The Prodigy home control system is a wireless automation system that uses modular ZigBee-compatible components to manage lighting, heating, distributed A/V and more, explained SlashGear managing editor Chris Davies. Prodigy control interfaces include touchpanels, handheld controllers, wireless keypads, and our favorite: REMOTE ACCESS VIA IPHONE and laptop.

It’s not a big leap to assume that Crestron is introducing this line to compete with more affordable, Wizard-based automation systems, like those made by Control4. At least that’s the word on the street; and by street we mean Remote Central’s Custom Installers’ Lounge Forum.

After reading the gossip on Remote Central, CE Pro editor-at-large Julie Jacobson, reported that Crestron reps are saying the company wants to “wipe Control4 off the planet.” In a follow up article this week, Jacobson said Crestron, “Wants to make it perfectly clear that the company did not launch prodigy to ‘go after’ Control4 or any other low-cost home automation provider.” Riiight…

Crestron will demo Prodigy for the first time at CEDIA EXPO 2009. According to TWICE senior editor Joseph Palencar, some of the items in the Prodigy line will ship in September, while others will ship in November.