CD
Caleb Dougherty
Bronze
4 posts
Posted July 23, 2022 at 17:05 GMT
? Edited July 23, 2022 at 17:06 GMT
deleted
Thank you to our Sponsors
BEOTOOTH 5500 : A Datalink Bluetooth Receiver
63 replies
deleted
Hello fellow B&O owners,
I have been working on this project on and off for quite a long time, even had to restart from scratch at one point when it turned out the hardware I had selected was a dead end, but it's now becoming a reality. Let me introduce : the BEOTOOTH 5500.
Login to view image
Short version : It’s a Bluetooth receiver that happens to be very friendly with my Beomaster 5500.
Longer version : It’s a Bluetooth receiver that happens to be very friendly with my Beomaster 5500... by impersonating a Beocord 5500 tape player on the Datalink bus, and makes playing music from a phone / PC on a B&O system an experience as enjoyable as using any other B&O device from the same era.
Bluetooth related features :
- Support AAC audio codec for proper quality sound restitution.
- Can be paired with up to 6 Bluetooth devices (Only 1 connected at the same time).
- Pairing entered by pressing the button at the back. Long press unpairs all devices.
- Connects to a B&O system using the usual 7-pin DIN Datalink connector.
- Provides audio signals at the same level as other B&O devices.
- Communicates using the Datalink-80 protocol.
- Converts the Datalink commands from the B&O system to AVRCP (1.0) commands for the Bluetooth device.
- Notify the B&O system of link status (Bluetooth disconnected shows as “NO SOURCE”)
- Turns off the system after 5 minutes without Bluetooth link, or 15 minutes without audio activity on the Bluetooth link (Usually means no sound on a mobile device, but means another audio output selected on my Linux PC).
- Notify the B&O system of current playback state (Playing / Paused / Seeking)
- Shows the current track number and live elapsed time on the MCP5500.
- Automatically turns on the B&O system when playbacks begins (AVRCP Status shows "playing". I did not want the system to turn on as soon as sound is available on Bluetooth, to prevent it happening for every notification my phone receives, and waking up the whole house by the same occasion).
- Powered through a standard USB-C connector (5V 100mA).
- Red LED at the back to show its status (Not connected / Pairing / Paired).
- Small form factor, making it easily concealable.
- Select track by entering track number. At the time being, it seems my phone does not support the AVRCP version (1.6) required to select tracks from their track number, despite claiming otherwise, so I was no able to implement that feature yet.
- Trigger pairing from a special code on the remote. I did not need that one in the end, as I only have 2 devices paired, but I could look into that.
Location: France
My B&O Icons:
That is highly interesting - thanks and congratulations on the result.
I see the benefits of using the 5500 and the panel, but it would potentially work with any B&O master/system with a datalink-based A.Tape input port…..as I assume.
Will be interesting to hear how high the costs will be and how many ‘subscibers’ you’d need, befor starting making a batch.
P.S.
The video is ok!
MM
Location: Flensborg————Danmark
Absolutely stunning development. This is Beoworld! Thank you, tank you, thank you!
Except for the name… BeoTooth? Honestly, it scares me like an MLGWNL (whatever) box profoundly dug in my human body.
Jokes apart, you just made raise BM 5500 prices (jokes not so appart after all…).
Location: Paris France
Nice, congrats!
Which BT chip are you using?
Very nice project ? thanks for letting us know about it. Unfortnuate that the status text is not shown on newer system ( I guess that it is other than the BS2500 where this applies?)
If it only is a hobby project and you dont want to be a manufactur /seller of these units an option could be to make the plans available for others to build it themeselves. I am aware that is not for everyone to do, and there might also be an issue with programming of the chip holding the software, but in the end it could save you some trouble, and worldwide distribution could be easier.
Depending on price I might be interested
Location: Denmark
VERY nice! I'd be surely interested in buying (either pre-made or kit-form, latter preferred) at least a couple!
Location: Helsinki - Finland
My B&O Icons:
"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"
Lovely, count me in as well if the price is right.
I still daily use pilatomic previous Beolnik 5000 upgrade project.
My B&O Icons:
Please Log In to Reply
You must be logged in as a BeoWorld member to post replies to forum threads.
or
Join BeoWorld
Register to access the forums, reference material, and exclusive member benefits — including our monthly prize draw.
Become a MemberDecember 2026 Prize Draw
Gold Members OnlyAs 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.
1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize