Datalink

Datalink

As forerunner to Beolink®, the Datalink system was Bang & Olufsen’s first digital language whereby audio components could ‘talk to each other’ in order for them to function as a whole. Datalink worked with two extra pins being added to the standard 5-pin DIN plug. It was through these two extra pins that digital codes could be sent and received. It worked in two directions; from and to connected components. With these extra pins the following operations could be undertaken:

  • the audio inputs on the main music ssystem could be opened-up if PLAY was pressed
  • in a Beolink system programme data could be shown on the main system unit as well as two-way remote controls, Beolab speakers or Beovision televisions fitted with necessary readouts
  • control signals could be accepted to control devices from either the main system unit or via a remote control

Datalink’s roots developed with the introduction of the innovative Beomaster 6000 in 1974. Beomaster 1900 followed soon after, and then the remote-controlled Beomaster 2400.  Both of these two receivers used ’sensi-touch’ electronics instead of the usual mechanical buttons and allowed a new type of control process whereby if a button was touched/pressed on one component, another component sprang into action. Designed especially for use with the Beomaster 2400.2 the tangential Beogram 4002 - Bang & Olufsen’s first Datalink product - was fitted with the special 7-pin DIN plug so that when connected to the receiver, it could be started and to stopped the turntable remotely.  However it was Beogram 4004 which went just a step further when control of the record deck could be made at a distance via remote control using the Beomaster 2400 Commander remote control.

Following on from these earlier receiver, the concept really came into its own with the Beolab 8000 System of 1981 with Beomaster 8000, Beogram 8000 and Beocord 8000 representing the first sources to support the Datalink standard. Moving on from ultrasonics and using the latest infra-red digital codes as well as the latest microprocessors, the System could offer full remote controlof all its linked sources with play, record, cueing, programme selection and volume control all possible at the press of a single button at a distance on its dedicated handset. Datalink also offered a two-way process in that by pressing a button on one component a message travelled to the next via the connected 7-pin lead. So, by pressing PLAY on the Beogram 8xxx or Beogram 6xxx the Beomaster 8000 sprang into life in order to offer amplification of the chosen source. The same operation could be undertaken via any of the Beocord 6xxx or 8xxx cassette decks on offer at that time. As Datalink was a standard, most of the Beomaster / Beogram / Beocord 6000 and 8000 range of products could be combined together (see below for full product details).

It was MasterLink which later superceded Datalink with the Beosystem AV9000 being the first to incorporate the new digital language and special connectors. With the further refinement of Datalink, it was the Beosystem 7000 - the final system to use the standard throughout all its system components - which embraced Datalink the most successfully.

Datalink products:

NB:

* On the Beogram 6000 & 6002 Datalink communication was only one-way (e.g. if PLAY was pressed on the Beogram 6000/6002 the principal unit (Beomaster/Beocenter) would not start)

** Beomaster 2000 could only be operated manually in that no remote control function was included

*** Beocord 5500/6500/7000 had several features (e.g. tape counter and adjustment of recording level via remote control) which could be only operated via the system MCP remote control panel

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