[BeoTool]

Context: Recently purchased, lightly used Beosound 9000 Mk II. Connected via Powerlink to Beosound Core/Shape. Both manual operations at the operations panel, as well as remote operations (Beo4) function as expected. Lovely unit.

Issue: When placed in ‘remote mute’ (A. Opt. = 0), some of the functions of the manual operations panel become compromised.

In Option 0 mode, the left-most cluster of buttons on the panel don’t work. The reset, mute, volume up/down buttons don’t function. Nothing is displayed when they are pressed. Treble, bass, balance, loudness cause the following message to flash on the display: “TV Operated.” I don’t have a TV in the room, and my only TV in the house is not a B&O unit.

Note that in Option 0 mode, it’s still possible to manually select a source (Radio, CD), it’s still possible to manually advance the track on the CD or select a Radio station.

Subsequently placing the unit back in ‘remote receive’ option (A. Opt. = 1) returns full function to the manual control panel. At all times and with both options, Powerlink remains cabled to the Core.

I hope that this is a settings issue, and some kind soul here can suggest the magic button sequence that will provide full manual operations in Option 0. Thanks!

[BeoChecker]

Why do you want to switch it to option 0? That it doesn’t respond to Beo4? Then you can use option 4

[Beobuddy]

The BS9000 was designed in the era that it could be used as standalone (A-option 1, factory setting), or used in a so-called “master-slave” setup, where in the same room another video product was placed and was setup in a V-option 2. In this master-slave setup the loudspeakers are attached to the Video -product and soundsettings are made in that video product. Both products are then connected throught the Masterlink cable for distributing both audio and instruction commands.

So, by not connecting the BS9000 with active loudspeakers or putting it in A-option 0, the BS9000 assumes that speakers are attached to another product where sound settings normally are made.

The software for the BS9000 has been designed that way and was aimed to be used in a B&O ecosystem. It doesn’t make sense according to that system to use the BS9000 as standalone and disable the functions for remote and soundsettings. Starting a source on a BS9000 did make sense though, where the rest of the system follows accordingly.

[BeoTool]

Beobuddy wrote:

The software for the BS9000 has been designed that way

Thanks for the clear explanation, BeoBuddy. “Performs as designed” isn’t the answer I expected (!), and it doesn’t make me happy, but good to know that I shouldn’t spend any more time on the issue. Thanks again for the speedy reply.

[BeoTool]

BeoChecker wrote:

Why do you want to switch it to option 0?

I have a Beocenter 9500 in the same room. The 9500’s manual control panel (touch glass) is only functioning intermittently because of age, BUT the BC functions perfectly under remote control. Hence, I want Option 1 for the BC 9500, and therefore Option 0 for the BS 9000.

BeoChecker wrote:

That it doesn’t respond to Beo4? Then you can use option 4

My version of the reference manual has no mention of Option 4…? What does it do?

[BeoChecker]

Option4 is exactly for the situation that two devices in the same room react to the Beo4.

The device in Option 4 reacts only if LINK is preselected on the Beo4 first.
It depends on the version or software if BS9000 support Option 4/5/6

[Tignum]

Hello BeoTool, what about masking off the IR sensor of the 9000 (in option 1)? Or am I overlooking something here?

Regards, Johan

[BeoTool]

BeoChecker wrote:

Option4 is exactly for the situation that two devices in the same room react to the Beo4. The device in Option 4 reacts only if LINK is preselected on the Beo4 first. It depends on the version or software if BS9000 support Option 4/5/6

Thank you for the suggestion. Despite repeated attempts with my Beo4, the BS9000 remains innocent of Option 4. As you write, the software version of my particular unit must predate the option. Unfortunate. ?

[trackbeo]

Excellent guess! But don’t wait for some expert answer, just try it! (:-) (…and report back here to aid future searchers, of course…:-)

(As a gold member with access to the service manual, you probably already found out that there are 3 IR receiver chips on the “PCB 14” board, so there could be 2 additional secret receiving spots. But probably not, likely just improving coverage there at the tip of a board hidden inside the case.)

[BeoTool]

Woah! Love the idea, Johan. I assume that a little electric tape (maybe some cotton underneath) would do the trick.

The IR sensor. I’m looking at the chassis (in vertical orientation). There are six buttons, one for each CD well. Below that is a button to place the unit in standby. Below that is a small square — is that the IR eye?

[BeoTool]

trackbeo wrote:

Excellent guess! But don’t wait for some expert answer, just try it! (:-) (…and report back here to aid future searchers, of course…:-)

? I was looking for independent verification of the location, as my attempts at masking have failed so far: one layer of black electrical tape; two layers of tape; a sandwich of tape-cotton-tape; aluminum foil and tape; a sandwich of tape-foil-tape.

Note that the suspected area ‘wraps around’ a 90-degree angle to the bottom of the unit; I’ve masked both areas in my attempts, to no avail. However, I’m stubborn and I’m also enjoying the learning process. I promise to report back if I solve this.

trackbeo wrote:

you probably already found out that there are 3 IR receiver chips on the “PCB 14” board, so there could be 2 additional secret receiving spots. But probably not, likely just improving coverage there at the tip of a board hidden inside the case.

Yes, there’s a tangle of ‘IR’ references in the service manual. The relevant PCB seems to be located at the bottom end of the (vertically-oriented) unit, lending further evidence that the IR eye is located here. As to multiple IR receiver chips, I assume that they are related to the sled safety feature as described on the Beoworld product page: “Small prismatic lenses are placed at each end of the aluminium frame, controlling an infrared beam across the front of BeoSound 9000. If the beam is violated, the CD clamper will stop immediately.”

[trackbeo]

Don’t think so: the IR safety feature has its own receiver on PCB28, not PCB14. Likewise the IR Receiver for the “Tacho Clamper” on PCB31 (not shown?!). Key to me: There is only one “IR Window” listed, part number 9042. It’s shown in the blow-out diagram disembodied, but is shaped as you describe, a right-angle piece of plastic.

I think you have found the receiver and it’s just super-sensitive (x3). Maybe try the “ever-creeping black plastic garbage bag”, starting with the whole damn unit covered up? I would be surprised if the finger-protection IR protrusions were somehow prism-ing the remote signal inside the chassis and that was enough to trigger the multiple IR receivers way down on PCB14, but in theory it’s possible, maybe? Or maybe there is leakage thru the front panel elsewhere? Anyway, the garbage bag will (hopefully!) tell you how far down.

[Tignum]

Smart idea indeed to test the principle with a garbage bag covering the whole thing! (or thick blanket or so)

[trackbeo]

Yes, there really *are* 3 full-package IR receiver devices on PCB14, not just the 1 lens box by the side IR window: 2 are centered on the back side of the board. This means that masking the IR receiver needs more tape or foil, and may not be practical. They are under the waning-moon plastic bubble in the half-circle below the bottom CD position. Covering that plastic is certainly possible, but leakage around the edge looks pretty likely. (You can see them in Kose Trading’s disassembly video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Bd63-i_Gw , at about 35:00. Service manual aaargh: It isn’t called “IR Window”, just “Window”! Part number is 9025.)

[BeoTool]

The following is a true story, more or less.

Much later, after several plastic bags of different size and ply, after a rude skirt of aluminum foil (aluminum foil is used in construction as an IR radiant barrier), after multiple blankets draped…

I crawled on my back under the stand-mounted 9000 and unplugged the mains power and PL cable. Standing, I wrestled the 9000 off the stand, then kneeling on the floor, gently placed the unit face down on a blanket on the floor. I then crawled over to reattach the power and PL cables. I then wrapped the unit again in another blanket, making sure to cover the bottom of the unit, leaving only the smallest aperture for the cables. Standing, I grabbed the Beo4 for the last time, pressed ‘Radio’ and…nothing happened. “Yes!” I exulted. “Take that!”

Which was when my wife entered the room. “What are you doing?”

I began to explain: multiple B&O units in the same room, IR reception, Options, garbage bags, diapers of aluminum foil — it was at this point when I began laughing.

Taking a cue from my wife’s eloquent eye-roll, I gently returned the 9000 to its stand, unplugged the BC 9500, set Option 1 on the 9000, and enjoyed some music.

++++

Many thanks! to Beobuddy, BeoChecker,Tignum & trackbeo for ingenious suggestions and sleuthing on this little BeoAdventure.

For those who might be researching a similar issue, I found trackbeo’s discovery of multiple IR receivers in the bottom of the unit mapped with my masking experience. Attempting to mask that area off was for me, not feasible. Lots of reflected IR bouncing around. And there are esthetic issues. So: case closed.

[Tignum]

That is so funny! The BeoVirus can hit you hard haha.

I would not have thought that the 9000 would be so sensitive. Brings me to a potential (and ugly) option: there are IR range limiters for Beo4 (for dealers), if your 9500 and 9000 are not too close this could maybe work? (though your 9000 seems to be eager!).

https://www.idav.nl/reduced-range-ir-demper-beo4.html

another thought I had (not knowing how your speaker set-up with the 9500 is) was to put an ML/NL BLC between the 9000 (and use the NL network, to control the 9000 via the 9500 with Beo4 (or vice versa)), but I doubt you will have enough commands on the Beo4 to use for all the RADIO and CD and TAPE sources. If this sounds like an idea at all, check maybe this thread: https://beoworld.dev.idslogic.net/forums/topic/difference-between-source-sugnals/ about ‘three generations of link systems’.

 

[Tignum]

ugly but cheap and very easy!

[michaelmarcos]

Hello, folks!

I will use this thread as long as my question is related.

I’ve just purchased and installed a BS9000 MK1. I already have a Beo4 in use wit a BS3000, working perfectly.

As long as my 9000 will be used as CD player only, I linked it to the amplifier – a Cambridge CXA81 paired with a pair of B&W 606S2 speakers – using the DIGITAL OUT.

Doing so I presume it is in default option 0. When I click on some buttons of the panel it says “TV OPERATED”, which confirms this.

But when I try to chance the audio mode on the remote nothing happens. No blinking lights and no change at all.

So is my 9000s IR not working or linked this way on digital out MK1 only works on option 0?

 

thanks in advance!

[Author]

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