Bang & Olufsen has unveiled its latest TV; Beovision Horizon in 40” and 48”. It has been designed with flexibility in mind and comes with Ultra HD and Google’s Android TV. Prices start at €2995.
Designed for a flexible life
BeoVision Horizon is designed based on a concept that Bang & Olufsen calls “flexible living”. A modern lifestyle in the city typically requires a flexible living environment so Horizon has been designed to not dominate the living room with its flexible placement options, including an option for a set of wheels.
- “BeoVision Horizon is all about flexibility and connectivity, creating social spaces and sharing great experiences. This 4K UHD TV packs everything into one vigorous and beautiful solution that provides an extraordinary, yet casual viewing experience”, said Marie Kristine Schmidt, Vice President Brand, Design & Marketing, Bang & Olufsen
Horizon has been designed by Torsten Valeur, who also designed the BeoVision Avant. The company explains that it is a “classic Bang & Olufsen TV, stripped of anything superfluous” and with “disciplined attention to the finer details”. The black aluminum frame is joined by a row of aluminum lamellas that cover the speakers.
- “The black aluminium frame almost disappears when viewed from the front, but gives the screen perspective and depth when viewed from the side. Below the screen, rows of aluminium lamellas stylishly cover the speakers behind them. The lamellas are conical and slightly angled to give the best possible acoustic performance,” said B&O.
The flexibility is enabled by various placement solutions. Horizon can first and foremost be placed on a set of wheels, which is also an ode to the iconic picture tube TVs that put the Danish manufacturer on the map. Besides the wheels, you can place the TV on an easel stand, wall bracket or a 360 degree rotating floor stand.
Ultra HD and Android TV
When FlatpanelsHD caught Bang & Olufsen for a chat about the new TV, the company emphasized that the concept of flexibility also extends to the user experience.
Horizon comes with Google’s Android TV operating system built-in. From Google’s store you can download apps and games, and more are released constantly.
Bang & Olufsen says that today it is perfectly normal to use a phone or tablet in the living room while watching TV. Built-in Google Cast functionality allows users to push content wirelessly to the TV from a mobile device.
Horizon is Bang & Olufsen’s second model with Google’s operating system for TVs after BeoVision 14 was launched earlier in August. From Google Play Movies you can rent or buy movies.
If you prefer the Apple ecosystem, B&O has made it possible to attach an Apple TV box behind the TV. You can also choose to connect a USB hard drive for recording. There is a built-in twin-tuner meaning that you can watch one channel while recording another.
Horizon has Ultra HD resolution but not HDR (high dynamic range). It is equipped with 4 HDMI input, all of them HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2. This ensures that you can connect any 4K player, including UHD Blu-ray. Inside both of the 40” and 48” models there is a LCD panel with direct LED. 3D is not supported.
If you want the Ultra HD experience you typically need to look beyond TV channels and focus your attention on discs or streaming. B&O has equipped Horizon with a hardware decoder chip for both HEVC and VP9, meaning that you can stream 4K content from Netflix, YouTube, and others.
Wireless sound and BeoRemote One BT
Horizon is also equipped with B&O’s in-house technology that over the years have been developed and perfected for the high-end models. A light sensor ensures that the picture automatically adapts to the viewing environment (day, evening, night).
Inside there is a 7.1 surround sound decoder. A full WiSA module makes it possible to wirelessly connect up to 8 BeoLab speakers to the TV, and in that way create a wireless surround sound environment. Additionally, you can connect up to 8 wired BeoLab speakers via the 4x RJ45 ports.
It comes bundled with the new BeoRemote One BT, which is crafted from a single piece of aluminum. It is an evolution from the first BeoRemote One and B&O’s first remote to use Bluetooth. However, it can still beam infrared signals in order to control connected devices. Additionally, you can use Bluetooth for connecting wireless headphones. The TV can also be controlled from the BeoRemote app for iPhone/iPad.
Lastly, Horizon can integrate seamlessly with all multiroom products in the Bang & Olufsen and B&O Play ranges.
BeoVision Horizon is available now in 40” and 48” sizes from the Bang & Olufsen stores.
Prices:
BeoVision Horizon 40" with BeoRemote One BT - € 2995 / US$ 3995 / Ł 2495
BeoVision Horizon 48” with BeoRemote One BT - € 4395 / US$ 5495 / Ł 3695
Stands: Easel stands, floor stands, wheel stands and wall brackets from € 265 / US$ 295 / Ł 215
![BeoVision Horizon](“pictures/bvhorizon-3l.jpg" "BeoVision Horizon")
