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?

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?

It sounds like a lot of hot air…. No exact ship date,  poor graphics and photos, we all have been waiting for an X-10 system that works with everything, light,  sound, etc, etc…. is this the answer or just a pipe dream?

Chris,

As the person spearheading this effort at Russound I can assure you that Collage is more than hot air.

If you had attended CEDIA or CES you would have seen functioning demos of fully tooled components.

Everyone who saw these products can assure you that they’re real and that they’re game changing products.

We will not release a ship date until the boat is on the water from the factory. Until mass assembly is completed, and QA has signed off, a myriad of things can go wrong. It’s Russound’s policy to not announce a ship date until we’re SURE we can meet it. We have learned from past mistakes.

You will see Collage on the market Q2 09. Once the ship sails we will release a solid date.

I will be the first to kiss your feet if you can back this work !and I would love to go to CEDIA or CES but I’m out their everyday installing….

Hi Chris,
Michael has addressed the product and the ship date policy.  I would like to address your comments on the Russound website.  YOUR RIGHT!  We have provided information to Julie and CEPro for inclusion in the articles they have written but haven’t put that information on our site.  We are in process and about to post a lot more information about the product. Thanks for your comments, I will post when we have more information on the russound retroquick website.

Sorry Chris/Jason,
My last comment was to be addressed to JasonJ.  I was all drawn up in the dialog I was reading!  Talk to you all later,

Walt..