Note: BeoVision 8 comes with either a black or glossy white finish. It is also available in two sizes -- the 26-inch model costs AU$4,380, while the larger 32-inch version carries an RRP of AU$6,090.
Upside
When Bang & Olufsen brings out a new television, the most unique features usually hark back to the company's heritage in audio products, and the BeoVision 8 is no exception.
A small space HD-ready LCD TV, BeoVision 8 strives for higher quality sound output by utilising a front loudspeaker system that juts out in a ledge shape from the base of the set. B&O's designers claim that this moves the sound forward and up, similar to an orchestra pit below a theatrical stage, and results in better reproduction of human speech. An additional down-facing bass loudspeaker fills out the sound for impact when watching movies and music videos.
On the vision side of things, the screen sports a high-glare surface and low reflection coating designed to improve the contrast for better blacks, particularly for daytime viewing. An automatic picture control dynamically changes the TV's black and white balance, so it should work well in tricky lighting conditions of, say, a kitchen or brightly lit work area.
Downside
Bang & Olufsen rather proudly claims that it does not incorporate new technologies in its products until they mature and the negative consequences or "trade-offs" of product innovations have been fully addressed. Unfortunately, what that means is features now commonly found in most mainstream products are lacking -- in the case of BeoVision 8, there's no built-in digital tuner. So although with a resolution of 1366 x 768 it's technically HD-ready, you're going to need an external set-top box to receive high definition signals.
At AU$4,380 for the 26-inch model and AU$6,090 for the 32-inch set, the price tags are at least sort-of accessible for a Bang & Olufsen television, but they're hardly price competitive vis-à-vis more mainstream brands at these screen sizes.
Outlook
The BeoVision 8 is a smart small-space TV aimed at audiophiles and fans of Bang & Olufsen styling. You'll pay the usual B&O price, however, in terms of both dollars and the paucity of on-board features.
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Pam Carroll
11/03/2008, 11:13 AM
rating
6/10
Hi Michael, To answer your question, no we have not reviewed this product in our test lab. The piece is a First Take or preview based on our impressions at a B&O press briefing. As as such we cannot make any comments on the product's true performance. You'll notice on our site, that only products that have been fully tested carry Good/Bad/Bottom line designations and editor's rating marks.
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michael
10/03/2008, 08:29 PM
rating
6/10
Did you even review this product? It sounded like a state the obvious to me. Where is the video on the product? How does the thing actually preform? Did you even have the product @ cnet or is it just a review from another review.
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