BEO.ZONE

BeoVision Avant 28

BeoVision

Production: 1994 - 2001

Following on from the Beocenter AV5, an integrated 4:3 television with built-in radio and CD player, the BeoVision Avant was introduced in 1994.  The first set in this range of new range of integrated widescreened televisions sets was the BeoVision Avant 28. It was a piece of furniture in its own right but unlike anything else that had gone before, notably the Beovision 9002 which had been on sale a full decade before in its richly veneered wooden cabinet. The Avant however, was colour coordinated and made up on the screen itself sitting on top of a pedestral (which was labelled ‘the wall’) comprising both a VCR and in-built loudspeakers offering 39 watts per channel, which in turn sat on a brushed aluminium motorised base.  The whole concept looked elegant and relatively slim and blended in to most customers’ home décor. The set offered a good picture on its slightly curved screen and a display was positioned on the top right-hand side showing the source being played as well as other information in its red LED display.

Once the set was turned on by using its Beo4 remote control, the set swiveled around to its preset position and electronic ‘curtains’ glided across the blacked-out screen, reminiscent of the Beosystem AV9000 and its own mechanical curtain system. The illusion was to give the viewer that of a small cinema screen. The amplified loudspeakers offered a good, round sound, delivering an excellent bass response because of the relatively large cabinet into which they werre housed. At the time that the Avant was launched there were few widescreen transmissions as such so the viewer had a choice of either viewing broadcast material in its native 4:3 format with black bars at each side of the screen or by stretching it with the terminal’s controls to fill the wide screen more fully. The Avant came into its own with recorded material, specifically video-taped programmes.  Its VCR was placed discretely beneath the screen in the ‘wall’, the only viewable part being the video tape slot - the rest of the mechanism hidden totally out of sight. Three buttons were used for the video tape recorder on the  top control panel - one each for eject, start and fast rewind.  The rest of the VCR’s commands were carried out via the Beo4 terminal although most functions were totally automatic.

As the Beovision Avant came delivered with a MasterLink connector for around-the-house sound and vision, the set was ready to go in this respect. Other options were available for the Avant owner to buy and have fitted to his receiver included that of  an anti-reflection coated screen,Picture-in-Picture module, an internal satellite decoder, an external satellite decoder (such as a Sky box or Canal+ box), and a Dolby Pro-Logic decoder with Power Link connectors for active loudspeakers. The Avant was therefore well-suited for adding-to as time progressed and as individuls’ needs changed and new technologies were introduced.

Overall the Avant range was a very successful line for Bang & Olufsen.  Linked to its good looks and colour coordinated pearlescent paints (Bang & Olufsen used BMW car paints for the sets’ bodywork) and the fact that users could change their television’s use as their own personal needs changed, the Avant offered a lot to the company’s customers despite the sets’ relatively high prices as compared to other manufacturers (and when teething troubles such as the tubes themselves were ironed out). The weakest point of the set was always the VCR mechanism, which is always a product’s weakest area when mechanics are involved.

The set subsequently offered 100Hz scanning and its chassis was updated accordingly.  The next stage in the life of the Avant 28 was when the rounded screen was made flatter. The BeoVision Avant 28 RF then had a further update to its chassis as well as a slight change of cabinet.

Colour finish of the Beovision Avant 28:

Bang & Olufsen has added an elegant integrated 28-inch widescreen television receiver and video cassette recorder to its range, and is planning a return to a more ‘visible’ presence in the British marketplace. The Beovision Avant is designed to give the best picture reproduction no matter which of the current aspect ratios are broadcast or employed in recordings being viewed: i.e. the older 4:3 ’square’ picture designed to be viewed on traditional TV screens or the 16:9 ‘widescreen’ picture favoured by most film makers. Most widescreen TVs so far available have stretched the 4:3 pictures sideways and produced quite noticeable distortion as a result. The Avant stretches the picture to a new 14:9 ratio which gives an agreeable widescreen appearance but with much less distortion.

A VisionClear system automatically adjusts the contrast and brightness to suit the room lighting conditions and there is an electronic ‘curtain’ which opens when the Avant is switched on. New styling has provided a screen which appears to be suspended on a wall, with the main cabinet set back and all cables concealed. The video recorder is also virtually invisible, with just a camouflaged cassette slot below the screen, and its integration with the TV receiver allows data such as preset tuning frequencies and clock time to be exchanged automatically. Full stereo audio is provided with two built-in active loudspeakers and optional Dolby Surround.

The system stands on a motorised revolving base which automatically turns towards a previously chosen viewing position when switched on, and returns to the rest position (e.g. parallel to the wall) when switched off. Five colour finishes are available in a special two-component lacquer, as used on luxury cars, with a mother-of-pearl effect which lights up if directly exposed to a light source or fades into the background at other times.

A comprehensive Beo4 interactive remote control unit provides all TV and recording facilities as well as controlling other B&O products or Beolink multiroom installations. The basic price of the Beovision Avant is £3,500 with the Beo4 an additional £150. Other optional extras include a satellite receiver, a picture-in-picture module and Dolby Surround sound.

BeoVision Avant 28 technical specifications

Details:

New type no. 8300 A-B-CH-D-E-GR-P-NL-SF-OTHER
8301 B-CH-E-F
8302 HK
8303 OTHER
8304 I
8305 AUS
8306 SNG
8307 KOR-TAI
8308 F-GB
Dimensions W x H x D 73 x 103 x 58cm
Weight 68 kg
Cabinet finish High gloss lacquer
Pearly black
Pearly grey
Pearly red
Pearly green
Pearly blue
Power consumption Typical 105 W /stand-by < 3 W
Terminal included Beo4
Stand turning function +/- 35 degrees, remote operated
two memory positions
Picture tube/Visual picture 70 cm - 28″/67 cm - 26″ (16:9)
Wide-Screen, In line 106 degrees
Curtain Electronic
Contrast screen Anti-reflex coating
VisionClear Auto picture adjustment
Auto cut-off
Digital CTI
Adaptive Luminance Peaking
Scan Velocity Modulatioin
Improved letterbox
Motion Clear
Teletext Improved Teletext (about 350 pages)
Wide Screen Signalling (WSS)
Fasttext (FLOF), 7 languages
4 memory pages per program
Tuner range 45 - 860 MHz, VHF, S, Hyper, UHF
TV programmes 99
Stereo decoders According to type:
A2 + Nicam B/G/I/ as optional
A2 + Nicam B/G/L/ as optional
Nicam i as optional
Video Tape functions:  
Video playing time, E-240 SP 4 hours, LP 8 hours
Audio playing time, E-240 LP 8 hours
Counter Track, time left, time used
Index search Track no.
Fast forward/rewind 105 sec. w. E-180 (typical)
Slow motion 1/2 and 1/12 x normal speed
Still picture Noiseless
Cue 5 x and 11 x normal speed
Recording system HQ
Sound system Hi-Fi stereo, video/audio
Playback According to type:
PAL, NTSC AV(mono)/ S-VHS in VHS quality
PAL, SECAM, NTSC AV (mono)/ S-VHS in VHS quality
Timer record programming 8, 1 year
Synchonous Program Recording PDC/VPS
Speakers:  
Power amplifier modules 4 units
Long term max. outputpower per module 39 W
Frequency range 50 - 20,000 Hz
Max sound pressure level 96 dB
Cabinet principle/ Net volume Bass Reflex / 3.5 litres
Woofer 115 mm
Tweeter 18 mm
Bass equaliser Adaptive
Magnetic leakage Shielded

Connections:

Video:- Tape 2/decoder 2 x 21-pin for AV and Decoder. AV for S-HVS in/out
Camcorder/Auxiliary 3 x phono sockets (video in/audio L-R in
S-VHS Y-C playback 4-pin socket
Headphone socket Mini jack
BeoLink 1 x ML socket
BeoLink video distribution RF out

Link compatibility:

Master Link

Optional features/modules:

Satellite 4158  
Dolby Surround 4140  
Dolby Digital module 4019  
Picture in picture module 4165  
NICAM decoder 4144  
Set-top box Controller 4167  
Positioner (external) 4170 (EU) 4171 (GB)  
Power positioner (external) 4172 (EU) 4173 (GB)  
AV2 Expander box 8089086  

Market specifications:

Market:   CTV system
8300 North Europe B/G
8301 France, (B, CH) B/G/L/L´
8302 Hong Kong others CTV: B/G/D/K/M/I
8303 UK, South Africa I
8304 Italy B/G
8305 AUS B/G
8306 East Europe B/G/D/K
8307 Other CTV: B/G/D/K/M/I
8308 North France, Cannel Island B/G/L/L´/I, (NICAM B/G/L)
BeoVision Avant 100 HZ MK III types:
Market: Type: Intro. year: Last sold:
AUS 8325 1999 02-2001
EEU 8326 1999 02-2001
F(EU) 8321 1999 02-2001
F(GB) 8328 1999 02-2001
GB 8323 1999 02-2001
HK 8322 1999 02-2001
ITA 8324 1999 02-2001
NEU 8320 1999 02-2001
Other 8327 1999 02-2001

Details:

CTV :  
Dimensions W x H x D 73 x 103 x 58cm
Weight 68 kg
Cabinet finish Pearlescent shades of black
Pearlescent shades of silver
Pearlescent shades of red
Pearlescent shades of green
Pearlescent shades of blue
Power consumption Typical 110 W /stand-by < 2.5 W
Terminal included Beo4
Stand turning function +/- 35 degrees, remote operated
two memory positions
Picture tube/Visual picture 70 cm - 28″/67 cm - 26″ (16:9)
Wide-Screen, In line 106 degrees
Curtain Electronic
Contrast screen Anti-reflex coating
VisionClear Auto picture adjustment
Auto cut-off
Digital CTI
Adaptive Luminance Peaking
Scan Velocity Modulatioin
Improved letterbox
Motion Clear
Teletext Improved Teletext (about 350 pages)
Wide Screen Signalling (WSS)
Fasttext (FLOF), 4 memory pages per program
17 tele-text languages in 7 groups (from 30/6-2000 Item.:14696054)
Group 0
Group 1
Group 2
(Russian) Group 3
(Greece) Group 4
(Arabic) Group 5
(Hebrew) Group 6
English, German, Swedish, Italian, French, Spanish/Portuguese, Czech/Slovak
Polish, German, Swedish, Italian, French, Serbocroat, Czech/Slovak, Romanian
English, German, Swedish, Italian, French, Spanish/Portuguese, Turkish
English, Russian, Estonian, Czech/Slovak, German, Lithuanian/Lettish, Ukrainian
English, German, Swedish, Italian, French, Spanish/Portuguese, Turkish, Greek
English, Arabic, French
English, Hebrew, Arabic
Tuner range 45 - 860 MHz, VHF, S, Hyper, UHF
TV programmes 99
Stereo decoders According to type:
A2 + Nicam B/G/I as optional
A2 + Nicam B/G/L/ as optional
Nicam I as optional
Video Tape functions :  
Video playing time, E-240 SP 4 hours, LP 8 hours
Audio playing time, E-240 LP 8 hours
Counter Track, time left, time used
Index search Track no.
Fast forward/rewind 105 sec. w. E-180 (typical)
Slow motion 1/2 and 1/12 x normal speed
Still picture Noiseless
Cue 5 x and 11 x normal speed
Recording system HQ
Sound system Hi-Fi stereo, video/audio
Playback According to type:
PAL, NTSC AV/ S-VHS in VHS quality
PAL, SECAM, NTSC AV/ S-VHS in VHS quality
Timer record programming 8, 1 year
Synchonous Program Recording PDC/VPS
Speakers :  
Power amplifier modules 4 units
Long term max. outputpower per module 39 watts
Frequency range 50 - 20,000 Hz
Max sound pressure level 96 dB
Cabinet principle/ Net volume Bass Reflex / 3.5 litres
Woofer 115 mm
Tweeter 18 mm
Bass equalizer Adaptive
Magnetic leakage Shielded
Satellite module : (optional)  
Tuner range 950 - 2150 Mhz
Programmes 119 TV/Radio
Sound systems Mono/Stereo
Satellite radio Yes
Down conv. supply 14/18 Volts control, Tone control (22 Khz)
  DiSEqC (One way control)
Connections 2 x F-connector (2 x 75 ohms)
Dolby Surround modul :(optional) Dolby Surround Pro-Logic decoder
Sound modes (Sound 1 - 5) 1 : Stereo internal speakers
2 : Stereo external speakers
3 : Dolby-3 stereo
4 : Stereo-4
5 : Dolby Pro-Logic Surround
Connections : External Beolab speakers 4 x Power Link
Speakers recommended, front/rear Beolab 1, Beolab Penta, II, III, Beolab 8000,
Beolab 6000, Beolab 4500, Beolab 4000
Set Top Box-Controller :(optional)  
Controlling boxes with BEO4 Types of boxes supported : Se list at ROS
Controlling one SetTopBox 1 box controll by use of the IR-blaster included in the kit.
Connection 1 x Mini jack

Subject to change without notice
Connections:

AV- Decoder 2 x 21-pin for AV and Decoder. AV for S-HVS in/out
Camcorder / Auxiliary 3 x phono sockets (video in/audio L-R in)
S-VHS Y-C playback 4-pin socket
Headphone socket Mini jack
BeoLink 1 Master Link
BeoLink video distribution RF out
STB-Controller output (optional) 1 x Mini jack for IR-blaster

Link compatibility:

Master Link

Optional features/modules:

Satellite 4158  
Dolby Surround 4140  
Dolby Digital module 4019  
Picture in picture module 4165  
NICAM decoder 4144  
Set-top box Controller 4167  
Positioner (external) 4170 (EU) 4171 (GB)  
Power positioner (external) 4172 (EU) 4173 (GB)  
AV2 Expander box 8089086  

Market specifications:

Market: Type: Country: Active CTV system Basic CTV system *)    
NEU 8320 A-B-CH-D-DK-E-GR-I-N-NL-P-S-SF-Other B/G B/G    
FR 8321 F-(B-CH) B/G/L/L´ B/G/L/L´    
HK 8322 Hong Kong B/G/D/K/M/I B/G/D/K/M/I    
GB 8323 UK, South Africa I I    
ITA 8324 Itali B/G B/G    
AUS 8325 AUS, NZ B/G B/G    
EEU 8326 East Europe B/G/D/K B/G/D/K/M/I    
TAI 8327 Thailand, Other B/G/D/K/M/I B/G/D/K/M/I    
FGB 8328 North France, Cannel Island B/G/L/L´/I, (NICAM B/G/L) B/G/L/L´/I    

*) Basic CTV systems can be switched ON in Service menu

BeoVision Avant 50 HZ MK I MK II types:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market: Type: Intro. year: Last sold:
AUS 8115 1994 04-97
EEU 8166 1994 04-97
F(EU) 8144 1994 04-97
F(GB) 8177 1994 04-97
GB 8133 1994 04-97
HK 8186 1994 04-97
ITA 8112 1994 04-97
NEU 8111 1994 04-97
Other 8116 1994 04-97

Details:

Dimensions W x H x D 73 x 103 x 58 cm
Weight 68 kg
Cabinet finish High gloss lacquer
Pearly black
Pearly grey
Pearly red
Pearly green
Pearly blue
Power consumption Typical 85 W /stand-by < 4 W
Terminal included Beo4
Stand turning function +/- 35 degrees, remote operated
two memory positions
Picture tube/Visual picture 70 cm - 28″/66 cm - 26″ (16:9)
Wide-Screen, In line 106 degrees, S-flat
Curtain Electronic
Contrast screen Anti-reflex coating
VisionClear Auto picture adjustment
Auto cut-off
Wideband CTI
Adaptive Luminance Peaking
Scan Velocity Modulatioin
Teletext Improved Teletext
6 languages
4 memory pages per program
Tuner range 45 - 860 MHz, VHF, S, Hyper, UHF
TV programmes 99
Stereo decoders According to type:
A2 + Nicam B/G/I/ as optional
A2 + Nicam B/G/L/ as optional
Video Tape functions:  
Video playing time, E-240 SP 4 hours, LP 8 hours
Audio playing time, E-240 LP 8 hours
Counter Track, time left, time used
Index search Track no.
Fast forward/rewind 105 sec. w. E-180 (typical)
Slow motion 1/2 and 1/12 x normal speed
Still pivture Noiseless
Cue 5 x and 11 x normal speed
Recording system HQ
Sound system Hi-Fi stereo, video/audio
Playback According to type:
PAL, NTSC AV(mono)/ S-VHS
PAL, SECAM, NTSC AV (mono)/ S-VHS
Timer record programming 8, 1 year
Synchonous Program Recording PDC/VPS
Speakers:  
Power amplifier modules 4 units
Long term max. outputpower per module 39 watts
Frequency range 50 - 20,000 Hz
Max sound pressure level 96 dB
Cabinet principle/ Net volume Bass Reflex / 3.5 litres
Woofer 115 mm
Tweeter 18 mm
Bass equaliser Adaptive
Magnetic leakage Shielded
Optional Extra:  
Analogue satellite module part no. 4142 (terminated July ‘03)
Positioner part no. 4143
Power positioner 8729020
Picture in picture module part no. 4141
Dolby Surround module part no. 4140
NICAM decoder part no. 4144

Connections:

Video:- Tape 2/decoder 2 x 21-pin for AV and Decoder. AV for S-HVS in/out
Camcorder/Auxiliary 3 x phono sockets (video in/audio L-R in
S-VHS Y-C playback 4-pin socket
Headphone socket Mini jack
BeoLink 1 x ML socket
BeoLink video distribution RF out
BeoVision Avant 50 HZ MK III MK IV types:
Market: Type: Intro. year: Last sold:
AUS 8105 1997 12-99
EEU 8106 1997 12-99
F(EU) 8101 1997 12-99
F(GB) 8108 1997 12-99
GB 8103 1997 12-99
HK 8102 1997 12-99
ITA 8104 1997 12-99
NEU 8100 1997 12-99
Other 8107 1997 12-99

Details:

Dimensions W x H x D 73 x 103 x 58 cm
Weight 68 kg
Cabinet finish High gloss lacquer
Pearly black
Pearly grey
Pearly red
Pearly green
Pearly blue
Power consumption Typical 85 W /stand-by < 4 W
Terminal included Beo4
Stand turning function +/- 35 degrees, remote operated
two memory positions
Picture tube/Visual picture 70 cm - 28″/66 cm - 26″ (16:9)
Wide-Screen, In line 106 degrees, S-flat
Curtain Electronic
Contrast screen Anti-reflex coating
VisionClear Auto picture adjustment
Auto cut-off
Wideband CTI
Adaptive Luminance Peaking
Scan Velocity Modulatioin
Teletext Improved Teletext (about 350 pages)
6 languages
4 memory pages per program
Tuner range 45 - 860 MHz, VHF, S, Hyper, UHF
TV programmes 99
Stereo decoders According to type:
A2 + Nicam B/G/I/ as optional
A2 + Nicam B/G/L/ as optional
Nicam i as optional
Video Tape functions:  
Video playing time, E-240 SP 4 hours, LP 8 hours
Audio playing time, E-240 LP 8 hours
Counter Track, time left, time used
Index search Track no.
Fast forward/rewind 105 sec. w. E-180 (typical)
Slow motion 1/2 and 1/12 x normal speed
Still picture Noiseless
Cue 5 x and 11 x normal speed
Recording system HQ
Sound system Hi-Fi stereo, video/audio
Playback According to type:
PAL, NTSC AV(mono)/ S-VHS
PAL, SECAM, NTSC AV (mono)/ S-VHS
Timer record programming 8, 1 year
Synchonous Program Recording PDC/VPS
Speakers:  
Power amplifier modules 4 units
Long term max. outputpower per module 39 watts
Frequency range 50 - 20,000 Hz
Max sound pressure level 96 dB
Cabinet principle/ Net volume Bass Reflex / 3.5 litres
Woofer 115 mm
Tweeter 18 mm
Bass equaliser Adaptive
Magnetic leakage Shielded
Optional Extra:  
Positioner Type 4170
Power positioner Type 4172
Picture in picture module Type 4141
Dolby Surround module Type 4140
NICAM decoder Type 4144
Satellite module Type 4142 for MK III only (terminated July ‘03)
Satellite module Type 4158 for MK IV only

Market specifications:

Market:    
8100 North Europe B/G
8101 France, (B, CH) B/G/L/L´
8102 Hong Kong Others CTV: B/G/D/K/M/I
8103 UK, South Africa I
8104 Italy B/G
8105 AUS B/G
8106 East Europe B/G/D/K
8107 Other CTV: B/G/D/K/M/I
8108 North France, Channel Island B/G/L/L´/I, (NICAM B/G/L)

Connections:

Video:- Tape 2/decoder 2 x 21-pin for AV and Decoder. AV for S-HVS in/out
Camcorder/Auxiliary 3 x phono sockets (video in/audio L-R in
S-VHS Y-C playback 4-pin socket
Headphone socket Mini jack
BeoLink 1 x ML socket
BeoLink video distribution RF out

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