Bang & Olufsen Launches BeoVision 4 With Automatic Color Management At 2008 CES

Bang & Olufsen, the Danish provider of high end home theaters and custom multi-room music systems, announces the arrival of its latest plasma video innovation, the BeoVision 4 with Automatic Color Management, at the 2008 CES in Las Vegas. The new product presents an upgrade to the current BeoVision 4 with the addition of an integrated camera and software that measure the color balance of the screen and adjust it automatically to compensate for aging phosphors. The new BeoVision 4 raises the bar in plasma screens with a new technology that ensures the correct color balance throughout the life of the screen. “The launch of BeoVision 4 with Automatic Color Management will set a new standard for plasma technology,” states Zean Nielsen, President of Bang & Olufsen America, Inc. “We’re confident that this product and its unique technology will resonate well with our existing customers as well as anyone who can appreciate technology that automatically works for the user, offering an effortless experience, which is a trademark for Bang & Olufsen products.” The best possible picture BeoVision 4 provides an impeccable viewing experience with the VisionClear collection of High Definition picture technologies. Available in both a 50-inch and a 65-inch version, the BeoVision 4 plasma panel is full HD, offering razor sharp details, rich lifelike colors, and smooth movements on the screen. Even the best picture will age over time, and plasma technology presents a unique set of challenges. As the phosphor lining inside each cell or pixel degrades slowly over the years, the quality of the colors in the picture decreases. The patented Automatic Color Management technology from Bang & Olufsen makes it possible to compensate for this aging process by adjusting the color temperature. After every 100 hours of viewing, or as often as one wishes, a short mechanical arm with a camera eye at the end swings down from behind the aluminium frame and measures a test picture that appears on the screen. Within seconds, the color temperature is analyzed and adjusted to ensure consistent color reproduction even after thousands of hours of use over the years. Additionally, the BeoVision 4 features the patented Automatic Picture Control technology, which adjusts the brightness of the screen according to its placement and the lighting conditions in the room. Through an optical sensor on the top of the frame, the screen measures ambient room lighting then automatically dims or brightens itself to deliver the optimal viewing experience for those conditions. Dedicated sound solution BeoVision 4 Automatic Color Management is positioned with the all new BeoLab 10 dedicated center speaker, pairing impeccable sound with crystal clear picture quality. BeoLab 10 performs on the same high level as our most powerful loudspeakers, and provides the center channel sound in a surround sound system with perfect purity and balance. With the proprietary Acoustic Lens Technology, sound from the center channel is dispersed at an even180 degree angle, thus making every seat in the room the “sweet spot” for watching television or movies. Elegant visual expression The new BeoVision 4 features a curved frame of finely brushed aluminum with a smooth surface. The precise points and the bold colors options exude a combination of modern sophistication and time-honored craftsmanship. The clean lines of BeoLab 10's triangular form provide a dynamic contrast to the curves of the acoustic lens and the BeoVision 4 frame. As visually appealing as BeoVision 4 and BeoLab 10 are from the front, their profile offers discretion, adorning the wall like art, with the distinct elliptical form of the acoustic lens indicating that it is a true Bang & Olufsen solution. BeoVision 4 with Automatic Color Management and BeoLab 10 comes in silver, black, red, blue, and dark grey and will be available in all Bang & Olufsen showrooms by March 2008. MSRP $13,500 for the 65 inch screen, $7500 for the 50 inch screen, and $4000 for BeoLab 10. Technical specifications for BeoVision 4 Design David Lewis Dimensions/weight 50”: 48 x 30 x 4 in / 115.5lbs 65": 60.5 x 37 x 7 in/195.5lbs Pixel count 2.073.600 pixels (1920 x 1080 x R, G, B) Cabinet finish Black Frame Silver, black, red, blue, and dark grey Mains voltage range 110 V 60 Hz Power consumption 50”: Typical 366 W, standby 0.5W 65”: Typical 680 W, standby 0.8 W Picture 16:9, 50” or 65” Full HD plasma display panel, HD-Ready 1080p in combination with BeoSystem 3- Automatic Color Management Contrast screen Front mounted anti-reflection coated glass Operation conditions Temperature: 32 – 104º F. Humidity: 20 – 80%. Min. outside air pressure: 800 hPa TV system According to type and setup: B/G/L/L/I/D/K PAL, SECAM, NTSC on AV. in combination with BeoSystem 3 Accessories Wall bracket (black) Technical specifications for BeoLab 10 Dimensions/weight 26 x 19 x 5 in/35.5 lbs Cabinet finish MDF and aluminum coated with hard-wearing soft-touch lacquer. Front grill cloth Silver, black, red, blue, and dark grey Power consumption Typical 15WStandby < 0.3W Amplifier 2 x 250 W ICEpower Long-term max. output power Treble: 200 W / 8 ohm Bass: 200 W / 8 ohm Effective frequency range 45- 20.000 Hz Crossover frequency 2000 Hz Cabinet principle Closed box Net vol., bass 11 liters Woofer 1 x 5in cone, 6 ohm Tweeter 1 x ¾ in dome, 8 ohm Bass equalization Free - Wall switch Input sensitivity (power link) 88 dB at 125mV Protection Thermal protection ABL (Adaptive Bass Linearization)