The BeoVision 8 range of flat-screened televisions was introduced in 2007 designed to be the BeoVision MX LCD widescreened-equivalent replacement. Hardly an equivalent though - with prices doubled from CRT to LCD and features cut short - but one nevertheless which was designed with a mid-market position, and certainly well under the full-specified BeoVision 7 range of LCD televisions.
The BeoVision 8 was a bit of a break from the ‘framed screens’ that had gone before it in that the loudspeakers, situated beneath the LCD screen, were a more prominent feature, sealed in their own bass reflex cabinet to enhance the output. The speaker system was made up of three drive units: a 5cm treble/midrange unit fitted at the two ends of the cabinet together with a centrally-positioned 10cm woofer. Similar in some ways to the loudspeaker system of the Beosound 1 although that particular product had separate midrange and tweeters rather than relying on a full range unit.
At the time of release, BeoVision 8 was but one of a family, a 26″ screened set available in black (with an aluminium grille). By the end of its first year it had been joined by a larger 32″ set. Both cabinets were then available in the original black cabinet as well as white.
A contrast screen - as opposed to others on the BeoVision range - was no longer fitted, which marked its more ‘budget end’ appeal. A Sharp LCD monitor was used with resolution set at 1366 x 768. Not exactly full-HQ but one which was quite acceptable for a screen such as this.
Connections included an HDMI socket for linking to other digital-source products, as well as two SCART sockets. Additional extras for the BeoVision 8 were a ‘System Module’ which enhanced the set’s connectivity yet further with MasterLink, RF modulator and a third SCART connection. STB-C connections were offered but unfortunately no DVB-T module for reception of digital broadcasts was offered. There was also a lack of a Suround Sound option too - meaning that the set differed from the other sets available in the BeoVision range by a marked degree - although the set did come with one Power Link socket which permitted the use of a pair of BeoLab speakers with the option of a Central Balance control (as per Beovision sets of a decade and a half previously). There was no option of a Dolby Surround Module although a headphone socket was provided as standard.
At the time of purchase the TV came with noremote control handset although users had to possess one to actually control it! Bang & Olufsen recomended either the Beo4 to be used, or perhaps the more ambitious Beo5. The rationale behind this move was, that as a “second set” Bang & Olufsen users would already have a remote control terminal in use with other equipment.
Of the stands that were available a minimalist, very modern looking one-legged floor stand was offered as well as a wall bracket and a video stand.
DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT: 72cm x 44cm x 23cm + stand/16kg
CABINET FINISH: Black soft touch/silver
POWER CONSUMPTION: Typical: 88W; standby: 0.8W
HD READY: Yes
SCREEN TYPE: 16:9 TFT LCD with glare surface and low reflection coating (26”)
Contrast ratio: Typ. 1200:1 (typicallly)
RESOLUTION: 1366 x 768
Display colours: 16.7 mill.
Luminance of white: typ. 500 cd/m2
Response time: typ. 6 msec.
Viewing angle: typ. +/-88 degrees both vertical and horizontal
FORMATS: Format 1: 16:9 B&O panorama + soft scroll
Format 1: 15:9 B&O optimum + soft scroll Format 1: 4:3
Format 2: 16:9 letterbox + soft scroll Format 3: 16:9
Picture quality improvements: Automatic picture control (Auto Contrast)
Source dependent picture settings (sharpness)
Dynamic Vertical and horizontal peaking
Noise reduction
De-interlacer with:
Motion adaptive
Low angle interpolation
Film mode
COMB filter
Video AGC
Teletext: Level 1.5 - 2000 memory pages
Operation conditions: 10 - 40 degrees centigrade
Tuning: Auto tune, program move and automatic naming
Tuner range: 45 - 860 MHz, VHF, S, Hyper, UHF
Tv programs: 99
Stereo decoders: A2 + Nicam
Menu languages: English, Danish, Dutch, Spanish,
Italian, German, French, Swedish
Loudspeakers
Frequency range: 85 Hz- 20 kHz
Cabinet principle/ net volume: Midrange/Tweeter: Closed box. Woofer: Bass reflex
Woofer: 100 mm bass/midrange
Tweeter: 2 x 50 mm full range
System modulator: Only when System module mounted (Optional extra)
Set-top Box Controller : Built in. Able to control 2 boxes (2 x STB)
CONNECTIONS
TV Input: 1 x 75 ohms aerial female
Output Modulator: 1 x 75 ohms aerial male
AV-connectors
AV1: 21-pin Scart socket 1-way AVL data, CVBS in/out,
Audio in/out, RGB, Pin 8 sense.
Main usage is: DVD, Decoder, STB and Recorder.
AV2: 21-pin Scart socket + 3 x phono (Y-Pb-Pr)
1-way AVL data, CVBS in/out, Auto Y/C detect, Y-Pb-Pr,
Audio in/out, RGB, Pin 8 sense. Main usage is: High
quality video signals (Y/C or Y-Pb-Pr) from
STB or DVD Recorder.
AV3: 15 pin D-Sub (VGA) + 3 x phono (CVBS in and
Audio L/R in) This is an input only connection. Main
usage is BeoMedia/PC connection either using the
CVBS or VGA, but it ca also be used for other input only
sources e.g. DVD-player or STB
HDMI input: HDMI input socket with audio and video sense.
Main usage is high quality video.
Camcorder/Auxiliary: 3 x Phono sockets (video in/audio L-R in), auto detection (video)
Headphone socket: Mini Jack
STB-Controler output: 2 x Mini Jack
Beolink: ML connector
External Beolab speakers: 1 x Powerlink
Accessories: Floor stand, Wall Bracket, Video Stand
REMOTE CONTROL: Beo4 recommended
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