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Russound Collage: Music, Intercom, Surveillance & Control over Powerlines
The modular nature of the system makes it particularly scalable, Zerbe says. He points to the usual way of wiring a multiroom A/V system: "Typically, the controller, smart sources, IR sources and everything else is wired to a central location, and then speakers are all wired to the sources," he says. "Intercoms are wired separately."
That set-up, says Zerbe, consumes "lots of real estate" and requires "tons of connections." Plus, it creates excess capacity and generates heat that often must be mitigated by fans or other types of ventilation.
Worse, most centralized systems can be expanded only six (or so) zones or sources at a time. If you have a six-zone system and want to add a seventh room, you have to buy a second six-zone controller.
With Collage, on the other hand, "sources can be placed anywhere on the home's electrical power circuit," says Zerbe, adding that the system typically supports about 34 sources. "Zones can be retrofit into any room. To get a minimal system together, all you need is one keypad and a gateway."
Powerline Ideal for Retrofit A/V
For retrofit A/V, the powerline beats RF any day, Russound believes.
Zerbe says that Wi-Fi products have a 30-percent return rate at retail, compared to a return rate of less than 1 percent for HomePlug.
Besides, custom-installed music products are meant to go into the walls – not to sit on tables and book shelves like today's DIY products. And if they're going into the walls, they may as well take advantage of the ubiquitous electrical wires back there.
"Anywhere you have an outlet or light switch, it's so easy to pop a pigtail on the Romex," says Andy Lewis, Russound director of product development.
Collage family: iPods, analog audio, surveillance cameras and networked sources join the Russound Gridcast network via plug-in modules.
Low-voltage installers themselves are prohibited by law from touching the Romex, but Russound makes it easy for integrators to work with electricians on the installation.
The electrician wires in the power, and the integrators taps into it through a connector.
"There's a very clear line of demarcation," Lewis says.
Still, custom installers frown on wire-free A/V, what with the superiority of hardwired solutions.
Naturally, Russound recommends prewiring in all new construction, but there are times when it's simply too late. The company has worked hard to overcome any obstacles on the powerline to create a solution with imperceptible latency.
Because Russound has "enhanced" the core HomePlug technology, Collage cannot communicate with other off-the-shelf HomePlug devices.
Russound plans to show its product off-site to a select audience at CEDIA Expo 2008.
The company expects to ship product in Q2 2009.
Next: What's the difference between Russound Collage, Russound Avenue, and NuVo Renovia?
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Article Topics
News · Product News · Intercom · Wireless A/V · Security · CEDIA · Multiroom Audio · Exclusive · Wireless Av · Intercom ·About the Author
30 Comments
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?
No. They say Q209 but that probably translates to Q3 or Q4
We will ship by end of Q2 at the latest. We’re putting significant effort into bringing a quality product to market quickly.
Ditto what Michael said.
OK, Walt and Michael .... you’re on!
Get a major overhaul on your website for this product if you are actually going to ship it by Q2. CEpro has better interface and tech data. A second published brochure is needed with a larger or actual
sized color photo of the wall control and the
system layout.
Is this for distributors or direct dealers only?
This is actually a neat idea. Should make for almost brainless retrofits. Hopefully it sounds better than that A-Bus garbage!