Lifestyle VS-2 Video Enhancer

## History

An external video selector called the VS-2 was included with series IV lifestyle DVD systems and sold after market for series II or III DVD lifestyle systems. It gives 3 video inputs (featuring 2 HDMI 1.2a & 3 Component, S-Video and Composite) and either HDMI 1.2a, Component, S-Video or Composite out to the TV.

According to Bose with this device you can choose whatever input your external components support, connect it to the VS-2, and have the Lifestyle system switch both the audio and video by using your Lifestyle remote. It would also up-convert the lifestyle DVD player and any source up to 1080p if connected to a TV via HDMI.

## No HDMI Audio

The VS-2 has **no audio return** to the media center. So while it can accept full 1080p HDMI video it **does not accept HDMI audio**.

It requires a separate audio cable (RCA, Fiber Optic or Digital Coax) from the 3rd party device to connect to the Lifestyles media center.

So to summarise: The VS-2 does not support HDMI Audio. The Video goes to the VS-2 and Audio goes to the receiver.

## Connecting to a modern HDTV

*Main article: Connecting a Lifestyle DVD Media Center to an HDTV*

Please follow the instructions here to find out the best way to connect your media center to a modern HDTV.

## Upgrading to an AV35 Control Console

*Main article: Upgrading to a Lifestyle AV35 Control Console*

Depending on your LSPS subwoofer you *might* be able to upgrade your AV18/AV38/AV48 media centers to an AV35 Control Console.

This control console, while it does not support 4K, ARC, or CEC, it does support HDMI Audio, including lossless audio formats, and has multiple HDMI inputs built in. You can easy to use an AV35 control console with a 4K TV and a HDMI splitter to ensure you have the best sound and video possible with the system.

If you want to upgrade to a newer system, you can check your local Bose dealer and see if there are any trade-in options available.

## Features

The VS-2 is an add-on for the AV18/AV38/AV48 media centers and includes HDMI 1.2a for video only (as it does not support HDMI audio). The media center must be updated to version 030100 or later for it to be able to work with the VS-2.

### Connections

**The VS-2 does not support** HDMI audio, CEC, or ARC.

## Software Updates

*Main article: Software*

VS-2 support was added to compatible AV18/AV38/AV48 media centers and included an update CD to bring those media centers to version 030100.

#### Download files

The VS-2 is updated via a compatible AV18/AV38/AV48 media center.

#### Release Notes

Bose has released information about a single VS-2 update though others are known to have been released.

## Connection Diagram

Connect the 4-connector end of the VS-2 cable to your media center:

1. Insert the Serial Data plug into the Serial Data connector.
2. Insert the DC Power plug into the DC Power connector.
3. Insert the Composite plug into the Composite Video OUT connector.
4. Insert the S-Video plug into the S-Video OUT connector.

Connect the other end of the VS-2 cable to the VS-2 end panel:

1. Insert multi-pin plug into the Media Center connector.
2. Insert the DC Power plug into the DC POWER Out connector.

Connect the media center power supply to the end panel of the VS-2:

1. Insert the DC power cable from the media center power supply into the DC POWER In connector.

If the VS-2 does not appear to be functioning, please check the cables. Please check and see if your system can view the VS-2. If you cannot, next try and see if the system has an option for the VS-2 in the hidden menu.

If everything is connected properly yet you cannot see any connected video, a DVD, or Lifestyle system menu on the TV via the VS-2. Assuming that the media center has never be paired with a VS-2 before (and that the VS-2 and/or the VS-2 cable isn't damaged) then the media center might need an update as VS-2 support was added in version 030100.

## New System menu items

The following was taken from Bose's tech support page:

When the vs-2 video enhancer is connected to your lifestyle system, the following new items will appear in the system menu.
note: factory/default settings are in **bold** type for each option.

#### Video options

 video resolution (only for hdmi tv connection)
 persistent video
 settings on tv
* no: allows the settings menu for the tv, cbl∙sat, vcr and aux sources to appear only on the media center display window.

#### Audio options

* tv stereo: tells the vs-2 video enhancer to send two-channel digital audio received (through an hdmi cable) from your cable/satellite box or vcr to your tv (through an hdmi cable). the lifestyle system speakers are silent.

#### New Settings menu items

When the vs-2 video enhancer is connected to your lifestyle system, the following new items will appear in the settings menu.
note: factory/default settings are in **bold** type for each option.

 video resolution

 image view
* stretch: stretches the image horizontally to fit the screen.
* zoom: image size is increased horizontally and vertically to fit the screen.
* **normal**: image is not changed.

 sd progressive scan
* **on**: sends progressive video (480p, 576p) to your tv.

*description:* for standard definition video, determines whether interlaced or progressive video is sent to your tv. available only when your tv is connected to the vs-2 video enhancer using component cables.

## References

1. ↑ listed as "00\_Cover\_Lasik" in manual and listed in software update under "Order.upd"
2. ↑ VS-2 price on Bose.com Archive.org from October 2008 & listing on Best Buy
3. ↑ Bose VS-2 Video Enhancer
4. ↑ The Bose Lifestyle VS-2 Video Enhancer is A Must for All Lifestyle Owners
5. ↑ "The VS-2 is designed to accommodate HDMI for video. However, there is no audio signal in this current setup going to the console." Bose official Moderator reply on community.bose.com Dec 19, 2016
6. ↑ "When connecting an audio/video device using the VS-2 video enhancer, you must connect the audio to the media center using the same input you use to connect the video. For example: If you connect a satellite box using HDMI to the VS-2 video enhancer through the CBL-SAT input, you must connect the audio cable through the CBL-SAT input on the back of the media center." Connecting an audio/video device using the Lifestyle® VS-2 video enhancer
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bose.com Software and firmware versions
8. ↑ Listed in lifestyle update and seen on the 05.01.08 update CD
9. ↑ Seen on the 03.03.04 update CD