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 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.

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.

Nary a month after Hitachi unveiled a 103-inch plasma of its own to take on Panasonic's beast, Runco is getting even more official about its own iteration that first surfaced at CEDIA. The CinemaWall XP-103DHD features a native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, provides ISF calibration modes and includes an HDCP-compliant DVI port. Additionally, its next-generation DHD Digital controller incorporates the firm's ViVix II digital video processing technology, which is said to provide "premium aspect ratio control" and prevent "double scaling." Of course, most of us will be lusting after this from afar -- unless you've no qualms with coughing up the $99,995 required to toss this under the tree when it lands in December, that is.

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!

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 -- those folks who make the mesmerizing projectors that only A-class celebrities, former Gizmondo execs, and foreign leaders can afford -- are offering yet another bevy of luscious PJs for us to drool over. Touted as the "world's first 1080p HD video display products to achieve THX certification," the Video Xtreme lineup of DLP projectors have survived the rigorous testing necessary for any product to get that oh-so-coveted THX logo slapped on it, and now they're all ready to jazz up your home theater (and drain your wallet). Each model boasts Runco's own CineWide (with or without AutoScope) technology, which reproduces 2.35:1 films with "unparalleled accuracy," eliminating those pesky black bars without taking a hit in the quality department. They also sport the firm's DHD controller, HDMI inputs, and a variety of CinOptx zoom lenses to fit nearly any application. You can grab this highly prized goodness for just $16,995 if you shoot for the low-end VX-2000d, while the more luxurious units will run you $34,995 (VX-6000d), $44,995 (VX-22d), $79,995 (VX-44d), or $99,995 (VX-55d).

Runco has announced details about not one, not three, but six new plasma models to be released before the end of November and ready for walls in time for Christmas. The SP-42, SP-50, and SP-60 all fall into Runco's CinemaWall line, and the SP-42HD, SP-50HD, and SP-60HD are in the PlasmaWall product range. Plasma sizes include two each of 42-, 50-, and 60-inch models, all with the usual HDMI and audio/video inputs, 1000:1 contrast ratio, Vivix II image processing technology, and ISF certification for both day and night settings. The 42-inch models sport 1024 x 768-pixel resolution, with the larger two sizes having 1365 x 768 pixels. No word on the pricing, but we expect it to be within range of the other CinemaWall and PlasmaWall line of Runco displays.

Runco's new plasmas look great. We will get that out of the way early. Of course they look great but that isn't what makes 'em so special. Their internal memory will remember the settings for each resolution, input, and frequency. This means that the HDTVs will remember what the contrast setting was for the satellite receiver you only watch once in a while at the same time as keeping your HD DVD players settings correct. These plasmas are geared towards custom installers so they simply do not want to keep going back out to Mr. Jone's house every time he watches a VCR tape, but we would like to see this from a more affordable manufacture. Plus, Runco threw in the ability to have a splash screen come up with the installers logo every time the customer turns on the TV. We don't know about you, but that would annoy the bejesus out of us. Why would anyone want to see a logo come up every morning. Apparently this is something special though as all the vendors and installers at the press event were, well, lets just say, excited about this option. These sets aren't that pricey considering they are coming from Runco with the Signature line 720p's SP42 ringing up for $5,400 and the SP50 at $6,950. There is a step above in the Xtreme line that doesn't have a price but it is equipped with deeper contrast and a better picture.

UPDATE: These sets are 720p and not 1080p.

A few years ago Runco would have never been considered cutting-edge even though there were some of the best projectors money, or a mortgage, could buy. Now you can consider Runco on the bleeding-edge with their 1080p 3-chip DLP projectors which are the worlds first THX-certified displays of any type. We went to their press conference and these displays blew us away. Amazing. These models are going to start out at $11K for the single chip 1080p DLP models and climbs as high $115K with the Autoscope option that. Runco's cutting edge sward didn't stop there as they have this new projector screen-mask that when paired with the proper equipment and lens on Runco projectors can display any aspect ratio. If you want to watch Ben-Hur in the original aspect ratio of 2.76:1, Autoscope can handle it by moving a mask over the screen at an eightieth of an inch. This is a bring your own screen type of thing but Runco is working with screen makes for a complete solution. No one can say that Runco isn't back on the cutting edge of projectors with their new projectors geared for the top 1%.

Ten years ago projector company InView, received 100 of the very first DLP DMD chips but where is the company now? Last week they were in bankruptcy court, but this week they are in the deep pockets of Runco founder, Sam Runco. That's right, Mr. Runco bought the defunct company and is hoping to reach more into the DIY market that Runco or Vidikron doesn't reach. People buy those two elte brands not only for the quality but the service and customatization that can be done in the factory. Sam is trying to present the people that like to do it all themselves with this 'new' brand. Or that's at least what he said at the '06 CEDIA press conference.

How often have you heard this uttered: "How good is the noise reduction on this HDTV? Looks good to me." Not anymore. Runco worked with THX to produce the same type of certification process that's in place for audio, but this time it is for video and thus producing the world's first THX-certified display. Any type of display, expect CRTs, can earn this esteem'd title but it isn't easy. The actual requirements are revealed to manufacturers only after signing a NDR, but THX is working on a white paper with general information. What we learned from the Runco press event though was that wasn't easy producing a product that met THX's two requirements. One of 'em involves overall performance like brightness and contrast along standard measurements. The second part deals with all the processing. i.e. noise reduction, motion adaptive measurements, cadence, deinterlacing, jagger performance and the big one at this level of primary and secondary color accuracy. This cert can be award to any level of display, but it ain't easy. Runco current has eight products in the works with three in production. We just wonder how long it is till this type of technology filters down to the general public.

Runco has been at the pinnacle of video projectors game for years now and they are about to introduce eight new 1080p products. So far, all they have talked about is the RS-1100 that will retail for $19,999 and be fully 1080p. The unit will be ready to ship within a few weeks and has some nice additions that address the ever-so popular 2.35:1 aspect ratio. A person can spend six grand more and get the CineWide technology added onto their RS-1100. Then for another $3000 grand, Runco will add on the CineWide and AutoScope to give the viewer even more accurate reproduction. They aren't stopping there though, Runco has seven more 1080p products that start at around $12,000 and go to $100,000 that they will announce at CEDIA. You know what they say about Runco right? They turn a home theater into a home cinema.