BeoVision 8-26

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.

BeoVision 8-26 technical specifications

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