bedroom. The other digital sources (Apple TV etc) can be found mostly on a modern smart TV.
So using a matrix is a very high price way to avoid additional boxes in my bedroom - of course it looks incredibly clean and professional.
What i didnt realise is that the matrix is a little high maintenance, particularly over the peak of summer where the hardware can grumble a bit unless its in a cooled environment. Sending 4K video around through a matrix heats the thing up a lot.
Outside of that, i'm very happy with the set up - its super clean.
But its very expensive, and not sure i'd do it again..
Nowadays with only 2 tv’s in the household (in the old days I used to have 4) I would not even think of having a matrix.
At our place the need for having a second BV is to have a BV to show something different than what the ‘main’ BV does.
Both have a bluray player and the ATV (and of cource the mapped NL audio sources) and the built-in tuners, that are used individual.
Even back when there were 4 BV’s, there was not much need for a matrix - only thing that could be matrixed was a DVD/bluray player.
I understand that people might need it, when walking from one room to another (mostly to the bedroom) and wanting to continue
watching whatever was on.....it’s a cool function ;-)
Also if you have an external tuner box (especially one with extra paid for services and maybe a recording function) a matrix can be usefull.
If it is worth the costs and the efford, the user must know ——- basicly the more BV’s you have, the more a matrix may be meaningfull.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
That said - if I could have a ‘join’ function for video sources, just like with the audio sources in a NL setup.
I’d gladly say yes!
But that is not a matrix like we know it —— it is probably something that will never come....mostly due to copy right restrictions.
And I’d probably have to improve my home network for that as well.
Millemissen:Nowadays with only 2 tv’s in the household (in the old days I used to have 4) I would not even think of having a matrix.
Good point, in a modern house we have more screens but less Tvs...
mbee: Millemissen:Nowadays with only 2 tv’s in the household (in the old days I used to have 4) I would not even think of having a matrix. Good point, in a modern house we have more screens but less Tvs...
B&O doesn't play "nice" with other brand TVs. If you have an integrated home with many TVs, including B&O, a gateway and matrix are a fine way to spend an additional few thousand euro to save a few hundred.
By the way, If your pet vacation feeder is connected in an integrated home, starving to death is the result of murder.
Millemissen: That said - if I could have a ‘join’ function for video sources, just like with the audio sources in a NL setup. I’d gladly say yes! But that is not a matrix like we know it —— it is probably something that will never come....mostly due to copy right restrictions. And I’d probably have to improve my home network for that as well. MM
MM-
You bring up a good point about the video "join" function. The matrix ALMOST has us there but we still must press an extra button for which matrix source we want to join. Which really isn't all that bad. However, I always felt that the BeoLiving video had a flaw in it. In the video, we see the man sitting on the sofa on a very awkward date (or awkward marriage) press a BLGW virtual scene button on his iPad that says "Continue in Bedroom." That scene really doesn't work in reality. It would be like a true video "join" function. Unless he only uses one video source, he would need to have the BLGW macro include the matrix source. This wouldn't have been the case on a Beo6 since there are submenu screens on the Beo6. However, the BeoLink iOS app does not have submenus like that for scenes. I'd wondered if anyone else had caught that.
beojeff: Millemissen: That said - if I could have a ‘join’ function for video sources, just like with the audio sources in a NL setup. I’d gladly say yes! But that is not a matrix like we know it —— it is probably something that will never come....mostly due to copy right restrictions. And I’d probably have to improve my home network for that as well. MM MM- You bring up a good point about the video "join" function. The matrix ALMOST has us there but we still must press an extra button for which matrix source we want to join. Which really isn't all that bad. However, I always felt that the BeoLiving video had a flaw in it. In the video, we see the man sitting on the sofa on a very awkward date (or awkward marriage) press a BLGW virtual scene button on his iPad that says "Continue in Bedroom." That scene really doesn't work in reality. It would be like a true video "join" function. Unless he only uses one video source, he would need to have the BLGW macro include the matrix source. This wouldn't have been the case on a Beo6 since there are submenu screens on the Beo6. However, the BeoLink iOS app does not have submenus like that for scenes. I'd wondered if anyone else had caught that.
You mean, he couldn't quickly and easily transfer the porn video to the bedroom?
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
Jeff: beojeff: Millemissen: That said - if I could have a ‘join’ function for video sources, just like with the audio sources in a NL setup. I’d gladly say yes! But that is not a matrix like we know it —— it is probably something that will never come....mostly due to copy right restrictions. And I’d probably have to improve my home network for that as well. MM MM- You bring up a good point about the video "join" function. The matrix ALMOST has us there but we still must press an extra button for which matrix source we want to join. Which really isn't all that bad. However, I always felt that the BeoLiving video had a flaw in it. In the video, we see the man sitting on the sofa on a very awkward date (or awkward marriage) press a BLGW virtual scene button on his iPad that says "Continue in Bedroom." That scene really doesn't work in reality. It would be like a true video "join" function. Unless he only uses one video source, he would need to have the BLGW macro include the matrix source. This wouldn't have been the case on a Beo6 since there are submenu screens on the Beo6. However, the BeoLink iOS app does not have submenus like that for scenes. I'd wondered if anyone else had caught that. You mean, he couldn't quickly and easily transfer the porn video to the bedroom?
Sadly, what he transferred was a car racing video. Like I said, an awkward date -- or awkward marriage!
BeoNut since '75
elephant: .....even using less and less live reception !
.....even using less and less live reception !
I guess that depends on the quality of the ‘live reception’ (meaning the quality of rhe program material) - and of course on your prefrences.
In Denmark we have a lot of interesting stuff from the channels of the danish broadcaster (DR)......and without any advertising.
For that we obviously don’t need a matrix solution, since the built-in tuners in any modern BV can be used - and catch up
can be done via the ATV4 box or via HbbTV.
Being locked to Netflix (or alike) would be a nightmare to me.
And then there is the good old high quality bluray disc ;-)
But having a matrix solution just for that would be far too much efford (in our case).
Millemissen:elephant:.....even using less and less live reception !MM:I guess that depends on the quality of the ‘live reception’ (meaning the quality of rhe program material) - and of course on your prefrences.Elephant:What I meant was that we access the live programmes the next day using the catch up software and the ATV. We prefer the ability to skip back, skip forward, and pause by doing that.MM:In Denmark we have a lot of interesting stuff from the channels of the danish broadcaster (DR)......and without any advertising.Elephant:Only our national broadcaster ABC is commercial Ad free; but they have plenty of their own Ads for upcoming shows, boxed sets in their stores, their radio stations and so in! It is on the ATV. And is our favourite “channel”. The national multicultural broadcaster SBS is also on the ATV and gives us access to excellent Scandinavian programmes, eg Denmark’s Borden. —-—— snipped -———MM:Being locked to Netflix (or alike) would be a nightmare to me.Elephant:I regard their modest fee to access their content as a bargain. I don’t see where lock in comes in!MM:And then there is the good old high quality bluray disc ;-)Elephant:I forgot to mention that our Sony BR player is also gathering dust !
elephant:Thanks BeoJeff for the original analysis. You are right ... a quiet revolution has happened and the need has been subverted for most of us. I wonder what Kiran’s view would be ? For us Apple’s TV and it’s integration local broadcasters’ catch up Apps has been a Godsend, and our viewing habits have changed. I never got the quality I wanted from B&O’s multi-room analogue solution so the kit is sitting on a shelf. Similarly my original EyeTV record and catchup solution. The FOXTEL IQ’s video record and catch up also has languished after a couple of uses. Even their online archive of box sets of series is of little value when one can reach into Netflix or iTunes. We are even using less and less live reception !
You are right ... a quiet revolution has happened and the need has been subverted for most of us.
I wonder what Kiran’s view would be ?
For us Apple’s TV and it’s integration local broadcasters’ catch up Apps has been a Godsend, and our viewing habits have changed.
I never got the quality I wanted from B&O’s multi-room analogue solution so the kit is sitting on a shelf.
Similarly my original EyeTV record and catchup solution.
The FOXTEL IQ’s video record and catch up also has languished after a couple of uses. Even their online archive of box sets of series is of little value when one can reach into Netflix or iTunes.
We are even using less and less live reception !
In the U.S., we never got the analogue multi-room video with B&O like the rest of you. Heck, we didn't even get a BeoVision until the original Avant. Before the Avant, we had this horrible B&O AV processor called an AV7000 which supported only a few third party tvs and horribly over-saturated the colors of the video. Like so much B&O that is over-engineered, the AV7000 even needed a video output from the TV to detect if there was a signal. At that time, TVs didn't have video outputs. So you can see that we were later than the rest of you in discovering B&O in the video area. As a result, we never got to experience the analogue multi-room video.
The compelling reason for me to install a matrix was the need for cable boxes for every tv. Those big, clunky, ugly cable boxes. I've wanted to "cut the cable" and end my cable subscription, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it. My cable bill is now up to $250/month. I suspect that the big cable companies were starting to fear for the demise of cable subscriptions among the millennial generation.People really don't want or need 2000 channels of reality tv when they now have other options to have a la carte channels -- such as with the Apple TV and Roku. I find that the combination of Netflix and Hulu is what I turn to much of the time for viewing. Now with the way the Apple TV synchronizes it's devices and content, you find that you can start up where you left off on any Apple TV in your home. They all look the same -- just as with a matrix.
I wonder if the attitude would have been quite different back when Kaleidescape was desirable. Those extra Kaleidescape boxes for each tv would be quite expensive. Does anyone on here use Kaleidescape anymore? Now that I'm more established in my career and the cost wouldn't be as big of a factor anymore, it seems like we can get a similar experience from Roku or Apple TV.
beojeff:The compelling reason for me to install a matrix was the need for cable boxes for every tv. Those big, clunky, ugly cable boxes. I've wanted to "cut the cable" and end my cable subscription, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it. My cable bill is now up to $250/month.