Bang & Olufsen BEOLINK VIDEO User manual

BEOLINK
Master Link Handbook

MASTER LINK

MASTER LINK
PREFACE
This handbook deals with Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLink (Master Link), paying
special attention to the installation requirements applying to it.
Consequently, this handbook is especially targeted on dealers and
installers.
Any product, for example a stereo system, a PC, a natural gas system, etc.,
that has to be incorporated into a network needs to have certain
requirements satisfied by the surroundings in connection with its
installation. These requirements must ensure the optimal operation of the
system after installation.
The same applies to Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLink. Although the
requirements are not many, it is essential that they be known since
compliance with the basic requirements often determines whether or not
the system is able to operate once the installation has been completed.
The handbook gives a brief and precise introduction to the basic rules
that must be observed in connection with a BeoLink installation, and it
describes how compatibility is achieved between Master Link products
and Master Control Link products.
The handbook has been designed partly as a reference book but the
entire handbook should be read in order to obtain the total overview.
Only then will it serve its purpose as a reference book.

MASTER LINK
CONTENTS
READING INSTRUCTIONS
How should I read this handbook
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
What is a BeoLink system/Master Link system, and what can it do for me?
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Description of BeoLab 3500, BeoLab 2000 and BeoLink boxes
SETUPS
Description of recommended Master Link setups, compatibility setups,
special setups and option programming
DIMENSIONING
Description of how much cable may be used
INSTALLATION TYPES
Description of various installation types
INSTALLATION TIPS
Practical advice for use in connection with installation
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Description of various cables which are typically used
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
What could be wrong when the system will not operate?
GLOSSARY
Description of specific words and abbreviations
ACCESSORIES LIST
FOR NOTES
1
2
4
11
22
23
26
29
32
35
39
45

MASTER LINK
READING INSTRUCTION
This handbook employs various symbols to illustrate audio products, video
products and speakers. Unless otherwise specified in the text, these
symbols merely have to be understood as covering one of these product
areas and not as the specific product which the illustration may depict.
Since the handbook is focusing particularly on the basic rules in
connection with the installation of the systems, variables which are
specific to particular products have been omitted to the greatest possible
extent. This means that the handbook will always be relevant in
connection with installation of the Master Link; both with regard to
products launched prior to the publication of the handbook and products
that will be launched later. The basic rules applying to the Master Link
will always be the same.
If information specific to a particular product is required, please see
Bang & Olufsen’s Product Configuration Guide.
1

MASTER LINK
2
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
What is BeoLink?
BeoLink is a Bang & Olufsen expression that covers:
1. The ability to create and operate audio-video systems, and
2. The ability to distribute sound and picture from a Bang & Olufsen main
room system to other rooms in the home, and to operate the main
room system from the rooms connected by means of BeoLink.
BeoLink is not a product - it is a number of features that are the result of
the intelligent interaction between products, a synergy effect.
BeoLink may be obtained in different ways, depending upon the products
that are used: basically either the Audio Aux Link/Master Control Link
(MCL) system or the Master Link system. The latter is the most recent
system, and the long-term objective is that it shall replace the other
system.
Introducing Master Link Master Link perceived as an interconnection method offers some
convenient benefits not available with the MCL system.
An example is that whereas the interconnection in the main room
previously had to be carried out with one type of cable (Audio Aux Link)
and the interconnection between the main room and the link rooms with
another type of cable (Master Control Link), the new Master Link
connection offers a bustype connection that caters for all interconnections
between the main room audio and video systems as well as connections to
the link rooms.
Another benefit is the completely individual volume control and tone
adjustments in each link room, due to the distribution of audio signals at
line level and the application of power amplifiers in each link room.
Contrary to the previous signal distribution system, Master Link signals are
distributed as balanced signals, permitting distribution of CD-quality
sound, even when the cable distances are fairly long.
Finally, the distribution hardware has been improved, e.g. by the
introduction of a reduced signal cable diameter and new cable termination
methods. The benefit of this improvement is that installation has become
simpler and more elegant. The simplification is most evident in smaller
installations, e.g. the installation of an intelligent kitchen loudspeaker
being intuitively and quickly accomplished, whereas larger installations still
require some planning and installation skills - as implied by the presence of
this booklet.

MASTER LINK 3
BeoLink distribution covers the ability to distribute both audio and video
signals. In the Master Link system audio and control signals are
distributed by means of one single cable, whereas the distribution of
video signals requires a coaxial cable network. Only BeoLink compatible
products can be fully integrated in a BeoLink system, but previous system
products may be integrated to a limited extent, as described in the
chapter on Compatibility setups, page 17.

MASTER LINK
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Below you will find a description of the individual elements included with
the Master Link products as well as their scope of application.
Content BeoLab 3500
The BeoLab 3500 is an integrated link room speaker consisting of an
active speaker with Master Link (ML) connection, an IR receiver and a
display. BeoLab 3500 also has Master Control Link (MCL) connection.
Furthermore, the BeoLab 3500 has a built-in clock.
The BeoLab 3500 is supplied with a mains lead and a bracket for wall
mounting.
4
Application The BeoLab 3500 is used in link rooms where you wish to have an
integrated active speaker. From the BeoLab 3500 it is possible to listen to
all sources from the main room, both audio and video sources.
BeoLab 3500 has built-in sound control, meaning that tone and volume
can be adjusted independently of the main room.
With the tone control it is possible to adjust balance, bass, treble and
loudness individually.
BeoLab 3500 offers the following local operation features:
- Timer on/off
- PLAY / ST.BY
Part no. 1160111 (EU)
1160211 (GB)
1160311 (USA/CDN)
1160411 (JAP)
1160511 (AUS)
Miscellaneous Besides the parts included with the BeoLab 3500, the installation may
require a Master Link cable as well as plugs, sockets and junction boxes
(see the section on installation types, page 23).

MASTER LINK
Content BeoLab 2000
BeoLab 2000 is an integrated link room speaker consisting of an active
speaker with Master Link (ML) connection, an IR receiver and close-up
operation.
The BeoLab 2000 is supplied with a mains lead and a bracket for wall
mounting.
Application The BeoLab 2000 is used in link rooms where you wish to have an
integrated active speaker. From the BeoLab 2000 it is possible to listen to
all sources from the main room, both audio and video sources.
BeoLab 2000 has built-in volume control, meaning that volume can be
adjusted independently of the main room.
BeoLab 2000 offers the following close-up operation features:
- Timer on/off
- PLAY / ST.BY
- Volume up and down
- Close-up selection of Radio, CD or Tape
- Step-button for switching programs or tracks
5
Part no. 1164129 (EU)
1164229 (GB)
1164329 (USA/CDN)
1164429 (JAP)
1164529 (AUS)
Miscellaneous Besides the parts included with the BeoLab 2000, the installation requires
a Master Link cable as well as plugs, sockets and junction boxes (see the
section on installation types, page 23).
3m
BANG& OLUFSEN

MASTER LINK
Content BeoLink Active
BeoLink Active consists of a control box, an IR receiver, a receiver cable
and a mains lead.
Application BeoLink Active speakers are used in link rooms where active speakers are
required. All Bang & Olufsen active speakers may be connected.
BeoLink Active has built-in sound control, meaning that tone and volume
can be adjusted independently of the main room.
With the tone control it is possible to adjust balance, bass, treble and
loudness individually.
With a BeoLink Active it is possible to listen to the sound from all main
room products - both the video and audio sources.
BeoLink Active offers the following local operation features:
- Timer on/off
- PLAY / ST.BY
- Volume up and down
6
Part no. 1161666
1161866, (USA/CDN)
Miscellaneous Besides the parts included with the BeoLink Active, the installation
requires a Master Link cable as well as plugs, sockets and junction boxes
(see the section on installation types, page 23).

MASTER LINK
Content BeoLink Passive
BeoLink Passive consists of a control box, an IR receiver, a receiver cable
and a mains lead.
Application BeoLink Passive speakers are used in link rooms where passive speakers
are required. All Bang & Olufsen passive speakers may be connected.
BeoLink Passive has built-in sound control, meaning that tone and volume
can be adjusted independently of the main room.
With the tone control it is possible to adjust balance, bass, treble and
loudness individually.
With a BeoLink Passive it is possible to listen to the sound from all main
room products - both the video and audio sources.
BeoLink Passive offers the following local operation features:
- Timer on/off
- PLAY / ST.BY
- Volume up and down
7
Part no.
Miscellaneous Besides the parts included with the BeoLink Passive, the installation
requires a Master Link cable as well as plugs, sockets and junction boxes
(see the section on installation types, page 23).
1165566 (AUS)
1165666 (EU)
1165766 (GB)
1165866 (USA/CDN)

MASTER LINK
Content BeoLink Video
BeoLink Video consists of a control box, a mains lead and a datalink cable.
Apart from this you need an coaxial cable from the HF outlet of the video
system in the main room. This cable is connected to the aerial input of the
link room TV.
Application BeoLink Video is used in link rooms where both sound and picture are
required via a Bang & Olufsen TV set.
With BeoLink Video it is possible to use all the sources in the main room.
In particular it is possible to operate SAT and V.TAPE but it is further
possible to watch a decoded programme from the TV set in the main
room. In addition, it is possible to operate all audio sources, thereby
using the speakers in Bang & Olufsen’s TV sets for obtaining audio sound.
If you want even greater sound in the room you can connect Bang &
Olufsen’s active speakers to the TV set.
BeoLink Video is connected to the TV set by means of the 7-pin datalink
cable and to the main room with a Master Link cable. Apart from this an
aerial installation is needed (see page 24).
8
Part no. 1161566
Miscellaneous Besides the parts included with the BeoLink Video, the installation
requires a Master Link cable as well as plugs, sockets and junction boxes
(see the section on installation types, page 23).

MASTER LINK
Content BeoLink Converter
BeoLink Converter consists of a control box and a mains lead.
1.5m
Application BeoLink Converter is used when audio and video products with Master
Link and Audio Aux Link (datalink) have to be interconnected.
BeoLink Converter can be used in conjunction with both a video and an
audio master. BeoLink Converter features autoconfiguration, meaning
that it is able to detect automatically whether it is installed in a Master
Link audio or in a Master Link video system. Configuration takes place
when it is connected to the mains.
BeoLink Converter can also be used as ML-driver*, which means that it is
possible to connect e.g. a BeoCenter 2300 via the BeoLink Converter to
the Master Link and thereby distribute sound to all link room products
(see page 17).
BeoLink Converter is used in compatibility setups (see the section on
recommended compatibility setups, page 17).
Part no. 1161166
1161266 (USA/CDN)
1161466 (old version)
9
Miscellaneous Besides the parts included with the BeoLink Converter, the installation
requires a Master Link cable as well as plugs, sockets and junction boxes
(see the section on installation types, page 23).
*NOTE!
BeoLink Converter type no. 1161466 can not be used as ML-driver.

MASTER LINK
1.5m
Content ML/MCL Converter
ML/MCL Converter consists of a control box and an amplifier.
Application ML/MCL Converter is used where a conversion from Master Link (ML) to
Master Control Link (MCL) is wanted. Such a conversion is required if you
want to maintain the existing Master Control Link system although the
audio system in the main room is replaced with a Master Link driver, for
example a BeoSound Ouverture.
ML/MCL Converter can also be used in conjunction with a Beosystem AV
9000 with an AV 9000 Master Panel.
See setups with ML/MCL Converter, page 19.
Part no. 1165066 (AUS)
1165166 (EU)
1165266 (GB)
1165366 (USA/CDN)
Miscellaneous Besides the parts included with the ML/MCL Converter, the installation
requires a Master Link cable as well as plugs, sockets and junction boxes
(see the section on installation types, page 23).
10

MASTER LINK
SETUPS
11
Recommended setups An object consisting of several parts can usually only be assembled in one
way if the intended result is to be achieved. For example, a gearbox for a
car will not perform optimally according to the specifications if you omit
installing some of the gearwheels. If you manage to install one gearwheel
too many, that will most likely cause trouble as well.
The point of the above is that things must be put together in the way
they were designed to, if they are to perform optimally.
The same applies to Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLink. In theory, Bang &
Olufsen’s products may be connected in thousands of different ways.
Since it would be totally impossible to have an overview of just a fraction
of this multitude of connection possibilities, Bang & Olufsen has selected
the most attractive combinations. These selected combinations are called
recommended setups. The recommended setups are the ones which are
focused on in connection with product development and service.
When a BeoLink system is configured it is therefore very important that
this is done in accordance with the recommended setups.
If the recommended setups are not followed, the result may easily be the
same as with the gearbox with too many or too few gearwheels.
Bang & Olufsen services the recommended setups ONLY.
Option programming One of the conditions for the recommended setups to perform optimally
is that the products included in the setup “know” in what kind of
environment they are placed.
The actual option programming is executed by pressing a certain
sequence of keys on the terminal.
For the Beo4 terminal the key sequence is the following:
Press and hold
then Press to access the setup function. The Beo4 display reads
[OPTION?] - let go of both buttons
Press to access Option-programming
Press to display [V.OPT] BeoVision, or
[A.OPT] Beomaster/BeoSound, or
[L.OPT] link room products
then Key in the number of the appropriate Option, e.g. 1

MASTER LINK
12
For the Beolink 1000 terminal the key sequence is the following:
Beovision: “digit”
Beomaster/BeoSound: “digit”
Link room products: “digit”
The digit sequence to be used depends on the setup.
Option 0 = No IR reception
Option 1 = Two IR-eyes in the same main room
Option 2 = One IR-eye in the main room
Option 4 = Link room product connected to one or two main room
products in the same room
Option 5 = Two IR-eyes in the same link room
Option 6 = One IR-eye in the link room
It applies to most setups that they are delivered with the correct option
setting from the factory, and they are thus “ready for use”.
However, since in some situations you may have to work with products
that have been installed before, e.g. in connection with a house that has
been rebuilt, the correct option is indicated at ALL illustrations, even
those which are “ready for use” from the factory.
NOTE!
If the option programming is not executed
correctly, a malfunction will occur.

MASTER LINK 13
Recommended
main room setups
Audio system in one room
Option programming BeoSound : Ready for use
Factory setting BeoSound : Option 1
Video system in one room
Option programming BeoVision : Ready for use
Factory setting BeoVision : Option 1
AV system in one room
1.
Option programming BeoVision : Ready for use
Factory setting BeoVision : Option 1
Option programming BeoSound : Ready for use
Factory setting BeoSound : Option 1
2.
Option programming BeoVision : Option 2
Factory setting BeoVision : Option 1
Option programming BeoSound : Option 0
Factory setting BeoSound : Option 1
AV system in two rooms
Option programming BeoVision : Option 2
Factory setting BeoVision : Option 1
Option programming BeoSound : Option 2
Factory setting BeoSound : Option 1

MASTER LINK
14
Recommended setups for one
product in the link room
BeoLab 3500
Option programming : Ready for use
Factory setting : Option 6
BeoLab 2000
Option programming : Ready for use
Factory setting : Option 6
BeoVision MX 4002
Option programming : Ready for use
Factory setting : Option 6
BeoLink Active
Option programming : Ready for use
Factory setting : Option 6
BeoLink Passive
Option programming : Ready for use
Factory setting : Option 6
Master Link
Coaxial
MasterLink

MASTER LINK 15
BeoVision Avant
Option programming BeoVision : Option 6
Factory setting BeoVision : Option 1
BeoLink Video
Option programming BeoVision : Option 6
Factory setting BeoVision : Option 1
BeoLink
Video
Datalink
Master Link
Coaxial
NOTE!
Option and setups for a BeoVision connected
to BeoLink Video, see Bang & Olufsen's
Product Configuration Guide.
BeoSound Ouverture
Option programming BeoSound : Option 6
Factory setting BeoSound : Option 1
MasterLink
Coaxial
MasterLink

MASTER LINK
16
Recommended setups for one
Audio and one Video product in
the link room
1.
Option programming BeoLab/BeoLink : Option 5
Factory setting BeoLab/BeoLink : option 6
Option programming BeoVision MX 4002 : Option 5
Factory setting BeoVision MX 4002 : Option 6
NOTE!
Option and setups for a BeoVision connected
to BeoLink Video, see Bang & Olufsen's
Product Configuration Guide.
*NOTE!
Valid for all Audio
link room products.
**NOTE!
Valid for Video link
room products incl.
BeoLink Video.
2.
Option programming BeoSound : Option 5
Factory setting BeoSound : Option 1
Option programming BeoVision Avant : Option 5
Factory setting BeoVision Avant : Option 1
Master Link
Master
Link
Audio*
Video**
Coaxial
Master
Link
MasterLink
Coaxial