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
Chris Townsend:Interesting to note that the Nad dock which seems to be the flavour of the day, doesn't even bother with AirPlay but uses Bluetooth. My Beolit which has been behaving up till today, just shut down for a few hours, and then when it spontaneously restarted it did so at full volume!
Chris, I still think you're very confused about AirPlay. With that NAD device, if you connect an iPhone, you'd still be streaming music from, say, iTunes to the phone, via AirPlay. Of course, you can stream direct to the iPhone using Apple's iCloud, but requires an additional fee. But unless you store all your music on your phone, you still need to get the audio streamed to the phone, to play via your NAD device.
So, AirPlay is still involved, somewhere down the line. However, NAD just haven't built it in to the dock, requiring your to stream to the device (which then connects to the NAD wirelessly).
Your BeoLit 12 issues, for me, are BeoLit software problems, which could explain the wifi dropouts, disconnects, poor connection and it turning itself off etc. B&O have a history of software issues from TVs to phones (my BeoCom 5's still, with the latest software, lose the connection to the base, reset, etc, much like what you're describing with the BeoLit). Remember that all hardware is only as good as the software driving it.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
I totally understand where you are coming from Chris. I wanted the A8 but i'd be using Airplay ALL of the time and now i'm really really scared to buy one as it's a lot of money for the tiny amount of time hat i spend in my apartment. I feel that it should be perfect as both my MacBook and iPhone do EVERYTHING that i need them to! Seriously four months on with the iPhone 4S and there isn't a single thing that I can fault with it!
Chris i heard the NAD in the Apple store last week and it definitely did not sound anywhere as clear as both B&Os. Shame as years ago I really liked NAD equipment.
Hey guys, I revived this from the point of view that EVEN Google, yes Google, is having troubles shipping their device.
While it is more than a Playmaker (i.e. it does video HDMI) Nexus was also an audio - so comparable to either the ATV or the AE or combination thereof.
I popped into B&O today and said I would like to do a test - come back in September was the answer ... so let us cross our fingers and hope B&O can beat Google to the punch.
Something for which we should pat Struer on the back.
If you take a look at the Nexus Q, some might argue that it is a design that could/should have come from B&O ... but the rainbow LEDs are a step too far I think !
Bottom line ... give B&O a bit of a break ... and give the Playmaker a trial.
BeoNut since '75
elephant: Something for which we should pat Struer on the back.
To be fair to Google, the Nexus is a much more advanced product, effectively it's Google's "Apple TV", so more comparable as a mini-computer, rather than the Playmaker compared to an Airport Express. The Nexus is closer to the Beomaster 5, than Playmaker.
And we can't give B&O a pat on the back until it ships. It's still vaporware until that stage. Plus, how do we know it won't suffer from the Airplay/other connection issues which Chris has experienced with his Beolit 12? Lots of "ifs" yet, so praising B&O pre-launch is a bit OTT.
Paul W: I totally understand where you are coming from Chris. I wanted the A8 but i'd be using Airplay ALL of the time and now i'm really really scared to buy one as it's a lot of money for the tiny amount of time hat i spend in my apartment. I feel that it should be perfect as both my MacBook and iPhone do EVERYTHING that i need them to! Seriously four months on with the iPhone 4S and there isn't a single thing that I can fault with it!
Hi Paul,
I've been using the BeoPlay A8 for 1,5 weeks now, daily, and a lot especially in the evening (it's in the bedroom). My Airport Express, about 2 years old, is in another room and there are two walls between the AE and A8. I have not had a single dropout, the BeoSetup App says the signal level is "good" (has been all the time), and the whole thing works like a charm.
So based on a bad experience on another product, BeoLit 12, I would not fault the entire AirPlay range.
I received my PlayMaker + BeoLab 3 combo on the weekend, and will set it up this week. I'll share my experiences here on Beoworld.
Interestingly, the PlayMaker + BeoLab 3 combo comes in a nice, big package -- it's just not a pair of BeoLab 3's packed as they usually are + a PlayMaker in a separate box. It is indeed a bundle, with the speakers, the PlayMaker and all cabling in one neat package. Picture below. Also, the bundle is only available with white or black BeoLab 3's. If you want other colors, you'll have to order the products separately.
The lead-time on PlayMaker alone is about 4 weeks (it has been selling well), but as the combos are a different feast, you can get them faster. They've not sold as many bundles as single PlayMakers (I guess the price of the bundle explains this). I got my mine in a week.
I'm using iPhone 4S and the new iPad for AirPlay. For the BeoPlay A8, there was a software update available (2.0.0) to which I updated right away. At least for the A8, setup with the BeoSetup App was a no-brainer, easy and straightforward.
Best regards,
KMA
B&O product history since 1991: Ridiculously long to list in a signature.
KMA: So based on a bad experience on another product, BeoLit 12, I would not fault the entire AirPlay range.
Exactly. It's got to be a BeoLit software issue, if you ask me.
Good news you've received your PlayMaker. Let us know your opinion as you're clearly a big Airport Express user, so in a good place to compare.
moxxey: elephant: Something for which we should pat Struer on the back. To be fair to Google, the Nexus is a much more advanced product, effectively it's Google's "Apple TV", so more comparable as a mini-computer, rather than the Playmaker compared to an Airport Express. The Nexus is closer to the Beomaster 5, than Playmaker. And we can't give B&O a pat on the back until it ships. It's still vaporware until that stage. Plus, how do we know it won't suffer from the Airplay/other connection issues which Chris has experienced with his Beolit 12? Lots of "ifs" yet, so praising B&O pre-launch is a bit OTT.
Well as you acknowledge a bit later in this thread KMA has received a nice Playmaker package ... I guess the Antipodes are suffering their usual time warp lag.
I am not sure where KMA got his rumour about the PlayMaker selling well - if it is then that's a good thing.
I am contemplating swapping my three BeoLink Wirelesses out for two or more PlayMakers. It will all come down to quality of transmission, sound, and usability. I have never mounted the Beolink eyes, so in one way the PlayMaker will be simpler and less cluttered.
However we will miss out on our BeoSound 4 as a source .... hmmmm
But I would not compare the Nexus Q to a Beomaster 5 ... apparently it has only 16GB of storage and I would expect that, much like iOS, Android will chew up some storage and one would only get about 12GB worth of music tracks.
It really is more like the ATV but with some touchy-feely controls that make it akin to a PlayMaker.
Where the Nexus Q really stood out was its connectivity options (and perhaps the fact it was assembled in California and not in China - but let us not start that bun fight again!) shown below
Connectivity Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), NFC,Bluetooth, microUSB (for service and support), 10/100BASE-T Ethernet(RJ45),Micro HDMI (Type D),Optical out (S/PDIF),Banana jack speaker outputs BeoNut since '75
Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), NFC,Bluetooth, microUSB (for service and support), 10/100BASE-T Ethernet(RJ45),Micro HDMI (Type D),Optical out (S/PDIF),Banana jack speaker outputs
elephant: I am not sure where KMA got his rumour about the PlayMaker selling well - if it is then that's a good thing.
That is the information I got from my dealer: they had sold all PlayMakers allocated to them and the lead-time for new PlayMaker-only orders was 4 weeks. There are quite a few orders in, as I understood it. The combos are a "different inventory item", and those where still available from B&O at least a week ago.
I will be sharing my impressions and experiences with PlayMaker later this week. Nice to have something new to Play with :) (Pun intended.)
Hi elephant,
Swapping the BeoLink Wireless is not at all necessary. Use the A.Aux on your BS4 to connect the Playmaker - the adaptercable is avaible at your B&O-store.
This way you have all sources from the Playmaker AND your usual sources from the BS4 in all your rooms
If possible use the ethernet-connection direkt from the router!
Greetings Millemissen
There is a tv - and there is a BV
KMA: That is the information I got from my dealer: they had sold all PlayMakers allocated to them
That is the information I got from my dealer: they had sold all PlayMakers allocated to them
Normally the dealer chooses the number they want to order and normally it's low - a handful, max. Selling out "all the PlayMakers" wouldn't be difficult in that scenario.
My dealer says it's not even out yet! Very bizarre.
Anyway, we welcome your feedback. Let's hope it doesn't suffer from the connection issues that have affected the BeoLit 12.
Millemissen: Hi elephant, Swapping the BeoLink Wireless is not at all necessary. Use the A.Aux on your BS4 to connect the Playmaker - the adaptercable is avaible at your B&O-store. This way you have all sources from the Playmaker AND your usual sources from the BS4 in all your rooms If possible use the ethernet-connection direkt from the router! Greetings Millemissen
Good point and Thank you for the suggestion !
I currently distribute my digital music via [N.MUSIC] command to the BeoPort and LinkPlayer 2,
The Playmaker has the advantage that it has a direct volume control, where as the Beolink Wireless and IR Eye do not -- for them I must use a remote, and in the link rooms I have Beolink 1000s for this purpose.
But the big benefits that I see for the Playmaker is that it would be that it allows independent music in each room and:
a) given that my sons' music collections are not joined up on my LinkPlayer this could be useful - and I think allow them to control it with Android devicesb) that would allow my wife and I to enjoy different music in different link rooms
which goes to show that the Playmaker opens up many possibilities while accomplishing some de-cluttering
Thank you again for a great idea.
You could also combine the two ways of accessing your media.
1: connect one Playmaker to the BS4 for access in all rooms
2: exchange one of the BLW's with a PM in a room where access to your BS4-sources is not nessesarily needed for independent use.
Furthermore: If you would swap one of the BLW's with a BLActive (of cource you need a ML-cable for this), you could use the PC-in on the BLActive for connecting a Playmaker - and so have access to both the sources of the BS4 and independent access to your Airplay/DLNA-sources (and via line-in of PM for instance a turntable/vinyl lives!).
Surely the PM gives us many new possibilities in a setup with ML.
P.S.
You wrote: "The Playmaker has the advantage that it has a direct volume control, where as the Beolink Wireless and IR Eye do not -- for them I must use a remote, and in the link rooms I have Beolink 1000s for this purpose."
This is not correct - the ir-eye gives you direct access to the volume control. For changing the source or tracks you need a remote!
Millemissen:Use the A.Aux on your BS4 to connect the Playmaker
Millemissen: Hi elephant, You could also combine the two ways of accessing your media. 1: connect one Playmaker to the BS4 for access in all rooms
You have great ideas - thank you
Millemissen:2: exchange one of the BLW's with a PM in a room where access to your BS4-sources is not nessesarily needed for independent use.
Hmmmm - that's probably only my son's man-cave
Millemissen:Furthermore: If you would swap one of the BLW's with a BLActive (of cource you need a ML-cable for this), you could use the PC-in on the BLActive for connecting a Playmaker - and so have access to both the sources of the BS4 and independent access to your Airplay/DLNA-sources (and via line-in of PM for instance a turntable/vinyl lives!).
I actually have an ACTIVE which I had been using to couple up my stackable beosystem 5000 so I can certainly test this option !
Millemissen:Surely the PM gives us many new possibilities in a setup with ML.
Indeed it has !
Millemissen: You wrote: "The Playmaker has the advantage that it has a direct volume control, where as the Beolink Wireless and IR Eye do not -- for them I must use a remote, and in the link rooms I have Beolink 1000s for this purpose." This is not correct - the ir-eye gives you direct access to the volume control. For changing the source or tracks you need a remote!
Again you are correct - I always get caught on this because of the difference between how the BeoPort's eye operates and how other eyes operate.
I wish B&O had simple produce a consistent design and set of behaviours -- I can imagine how the design discussion went "the customer will be sitting at their PC's keyboard, they will not need a remote, they will not need the eye to volume controls ...." and so we have what we have, but clearly it today's world where we use a keyboardless Mac mini with a Beoport having a simple manual interface on the eye would be ideal ! Which is what the PlayMaker gives us
Hi Yendys,
Using the command A.AUX should not make any problems. You are then opening the A.AUX on the BS4 and on the PM at the same time.
But the PM then autoreacts to the source you are using on it. As an exsample using AirPlay would then open the AirPlay-port of the PM (no BEO4 is needed for that),
And the sound would go through the PM to the BS4 and if you wish out on the ML to other rooms.
Millemissen:Hi Yendys, Using the command A.AUX should not make any problems. You are then opening the A.AUX on the BS4 and on the PM at the same time. But the PM then autoreacts to the source you are using on it. As an exsample using AirPlay would then open the AirPlay-port of the PM (no BEO4 is needed for that), And the sound would go through the PM to the BS4 and if you wish out on the ML to other rooms. Greetings Millemissen
Millemissen: Using the command A.AUX should not make any problems. You are then opening the A.AUX on the BS4 and on the PM at the same time.
... to avoid problems if two items are reacting simultanously to "A.MEM" or "A.AUX" you can set the Playmaker to 3 different IR options:A.OPT 0 = No Beo4 or Beo5/Beo6 operation.
A.OPT 4 = Playmaker can only be operated with Beo4 and Beo5/Beo6 in "LINK" mode - if Playmaker is placed in the same room as another audio system in A.OPT 1, 2, 5,or 6 or a MasterLink product eg BeoLab 3500 in L.OPT 5 or 6.
A.OPT 5 = default setting - if Playmaker is placed in a room alone or with a video product in V.OPT 1, 4 or 5.
Vienna:... to avoid problems if two items are reacting simultanously to "A.MEM" or "A.AUX" you can set the Playmaker to 3 different IR options:A.OPT 0 = No Beo4 or Beo5/Beo6 operation. A.OPT 4 = Playmaker can only be operated with Beo4 and Beo5/Beo6 in "LINK" mode - if Playmaker is placed in the same room as another audio system in A.OPT 1, 2, 5,or 6 or a MasterLink product eg BeoLab 3500 in L.OPT 5 or 6.A.OPT 5 = default setting - if Playmaker is placed in a room alone or with a video product in V.OPT 1, 4 or 5.
I have ordered a Playmaker from my dealer. Was bigger than I what I could see from published pictures.
Will replace my old Airport Express doing the same thing. Been thinking of adding an external DAC anyway. Will be tucked away, so the somewhat disappointing design will not bother me. So the possibility to set to A.opt 0 is good.
Livingroom: BL3, BL11, BV11-46 Kitchen: Beosound 1 GVA, Beocom 2 Bathroom: M3 Homeoffice: M3, Beocom 2 Library: Beosound Emerge, Beocom 6000 Bedroom: M5, Essence remote Travel: Beoplay E8 2.0, Beoplay EQ, Beoplay Earset
How could i forget it
It is covered in the faqs on the B&O-homepage. The same rules as for Beolit and BS8-AirPlay!!!
Optionprogramming done with a BEO4.
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/customer-service/faq
?Hjort? Why replacie the AES when you are going to use an external DAC anyway. I would rather wait and see (means:hear) how good/or bad the B&O-DAC inside the PM is. Would be nice to have a review from someone who already owns it?
Adding a DAC to a PlayMaker? How?
Millemissen: ?Hjort? Why replacie the AES when you are going to use an external DAC anyway. I would rather wait and see (means:hear) how good/or bad the B&O-DAC inside the PM is. Would be nice to have a review from someone who already owns it? Greetings Millemissen
That explains all
But...but...I don't want to leave just yet!
We kid because we love.
Just stay - you can leave your hat on.
I am confused. How do you control the Playmaker? Is there an app such as the Sonos app for Ipad?
I do must say that I am interested too...
Cheers
Pauliander
How to control the Playmaker?
- Via its physical controls (volume...)
- Via Airplay if you're Apple (Remote App, or any app, everything is Airplay-enabled)
- Via a DLNA app if you're Android/Windows Phone : the playmaker is a media renderer, just make it read the music you want
- Via the Beoplayer App : this is not released, but B&O speaks of that app on the Playmaker user's manual... Wait and see... But software programming+B&O=a line of code by year... The Beoplayer App can take some time to be issued at this speed...
diisign.com
Hi pauliander,
Here is the link to the userguide: http://www.bang-olufsen.com/customer-service/product-support/sound/sound-systems/playmaker
Page 12 (and 9) explains how to operate the PM - just turn on the source and the PM will sense it. Priority has AirPlay, then comes DLNA and at last the Line-input. Any higher "source" will turn out the actual playing. Volume and standby can be managed direct on the device. In fact very simple.
On page 13 is explained how to choose AirPlay and Line-in with a BEO4-remote. Volume and standby can also be managed with the BEO4. The optionprogramming (means: behaviour in a setup with other B&O-products) must also be done with the BEO4.
The Setup Utility-App is only for the wireless setup - this is also used for the new B&OPLAY-products (Beolit/BS8AirPlay)
Give it a try - Greetings Millemissen