Bang & Olufsen Introduces Gorgeous $5400 BeoVision 8 40" LCD TV

Bang & Olufsen isn't a name you see every single day. They're not listed at Wal-mart, not even at Best Buy. In order to own one of their products, you have to seek them out, and likely visit your local high-end A/V dealer just to see anything they make. They're an exclusive company, and everything they design is not only beautiful, but extremely pricey. You might call them the Apple of the A/V world, and if you disagree, just take one look at this amazing new panel. It just might be the most well-designed television the world has ever seen, and it's easily one of the most expensive 40" LCD panels you could purchase.

The new BeoVision 8 is a 40" LCD TV, and it has just begun to ship to North America. It's designed to either be wall-mounted or set on a small, thin floor stand. It features 240Hz technology, BeoLink home integration support, a down-facing bass speaker and…well, B&O doesn't bother sharing too many other details, sort of like Bose on their speaker lineup. What they do say is that this beautiful set will cost you $5400 when it debuts in the summer, so you may want to give one a visit before buying to make sure that huge, huge premium is worth it.

One thing is for sure: this would make a killer gaming monitor mounted up on your wall. Watch the drool.

Bang & Olufsen Announces BeoVision 8 40-inch LCD in North America

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Bang & Olufsen, the Danish provider of high-end audio and video products, announces the arrival of the BeoVision 8 40-inch LCD in North America. The new 40-inch version of the acclaimed BeoVision 8 TV combines a technologically advanced home cinema viewing experience with the straightforward elegance and ease of use characteristic of this compact screen concept.

"The new 40-inch version of BeoVision 8 is the fifth video product B&O has launched in less than 12 months. It's a great new addition to our video portfolio," states Zean Nielsen, President of Bang & Olufsen America.  "This product is an extremely flexible solution for both wall and floor placement and allows us to offer B&O options to a much wider customer group than ever before."

Optimized performance

The new technologies include double frame rate technology, also known as 240Hz, with motion compensation. As a consequence, the picture refresh rate has been doubled compared to conventional LCD TVs, and the inherent blur of LCD technology has thus been reduced significantly.

BeoVision 8 40-inch also includes contrast improvement technology – so-called Dynamic Contrast – which optimizes the contrast according to the picture content in each scene. In addition, both BeoLink home integration functionality and extra video connections can be included with a convenient plug-and-play module.

Great sound from small cabinet

The sound performance of BeoVision 8 also sets new standards for compact TVs. The down-facing bass speaker provides a firm foundation for movies and music programs, while the front units are tuned specifically for the reproduction of human speech. The overall sound is extremely natural and clearly audible, giving the sense that voices are coming directly out of the screen.

Designer David Lewis explains, "What we did was move the sound forward and up, designing the TV like a proper stage with an orchestra pit. This ensures the synergy between performance and design expected of Bang & Olufsen."

Flexible solution

BeoVision 8 from Bang & Olufsen offers maximum flexibility as this compact television can easily be moved around and placed high or low.  The retractable feet support BeoVision 8 in a casual setup - either directly on the floor or on a countertop. The elegant stands and wall bracket solutions allow for further placement options according to each customer's preference.

Made for those who are looking for an advanced yet entry-level TV with multiple placement options and fantastic picture and sound performance, BeoVision 8 40-inch offers a radical synthesis of time-honored craftsmanship, technological innovation and easy operation.

BeoVision 8-40 will be available in all Bang & Olufsen retail locations by summer 2010 and includes the Bang & Olufsen three-year international warranty. MSRP $5400.