BeoDisplay
This hardware is a small LCD display (2*16 characters) that connected to a Master Control Link (MCL) link system or to a Powerlink speaker connector will display the status of the source, pretty much like the Beolab 3000, 4500, 5000 and Penta are doing, but it will usually present more information than these are doing, provided that the master system is sending this information. When connected to newer (one way) systems through the Powerlink socket only source, track, volume and status information will be displayed and no "real time" information like RDS info, tape counter, CD time.
The information that will be displayed are:
Source | Information displayed |
| Radio | Preset channel number, RDS information (station name, only available from Beomaster 7000). If you don't have RDS, you can name your stations anyhow through PC software and get this name displayed. |
| CD | Track number, remaining time or played time within title, play/stop/no CD status |
| A.Tape | Tape counter or VU meter, play/stop/ff/rew/no tape status |
| Phono | play/stop status |
| TV | Channel number and channel name (programmed by PC software) |
Furthermore, the display unit has a RS232 serial port that you can connect to a PC. A software in the PC (sw included) will then display the same information as the display unit itself and you can also control the master system with keys/menus on the PC. This serial port can also be used to upgrade the flash firmware in future by customer, in case fixes or enhancements are released in future. Commands currently supported by the PC are Volume up/down, Source radio/CD/Phono/A.Tape/A.Tape2/Aux/StdBy, Navigate play/stop/next/previous/fast forward/rewind/goto and digits 0-9. Here you can see some screen shots of the application and see what the display layout looks like.
If connected to MCL the unit is powered from the master unit. If connected to a Powerlink socket an external power supply will be needed (9-35V DC, not included). You will need basic connection skills to connect the unit as it is not equipped with connectors, because of the many connection options. The easiest way to connect the unit is to just wire it together with a MCL2A transceiver box. You need to connect 3 wires Ground (shield), DC voltage (pink) and Data (white). You can also connect the unit directly into the speaker 2 sockets of a MCL Beomaster or into Powerlink sockets. If you don't have basic skills in connecting these things, please mail me and I could arrange a unit with cable and ready connectors at a low extra cost.
The display is available in two sizes/versions. One smaller (74*28mm) display that is a high contrast almost 180 degree viewable PLED display (looks like a display
with small LED dots). The other display version is a bigger (106*36mm) LCD display with green text on dark background, with a little bit less contrast and viewing angle. The cost for both displays are the same. The small display is enclosed in a black box of the size 107*53*28mm.
Note that the cut out for the display in the box is not of professional standard, but it looks acceptable. Below is a picture with the two displays at close distance
to show the difference in size.
Below is a picture at bigger distance to show the difference between the two displays.
Below is a picture of the small prototype display.
Here is a small video of how the display works when connected to a Beomaster 7000. The
display is absolutely stable and with green text, if you see flickering text and other colours in the video
it is because of the video camera.
The unit can be ordered in five different configurations:
Option | Price US$ | Description |
| A | 125 | All components unmounted, including PCB, programmed CPU and small display, but no enclosure. You just solder everything together and mount it as you wish. |
| B | 139 | Ready built unit, with small display but no enclosure. You just mount it as you wish. |
| C | 169 | Ready built unit with small display mounted in enclosure. You just connect it to your equipment. |
| D | 125 | All components unmounted, including PCB, programmed CPU and large display, but no enclosure. You just solder everything together and mount it as you wish. |
| E | 139 | Ready built unit, with large display but no enclosure. You just mount it as you wish. |
| F | 25 | Large display unit to upgrade small display kit |
| G | 25 | Small display unit to upgrade large display kit |
If you are interested or have any questions mail me at BeoPC@hotmail.com or just click below to send payment with Paypal (don't forget to specify that you want the BeoDisplay hw and which option and shipping you want). If you live in Sweden or don't want to use Paypal, email me and I can give you other payment options. For Paypal payments, only payments from Paypal account balance or direct bank debit will work. If you need to use credit card payments, you should transfer the money into the Paypal account first and then do payment. If this is not possible, please contact me for other payment options.
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If you have purchased the unit and want the PC software or want a never version of the PC software, please email me at BeoPC@hotmail.com. The user instructions are here. If you want the building description, press here.