Re: Dedicated Z-wave sites?

["Robert L Bass" <robertbass1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I couldn't agree more, Bill.  However, there are a few bright lights in the field.  One is Dean's CQC product.  He has built a very
configurable system with the capability of high WAF ratings.  The catch is that the buyer must do considerable configuration.
There's a longer learning curve for CQC than most of the "packaged" solutions.  For the true geek, that's like a red flag to a
bull -- a challenge that must be met.  For the average homeowner, I suspect it may be *appear* to be too much.

None of the above is meant as a slight to CQC or Dean.  I expect his product to continue to grow in popularity among true HA
aficionados.  To make it a major financial success he might need to add some easy to use wizards.  Idiot-proofing has its benefits,
no?  :^)

As companies like ELK Products merge media with solid HA platforms we'll likely see more end user acceptance.  The decision to
integrate the M1G with Russound's multi-room entertainment systems is a step in the right direction.  As soon as that's done I plan
to ask them to add Xantech to the mix.  Unfortunately, very few of the HA manufacturers seem to be as willing to accommodate dealer
and end-user wishes as ELK is.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
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http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>

>> Another factor contributing to our diverse experiences is
>> manufacturer and industry group promotion.  We both see lots of ads in
>> trade rags (or at least I do) promoting media servers as the be-all
>> and end-all of HA.
>
> Perhaps because they see that market as being far more lucrative.  Being
> able to gouge $900 for software alone, or provide utterly no way for
> end-users to program the systems, makes them much more money.  And in the
> process fails to build the momentum for enconomy of scale price reductions.
> But if they can make beaucoup dinero by gouging a small audience... PROFIT!
>
> There's also the usability factor.  I think that since the HA market has
> been so fragmented (for all manner of reasons) there's been little in the
> way of 'guarantees' for successful implementations.  Successful in the "not
> annoy the crap out of the users" perspective.  Far too few of the offerings
> on the market really get anywhere near decent usability.  All too often
> they're relegated to being solely a gadget lover's (masochistic) dream.  So
> integrated them all together has been nigh on impossible.
>
> So it's a market of extremes.  Either low-end, drive the wife crazy, or
> high-end empty-your-wallet pricey.  With little in-between that actually
> works in ways anyone would dare torment the spouse into using.
>
> -Bill Kearney
>