My concept, however, is different from Yamaha and similar products that have been sold to date. This product would contain the electronics to decode a full 7.1 HDMI signal and have the amps and speakers for the center channel and side/rear surround deflection only. It would output an analog signal for the left and right mains, which could then be input into a RR2150 or any other stereo receiver. It would also have an analog sub-in and sub out. If the Bar was decoding an HDMI signal it would take care of the full sub-out (with a setable cross-over), otherwise it would just route the sub-in to the sub-out.

Sounds like it would be pretty big for a sound bar. Especially if it has the amps to drive larger speakers. Would it also have a tuner and inputs for gear.

HDMI connectivity would require the DSP section out of a surround processor to be useful. It would also tend to require other inputs to allow the unit to work with non-HDMI devices, at which point you've built in a surround processor. Once you build in the amps for the sound bars speakers, you've actually built a complete surround receiver into it. That will get kind of bulky and complicated.

What about a sound bar with just center and the surround deflection speakers?

XenonMan: All of that functionality and much more is built into Yamaha's sound bars now. Their top of the line 5100 is 8 3/8"high x 3 1/2" deep. While it is a DSP with digital amps, it actually does much more including video upconversion. Its also not cheap at $2200. I assume it wholesales for $1100 to $1500.

I am actually looking for something somethat simpler that would hopefully be more HiFi. Thus my thoughts about pairing with the RR2150. This would give Outlaw a complete solution.

Gonk: I agree that a speaker only sound bar would work. The question is the price point. If money is no question, then a sound bar solution really doesn't make sense. Yamaha's product uses a total of 120w for all 5 of its channels. If the electronics are all outboard, then I would look for this to cost under $500. It could then be paired with the 1070 replacement (if there is one).

At $2200 without an amp to drive larger speakers, it sounds less capable than a 997 with a 7125 amp. Of course, if there is no room for large speakers or your in an apartment with close neighbors it might be the best choice.
I don't really believe Outlaw will ever build a replacement for the 1070. Any replacement would likely be based on the 997 and the agreement with Sherwood will prevent that from happening.

There is no question, that it is much less capable that a 997 then a 7125. Outside of the upconversion, it is probably less cable that a 990 and a 7075. Of course it also includes speakers which the others don't but that is besides the point, as the market it is reaching isn't the same. Its a compromise system for people who don't or can't run wires to surround sound speakers and who proably don't care but have the money to be sold a "solution".

My thought was that there is probably a market for the Outlaws for people who can't/won't run surround speakers in every environment where they would want to have a home theater TV. Something that would sound better than the native speakers in a TV or even your typical htb setup.

As for the last point, I really hope that the Outlaws don't walk away from the mid level market the helped build the company.

I don't think that's Outlaw's market.
There are plenty of folks that offer surround bar solutions and most of there customers would never find Outlaw.
If your going to take the trouble to research your selection, this probably isn't the kind of gear your going to end up with.
I guess there is the need fo a soundbar that's better than a Polk, but I doubt that its a very large market.

At $2200 with itty bitty speakers and no way to power larger speakers it is definitely out of the Outlaw ballpark. The market is there for those who have more $$$ and are techno challenged.