Bang & Olufsen's BeoMedia 1 Media Center

Bang & Olufsen have just announced their WinXP Media Center Edition BeoMedia 1. B&O claims their solution which features a custom front-end differs from other Media Center offerings by "selecting the functionality most relevant to the user, and making it easy to use." The built-in 160GB disk hosts your digital photos, video clips, digital music, for playback through your B&O (and non-B&O presumably) home entertainment system. Oddly, but not for B&O, they don't list a single supported format in their press release. You can also access pre-selected websites and Internet radio stations with your lazy azz planted firmly in the couch — all via your Beo4 remote which you already own, right? And BeoLink support means you can stream media to other B&O devices around the house via their proprietary protocol. Look, if you're already knee-deep in B&O and don't mind the expected $2700 tag, then this might be the media center for you. Else, why not take our holiday gift guide advice and pick up a Sony VAIO XL1 Media Center with 200 disc DVD changer for about $700 less.

[Via ployer]

[Xaque @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"Else, why not take our holiday gift guide advice and pick up a Sony VAIO XL1 Media Center with 200 disc DVD changer for about $700 less."

Thanks, but I'll pass on Sony...

[Doc Fox @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Does anybody have any B&O kit at all? I just need to know if the sound quality makes it worth the extra cash, or if I would just be paying for the "design"...?

[Jomy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Imagine a Beowulf cluster of BeoMedia Centers all BeoLinked together and controllable with a single Beo4 remote!

[Marc @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Where does it state that this runs WinXP Media Center Edition? The GUI looks nothing like it.

It seems more like an embedded Win XP with a custom media player.

[markie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

>I just need to know if the sound quality makes it worth the extra cash,

Euhm, I don't think B&O has much to do with sound quality. If soundquality is your big concern, go look somewhere else (a serious audiophile shop or something). That's money better spent also (imho) :-)

[Bob Wibulseth @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Looks like it's a media center PC with B&O proprietary connections (it says it runs XP) and front end GUI
Yes, I do have some B&O gear, and no, the sound quality is not that great for the price compared to other black boxes manufacturer, but it looks good, and some people are prepared to pay over the odds for that, see Apple Vs build your own computer.

[Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

2 & 5,
I have a B & O ay home, admitedly the entry level CD player as i did not want to morgage the house. The reason we went for it is it's superior audio quality, easy operation and CUSTOMER SERVICE something lacking from all of the other companies. okay super specialists may have something on the sound quality but it is still better than sony ect.

You really buy more than just a stero. Do sony come out and set up for their bottom line steros? can they bost interconectivity for their entire range? do they have the extreme simplicity and ease of use? the bottom line with B & O is that you either like them or you dont, you have to use one to see why they have such a fan base.

On the topic of the Media player itself i would not be rushing out to get one.

p.s. the model i have is recognised as having the worlds best tape deck (not bad for the cheapie) and Bang and Olufsen have been out since before WW1

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

#1
Just because Sony was trying protect their media by using unorthodox techniques does not mean that the rest of their products are lacking in quality. I've always stuck with Sony when buying CD or MP3 players because of their extremely long battery life. I got 80 hours off of 2 AA batteries with my last CD player. They NEVER skip. Have you ever tried to make a Sony CD player with G Protection skip? It's virtually impossible.
Sony still produces very high quality products and I plan on sticking with them, regardless of their DRM mistake.

Brian

[Java Junky @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

#2, #5, (& heck, #7, too)

I lived in Denmark for awhile (home and origin of B&O) at a house that was completely wired with from door to deck with a B&O system. Now I admit this was some 15 years or more ago, but at the time (and truthfully since) I'd never heard a better sound and soundsystem. And, again this being 15 years ago, you could control any portion of the system from any room in the house just by pointing the remote at a speaker.

I've been to B&O showrooms many times here in the States since I returned and have always always been amazed at the clarity of sound and simplicity of design of the B&O products, not to mention their world class customer support.

Not everyone can afford a B&O, and there's a reason... it's one of the very best systems in the world.

:j

[Wes Felter @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I see they're trying to out-monolith Sony.

[Poida @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

It pleases me that good, balanced design is such a threat to people. It makes opinions, egos, and fear rise to the surface and baits base thinking - along with liberated clear thinking. Like great architecture, it gets people talking....frowning, pointing fingers and regurgitating views - most often not their own.

If B&O offends you, because of something in all truth you have read, presumed, or heard, I'd like to sincerely thank B&O - the more frustrated, angry, or offended you get - the happier someone like me will invariably become. Probably beacuse you represent the prolitariate majority.

hehe

Poida

[Poida @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

It pleases me that good, balanced design is such a threat to people. It makes opinions, egos, and fear rise to the surface and baits base thinking - along with liberated clear thinking. Like great architecture, it gets people talking....frowning, pointing fingers and regurgitating views - most often not their own.

If B&O offends you, because of something in all truth you have read, presumed, or heard, I'd like to sincerely thank B&O - the more frustrated, angry, or offended you get - the happier someone like me will invariably become. Probably beacuse you represent the prolitariate majority.

hehe

Poida

[Negroponte Rabit @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

That ugly black box is a Bang & Olufsen??? :)

Incidentally, I'm planning 'upgrading' a Bang & Olufsen Beocenter 7700 (circa 1980) to house a mini-ATX PC where the turntable currently resides. The thing resembles a cross between a Sony PS3 and a TI99/4a. Four feet-wide by maybe a foot and a half deep, and two-inches high. It's gonna be a challenge. :)

[john @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I started buying B&O stuff twenty years ago because the sound was easily good enough for me and it looked great. In all that time the only things that have broken were two remotes...

[Ray @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Just a couple of comments.

B&O and Bose have very little in common. As a B&O retailer, I always encourage people who have not "drunk the kool-aid" to check out the site www.bang-olufsen.com and learn more about the world's oldest audio company.

BeoMedia does not make a style statement as it is meant to be out-of-site. Of course, B&O make a cabinet for it. That being said, I am a little wobbly myself on that product in the US. But BeoPort? Brilliant!

All the best