1983 Master Control Link System wiring guide

4 replies
I’ve scanned and uploaded this document, which is contemporaneous with the Beocenter 7700:

Location: Silicon Valley

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png Beovox.png
Beosound.png Beosound.png
Beosound-9000.png Beosound-9000.png
Beoplay-H95.png Beoplay-H95.png
Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Thanks for the document, @pl212.  You've probably seen the MCL'82 protocol document (attached) that I uploaded a few months back.  It represents the final variant of MCL1 before the release of MCL2 (Datalink '86).  There was almost no documentation that I could find when I assembled this protocol document, which was created mostly by me spying on the messages being passed between a Beomaster 5000 and MCP 5000.  There are still a few straggler messages whose meaning I have yet to fully decipher, which I hope to get to some day. I recently acquired an original MCP, designed for use with the Beocenter 7700 (which I don't yet have).  Just based on the jumpers I see in the 2041 relay boxes, I'm thinking the MCP instruction set is unique to the 7700 - or at least the response messages will be - but I'd venture to guess there will be some overlap in the command set between the MCP and MCP 5000.  Having just the MCP, I'll be able to verify outbound commands for starters.  If you happen to have a Beocenter 7700, perhaps you can add to the knowledge-base by providing the responses for the documentation. I'm in Marin, so we're close by each other, and can get together to compare notes over lunch, if you're interested.  
Attachments (1)
https://archive.org/details/1983-bang-olufsen-master-control-link-system/ I find these early MCL systems fascinating, not because they were perfect (lots of issues about incomplete remote control) but because they were a fledgling attempt to get whole-house automation working over just a few extra pins in a speaker cable!
Very interesting to see that this document also existed, and seems to be before it was rebranded to MCL82, but also only Beocenter  7700 is mentioned in the manual where later a fwew more systems were supported. I have scanned the installation and user manual that came in the MCL82 packages, and there are available here at Beoworld in the products section under Beolink, but this manual seems to be more  thorough  about hidden installation types.  
Thank you for scanning, MCL stuff is always appreciated! I was looking at your other manuals and I hadn't seen this use case mentioned before: in the MCL2 System manual:
I find the idea of a teenager having an MCL link system in their room amusing, and how B&O managed to turn a safety circuit into a parental control feature! Only preset volume parties for the teenagers! 😁

Location: Helsinki - Finland

My B&O Icons:

Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
"Bang & Olufsen - A Life Less Ordinary" // "It's not magic, it's the Bang & Olufsen link system" // "It takes more upon itself, asks less of you. And a natural consequence of this is the simple and striking design. The true harmony of form and function spells beauty in any language"
or
BeoWorld Gold Membership card
Join BeoWorld

Register to access the forums, reference material, and exclusive member benefits — including our monthly prize draw.

Become a Member

December 2026 Prize Draw

Gold Members Only

As a Gold member you're automatically entered into our exclusive prize draw — your chance to win iconic Bang & Olufsen products. A unique benefit of BeoWorld Gold membership, every draw brings a new opportunity to win something special.

BeoSound Level

1st Prize

BeoConnect Core

2nd Prize

BeoRemote Halo

3rd Prize