Multizone/Multisource Entertainment in Any Home with AC Wiring

Russound, the #1 brand in multiroom audio, will soon ship a new IP-based system that establishes a new
benchmark in how audio and intercom communication are distributed throughout the home.

Christened Collage, the new system is designed to give end-users complete multiroom access to digital audio entertainment, existing components, intercom system and color security cameras by way of a home’s standard AC wiring. With Collage, amplified keypads and system sources can be placed anywhere in a home
where AC power has been run.

The Collage amplified keypad is connected to a standard Romex(TM) wire run that supplies both power and a communications pathway to a Media Manager that bridges the Power Line Carrier (PLC) signals to a local area network (LAN). In turn, sources such as IR devices — including DVRs, CD players, iPod docks,
CCTV cameras, and even online music services like Rhapsody(R) and SHOUTcast — are now part of the network, and can be accessed from any of the installed keypads.

Collage is comprised of a few key ingredients that are simple to install, set up and enjoy. Each one of these components plays an essential part in the process.

Collage Amplified Keypad — The most visible element in the Collage mix is also one of the more advanced, feature-rich keypads available. Each Collage keypad features a TFT display that clearly communicates all top-level information, including metadata (album, track, etc.) retrieved from sources that utilize it. A convenient, user-friendly click wheel and touch buttons make it easy to select and control a desired source in a matter of seconds.

The Collage keypad features an internal FM tuner — effectively adding radio to every zone’s source selection — as well as an alarm clock and sleep timer. An intercom function opens the pathway for clear communication from room to room, in addition to room monitoring and all-zone paging. Collage
systems with CCTV cameras in place allow the user to see who is at the door or within sight of any installed camera on the keypad’s screen.

Collage Media Manager — When plugged into a standard wall outlet, the Collage Media Manager receives commands from a keypad before passing them along to the selected source, and sending the desired content to the zone of choice.

Every Collage system requires one Media Manager in order to function, as it serves as the bridge from PLC to the LAN and WAN. In addition to existing components, up to four unique streams of media can be managed by each Media Manager providing the consumer with a wide selection of entertainment options.

These streams include files from attached storage devices, iTunes(R) and music from a PC.

Collage Source Bridge — Adding an existing component is easy with the Collage Source Bridge, which includes a variety of common inputs (digital and analog), plus composite video input for CCTV cameras. Any number of Source Bridges may be used in a Collage system.

Collage Dock — When placed in the dock, information from an iPod(R) is displayed and browsing is available from any Collage keypad.  Up to 10 Collage Docks can be added to a Collage system.

“‘Retrofit’ is the battle cry in today’s custom installation market,” commented Walt Zerbe, Product Manager, Emerging Technologies for Russound. “But what we have done with Collage is take the retrofit concept to its
simplest, most reliable point to date. Any home with AC wiring is a candidate for a Collage installation.”

According to Zerbe, a new web site devoted to telling the Collage story will go live soon. The URL is www.russound.com/retroquick. Similar to every Russound-branded product, Collage will be available exclusively through authorized Russound dealers and installers.

Tags: Collage, PLC, Retrofit, Retroquick, Russound