Equipment needed for integration

I’d like to know what I would need to get the following operation if it’s even possible.

System configuration:

Beosystem 3 connected with beolink converter to a Beosystem 6500 through Master link

The Beomaster is extended to three rooms with MCL2

Beoplay M3 tied with network link

Beo4 non-Navi remotes

Wyze net cameras

Philips Hue lights

Desired operation:

Full integration of Beosystem inputs to the M3

Full control of the system with Beo4 remotes

Control of hue lights through the Beo4 light button

View net cameras on the BS3 on connected monitor

Some level of idevice control optional

Do I need a beolink converter nl/ml?

Beolink Gateway?

master link Gateway?

A combination of these?

BeoLiving?

Can I set these up myself?

I’m guessing I’ll need a Beolink Converter NL/ML as a way to tie my Masterlink system to the M3 Network Link. Then I’ll need the Beolink Gateway as well to connect to my home automation equipment.

So to start with the Beolink Converter NL/ML, will that happily operate with my BS3, BS6500, M3, all using my non-navi, Go, DVD Beo4?

Will there be any issues with the fact that my system uses the older command set - not a.mem or n.music, etc., selections across the network?

I ask because I could not use the BeoRemote One with my system because it seems to only operate in Beo4 Navi, and not the older Beo4 Go mode. The Beo4 emulation seems to be the last incarnation of the Beo4.

Did you try using the P+ and P- buttons of the BeoRemote One? I use these buttons to step forward and back on my BeoGram 9500 turntable connected to a BeoMaster 5500.

The NL/ML converter and the BLGW are what you need for integration -- including your Hue lights. However, you might have issues if you're using MCL in your link rooms rather than using ML. I doubt that you'll be able to forward LIGHT and CONTROL commands in those link rooms.

BTW, you can put the BeoSystem 3 into navi mode.

Thanks @Beojeff. I had to borrow the BR1 to change my BeoSystem 3 from Navi to non-Navi so the rest of my system would work with my Beo4 remotes. Even when using Navi mode on the BR1 there seemed to be too many missing features and source selections. It just wasn’t a better experience for me.

I will look for a Beolink Converter nl/ml first, so I can listen to my BeoSystem 6500 sources on my M3.

To go back to one of your original questions: for some older functions, you just need to use the new function name. For example: you use N.Radio for Phono. Some of the functions are hidden on the BeoRemote One. You just have to go into the settings to set them to be shown. As I mentioned, you don't use the colored arrow buttons in the same way that you with non-navi remotes. You use the <<, >>, P+, and P- buttons.

DMacri:

I will look for a Beolink Converter nl/ml first, so I can listen to my BeoSystem 6500 sources on my M3.

You won’t be able to control anything on the M3 with a Beo4 - since there is no ir receiver on that.

You will have to use the BROne/BT or the Bang & Olufsen app. A simple source selection can be done on the device.

MM

If you don’t have the intension of adding further NL devices to your system, maybe another possibility could be considered.

Skip the NL/ML Converter and the M3 - buy a Core and connect this (in fixed line-out mode) to the A-Tape 2 connection of the 6500 master.

This way all sources of the Core can be heard on every part of the system.

However, you will need the Bang & Olufsen app and additional third-party apps to control that.

This way you can keep your Beo4 as is.

The costs will be about the same.

Since you won’t be able to use the Beo4 with an M3 and the (oldschool) Beo4 will be limited, when it comes to controlling the M3, there is not much need for the Converter. And the Core gives you more options as a M3 can.

For the home automation side you will need the BLGW.....and the skills to configure it.

I agree with beojeff that you hardly will be able to control the lights through the MCL connection.

If you are concerned about having to use a smart device/iDevice (the apps), please consider, that this would be the same with the M3 in the mix....not much that you can do there without apps, anyway.

MM

Ok, thanks. I wasn’t considering the core. Interesting. If I’m trying to control IOT devices like my Hue lights, remote switches, and the like, would a Masterlink Gateway work, or must it be a Beolink Gateway? What are the major differences between them?

The BLGW has far more (and newer) devices that it supports to control. For example, the MLGW is fine for something like RadioRa2 or Lutron Homeworks QS. However, if you want to control newer systems like Philips Hue and Nest, you'll definitely want to go for the BLGW. The even newer BLI has better camera support, but it lacks MasterLink support. The BLGW supports ML as well as NL.

Thanks for the help. I thought that might be the case, but I didn’t want to eliminate the MLGW if it would work for me.

I want to maintain as much flexibility as I can without losing the functionality I already enjoy with my mixed environment.

I’m using MCL2, and ML, and now I want to add NL and home automation to the mix too.

I have two separate systems based on BS3 and BS6500/BS7000, but when I retire and move, I may want them more integrated.

The ML/NL combination should allow me to use more modern products as long as I don’t shut down the use of my older devices due to the addition.

I imagine this will get harder as time goes on, but the ability to mix systems like this is why I started investing in B&O in the first place.

Something that may be of interest to you is that you can actually join multiple B&O ML sound systems by using multiple NL/ML converters. As you know, a limitation of the ML system is that you can only have one audio (or video) master on each ML network. By using multiple NL/ML converters (one for each audio master) you can get past this limitation. You can map any sources to the ML source commands. You're then only limited by the number of ML source commands - e.g., CD, A.Mem, Radio, Aux, N. Music, N. Radio, etc.

For example, I have 4 NL/ML converters:

One NL/ML converters is used to connect a BeoSound Moment to a BeoVision 10 and to interface NL to the ML network. This is connected to the BLGW.

One NL/ML converter is used to connect a BeoSound 5.

One NL/ML converter is used to connect a BeoMaster 5500 and its connected BeoGram 9500 turntable.

One NL/ML converter is used to connect a BeoCenter 2.

I could conceivably use one NL/ML converter for BOTH the BeoCenter 2 and BeoSound 5 since you can use the BeoSound 5 with a separate audio master.

beojeff:

Something that may be of interest to you is that you can actually join multiple B&O ML sound systems by using multiple NL/ML converters.

Ok, I did not know that. I’ve got to talk with my B&O salesman. I hope he can track some down for me. It looks like I’ll need a BLGW and at least one NL/ML Converter, if not two.

The old MLGW works with Philips HUE, too. I'm using it since years for that. ;) But it's fare more complicated to program. The BLGW seems to be much easier. 

beojeff:

 You can map any sources to the ML source commands. You're then only limited by the number of ML source commands - e.g., CD, A.Mem, Radio, Aux, N. Music, N. Radio, etc.

The idea of having more converters is good.

However, the biggest problem is, that you actually soon will run out of having the needed commands - especially if you have a couple of (ir-based) NL-tv’s, where these commands also are used.

How do you get along with these few commands in your setup?

MM

Millemissen:

beojeff:

 You can map any sources to the ML source commands. You're then only limited by the number of ML source commands - e.g., CD, A.Mem, Radio, Aux, N. Music, N. Radio, etc.

The idea of having more converters is good.

However, the biggest problem is, that you actually soon will run out of having the needed commands - especially if you have a couple of (ir-based) NL-tv’s, where these commands also are used.

How do you get along with these few commands in your setup?

MM

It's true that you're limited by the number of sources available as B&O commands. However, I don't use all source from each device. For example, I just use the BeoGram Turntable on the BeoMaster 5500 (I have no need for multi-room CD or Radio from the BeoMaster 5500). For the BeoSound 5, I only use the N.Music library. For the BeoCenter 2, I only use the CD (not the Radio or Aux input.) You can still access all of the device's sources locally -- just as you could if the music systems were kept completely separated. However, by using the NL/ML Converters, you can have multi-room access and control of those sources that you'd be must likely to use.

TWG:

The old MLGW works with Philips HUE, too. I'm using it since years for that. ;) But it's fare more complicated to program. The BLGW seems to be much easier. 

I remember helping you with those custom strings offsite years ago. It's true that you can create custom strings, but you have to take the time to learn the Philips Hue API. It's incredibly faster and easier with the BLGW. I haven't worked with the Hue API in years because I haven't needed to with the BLGW.

beojeff:

TWG:

The old MLGW works with Philips HUE, too. I'm using it since years for that. ;) But it's fare more complicated to program. The BLGW seems to be much easier. 

I remember helping you with those custom strings offsite years ago. It's true that you can create custom strings, but you have to take the time to learn the Philips Hue API. It's incredibly faster and easier with the BLGW. I haven't worked with the Hue API in years because I haven't needed to with the BLGW.

And I'm still thankful for your help and support, Jeff!