General Description - Bang & Olufsen BeoLink User Manual

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What is BeoLink?
Introducing Master Link
MASTER LINK

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

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.
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.