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Price check -- Runco's LS-3 projector within reach of mere mortals

Steven Kim — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:49:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, DLP, Projector, Runco

We'll admit that sour grapes coming from the direction of our wallets usually make us look right past Runco's offerings. It's great stuff from a good company, but let's just say if you slip the Runco logo into a Rorschach test, we won't come up with "affordable." So in case you missed it in our CEDIA blitz, Runco's LS-3 LightStyle beamer carries a MSRP of $4,995 -- not cheap, but not new car kind of money that we associate with the brand, either. It's a 1080p DLP projector that packs a list of Runco tech like ConstantContrast, Vivix enhancement, Runco image processing, that all together are good for 10,000:1 contrast. If you're fortunate enough to be in the market for something like a JVC projector, consider adding the LS-3 to your audition list and call us over for some popcorn.

Price check -- Runco's LS-3 projector within reach of mere mortals originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crestron makes room in its CEDIA booth for Runco, Planar (update: Runco not in Crestron booth, CEDIA plans forthcoming)

Steven Kim — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:12:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Others, Plasma, Projector, Runco

Those shopping for a 100-inch VideoWall or say, a $20,000 projector will be pleased to know that Runco will be at September's CEDIA tradeshow, after all. Although the Planar/Runco presence at the custom-oriented show was in doubt, Crestron made room in its huge CEDIA booth for the brands will be at CEDIA -- which sounds like a good match to us, especially if Runco delivers on its promise to show off a new "benchmark" front projection product. No doubt it'll be something beyond our tax bracket (ditto for the Crestron gear), but we'll try to get a look at what Runco's cooking up when we go through the exhibition hall.

Update: The original source article has been pulled, but a check with Crestron confirms that there is no formal CEDIA collaboration between Crestron and Runco/Planar. For its part, Runco plans to make an official announcement regarding its CEDIA plans in the next few days. Stay tuned!

Crestron makes room in its CEDIA booth for Runco, Planar (update: Runco not in Crestron booth, CEDIA plans forthcoming) originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco sticking by plasma displays

Steven Kim — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:48:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Plasma, Runco

With companies heading for the exits at chez plasma, smaller vendors -- most of whom do not have in-house plasma manufacturing -- are left in a precarious position. In what may well be the waning hours for plasma TVs, high-end brand Runco is staying in the game for one last (high margin, we imagine) round. LCDs are catching up to the image quality of even top-tier plasmas, but there's still a performance gap in areas that some consumers value. Somehow we didn't envision Runco outlasting Pioneer in the plasma game, but it's "business as usual" for Runco plasma TVs spanning the 50-inch to 103-inch range; perfect for that "secondary" TV for guests who don't want to watch what's on your $40,000 Runco VideoWall, don't you think?

Continue reading Runco sticking by plasma displays

Runco sticking by plasma displays originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planar's fourth quarter sales slip 32-percent

Steven Kim — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Others, Projector, Runco

Even the high end of home theater gear is feeling the pinch this year. And we don't mean the Kuro kind of high end, we mean the world of high end projector setups that really put the "theater" in "home theater." It's been a couple of years since Planar snatched up Runco in an effort to grab a piece of that rarefied air, and its Q4 2008 sales are down a whopping 32-percent compared to Q4 2007. So much for the safety at the luxe end of the market, eh? Certainly, Planar's nosedive isn't all the fault of Runco, but a look at both the exorbitant price tags on both Runco and Planar gear for specs that aren't leaps and bounds beyond the competition make it hard for anyone to justify. Unless, of course, you've got so much money that $15,000 (and up) projectors are an impulse buy that don't need any justification.

Planar's fourth quarter sales slip 32-percent originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco ships $40k 100-inch VideoWall VW-100HD in-wall projection system

Darren Murph — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:33:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, Runco

Just when we thought everyone was scaling back in order to cater to the poor, cash-strapped consumer dealing in these tough economic times, along comes Runco to help us remember that there's still a market out there for the uber-elite. The outfit's remarkable 100-inch VideoWall VW-100HD 1080p in-wall projection system is shipping just in time for that special someone on your holiday gift list, but you better be expecting something absurdly awesome in return. Not just anyone deserves a $39,995 present, you know. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Runco ships $40k 100-inch VideoWall VW-100HD in-wall projection system

Runco ships $40k 100-inch VideoWall VW-100HD in-wall projection system originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CEDIA 2008 roundup

Darren Murph — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Cables, Displays, DVRs, Media PCs, Media streamers, Other hardware, Players, Ports, Receivers, Remotes, Set-top boxes, Switches, Tuners, Epson, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Others, Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba, Runco

CEDIA 2008 was a whirlwind of new projectors, HDTVs and all sorts of other wares that home theater freaks just love. As always, we were here in the Mile High City covering every minute, but we completely understand if you missed anything. Just in case, we've compiled a summary of what all happened here in Denver, and make sure you head on past the break for the rest.

Hands-ons

Hands-on: Sony shows off prototype 400-disc Blu-ray Mega Changer
Hands-on with LG's BD300 Netflix / Blu-ray deck
Hands-on with the THX-certified QuietHome door
Hands-on with Niveus Media's Denali, Rainier and Cargo media wares
Hands-on with Sony's SXRD BRAVIA VPL-VW70 and VPL-HW10 projectors
Hands-on with Hitachi's 1.5-inch thick plasma prototype
Hands-on / a look within Pioneer's Elite BDP-09FD Blu-ray player
Hands-on with Toshiba's SRT REGZA HDTVs (and other old crap)
Eyes-on with Sony's BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray player

Continue reading CEDIA 2008 roundup

CEDIA 2008 roundup originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco CEDIA 2008 booth tour

Darren Murph — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:53:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, LCD, Plasma, Runco

Runco's booth at CEDIA this year wasn't nearly as outlandish as SpeakerCraft's, but it definitely had an outdoor vibe to it. Curiously, all of the outfit's newly announced kit wasn't out for viewing, but the flagship 70-inch Crystal Series CX-70DHD (and its external DHD video controller / processor) was hard to miss. Now, if only affording one was as easy as browsing the gallery...

Gallery: Runco CEDIA 2008 booth tour

Runco CEDIA 2008 booth tour originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco debuts 100-inch VW-100HD in-wall projection video display

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, Projector, Runco

While we've seen daylight-friendly front projection screens and all sorts of similar solutions to uncontrolled lighting in PJ-infused rooms, Runco's solution seems superior for those with the requisite coin. The two-piece VideoWall VW-100HD in-wall projection video display includes a lightweight 100-inch screen that can be flush-mounted within a wall alongside a VW-100HD projection system. The self-contained system includes a rear assembly less than 32-inches deep with sloping side panels to help it fit into tight nooks and crannies, and the screen itself reportedly "retains video contrast and brightness even when viewed in high amounts of ambient light." The 1080p beamer includes Runco's SuperOnyx chipset, HDMI / DVI / component / PC / S-Video / composite inputs, an RS-232 control port, Vivix II processing engine and a CinOptx lens system. You know you'd rather drop $39,995 on this rather than pick up a new C350 this November, right?

Runco debuts 100-inch VW-100HD in-wall projection video display originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco announces $20,000 VideoXtreme VX-8 projector

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, DLP, Projector, Runco

The fun has just begun in the Mile High City for Runco, which has followed up its outlandish flat-panel announcement with a replacement to the fabled VX-2 projector. The 3-chip VideoXtreme VX-8 is squarely aimed at those with fat wallets and the word "videophile" stitched into their Ralph Lauren scarfs, evidenced by the superfluous (but very appreciated) video processing capabilities via DHD with Vivix and three SuperOnyx DMDs. Additionally, you'll find the outfit's ConstantContrast tech, which delivers frame-by-frame contrast correction, while the CorrectColor brings "complete color calibration for D65 perfection." For more technobabble on the January-bound unit, hit up the read link -- but before you waste your time, let us remind you that this will cost $19,995.

Runco announces $20,000 VideoXtreme VX-8 projector originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco lets it all hang out, intros seven new 1080p LCDs / plasmas at CEDIA

Darren Murph — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:50:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, LCD, Plasma, Runco

For the most part, Runco stays pretty quiet in the consumer realm... until CEDIA rolls around. Once again, the high-end AV company is firing on all cylinders in Denver, announcing seven new 1080p LCD / plasma displays including its largest LCD to date, the 70-inch Crystal Series CX-70DHD (pictured). Along with the new panels, the outfit is unveiling its exclusive OPAL (Optical Path Alignment) technology on select models which "delivers extreme glare reduction and enhanced contrast for high ambient light environments." The aforesaid 70-incher (shipping mid-October for $34,995) actually comes bundled with an external DHD video controller / processor, which incorporates Runco's Vivix II tech to "enhance all digital and NTSC content to near high-definition quality." We'll admit, that sounds an awful lot like something Toshiba's got going on just a few booths over, but make of it what you will. For details on the other half dozen sets, hop on past the break.

Continue reading Runco lets it all hang out, intros seven new 1080p LCDs / plasmas at CEDIA

Runco lets it all hang out, intros seven new 1080p LCDs / plasmas at CEDIA originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planar announces Viper DLP HD projector

Darren Murph — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, Others, DLP, Projector, Runco

Planar has remained mostly quiet since CES, but given that CEDIA is within spittin' distance, it's no shock to see it making waves once more. Today, the outfit has revealed its first 3-chip HD projector, the DLP-based Viper. Other specs include a native 1,280 x 720 resolution, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 2,000 lumens and 10-bit independent dual image / motion adaptive processing. You'll also find an RS-232 port, twin HDMI 1.3 sockets and a jaw-dropping $15,495 price tag. It's shipping immediately for those with the requisite coin. Full release after the break.

Gallery: Planar announces Viper DLP HD projector

Continue reading Planar announces Viper DLP HD projector

Planar announces Viper DLP HD projector originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco shows off "High Bright" outdoor prototype set

Darren Murph — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:15:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, LCD, Runco

Since introducing the outdoorsy WP-42 late last year, Runco has apparently been quite pleased with its foray into the wilderness. Now, we're hearing that the company is gearing up for quite the push into said sector. At a recent getaway in Mexico for its top dealers and representatives, the company went so far as to demonstrate an all new prototype simply dubbed "High Bright." As its title implies, the weather-resistant set boasts upwards of 1,100 nits of brightness (compared to around 450 cd/m2 for the typical indoors LCD), and Runco engineers have purportedly figured out a way to not wash out the contrast in the process. No word from down south whether or not this particular unit was headed for retail, but one thing's for certain: Runco's looking at backyard pool areas just as intently as lavish living rooms.

Runco shows off "High Bright" outdoor prototype set originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planar's PD8150 and PD8130 1080p DLP projectors shipping in March

Darren Murph — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:07:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, Others, DLP, Projector, Runco

If Mitsubishi's polite pair of projectors weren't enough to satisfy those impeccably high standards of yours, we've all ideas that Planar's duo won't let you down. First spotted at Runco / Planar's zanily themed booth at CEDIA, it seems that Planar is just now getting around to giving us a ship date that we can dutifully pencil in. The flagship PD8150 -- which checks in with a glorious 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 1,000 ANSI lumens and a 15,000:1 contrast ratio -- will finally ship in early March for $7,999. As for the $5,999 PD8130, which also hits the road in March, you can expect the same resolution with a slightly lower 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Pretty tempting, no?

[Via AboutProjectors]

Planar's PD8150 and PD8130 1080p DLP projectors shipping in March originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco intros ultra-pricey 1080p VX-22i DLP projector

Darren Murph — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:34:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, DLP, Projector, Runco

Runco and expensive tend to go hand in hand, so we'd expect nothing less than a five-figure price tag accompanying the firm's new Video Xtreme VX-22i. This 1080p monster features a three-chip DLP design, O-Path technology, CinOptx premium grade lenses, Vivix II video processing, a 4,000:1 contrast ratio, 2,850 ANSI lumens and comes calibrated to ISF standards. As expected, users with a completely stuffed bank account can opt for the CineWide with Autoscope edition ($54,995), but even those who go without the aforementioned option will be forking out $39,995 for the vanilla model. If you've managed to get over the shock, you can place your order now (or pick up a totally more useful BMW / college education / etc.) and expect it to arrive lickety split.

Runco intros ultra-pricey 1080p VX-22i DLP projector originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 00:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco sets up camp with outdoor LCD

Erik Hanson — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:32:00 EST

Filed under: Displays, LCD, Runco

High-end manufacturer Runco is headed for the great outdoors with a 42-inch LCD panel that's ruggedized and weatherproofed for use outside the home. The 1366 x 768-native WP-42HD flat panel sports a cabinet design to minimize exposure to the elements, and has a "Winter Mode" to allow it to operate down to -4° F -- low enough to want to watch it through the window instead of beside it. As is usual for Runco, the set includes RS-232 automation, a custom high-gloss bezel, and a $8,995 price tag to match, leaving us to wonder if we can instead pick up eight Vizio sets and just replace one every winter.

Runco sets up camp with outdoor LCD originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planar / Runco's CEDIA booth tour

Darren Murph — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 01:57:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Displays, DLP, LCD, Projector, Runco

Considering that Runco and Planar are like family these days, it wasn't exactly shocking to find the two booths located side-by-side. Interestingly, Runco and Planar chose to erect a golf-themed exhibit, complete with a putting green, Player's Club, and an HT clubhouse. Aside from the decorations, we found a variety of LCDs (like the 1080p PD470) on display, as well as a number of new home cinema projectors including the 1080p DLP trio more commonly referred to as the PD8150, PD8130, and PD8120. Go on, check out the gallery below -- greens fees are on us!

Gallery: Planar / Runco's CEDIA booth tour

Planar / Runco's CEDIA booth tour originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 08 Sep 2007 01:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planar dives head first into high-end home theater market by acquiring Runco

Darren Murph — Wed, 23 May 2007 17:14:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Other hardware, Others, LCD, Plasma, Projector, Runco

Joining the growing array of recent acquisitions is Planar and Runco International, as just today Planar has written a check for $36.7 million to take on the assets of privately-held Runco International, Inc. Planar, while not a household name in the home theater biz, managed to hold its own amongst competitors in the HT market, and while the majority of its products catered to the mid-range consumer, we suspect that picking up Runco was the easiest way to launch into the high-end realm. As expected, it looks like the Planar, Runco, and Vidikron brand names will remain as they are, and just as Planar will continue to sell through its current network of distributors, it sure sounds like Runco will remain a niche offering rather than bleeding over towards the mainstream.

Planar dives head first into high-end home theater market by acquiring Runco originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 23 May 2007 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Runco now shipping world's first THX-certified projectors

Matt Burns — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 10:47:00 EST

Filed under: Projector, Runco

We first peeped these units way back at CEDIA '06 and now are glad to report that Runco is shipping the world's first THX-certified projector lineup. These bank account breaking units are the first 1080p HD product to sport the new THX Certified logo that guarantees that the second mortgage you took out to buy one of these was worth it. The Video Extreme lineup (VX series) includes the VX-22d, VX-44d and VX-55d 3-chip 1080p DLP projectors along the new VX-2000d and VX-6000d single-chip 1080p DLP projectors. This series can be configured and customized to fit any clients/owners needs/wants and start around 11 grand but can easily climb all the way above 110K. It has been awhile that Runco can be considered cutting edge but we are thinking the THX Certified logo will beg to differ now.

[Via Home Toys]

Runco now shipping world's first THX-certified projectors originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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