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
I have a question for all you Beomavens, why did Bang & Olufsen rearrange the buttons on the Beolink 1000?
The obvious answer is they felt they could organize the buttons better. Well we could debate that point for hours but in my opinion one is no better than the other, just different.
The older model is bronze in colour and says “Bang & Olufsen Beolink 1000” while the newer model is silver in colour and just says “Bang & Olufsen.” I have a background in marketing and don’t see the slightest advantage for one over the other, just a matter of personal preference.
Both remotes work perfectly well with either the Beomaster 4500 or Beocenter 9000 the only difference is as follows.
The older model has “TURN” “RESET” and “ABC” which the newer model lacks.
The newer model has “SAT” “TEXT” and “LIGHT” that the older model does not. Plus the newer model has printed labels for “LARGE” and MIX” that the older model does not include plus up and down arrows.
I rather imagine that it doesn’t make the slightest difference which remote I use for my BM 4500 or BC 9000, but if anyone knows what application is best suited for these two similar, yet very different remotes, I’d love to be educated.
In plain English, I just found a deal on eBay for a remote for my BeoCenter 9000 and was expecting the clone of my existing Beolink 1000…. and I was surprised to find so many differences.
So what’s the deal here?
Jeff
Beogram 4000, Beogram 4002, Beogram 4004, Beogram 8000, Beogram 8002, Beogram 1602. Beogram 4500 CD player, B&O CDX player, Beocord 4500, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 5000 T4716, Beocord 8004, Beocord 9000, Beomaster 1000, Beomaster 1600, Beomaster 2400.2, Beomaster 2400.2, Beomaster 4400, Beomaster 4500, Beolab 5000, Beomaster 5000, BeoCenter 9000. BeoSound Century, S-45.2, S-45.2, S-75, S-75, M-75, M-100, MC 120.2 speakers; B&O Illuminated Sign (with crown & red logo). B&O grey & black Illuminated Sign, B&O black Plexiglas dealer sign, B&O ash tray, B&O (Orrefors) dealer award vase, B&O Beotime Clock. Navy blue B&O baseball cap, B&O T-shirt X2, B&O black ball point pen, B&O Retail Management Binder
Jeff,
I suppose that the remotes had to be updated as more features became available on TV's, stands and other audio components as they developed. As products developed or new models came out with newer more up-to-date features, the remotes had to keep up. To some degree we see it today with the development of the Beoremote one over the BEO4.
If you look in the products section for hand held remotes you will also see the A Remote:
http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=689
Which look similar to the Beolink 1000 but varied for their different uses. Is it one of these you have now?
Dave.
There is even further differences from the ones that you mention as well. The Mark 3 has no writing on the shell at all and has different functions again. I think Dave is right in terms of an explanation. Obviously needs changed as they went on. It was the same with the Beo4 as they added DVD over the years etc.
Ben
Hi Dave and Ben,
That B&O would make changes over time to adjust for product development sounds logical, but that is not what happened here.
Had they introduced new features or controls (there are a few) we wouldn’t be discussing the 1000 remote.
However it is almost like the game of “musical chairs” where the changes appear completely random.
For instance on the newer model the third row down is: V TAPE, RECORD, and A. TAPE. On the older model it is MENU, RECORD, and PHONO. (The RECORD is the same.) The V TAPE and A TAPE are on the fourth line down on the older model.
On the older model the STORE button is second row in the center, but on the newer model it is all the way down, on the left between PICTURE and SOUND. Where the STORE is on the newer model the older one has AV….. and the AV appears on the newer model at the very bottom on the left.
By now you must get the idea, 95% of the buttons are the same, just in different positions.
The only real changes I see the older model has: ABC, TURN, and RESET, which the newer model replaced with (but not in the same positions) LIGHT, SAT, and TEXT. Otherwise all the buttons are the same.
With all that is going on in the world today, discussing the arrangement of buttons on a remote control seems rather trivial. But now that I think about it, I’d rather be discussing this as opposed to the nuclear talks in Iran or the conflict in Ukraine.
Thanks for joining into my “peaceful” discussion.
I think it was a progress that they made a dedicated "Menu" button, instead of having to press "Shift" + some other button.
The adding of the arrows up/down (that wasn't on the mk1), was also a logical progress -and made the user experience more like the Beolink 5000 and later Beo4.
I think design wise the later models are definitely 'cleaner'. It is a trivial discussion but they are usually the most interesting I find!
Hi Steffen and Ben,
It may well be that I have two remotes from the earliest Beolink 1000’s and hence, they are not all that different as both have the MENU button, just in totally different spots.
The newer one does have the arrows which the older one lacks.
In either case while almost as trivial as this subject itself, I SURE like having the second Beolink 1000 remote as I use my original with the Beomaster 4500/Beogram 4500 CD on the second floor kitchen, while my much loved BeoCenter 9000 sat idle in the third floor media room….. now it gets the attention it deserves.
It is a win/win situation…. and I had sort of forgotten how truly marvelous the BC 9000 really is. We are getting reacquainted all over again due to the new remote.
Piaf: It may well be that I have two remotes from the earliest Beolink 1000’s and hence, they are not all that different as both have the MENU button, just in totally different spots.
But the earliest models did not have the menu button:
Hi Steffen,
Well sir, my newest addition is definitely the Beolink 1000 Mk3; however my original is a close match, but not an exact match for the Beolink Mk2.
My original remote has ABC where the Mk2 has TEXT and this remote has MENU where the Mk2 has SAT. The remainder is absolutely identical.
SAT and TEXT appear on the Mk3 but not on the older model.
So what the heck to I have here, a Mk2.5? (I better specify, that was a joke….)
For such an uninteresting thread for most folks on BeoWorld, I thank everyone for their input because I find this fascinating.
I can’t wait to hear exactly which remote I actually have and what, if any difference it makes.
Steffen:But the earliest models did not have the menu button:
BeoNut since '75
This keeps on getting more interesting.
Your Mk3 has the Beolink 1000 script whereas my otherwise identical model does not. What were those marketing folks thinking about?
In addition your remote on the left is virtually identical to my older and yet unidentified model with the two exceptions, mine says ABC instead of TEXT and MENU instead of LATELITE.
I just did a Little 'Googling' and found this.
Well, Jeff - seems like yours IS a mk2.5 (or something like that) Perhaps a version for the US market?
This one is definitely before mk3 - but I have never seen this version in Europe... What is the ABC button for?
@elephant:
It looks like the one on the left in your Picture is a mk1. Your mk3 looks different from others I've seen... Could it be that it's simply a mk3 put into a mk1 or mk2 cabinet? The mk3's I have seen all have a lighter 'silver' color.
The TEXT button is for Teletext, which I believe was never used in the NTSC world even though the specifications existed. I don't know what ABC does, but I suspect it is for closed captioning (respectively never used in Europe). I presume the buttons actually send the same command.
--mika
the backside of the previously shown leaflet
The backside of the Beolink 1000 will tell the mk number.
Martin
Dillen:The backside of the Beolink 1000 will tell the mk number. Martin
So true; same order now the backside; the pattern of a BL1000 (the last 2) tells which MKx it is
The picture you Googled is exactly my remote.
The ABC function switches between signal inputs A, B, and C.
I am assuming the these ABC inputs were different sources for one’s television.
So it is official I have a Beolink 1000 2.5. Hey, different can be good.
Carolpa: the backside of the previously shown leaflet
According to this photo my older remote is a Mk2, but the battery box cover says IEC LR 03, which would indicate a Mk3. Now I am totally confused. Jeff
Personal note from another thread, that was a brilliant solution to the “newbie” wanting to use a Beogram 4500 CD player as a stand alone unit. You deserve an award for your suggestion.
Dillen: The backside of the Beolink 1000 will tell the mk number.
...as long as all the cover parts have not been swapped over between remotes by some previous owner...
I am now educated about the ABC button, thanks Jeff. There's no such function on European Beovisions.
tournedos: Dillen: The backside of the Beolink 1000 will tell the mk number. ...as long as all the cover parts have not been swapped over between remotes by some previous owner... I am now educated about the ABC button, thanks Jeff. There's no such function on European Beovisions.
Or a wrong key-pad is installed!
Piaf: According to this photo my older remote is a Mk2, but the battery box cover says IEC LR 03, which would indicate a Mk3. Now I am totally confused. Jeff
Don't be confused. IEC LR 03 is the battery type - also called 'AAA'.
Now I am thoroughly confused.
Martin said the type number is on the back, but I look at Martin’s examples and there are no markings of any kind. Ditto my two remotes, there are no markings, no letters, no numbers…. no nothing: just black plastic and four little rubber feet. (pads)
The only reason I opened the batter box was because I couldn’t find the numbers Martin was referring to on the case back.
And as always, you are correct; the Beolink 1000 takes AAA batteries.
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One more question on the Beolink 1000.
As I see a good many BeoWorld members have a “collection” of Beolink remotes, clearly the remotes have outlived the Beomaster or BeoCenter they came with.
So what is the relative life expectancy of a B&O remote…..assuming they are not mistreated?
Piaf: Hi Steffen, Now I am thoroughly confused. Martin said the type number is on the back, but I look at Martin’s examples and there are no markings of any kind. Ditto my two remotes, there are no markings, no letters, no numbers…. no nothing: just black plastic and four little rubber feet. (pads) The only reason I opened the batter box was because I couldn’t find the numbers Martin was referring to on the case back. And as always, you are correct; the Beolink 1000 takes AAA batteries. Jeff
I didn't mention any printed numbers.
Look at the number of neopren (thin rubber coating) pads on the backside, not counting the one on thebattery lid and the small one just above it;
Note that the rightmost Beolink 1000 (in the photo in the post higher up) has two large pads, telling that this is a mk2.The mk3, next to the mk2, has one of the large pads divided into two, making a total of three pads.The mk4 (shown below) similarly has both pads divided, making a total of four pads.
Steffen:@elephant: It looks like the one on the left in your Picture is a mk1. Your mk3 looks different from others I've seen... Could it be that it's simply a mk3 put into a mk1 or mk2 cabinet? The mk3's I have seen all have a lighter 'silver' color.
Piaf:This keeps on getting more interesting. Your Mk3 has the Beolink 1000 script whereas my otherwise identical model does not. What were those marketing folks thinking about? In addition your remote on the left is virtually identical to my older and yet unidentified model with the two exceptions, mine says ABC instead of TEXT and MENU instead of LATELITE . Jeff Beogram 4000, 4002, 4004, 8000, 8002, 1602. Beogram 4500, CDX. Beocord 8004, 9000. Beomaster 1000, 2400, 4400, 4500. BeoCenter 9000. BeoSound Century. S-45, S-75 X2, MC 120.2; B&O Illuminated Sign (with crown & red logo). B&O grey & black Illuminated Sign, B&O black ball point pen, B&O ash tray, B&O (Orrefors) dealer award vase, B&O Clock.
Carolpa:So true; same order now the backside; the pattern of a BL1000 (the last 2) tells which MKx it is
Piaf:Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 One more question on the Beolink 1000. As I see a good many BeoWorld members have a “collection” of Beolink remotes, clearly the remotes have outlived the Beomaster or BeoCenter they came with. So what is the relative life expectancy of a B&O remote…..assuming they are not mistreated? Jeff Beogram 4000, 4002, 4004, 8000, 8002, 1602. Beogram 4500, CDX. Beocord 8004, 9000. Beomaster 1000, 2400, 4400, 4500. BeoCenter 9000. BeoSound Century. S-45, S-75 X2, MC 120.2; B&O Illuminated Sign (with crown & red logo). B&O grey & black Illuminated Sign, B&O black ball point pen, B&O ash tray, B&O (Orrefors) dealer award vase, B&O Clock.
Hi Martin,
Neither of my remotes has those pads, just the tiny rubber feet. I purchased both used on eBay so those pads were lot in time.
Piaf: Neither of my remotes has those pads, just the tiny rubber feet. I purchased both used on eBay so those pads were lot in time.
Martin does not mean the big rubber feet on the remote in the picture, he refers to the large rubber-painted squares that occupy almost all the area of the back of the remote.
...look at the picture that showed several beolinks - the two right-most remotes in that picture have different numbers of rubber squares.
= Mk3 and Mk2 respectively
= Mk 4
Henrik,
I understand that you are trying to help, but honestly in the pictures, ALL of the pictures, and my two remotes included, I see nothing other than plain black plastic.
I see the strips in the plastic, gloss strips in matt plastic, the small holes with screw heads, the thumb insert to open the battery compartment, but nothing that resembles communication of any sort….. no numbers, no alphabetic letters, not so much as a ® or ©.
In Martin’s picture there are four 5mm round decals (or whatever), but I have no such adornments.
We posted at the same time....
Martin,
This WAS interesting, but I fear we have beaten this thing to death.
However from you latest photo offering I believe my newer remote is the centre remote, or the third from the left as it lacks the middle stripe.
The older remote appears to match the 4th remote from the left as it has a horizontal stripe in the centre.
Can someone please inform me which systems are operated with a Beolink 1000, Mk4? I'm finding conflicting information, and even the operators manual is incomplete, or it is the manual for other marks. Confused.
It works fully with my 4500 system. Will it also operate the stacked systems 5000 and 5500?
Living Room: Beosystem 4, Beolab 7-2 (Center), Beolab 9 (Fronts), Beolab 8000 (Rears), no Subwoofer. Screen: Sony KD-85XH9096Dining Room: Beosound Essence MK II with Beolab 4000 on stands, fed by Amazon Echo Show 8Home Cinema: Beosystem 4, Beolab 7-4 (Center), Beolab 1 (Fronts), Beolab 4000 (Rears). Projector: Sony VPL-HW55Home Office: Beosystem 3, Beolab 7-4, Beolab 5000, Screen: Sony KD-55XH9005 on Beovision 7-40 stand, ML to Beosound 9000 MK3 and Beosound 5/Beomaster 5 (1 TB SSD version)Bedroom: Sony KD-65XH9077, Beosound Essence MK II with Beolab 6002 and Beolab 11 (all white, wall-mounted)
In storage: Beolab 5000/Beomaster 5000 (1960s).