BeoLink application for the iPhone catalyst for buying the ML Gateway and associated B&O gear

Posted on August 8, 2010
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“We have heard in many cases the BeoLink application for the iPhone was the catalyst for buying the Master Link Gateway and associated B&O audio video systems”.

Zean Nielsen
President, Bang & Olufsen America, Inc.

BeoLink App Update released

Posted on April 22, 2010
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Improved Demo access mode.

BeoLink iPhone Settings & Demo

Demo access allows you to to have a feel on how the BeoLink App works even if you don’t own Bang & Olufsen gear with Master Link Gateway.

Try it and you would understand how you can control Bang & Olufsen Audio and Video and your home automation.

Bang & Olufsen BeoLink App Billboard Ad @ Times Square

Posted on April 21, 2010
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TimesSquareBeoLinkAppimage

Video Tutorial for Installers: Bang & Olufsen BeoLink for iPhone

Posted on March 30, 2010
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Tutorial: Bang & Olufsen BeoLink for iPhone from Ikatu on Vimeo.

Ikatu designed Bang & Olufsen BeoLink App for iPhone and iPod Touch Ready!

Posted on March 30, 2010
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Apple  is releasing as of now Bang & Olufsen BeoLink App for iPhone and iPod Touch which was designed by Ikatu .


I have confirmation that the App has been downloaded successfully from the Australian App store. Other iTunes App stores to follow as May 31st is the date of release.

Bang & Olufsen MasterLink Gateway now globally available!

Posted on March 12, 2009
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After an official audit done in 2007, Bang & Olufsen appointed Ikatu as a competence partner for new
technologies within home automation due to it’s expertise in home integration, embedded systems design, engineering and software development.

As a result of the partnership, Masterlink Gateway (MLGW 02) come to light in Q1 2009 based in part of Ikatu’s experience with the development of MLGW 01. As an engineered product by Ikatu, this latest version manufactured by Bang & Olufsen has now reached B&O global market.

Here is a video showing some of the integration capabilities of Masterlink Gateway:

Audi A8 | Bang & Olufsen versus Bose

Posted on March 12, 2009
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An interesting and fun video done by a blindfolded DJ comparing the performance of a Bang & Olufsen and Bose audio system of the Audi A8.


Bang & Olufsen ICEpower Technology Revolution

Posted on July 26, 2008
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ICEpower, Bang and Olufsen’s amplifier switching technology has revolutionized the efficiency of power conversion for audio use. For a speaker to work efficiently there must be consistent power conversion from the electrical mains all the way down to the loudspeaker. B&O has managed to raise this efficiency across this entire range, from the mains to the loudspeaker’s acoustical output.

Class D amplifiers

The switching technology in B&O’s class D amps is created by Metal-Oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors, which allows the amp to make an on/off action upwards of 500,000 times per second. This action of rapid “Switch Triggering” creates a continuous voltage and reproduces an audio signal.

The audio signal pulse width  is modulated by comparing it with a reference signal (carrier) which can be performed in either the digital or analogue domain. The resulting small signal PWM is converted to power levels by the power switch. Ideal switching elements operating either ‘on’ or ‘off’ is the secret behind the theoretical very high efficiency of the PWM based amplifier. The carrier is a sawtooth or a triangle signal corresponding to single sided modulation (leading or trailing edge) and double sided modulation, respectively.

More information on digital amps can be found at Karsten Nielsen’s PhD Thesis Papers from AES Convention

Why is this important?

This technology allows for smaller and more efficient amplifiers that produce less heat, which is great for today’s electronics that continue to challenge the current limits in design (thinner, smaller, and more unique). The older linear amp technologies use materials like iron, coils, and copper which creates a problem with today’s lifestyle design needs. They are also less efficient at 35-50 percent efficiency compared to a class D amp’s 80 percent efficiency.

A short History of ICEpower from icepower.bang-olufsen.com

Back in 1994 Karsten Nielsen started working on his PhD dissertation in ‘Audio Power Amplifiers Techniques Based on Efficient Power Conversion’ as part of a collaboration project between Bang & Olufsen and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Already in 1997 even before Karsten Nielsen’s dissertation is finalized, B&O applies his findings to the new speaker system BeoLab 1, which proved the excellent performance and reliability of the improved Class D amplifiers.

In 2005, ICEpower defines its four focus markets: Speaker Engines (consumer and professional speakers, stand-alone amplifiers, music systems, etc.), Home Theater, Automotive Audio and Portable Audio. During the same year:

Then in 2006 the development of the ICEcar2 platform is initiated. The platform will be marketed to the leading international automotive manufacturers, and one year later, the ASX2 Series of audio power conversion solutions is launched.
The same year the first Home Theater solution, the 150ASH7 is launched, and the 100ASH7 is in development as well as the MobileSound 2 platform is in development.

User’s experiences with ICEpower

From AVguide Forum there is one very illustrative case of how Class D technology is gaining acceptance in high-end audio circles:

_”I bought a pair of ICEpower monoblocks because I needed something to power my surround speakers. Up till then, I have been using a pair of Mark Levinson No.33H No.33H” to power my main speakers. The ICEpower was so tiny, I bought them out of the very reasons Mr. Harley questioned: small form factor, energy efficient, and hence ease of placement.”_

Then he goes into further saying:

_”Out of curiosity, I hooked up the ICEpower to drive my main speakers. The result was astonishing. Better dynamics, more clarity and presence, and effortless control over the Revel Salon (backthen). The differences were not subtle. I am well aware that sometimes, we get confused by ‘different’ and ‘better’ sound. Different does not necessary mean better. I did not want to be overwhelmed by the difference. I let the amps play over the course of a few more weeks. I switched back to the 33H, and I personally really prefer the ICEpower sound over the 33H. I sold my 33H about 2 months after I bought the ICEpower.”_

Other interesting references:

The Future of ICEpower as illustrated in Wikipedia

With the expansion of the technology, and the sheer existence of the companies using the technology it seems fair to say that ICEpower is here to stay and grow with the industry.

Home Theater:

Automotive audio:

Portable audio:

Consumer audio:

Professional audio:

Bang and Olufsen now owns 100% of ICEpower

Source: ICEpower official site

Up until recently Bang and Olufsen has only owned 90% of the shares in ICEpower. The remaining 10% was owned by Co-founder of ICEpower, Karsten Nielsen.

As described by Bang & OIufsen’s Chairman of the Board, ” It means Very much for Bang & Olufsen that we now gain full control of Bang & Olufsen ICEpower a/s. ICEpower’s high-pitched technology counts in large part for our audio products, in terms of music systems, televisions and sound systems for the automobile industry.”

Karsten will be leaving the company because, he has found that most fo his personal goals with the company have been established, and he’s currently seeking a new experience.

Leadership of ICEpower will now be through Peter Sommer, CEO; Kristain Ougarrd, Director of Product Development; and Tomas Schionning, Director of Operations.

Bang and Olufsen 7-Channel Power conversion solutions

In true B&o fashion, the new ASH7 solutions create the ultimate audio performance. These new solutions are capable of surpassing even the best Class AB amplifiers and meets requirements for THX Ultra2 certification, and THX Select 2 certification.

B&o has been able to surpass the typical power bandwidth of 5-7kHz, and bring in an extended bandwidth of 120kHz and a full 20kHz power bandwidth.

This newer integrated technology solves many problems with power to speakers conversion. Many of those problems involved specialist and extensive R&D. The new ASH7 ICEpower all-in-one solutions creates an amazing new convenience.

Source: ICEpower official site

A Show of the True Advantages of Bang & Olufsen’s ICEpower, A Partnership with Rotel

The engineers of Rotel and Bang & Olufsen have worked on an a special custom series of Class D amplifiers for about a year and a half.

With the use of proprietary ICEpower technologies, such as Controlled Oscillation Modulation (COM), and Multivariable Enhanced Cascade Control (MECC), they were able to create consistent and distortion-free power even with the most discerning complex speaker loads and power input differences.

These amplifiers allow for a smaller size, lower weight, and with the help of efficient energy design, there is low heat production.

Below are extracts from reviews by the specialized international press (Source: ICEpower official site ):

DIGITAL HOME | Home Tech and the High Rise

Posted on July 12, 2008
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After my participation at InfoComm08 in Las Vegas, Dan Daley from DIGITAL HOME Online contacted me for a phone interview. I was recommended to him by Pete Baker from RTI.

Ikatu has been working together with RTI for the last two years to make an MDU version of their K4 In-Wall Touch Panel. The K4 variant is ready and is being deployed at Jade Beach, Jade Ocean at Sunny Isles, and Asia at Brickell Key, all of them in Florida. The system will be in full operation late 2008 and 2009.

Regarding the way we think of the MDU solution Dave wrote:

Jimmy Baikovicius, principal at Ikatu, a Boca Raton-based integrator that’s working on the Jade and Asia condo projects, says updating the software is done transparently. “The touchpanel in each unit is programmed to look like a typical button-type interface, but it is actually a Web page on an always-connected browser,” he explains. Each unit is a private network that rides on the buildings’ common fiber-optic cabling with an ultra-high-speed DS3 connection for the entire building.

The full article has been posted at Digg: All Together Now: Home Tech and the High Rise

Home Automation Insight

Posted on July 5, 2008
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“One of the biggest challenges to faster uptake of more advanced home management solutions is the natural lag between technology innovation and consumer adoption caused, in part, by the long useful life of legacy devices. The manual light switch works and works well. Control systems that seek to automate a single function without the ability to integrate with other applications will not be widely adopted because they seek to replace standalone devices that work well. Robert Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet, observed that the value of a network increases exponentially with the number of devices connected to it. It is this phenomenon that will move consumers to see the value of home control systems. The networked TV, audio system, refrigerator, and thermostat provide more value than just a better picture, sound or increased energy efficiency -together they can provide convenience and a better living experience. And together they represent a much larger opportunity for manufacturers and installation services than any of the individual opportunities standing alone”.
© 2006 Parks Associates

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