Well, IMHO VR (at least open air mics) as a standard automation option is just plain not a good idea. You need really high quality mics and proper setup for room acoustics. Of course, phone based VR is a bit of a different story. Either way I believe HAL is the best choice for VR (based on my limited testing experience and A LOT of reading).
I also feel compelled to add that while my core is the Elk M1, I am looking at a pc based system to complement it. So far I have looked at HAL, Homeseer, CQC and MainLobby. I can tell you even without much experience with it, I would stay away from HS simply from all the posts here and the HS forum. Regardless of how well the product may or may not work, it just does not seem like the kind of company I would want to do business with at this point. And forgive me Rupp, I really don't know much about you but I have to be honest in saying that you come across as a paid cheerleader for HS. Even if you are passionate about the product, it seems as if everyone else who complains is wrong and HS is always good or right. Please understand I am not trying to start any flames or anything, just being honest as a 3rd party saying that at least IMHO your constant defense of the product and company is rather tiring and actually puts me off on the product even that much more. I am passionate about many things and several products but I either tell it like it is or keep it to myself if I can't be honest. I'm sure you're a great guy and have a lot of knowledge to offer, just please lighten up a bit.
HS may have been and may again be the Ultimate HA software, but at this point in time is not the right answer for a system that needs to be rock solid.
Brian, It sounds like they are asking you for input and then doing what they want anyway. Usually those relationships don't work out very well for either party. They need to have a very clearly defined plan for what they are trying to accomplish, who their customer is and then listen to the consultants that they ask for help. Again, IMHO putting any PC based system in a home as part of an automation system is just not a good idea. If you don't know who is going to buy the house or how it will be used, there are bound to be support issues or even nightmares.