Russound Collage: Music, Intercom, Surveillance & Control over Powerlines

This is actually a neat idea. Should make for almost brainless retrofits. Hopefully it sounds better than that A-Bus garbage!

Really cool idea.
Somewhat off topic, am I the only one tired of Ipod docks?

Southwick, I agree. This is one of the most innovative solutions to come around in a long time, and the timing couldn’t be better. My only question is .... how big is that touchpad?

Just how innovative is it?  It’s only a idea that is over thirty years old!

In 1974, the Pico engineers jointly developed a record changer that would select tracks on a regular vinyl LP with BSR, which at the time was the world’s biggest manufacturer of record changers. The Accutrac could be operated by remote control based on a device Pico developed using ultrasonic signals. This led directly to the idea of remotely controlling lights and appliances. In 1975, the X10 project was conceived. (It was simply the tenth project that Pico had worked on. There were 8 different calculator IC projects and the Accutrac was project X-9) The concept of using existing AC wiring to transmit signals to control lights and appliances was born.

Thanks for the History lesson. Though I’m sure the “idea” of not having to get up to turn off the lights or change a song is more than 34 years old.

Any way, I sure hope this works a whole lot better than X-10!

Dave Rye, is that you?

Hi Julie,
The keypad is the same width as a standard double gang plate and about a third higher. 

Walt…...

Hey jbrown,
There is no comparison between the robustness of HomePlug versus X-10(25 year old technology).  HomePlug is quite reliable.

Walt..

Walt, relax. Jbrown was being sarcastic!

Thanks Julie, I was being sarcastic about the X-10 comment. But as for A-Bus ... I really do think that is a bunch of garbage that should only be used for intercoms and elevators.

OK,
I just had a few cups of coffee and am relaxed now.  Sorry jbrown, lots of late nights.

Walt….

Walt,

Those late nights and cups of coffee enabled you and the Collage team to bring this amazing product to market!

Well done!

I’d like to add my 2c on the topic of homeplug reliability.

After exploring the options for no new wires retrofit options it became obvious that the power line was the best option since in all instances both data and power must be delivered to the end point devices. Wireless proved too unreliable. MOCA and homePNA were too limited by where the existing wires were run.

While nothing beats a dedicated wire, Homeplug is the next best thing.

While sarcasm was behind the earlier X10 discussion it is not the first time I’ve heard that argument. Obviously a lot has changed in the nearly 30 years since X10 was designed.

I expect this product will be a huge hit in Europe for Russound.

is it for sale yet?