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
As some of you will have been aware, Lee very kindly organised for a lucky Beoworld member to attend the launch of the new BeoVision Avant 55” TV in London. On a 22 hour day trip from France, it was an amazing experience which I can now share with you.
The event was attended by the UK press, some reviews having already been posted online and linked in other threads on Beoworld. The overall impression I got from speaking to people there was that they were genuinely very impressed. Not just with the technology and engineering involved in this project, but also the intuitive simplicity, philosophy, cost and usability of the BeoVisionAvant.
BeoRemote One:
This new remote comes with the Avant and is in effect a modernisation of the iconic BEO4 remote. A similar shape but thinner, lighter and slightly contoured on the underside, engineered from a single piece of Aluminium and anodized with a gloss finish (a matt finish has been made and may be available in the future. A white version has also been made and is pictured in the press pack – and very striking too). The buttons sit flush to the body and there isn’t a screw in sight. To replace batteries or service the unit, a special tool is used through a small hole on the underside and the button panel lifts out.
The LED display is very clear and bright and scrolls through options with the arrows. You can configure your TV and remote for up to 3 different personalized settings using the three ‘My Button’ keys. These can be used to programme different sources, sound settings, stand placements just with the push of one button so each member of the family can set-up the Avant to their needs.
The IR-protocol is the same as the BEO4 so either remote can be used for older equipment and the new Avant.
BeoVision Avant 55” first impressions:
On first viewing, yes, it’s a flat panel TV. But, take a closer look and you start to see the details and engineering B&O does best. Around the edges, the glass panel and black anodized Aluminium frame are flush to each other giving a very clean line to the extremities.
The back of the TV is essentially flat so that it can be placed right up against a wall. No screws in sight, it’s very neat.
It is strikingly similar to the old Avant with the light sensors in a raised section on the upper right of the top – but it is not a display. Another similarity is with the AV5 TV where the speakers slid out from the sides. The new speaker assembly on the Avant is quite incredible. It glides silently down and then out to the sides allowing all 8 individually amplified speakers space to do their job.
The 55”, Two-sided edge-type LED based LCD Ultra High Definition (UHD) panel with 1.5 D local backlight dimming has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Even with my nose up to the screen, I couldn’t make a pixel out.
The picture quality is very sharp (twice the definition of standard HD), clear, is judder free due to the motion compensation program and the colours are very natural.
Picture:
There is a lot going on behind the Avant as well as the front. Light levels are measured both front and rear and the light colour tone is measured at the rear to adjust the white point in bright rooms.
Motion compensation: By doubling the rate at which video frames are displayed, and then using advanced interpolation techniques to calculate the additional intermediate frames, BeoVision Avant effectively cancels “judder” to provide a naturally fluid viewing experience of sports and other motion-centric content.
Adaptive contrast: An algorithm that provides exceptional performance and enhanced contrast in very dark scenes when viewed in a bright room or when sunlight hits the screen
Picture modes:
· Adaptive mode (default): Picture settings are continuously optimized depending on source material and viewing conditions
· Movie mode: For film fans, who prefer to watch film material with the colour temperature (white point) as it was intended by the film director (6500K). This often results in the picture becoming warmer (more reddish). Film mode can be set up for one or several specific sources, e.g. a Blu-ray player, from which most film material will originate.
· Game mode: For gamers who want to connect BeoVision Avant to a game console, this mode reduces video input-to-output delay to a minimum and provides fast, direct response from game controls. While this affects some video motion features, it adds essential advantages for optimal gaming experience. In game mode, other picture enhancement features are still active.
· Monitor mode: Adjusts the picture to use the screen as a monitor for PC applications. It minimizes the video delay and neutralises all signal processing for an unaltered picture.
· Digital Media Renderer: BeoVision Avant is a Digital Media Renderer (DMR), which uses a DLNA app to ‘throw’ content from a mobile phone or tablet directly onto the TV screen.
As we were in a bright room and with limited TV programmes and no gaming system set-up with it, this was difficult to assess as the focus was on the other features of the Avant rather than the picture. Bizarrely enough for a TV! The picture quality was outstanding.
Sound:
Geoff Martin couldn’t be at the launch but gave an audio presentation via a USB stick in one of the 2 USB ports. He explained the work and art involved in getting the sound balance correct, no matter where in a room you are. This was very well demonstrated from the sound track he put together and how the phrase ‘3-channel stereo’ was originated.
For the techies, the speakers are:
· Right channel: 1 x 2” midrange powered by a 40 watt class D amplifier; 1 x ¾” tweeter; powered by a 40 watt class D amplifier
· Left channel: 1 x 2” midrange powered by a 40 watt class D amplifier; 1 x ¾” tweeter; powered by a 40 watt class D amplifier
· Centre channel: 1 x 2” midrange powered by a 40 watt class D amplifier; 1 x ¾” tweeter; powered by a 40 watt class D amplifier
· Bass: 1 x 4” Coscone™ woofer, pointing forward, powered by an 80 watt class D amplifier; 1 x 6.5” Coscone™ woofer, pointing behind the television, powered by an 80 watt class D amplifier
With WISA built-in, the Avant automatically locates your wireless speakers and sends the signals to the appropriate speakers. For example, in a room with 4 speakers around the room, if the Avant is turned by 90° to say a dining area, only the 2 speakers nearest the direction the TV faces will operate in order to maintain full and true stereo sound. ‘True image’ down mixes channels to adapt to the particular speakers connected. With the introduction of a microphone that quickly plugs into an easy access panel on the rear, the ‘Automatic Speaker Calibration’ adapts gain and delay on all connected speakers including the subwoofers.
The sound is mighty impressive in volume and quality from the built-in speakers alone. With another 5 Power link outlets with 2 channels each, in theory, up to 22 speakers could be connected! A new sound equaliser system also accommodates for when the motorized wall bracket is in use. The bass is automatically adjusted depending on whether the TV is playing against the wall or after having been turned to a free-hanging position. A unique Bass Management algorithm directs low frequencies to the most suitable speaker(s) or subwoofer in the system setup
Connectivity:
Connectivity to nearly anything (unless it has a SCART socket). A multitude of hidden ports to connect set-top boxes, HDR’s, Blu-ray players, X-box etc and all should be able to be operated via the BeoRemote One.
BeoRemote One, Beo4, or BeoRemote App for iPad or Android tablets can all be used.
Other features:
Integrated internet radio and music services (Spotify, Deezer)
Pan-European Hybrid broadband TV (HbbTV) to provide more services in the future.
Integrated DVB: An optional hard disk for recording digital broadcasts can be integrated inside the TV, and controlled from the remote. Not available in all markets.
Multi-room audio: BeoVision Avant uses DLNA but also connects to Bang & Olufsen’s analogue Master Link system via a BeoLink Converter. This allows users to use BeoVision Avant as a master in an A/V setup to play music in other rooms connected to the Master Link setup
PUC: 3 connections (for control of up to six external devices)
WLAN/LAN
Pincode protection
Headphone output
DLNA compatibility: BeoVision Avant works as a DMR (Digital Media Renderer), which means that it can play content from other DLNA compatible devices, including a BeoSound 5.
Connection to third-party devices: Connect to set-top boxes, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, HDD and Apple TV (which can be placed inside the cabinet), NAS servers and hard disks; the integrated media browser lets you view photo collections or listen to music that you have on a USB drive or NAS server.
No inbuilt DVD or Blu-ray player available. I discussed this and the theory is that a. Blu-ray is declining in sales, b. Streaming will overtake DVD’s, c. There are so many ports, a DVD player can easily be connected.
The motorised stands are an engineering triumph, especially considering it weighs in at 54.5kg. For the floor stand, starting with the Avant flat against the wall, once turned on, the base rotates to the programmed location/angle but the TV also rotates in synchrony to ensure that even when at 90° to the wall, the edge of the TV doesn’t touch the wall but is exactly at the wall. The table stand gently lifts the Avant upwards to allow space for the speakers descent. The wall stand is so integrated that the Avant still lies flat to the wall when closed.
All in all I think it’s a masterpiece. The BeoVision Avant is akin to a rebirth of the iconic TV of the same name with groundbreaking technology and usability. I haven’t gone into detail on the tech specs as they are now readily available on Beoworld and at dealers.
The B&O staff were enthusiastic and excited about this launch and seem hopeful that this will be a positive turning point for the company. With the cost (£5,999 approx €7,300), with everything that comes with this smart TV, I can’t see it not being a seller. I suspect that people who have bought a BeoVision recently may rue not waiting when they see this. You really need to see this in the store before passing judgement. I know there are some complaints about the speaker grill but to me, that maintains the tradition of some iconic products.
I discussed store closures, staff attitudes and public perceptions of B&O to the B&O representatives there and they are acutely aware of the issues and are in the process of addressing them.
The press seemed to love it, I did too. I don't want this TV, I need it!
Many thanks to Lee and B&O for the opportunity to be there at such short notice.
Dave.
Thanks for the comments. I do have the Word documents on a USB drive (free in the press pack as well as a pair of lime green Form 2i headphones) which contain the press release, tech specs, background info etc. I'm not sure of the best way to disseminate them if people want them - suggestions? Cut and paste from Word would be overwhelming.
Great review Dave!
Having also watched Geoff Martin's sound video I am totally sold on this TV (except for that Bose WaveRadio looking centre grille!) (EDIT Or is it meant to hark back to a Beolit???)
However, I will be sticking to my BV11 for some time, simply because its size and shape are perfect for my current room set-up, and a 55" would just be too much without a major room reconfiguration.
Graham
Thanks for the review! Still curious about the giftbag tough ;).
Beolab 50, Beolab 8000 x 2, Beolab 4000 x 2, BeoSound Core, BeoSound 9000, BeoSound Century, BeoLit 15, BeoPlay A1, BeoPlay P2, BeoPlay H9 3rd Gen, BeoPlay H6, EarSet 3i, BeoVision Eclipse Gen 2 55", BeoPlay V1-40, BeoCom 6000 and so much else :)
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Saw the avant today in the flesh and i love it, the sound quality is really very good isn't it. It definitely looks even better in person and it doesn't really look that big.
well done b&0 really does look amazing.
Beoplay A2
Chris , just buy a mac with plenty of storage and use that to play films on your tv
A mac mini with a 1tb fusion drive should suffice
The apple tv is a really crappy product imo
Chris Townsend:I struggle to download bulk standard Apple TV half the time with 12-16 Mbps, and I only live 200 metres from the exchange. Hence why having a built in Bluray player was one of my requirements. UHD downloads, forget that for years in the UK at least.
As I've explained loads of times, the simple answer to this is to backup/rip your DVDs/Blu-ray to a NAS drive, connect the NAS to the TV via wifi or ethernet and you can select any movie, within seconds, from the remote, using the Avant 'HomeMedia' function. This is way quicker and easier than finding a DVD, taking it out the case, walking over to the TV, inserting, sit there waiting for all the pre-movie rubbish and hearing the mechanism whirring in the background.
Why on earth does someone think a TV should have a built-in disc player in 2014? Perplexes me. Just rip/backup the discs! Job done. You don't have to stream the content via the internet. That's precisely why B&O made it so easy to connect to a NAS with the BV11/V1. And, believe me, it's easy.
Thanks for your review Dave.
You're all welcome, it was a good experience and they seemed to appreciate the interest from us Beoworlders. Thanks for the comments. I do have the Word documents on a USB drive (free in the press pack as well as a pair of lime green Form 2i headphones) which contain the press remease, tech specs, background info etc. I'm not sure of the best way to disseminate them if people want them - suggestions? Cut and paste from Word would be overwhelming.
I have just returned from my local B&O dealer and seen the Avant in person. Although it wasn't yet connected to standard def or hi def sources - in fact only running a 4K demo - I can already see that this is a triumph for B&O and I am fairly certain I will be buying it. I am just holding on for a short while until reviews are out to see how the specs and picture quality are rated. I hope they will be as good as the BV11 if not better. I did notice the panel is 120hz not 200hz refresh rate which is interesting.
The 'magic' that I have been waiting for is here, and the moving speakers are brilliantly engineered, as is the rest of the TV. The new remote is fabulous and the price point is OK. If it was £5,9995 including your choice of stand/bracket I think this would have been perfect. With stand options around £1,200 though I think this pushes the price point up to former TV prices so its not that all that much cheaper in my opinion. Not really.
All in all, this is triumph for B&O and I congratulate the designers, engineers and management at the company for releasing this next generation TV that is certainly worthy to take its predecessor's title. So pleased for B&O and I really want the company to build on this platform and go from strength to strength. It is a brand I have always loved and the magic continues in 2014.
The new speakers (BL 20s) look superb too but since I am not looking to buy these I didn't really demo on this occasion.
In short, nothing negative to say. Like the former Avant, I believe this TV offers the customer value for money in terms of longevity, and will not be a TV that has (or needs) constant revisions to stay up to date. I say this within reason of course because technology does evolve, and at a considerable rate, but given the circumstances this is a great effort for those who want to buy a TV to keep for 5-10 years in my opinion. All the magic is their with the speakers, stands and curtains all adding to the excitement of B&O ownership every time we switch on and off the TV. Personally I love the metallic grille of the centre speaker and think they really got it right this time. Pure B&O brilliance at its best. This is the TV for me and I will be using it with the table stand. Looking forward to more detailed reviews around picture quality in the coming weeks.
Simon.
B&O products are V1-32, BS2, H95, E8 and an Essence remote.11-46 now replaced with Sony A90J 65”, Sony HT-A9, Sony UBP-X800M2 and Sony SRS-NS7.
Thanks for your write up . Looks better practiced than our local dealer who'd only just received their Avants. Even then , you could see and hear its a great product. Interesting to see the eight speakers exposed !
Beo Century ,Beoplay V1, Beocenter 6, Ex-Beolit 12, Beotime , A8. Beolit 15 , Form 2i , Beolab 2000, Beoplay A3.Beosound 1
moxxey:As I've explained loads of times, the simple answer to this is to backup/rip your DVDs/Blu-ray to a NAS drive, connect the NAS to the TV via wifi or ethernet and you can select any movie, within seconds, from the remote, using the Avant 'HomeMedia' function. This is way quicker and easier than finding a DVD, taking it out the case, walking over to the TV, inserting, sit there waiting for all the pre-movie rubbish and hearing the mechanism whirring in the background. Why on earth does someone think a TV should have a built-in disc player in 2014? Perplexes me. Just rip/backup the discs! Job done. You don't have to stream the content via the internet. That's precisely why B&O made it so easy to connect to a NAS with the BV11/V1. And, believe me, it's easy.
Nobody has mentioned the need for cable management on that beautiful floor stand . When the TV was unveiled the big black sock full of cables ruined the look of such a clean product . Obviously it would be difficult to impossible to route it through the stand in any way . The wall bracket in this demo looks very neat.
Dave Farr: You're all welcome, it was a good experience and they seemed to appreciate the interest from us Beoworlders. Thanks for the comments. I do have the Word documents on a USB drive (free in the press pack as well as a pair of lime green Form 2i headphones) which contain the press remease, tech specs, background info etc. I'm not sure of the best way to disseminate them if people want them - suggestions? Cut and paste from Word would be overwhelming. Dave.
Tried to answer earlier from my phone but it seems to have disappeared on its way to the forum :). Tanks again Dave for reviewing. I think you could put the documents on a shared dropbox folder perhaps? Or send them to me and I can do it for you. Cool that you got the Form 2i. I listened to them a few days ago but now I can't buy them since I just bought the TV :). A little silly that they hand them out like candy but not to the buyers :D.One think I realized is that the Avant doesnt have a headphone output. Perhaps this can be arranged via powerlink? I would like the possibility to listen trough headphones. I am thinking a PL output that always goes to a pair of wireless headphones, and that you select sound mode 8 or something and sound only goes on that line. What do you guys think?
Simonbeo: Nobody has mentioned the need for cable management on that beautiful floor stand . When the TV was unveiled the big black sock full of cables ruined the look of such a clean product . Obviously it would be difficult to impossible to route it through the stand in any way . The wall bracket in this demo looks very neat.
I think this is because of how the stand moves out. The cable would be jammed in when the stand would return "backwards" now it hangs free in a way that is probably easier to manage. I also thought about this and asked the dealer.
Michael:. One think I realized is that the Avant doesnt have a headphone output. Perhaps this can be arranged via powerlink? I would like the possibility to listen trough headphones. I am thinking a PL output that always goes to a pair of wireless headphones, and that you select sound mode 8 or something and sound only goes on that line. What do you guys think?
One think I realized is that the Avant doesnt have a headphone output. Perhaps this can be arranged via powerlink? I would like the possibility to listen trough headphones. I am thinking a PL output that always goes to a pair of wireless headphones, and that you select sound mode 8 or something and sound only goes on that line. What do you guys think?
That is possible - Steve at Sounds Heavenly makes a cable for this.
Should be possible to use that for a BT sender too.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Michael:One think I realized is that the Avant doesnt have a headphone output. Perhaps this can be arranged via powerlink? I would like the possibility to listen trough headphones. I am thinking a PL output that always goes to a pair of wireless headphones, and that you select sound mode 8 or something and sound only goes on that line. What do you guys think?
Why not take the idea a bit further and make WiSA-compatible headphones! I dunno, it might be too complex and/or power consuming to build into the actual headphones, but I suppose many people would be happy with wired headphones as long as the wire doesn't run all across the room from the TV... an external headphone receiver/amp?
Dave, thanks for the extensive review and very interesting pictures! You could do that for a living
--mika
I need to double check but I'm fairly sure I read in the tech specs that it does have a headphone socket. I'll check. OK, just checked and 1 headphone socket is listed on the official product listing
Michael, if you PM me with your e-mail address I can send the docs to you. They aren't actually that big. There are also some tiff. files (pictures for the press) which I wanted to include but can't manage to convert them to jpeg either. Can you do that too? There are some nice pictures in high definition plus picture of the white version of the BeoRemote one - which I've accidentally managed to save as my PC desktop!
vikinger:Having also watched Geoff Martin's sound video I am totally sold on this TV (except for that Bose WaveRadio looking centre grille!) (EDIT Or is it meant to hark back to a Beolit???)
I have to agree that the centre grill did also catch me eye as something from Bose and I would like to see it more uniformed design to make the speakes a little bit more like the speaker on the BV7.
Also, which I haven't seen anyone mentioned yet, is that when I peaked in the manual to the Avanta I noticed that it on the last page clearly indicated that the Avant will be available as well in 85" as well.
kimhav: vikinger:Having also watched Geoff Martin's sound video I am totally sold on this TV (except for that Bose WaveRadio looking centre grille!) (EDIT Or is it meant to hark back to a Beolit???) I have to agree that the centre grill did also catch me eye as something from Bose and I would like to see it more uniformed design to make the speakes a little bit more like the speaker on the BV7. Also, which I haven't seen anyone mentioned yet, is that when I peaked in the manual to the Avanta I noticed that it on the last page clearly indicated that the Avant will be available as well in 85" as well.
One could also say that the grille resembles the old Beomaster 800. 😉
About the screen sizes: The local dealer told me that the Avant will later be available in both 75" and 85".
G'day Dave
Thanks for your review. You did a stellar job.
MH
tournedos:Why not take the idea a bit further and make WiSA-compatible headphones! I dunno, it might be too complex and/or power consuming to build into the actual headphones, but I suppose many people would be happy with wired headphones as long as the wire doesn't run all across the room from the TV... an external headphone receiver/amp?
why not get a wireless receiver and the cable from Steve that was mentioned .... and voila no cable between you and the BV ? just a power point by your chair ?
BeoNut since '75
Michael: G'day Dave Thanks for your review. You did a stellar job. MH
Ditto - great review Dave and thanks a MILLION for all the behind the scenes photo
Nice to see Jetta in the background !
PS please disseminate the Form 2i in my direction
elephant: tournedos:Why not take the idea a bit further and make WiSA-compatible headphones! I dunno, it might be too complex and/or power consuming to build into the actual headphones, but I suppose many people would be happy with wired headphones as long as the wire doesn't run all across the room from the TV... an external headphone receiver/amp? why not get a wireless receiver and the cable from Steve that was mentioned .... and voila no cable between you and the BV ? just a power point by your chair ?
Brilliant idea, Elephant.
How about a rechargeable battery pack attached to the wireless receiver, with belt clip, and forget the power point. Now you can attach any headphone.
we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.