CE Pro (http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/14490.html) had some interesting news this morning:


Since its inception Runco has been a market leader through its introduction of many trend-setting products.

This fall the company will reaffirm its market position by launching eight new products that incorporate 1080p technologies.

According to company president Bob Hana, the company will introduce products that hit a number of price points. The first of these products he says will be available to Runco dealers shortly. "We’ve announced the first one, the RS-1100 Ultra. It is a [true] 1080p machine, with digital-cinema grade optics. It has ViviX processing, and a MSRP of $19,995," he notes.

"Part of the reason why we are talking about the RS-1100 is because we’ll be shipping it in a couple of weeks after we complete the final stages of quality control. This unit will also be offered with our CineWide technology that addresses 2.35. We will offer the RS-1100 with Cinewide fixed and CineWide AutoScope. Due to its optics it will also available in short- and long-throw versions. The MSRPs will vary depending on how its configured; CineWide fixed is $25,995 and the RS-11100 Ultra with CineWide and AutoScope will be $28,995."

Hana adds that dealers attending CEDIA will also see Runco strengthen its abilities to meet market demands by offering 1080p and 2.35:1 friendly CineWide and AutoScope technologies up-and-down its product lineup.

"We are going to announce an entire family products from single-chip to three-chip 1080p products that span up and down the price range," he says.

"We will have 1080p solutions that start at $12,000 and three-chip solutions that range up to $100,000. There will be eight different 1080p solutions, not counting the different variations of CineWide options. We are doing this because firmly believe that one projector does not fit all of our consumers. Our charter is to give our dealers a Runco solution that fits every application. To us, 1080p is a great resolution, but we want to give our customers choices so we will also provide our customers with 720p."

He further elaborated on Runco's goals by saying that when these resolution choices are combined with the company's 2.35 solutions dealers will have products that differentiate the Runco brand from its competitors while providing Runco customers with a true cinematic experience.



Letting news slip before CEDIA is a pretty easy and common way of manufacturers giving consumers a taste of what's to come. With Sony letting details of the VPL-VW50 (Pearl) projector slip yesterday, one of the most highly anticipated and talked about projectors, it seems that manufacturers are trying to one-up each other since the 1080p "wars" are going to start this year. (They aren't really wars, but more of a competition as to who can bring the consumer the highest quality, lowest cost projectors) Obviously, Runco is shooting for the 2.35:1 home theater enthusiasts with their projectors, but they do a good job of also trying to acommodate everyone else. The only drawback I see is their prices. These are high quality projectors, but $19,000 for a projector that they didn't really give too many specifications about kind of strikes me as a bad play. Still, I've heard nothing but good things about Runco, so there must be something about their projectors that makes them worth the cost. I've never seen one in action, but maybe someone who has can talk about how awesome they are. Anyhow, with good news like this, more is sure to follow from other manufacturers.

Well I would hope that they would do a little better with their custom theater demo as far as PQ this time. I say do what TI did. And use a big screen. You leave with an impression. I want to see their three chips and hope that they put out a device that can hit 5000:1 sequential CR at least.

Art

Kudos to Runco for bringing a 2.35 package to market... make that 8 different 1080P, 2.35 packages.

Kudos to Runco for bringing a 2.35 package to market... make that 8 different 1080P, 2.35 packages.
I don't think all of these projectors will have Cinewide available, so there are not 8 new 2.35 packages with 1080p. And Runco has had Cinewide for some time, though only one 1080p projector, the SC-1. It produced the best picture I've seen from a digital projector.

It's about freakin' time!

The idea of $$$ for a constant-height 720P level machine... even three chip... baffled me given the SDE noise from any seating distance really able to get a wide viewing angle.

With 1080P res... the rules change...

:D

I've seen the new projectors. Very nice. Cinewide is available on all as is autoscope.

Actually, the predecessor to the SC-1 was also 1080P (1080x2048 like the SC-1). It's model number was the MBX-1, also priced at around 250k (I think).

So hey, there 'ya go- Runco has themselves a trend!

Dan

-Art, I'm also looking forward to seeing these new 3-chips that are slowly making their way to market.

So who do you think the OEM is? Aren't a lot of Runco's rebadged/upgraded? I wonder whose technology is at the core...
-Matt

With the Optoma H81 streeting for about 1/2 the price of the Runco's single chip and 1/3 the price of Marantz's single chip, how will Runco and Marantz sell any projectors? I have only seen the H-81 and its one hell of a projector. They might be charging more for the name. Thats the only thing I can think of.

With the Optoma H81 streeting for about 1/2 the price of the Runco's single chip and 1/3 the price of Marantz's single chip, how will Runco and Marantz sell any projectors?

Hmmmm.... Using that philosophy, how does BMW sell any M5s? :)

I would rather buy an M5 than pay 3x more for a comparable projector.

I don't think all of these projectors will have Cinewide available, so there are not 8 new 2.35 packages with 1080p. And Runco has had Cinewide for some time, though only one 1080p projector, the SC-1. It produced the best picture I've seen from a digital projector.

Actually, all 8 of Runco's 1080p projectors will have a Cinewide and/or Cinewide Autoscope option! The RS-1100 is 1st to be released, but there will also be two models in the VX (video extreme) line with a single chip configuration and several 3 chip models as well. I am particularly looking forward to the VX-22 3 chip with cinewide!

With the Optoma H81 streeting for about 1/2 the price of the Runco's single chip and 1/3 the price of Marantz's single chip, how will Runco and Marantz sell any projectors? I have only seen the H-81 and its one hell of a projector. They might be charging more for the name. Thats the only thing I can think of.

While Optoma does have a nice projector, just remember that you get what you pay for. Typically Runco projectors will use a comparable ENGINE to others on the market, then add cinema quality optics and superior video processing to achieve results that are simply not attainable in a lower priced projector.

While Optoma does have a nice projector, just remember that you get what you pay for. Typically Runco projectors will use a comparable ENGINE to others on the market, then add cinema quality optics and superior video processing to achieve results that are simply not attainable in a lower priced projector.

That was a great way to explain it John.I just wish some of the cheaper FP would have the ability to do 2.35 right.BUDDA :)

Hmmmm.... Using that philosophy, how does BMW sell any M5s? :)

Marantz 1 Chip DLP..."The ultimate rainbow machine" ;)

Marantz 1 Chip DLP..."The ultimate rainbow machine" ;)


Kind of like Sony LCos.... "The ultimate Green blob machine" ;)

So who do you think the OEM is? Aren't a lot of Runco's rebadged/upgraded? I wonder whose technology is at the core...
-MattAll these new Runco 1080p PJs are no more than Christie clones. All of them. In these machines, there are no "added" technologies, "revolutionary" anything, or "innovative" whatsoever, except bull on paper and marketing hype. They are all Christie PJs, in a nice Runco enclosure. No more, no less. Runco does not manufacture ONE SINGLE DISPLAY PRODUCT. They are all repacks and rebadges and everything that is "DLP" comes from Christie. Period.

I dont think that the Runco scaler is going to outpreform the Gennum scaler.

All these new Runco 1080p PJs are no more than Christie clones. All of them. In these machines, there are no "added" technologies, "revolutionary" anything, or "innovative" whatsoever, except bull on paper and marketing hype. They are all Christie PJs, in a nice Runco enclosure. No more, no less. Runco does not manufacture ONE SINGLE DISPLAY PRODUCT. They are all repacks and rebadges and everything that is "DLP" comes from Christie. Period.


So what? It's the implementation and service that count. Then buy a Christie projector if that makes you happy!

As I recall, I don't see many threads here with regard to problems with Runco projectors. :rolleyes:

I saw their previous 3-chip projector set up not to long ago. For anyone wondering why you would spend 3x over the Optima, you would have to look at it. The image is truly impressive. The 1080p machines should be breath taking. One would spend 3x more to have what they consider to be the best. I know many Ruby owners would laugh at it, but some people don't think the Ruby is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

It's like buying speakers. There are some people who own 20K speakers. Is there a night and day difference between a really good 20K pair and a really god 8K pair? No, but if you want to squeez that last bit of performance out and have the disposable income then you go for it

All these new Runco 1080p PJs are no more than Christie clones. All of them. In these machines, there are no "added" technologies, "revolutionary" anything, or "innovative" whatsoever, except bull on paper and marketing hype. They are all Christie PJs, in a nice Runco enclosure. No more, no less.

What evidence do you have that they are all exactly the same? Do the Christie's have Cinewide and autoscope options? Are the same lenses used in both? BTW, I don't know the answers to these questions, I honestly don't know.

Not to mention, once you hit the high end, whether it be in audio or video, your choices are often guided by "small things", rather than overall performance.

I put the phrase small things in quotes because they seem like small things to others but to the purchaser they are worth a lot. Small things could be the right resolution, the right throw / zoom range, the right brightness, the right black levels, the right sharpness and resolution, the right color fidelity, the right level of noise (lack thereof), the lack of fatigue, the right badge or case design, or any number of things which could be only incrementally better to the non-enthusiast, but to someone who's owned equipment with some perceived shortcoming and has the budget, it could be worth it to them to alleviate that shortcoming.

Never wonder how high end manufacturers make their living - there are too many of them and the market is expanding - some of them clearly understand the high end market, it's niches, and how to acommodate the needs of the high end purchaser (probably more true in the audio high end market than the video market.)

So what? It's the implementation and service that count. Then buy a Christie projector if that makes you happy!

As I recall, I don't see many threads here with regard to problems with Runco projectors. :rolleyes:

Exactly right! Runco has always had a reputation for taking care of their customers. We have had clients who have experienced problems, and if all else fails, Runco has FLOWN OUT technicians to fix the issue!

If you have ONE pixel out, they will replace the DLP chip...name one other company that does that!

Also, even though Runco does not make the projector components, they do more than simply rebrand. Runco takes the ENGINE (the DLP chip, controller, and light engine) and adds their own processing (Vivix II) developed and fine tuned to match each model projector. They then add Digital Cinema quality lenses. On top of all of that, Runco is the INVENTOR of Cinewide with Autoscope!
(for the uninitiated, Cinewide with Autoscope allows for the automatic switching of lenses between standard 16:9 and 2.35:1 using a motorized assembly)

Many companies use other's parts in their products. It is the value that they add that sets them apart.

Uh-oh, how long until Peter shows up? :D

On a more serious note, I've never been able to get a straight answer about what processing Runco is using nowadays, does anybody know where they're sourcing the processing from? I wouldn't expect it to compete with something like Gennum, but perhaps I'd be surprised. It's been a while since I really looked at Runco stuff, and at that time their processing was fairly run of the mill faroudja.

They do not use Faroudja. They did their own engineering on the DHD-1 and DHD-2 (outsourced the firmware programming). The current DHD-1 uses a proprietary chip (yes, really). What is being used in the DHD-2...dunno, find out at CEDIA.

All these new Runco 1080p PJs are no more than Christie clones. All of them.
Statements like this come from people who've never been inside Runco, never been in their engineering department, and never seen them assemble one of their projectors.

They do not use Faroudja. They did their own engineering on the DHD-1 and DHD-2 (outsourced the firmware programming). The current DHD-1 uses a proprietary chip (yes, really). What is being used in the DHD-2...dunno, find out at CEDIA.


Statements like this come from people who've never been inside Runco, never been in their engineering department, and never seen them assemble one of their projectors.

AMEN!

I ask all of you to THINK about your statements BEFORE posting! If you are speaking from ignorance, this will quickly be apparent, and be embarrasing to you! If you have KNOWLEDGE you would like to share, please do...but statements like "all Runco's are Christie clones" simply shows the rest of us how uneducated you are on the subject.

Your 1st amendment rights are there for you, say what you will, but geez guys...don't confuse opinion with fact!

AMEN!

I ask all of you to THINK about your statements BEFORE posting! If you are speaking from ignorance, this will quickly be apparent, and be embarrasing to you! If you have KNOWLEDGE you would like to share, please do...but statements like "all Runco's are Christie clones" simply shows the rest of us how uneducated you are on the subject.

Your 1st amendment rights are there for you, say what you will, but geez guys...don't confuse opinion with fact!

This is no different than the folks who argue that Home Depot speaker wire is as good as Transparent Audio Opus because "it's just copper". It's speaking in ignorance. Have the Runco naysayers BEEN to Runco's headquarters or spoken with their engineers? Uh, no. Runco does, among other things...

1) Improve the power supply.
2) Better video processing circuitry.
3) Better quality optics.
4) Better management of the light path inside the projector.
5) Better circuit layout internally to shield circuits from noise (one of the reasons their cases are somewhat larger than most other proejectors).
6) ISF 3c calibration tools, giving ISF technicianns wide lattitude in adjusting grayscale, color, gamma, etc. to objective and established standards of performance.

This all adds up to a much-better-than-stock performance mass market projector darling of the week. Those arguing otherwise are trying to justify cheaping out and getting a presentation power point projector with a "super duper home theatre projector" sticker on it. Revel in your ignorance. The rest of us will enjoy superior video in the meantime.

This all adds up to a much-better-than-stock performance mass market projector darling of the week. Those arguing otherwise are trying to justify cheaping out and getting a presentation power point projector with a "super duper home theatre projector" sticker on it. Revel in your ignorance. The rest of us will enjoy superior video in the meantime.

Ok, I'm reveling in ignorance while watching my Marantz VP11S1...

I did run a presentation from a JPG, does that make it a power point projector then?

Don't go overboard and paint with a broad brush, it doesn't help your case one bit :)

Best,

This is no different than the folks who argue that Home Depot speaker wire is as good as Transparent Audio Opus because "it's just copper". It's speaking in ignorance. Have the Runco naysayers BEEN to Runco's headquarters or spoken with their engineers? Uh, no. Runco does, among other things...

1) Improve the power supply.
2) Better video processing circuitry.
3) Better quality optics.
4) Better management of the light path inside the projector.
5) Better circuit layout internally to shield circuits from noise (one of the reasons their cases are somewhat larger than most other proejectors).
6) ISF 3c calibration tools, giving ISF technicianns wide lattitude in adjusting grayscale, color, gamma, etc. to objective and established standards of performance.

This all adds up to a much-better-than-stock performance mass market projector darling of the week. Those arguing otherwise are trying to justify cheaping out and getting a presentation power point projector with a "super duper home theatre projector" sticker on it. Revel in your ignorance. The rest of us will enjoy superior video in the meantime.


Again, if you're going to accuse people of being ignorant, you shouldn't paint all Runco projectors with that brush. Certainly some are more tweaked/improved by Runco more than others. It is quite fair and accurate to call some Runco displays re-badges, while it is misleading to call others re-badged. There is nothing wrong with OEMing displays.

Ok, I'm reveling in ignorance while watching my Marantz VP11S1...

I did run a presentation from a JPG, does that make it a power point projector then?

Don't go overboard and paint with a broad brush, it doesn't help your case one bit :)

Best,

John, you don't have a cheap projector. You have a darn fine projector in fact. My gripe is with folks like "bizplayer" declaring as fact that Runco's are "Christie clones". It's an ignorant, incorrect statement. Good optics and good processing aren't cheap. Cheap projectors cheap out on these areas, along with weak unstable power supplies (good ones are expensive). A presentation projector needs mainly to just be bright. Gray scale tracking, color uniformity, etc. are not at the top of the list. If your projector falls into this category, you've got yourself a presentation projector, regardless of the marketing behind it. And if people enjoy their movies on such devices, more power to 'em. I just don't want those same people telling me that devices with expensive parts and a lot of engineering behind them are no different.

Scott,

You just have to be careful; broad brushes paint unintended place.

Regards,

John, you don't have a cheap projector. You have a darn fine projector in fact. My gripe is with folks like "bizplayer" declaring as fact that Runco's are "Christie clones". It's an ignorant, incorrect statement. Good optics and good processing aren't cheap. Cheap projectors cheap out on these areas, along with weak unstable power supplies (good ones are expensive). A presentation projector needs mainly to just be bright. Gray scale tracking, color uniformity, etc. are not at the top of the list. If your projector falls into this category, you've got yourself a presentation projector, regardless of the marketing behind it. And if people enjoy their movies on such devices, more power to 'em. I just don't want those same people telling me that devices with expensive parts and a lot of engineering behind them are no different.

The point is that Runco is not the only company selling projectors with expensive parts and a lot of engineering behind them, which is the attitude you seem to have. The projectors discussed in this forum, Runco or not, are hardly what you could characterize as "cheap presentation projectors."

As an FYI they have 3 basic models in the RS line...RS-1100 ($11995 retail), RS-1100 Ultra ($19995-multiple lens options and better quality optics), and the RS-1100 Ultra-Cinewide ($25995-2.35:1). Then they have their VX series...VX2000i ($16995 with VHD2 processor which now uses HDMI instead of DVI and has true 1080i deinterlacing), VX4400 (if I recall the model correctly, and VX5500. Comparable upgrades to the 720 previous lineup.
Then they have 3 3 chip options coming out in October with various autowide. cinewide, etc... They are coming to the table with the largest lineup...good job Runco.
Sorry I don't have all the prices memorized, it was a quick meeting. :)

John, you don't have a cheap projector. You have a darn fine projector in fact. My gripe is with folks like "bizplayer" declaring as fact that Runco's are "Christie clones". It's an ignorant, incorrect statement. Good optics and good processing aren't cheap. Cheap projectors cheap out on these areas, along with weak unstable power supplies (good ones are expensive). A presentation projector needs mainly to just be bright. Gray scale tracking, color uniformity, etc. are not at the top of the list. If your projector falls into this category, you've got yourself a presentation projector, regardless of the marketing behind it. And if people enjoy their movies on such devices, more power to 'em. I just don't want those same people telling me that devices with expensive parts and a lot of engineering behind them are no different.

I am not going to discuss "ignorance" nor how much I do appreciate or not, these statements on public forums. I am very close to Christie and know very well what Runco basic business model is. There is nothing wrong with OEMing displays or any other technology, just as so many do, even in the high-end side of things... NEC & Digital Projection Inc, being another good example.

And, there is certainly credit to be given to, to both DPI and Runco for certainly tweaking software, reworking optics, doing nice packaging and produce intelligent marketing (all things that require talent, money and expertise). However, whether you want to outpocket $250.000 dollars for a Runco Signature Cinema™ SC-1:
http://www.runco.com/sc-1.html
...or spend about half that on the "real" product, the Christie CP2000-X:
http://www.christiedigital.com/products/cp2000x/cp2000xOverview.asp
... it is of course completely up to you, and how much tweaking and re-badging is worth for your finances. FYI most features and "technology names" Runco claims to incorporate in their products, are all there on the original ones, just not as marketed by shinny nomenclatures, impressive trademarks and technological "breakthrough", things that they bank of filling people's eye with.

Either way, Runco or Christie, more power to you, more power to Runco and more power to everyone else, but things are what they are, whether "I" am the ignorant here or "some" choose to be kept in the dark of the "bright" side of a much need reality check.

PS - And... Runco are great products by they way, well worth the money.

We have had clients who have experienced problems, and if all else fails, Runco has FLOWN OUT technicians to fix the issue!


John, It is obvious you are a Runco dealer. Might that color your opinion? Sandy

As an FYI they have 3 basic models in the RS line...RS-1100 ($11995 retail), RS-1100 Ultra ($19995-multiple lens options and better quality optics), and the RS-1100 Ultra-Cinewide ($25995-2.35:1). Then they have their VX series...VX2000i ($16995 with VHD2 processor which now uses HDMI instead of DVI and has true 1080i deinterlacing), VX4400 (if I recall the model correctly, and VX5500. Comparable upgrades to the 720 previous lineup.
Then they have 3 3 chip options coming out in October with various autowide. cinewide, etc... They are coming to the table with the largest lineup...good job Runco.
Sorry I don't have all the prices memorized, it was a quick meeting. :)

Jason:

Is AVS a currrent Runco dealer, I thought Runco pulled their line from Avs?

Exactly right! Runco has always had a reputation for taking care of their customers. We have had clients who have experienced problems, and if all else fails, Runco has FLOWN OUT technicians to fix the issue!

If you have ONE pixel out, they will replace the DLP chip...name one other company that does that!

Also, even though Runco does not make the projector components, they do more than simply rebrand. Runco takes the ENGINE (the DLP chip, controller, and light engine) and adds their own processing (Vivix II) developed and fine tuned to match each model projector. They then add Digital Cinema quality lenses. On top of all of that, Runco is the INVENTOR of Cinewide with Autoscope!
(for the uninitiated, Cinewide with Autoscope allows for the automatic switching of lenses between standard 16:9 and 2.35:1 using a motorized assembly)

Many companies use other's parts in their products. It is the value that they add that sets them apart.


Runco is the Inventor of Cinewide with Autoscope? Are you kidding, maybe the first to stick a trade name on it and market it but 2:35 Aspect ratio has been discussed here at AVSforum long before Runco started marketing it

Runco is the Inventor of Cinewide with Autoscope? Are you kidding,
I don't know if Runco "invented it". Who knows what Tommy Edison did in his spare time. I do know that Runco fiddled around with it way before it showed up on AVS (I believe even before AVS existed). I also know that Runco is the first to fully integrate 2.35:1 into their projector line as an out of the box, user friendly, installer friendly product. I also know when this productization effort by Runco started ... during a conversation with myself, Sam Runco and Don Stewart on the inaugural Home Theater Cruise. I also know where the first several such installations were made.

I wonder if every time someone starts a thread somewhere on an IBM desktop computer a bunch of pain in the asses run in and announce that IBM does not make their desktop computers (they do NOT BTW, they are ALL outsourced).

bizplayer, could you tell me which Christie projector I would buy that comes with a constant height auto scope setup? Among many other things.

I don't know if Runco "invented it".
I believe we all know that Peter invented it ;).

We have had clients who have experienced problems, and if all else fails, Runco has FLOWN OUT technicians to fix the issue!
John, It is obvious you are a Runco dealer. Might that color your opinion?
Considering his statement that "we have had clients who have experienced problems" I am impressed at your deduction that "it is obvious you are a Runco dealer". You put Sherlock Holmes to shame. I'm glad I didn't watch the 6th Sense in the same movie theater as you, you'd have undoubtedly been shouting out "you're dead you idiot" to Bruce Willis...as the film credits were rolling.

But thanks for outing John for us and pointing out his possibly colored opinion.

BTW Sandy, although I've said I'm not a Runco dealer, I could be lying as part of a grand conspiracy to appear objective. I'm pretty sneaky so you never know. You know how us Runco dealers are, trying to hit the jackpot here on AVS forum with all the Internet DIY purchasers.

Dammit. I never saw the 6th sense.

Thanks Q. :(

Being a CEDIA member since it's inception, I have always noted Runco's entries in the projection market.Joe Kane influenced my criteria for performance in the mid to late 90s. Joe as you know supported Runco during that period. At least he used their projectors during seminars etc.
The one really obvious advantage to Runco dealers is PROFIT and price control and I am a big fan of maintaining profits.
My final conclusions however, although not fully researched were that I would be better off handling Sony and then hot rodding their projectors with Faroudja and now Lumagen scalers and the calibrating both products together. Admittedly I have prejudiced myself against one chip DLP. I got headaches from even relatively short exposure to them. I am sure that has been resolved to a great degree,but I never looked back.
I am still trying to get a grip on the "constant height" designs. I do like(prefer) 2:35 transfers,but until there is full resolution anamorphic software for 2:35 it seems somewhat lacking?Basically it seems like the only advantage in using lenses etc. would be an increase in brightness?
This would seem to be a way for Runco to set themselves apart from the market?
It is not enough for me to jump in? Perhaps someone can convince me? I know Alan Gouger is using a Ruby with some sort of 2.35 set up.
Just my 2 cents :) Dallas

I believe we all know that Peter invented it .
Oh, dear me. How could I possibly have forgotten that piece of history.

As an FYI they have 3 basic models in the RS line...RS-1100 ($11995 retail), RS-1100 Ultra ($19995-multiple lens options and better quality optics), and the RS-1100 Ultra-Cinewide ($25995-2.35:1). Then they have their VX series...VX2000i ($16995 with VHD2 processor which now uses HDMI instead of DVI and has true 1080i deinterlacing), VX4400 (if I recall the model correctly, and VX5500. Comparable upgrades to the 720 previous lineup.
Then they have 3 3 chip options coming out in October with various autowide. cinewide, etc... They are coming to the table with the largest lineup...good job Runco.
Sorry I don't have all the prices memorized, it was a quick meeting. :)

There's a pretty big spread between $11995 and $19995. If the latter has better optics, one wonders how minimal the optics must be in the former.

There's a pretty big spread between $11995 and $19995. If the latter has better optics, one wonders how minimal the optics must be in the former.
...or indeed, how minimal the optics are in any $12K projector. Lenses cost what lenses cost.

To elaborate (since the beans have obviously been spilled),
The RS-1100 is $11,995 (one box, single chip 1080p)
With Cinewide to do 2.35:1 CIH it is $13,995 including the lens.
The RS-1100 Ultra with high-end lens is $19,995. Cinewide is available for an additional $6k or $12k, depending on desired anamorphic lens quality.
The RS-1100 Ultra Cinewide/AutoScope versions are $28,995 and $34,995 again depending on lens choice.

There is a VX-2000d at $16,995 with outboard scaler which sort of equates to the 1080p version of a VX-1000d. There is a VX-6000d at $34,995 which is like the 1080p version of a VX-5000d. These also have various Cinewide and Autoscope options/levels.

The three chips start with the VX-22d for $44,995 and 52 fL CSMS.
Next is the VX-44d @ $79,995 (86 fL CSMS) and the VX-55d @ $99,995 (107 fL CSMS).
They all have the full complement of CineWide and AutoScope options as mentioned earlier.

Hope this whets everyone's appetite!

Many responses border on hostile while others maintain civility. Kudos to the civil! We all know Christie makes the high-end digital cinema projectors being used by theatres. They don't--and I am not positive about this--cater to the home market in general. So for a service issue, if they have AMC Theatres with an issue needing resolving or Joe Bagadonuts with a problem, three guesses who gets the first call??? There is a reason there is a Runco for the consumer world as there is a Christie for the commercial world. And of course Runco isn't the only player in the market. Marantz also make killer DLP's. Sony SXRD's, etc.

My issue was in people lambasting Runco for "re-badging". What Runco does is kinda like AMG is to Mercedes. Nothing at all wrong with a stock Mercedes. But an AMG is special. So's Runco. And anyone who thinks that any video has great margin for dealers is in the dark about the way the market for video works these days.

And who cares if Nemesh is a Runco dealer (or Chris Wiggles, or me, or anyone else making a point here). Do you expect to go to a Toyota dealership and have the salesperson say "What are you crazy? Go get a Honda", or to Sears and have them say "Craftsman, are you nuts? Got to Home Depot!". John has been very open and fair and doesn't deserve the crap he's being given by some. He also has not put down any other products in an attempt to paint Runco as the only game in town.

Cheers.............Scott W.

Nice post Scott. Maybe some here will temper their biases with objective review instead of the outlandish crap I have read here. IMHO

John, It is obvious you are a Runco dealer. Might that color your opinion? Sandy

Yes I will admit, I am a dealer, and YES I am biased :) I have, however, been in the industry for well over 12 years, and dealt with MANY different vendors.

Runco's customer support and service is unparalleled in the industry...a bold claim to be sure, but I have seen many good products from many good manufacturers. What sets Runco apart is the fact that not only will you get top of the line performance from their product, but service after the sale! When you have a problem, Runco is totally committed to finding a solution, including, as I mentioned before, having the technicians FLY OUT to fix the problem when all else fails. I have yet to work with another company like this who is so dedicated to the customer. If you know of some, please let me know!

Yes it is a big spread. As I understand it, there are several factors. First off, the chasis has to be slightly differnt on the Ultra to accept the various lens options. Secondly, it costs good money to have 5 different lenses available for one model. Third, higher quality optics aren't cheap. The lens is often a large percentage of the overall cost on a projector.

Any update on Runco projectors? I am looking at RS1100 as it seems to be competitively priced against other 1080p DLP projectors.

Being a CEDIA member since it's inception, I have always noted Runco's entries in the projection market.Joe Kane influenced my criteria for performance in the mid to late 90s. Joe as you know supported Runco during that period. At least he used their projectors during seminars etc.
The one really obvious advantage to Runco dealers is PROFIT and price control and I am a big fan of maintaining profits.
My final conclusions however, although not fully researched were that I would be better off handling Sony and then hot rodding their projectors with Faroudja and now Lumagen scalers and the calibrating both products together. Admittedly I have prejudiced myself against one chip DLP. I got headaches from even relatively short exposure to them. I am sure that has been resolved to a great degree,but I never looked back.
I am still trying to get a grip on the "constant height" designs. I do like(prefer) 2:35 transfers,but until there is full resolution anamorphic software for 2:35 it seems somewhat lacking?Basically it seems like the only advantage in using lenses etc. would be an increase in brightness?
This would seem to be a way for Runco to set themselves apart from the market?
It is not enough for me to jump in? Perhaps someone can convince me? I know Alan Gouger is using a Ruby with some sort of 2.35 set up.
Just my 2 cents :) Dallas

OK I have seen the light! At least as far as "Constant Height" is concerned. I really liked the Titan 250 DLP with anamorphic lense combined with a 12 foot wide Stewart (as I recall) at CEDIA. It convinced me you can sit 10 feet away from a 12 foot screen and enjoy the widest formats. 1.78 did look sharper,but 2.35 did not seem lacking. We are going to specify one of these for an upcoming theater.

Yes I will admit, I am a dealer, and YES I am biased :) I have, however, been in the industry for well over 12 years, and dealt with MANY different vendors.

Runco's customer support and service is unparalleled in the industry...a bold claim to be sure, but I have seen many good products from many good manufacturers. What sets Runco apart is the fact that not only will you get top of the line performance from their product, but service after the sale! When you have a problem, Runco is totally committed to finding a solution, including, as I mentioned before, having the technicians FLY OUT to fix the problem when all else fails. I have yet to work with another company like this who is so dedicated to the customer. If you know of some, please let me know!

Hi John,

So I just read this 1-Post of yours. How about reading my Threads and making a Comment. Hey if your not interested, that is Okey. Just been reviewing different Threads here and saw you believe in Runco, and that you are a Runco Dealer. You say that Runco "Supports" customer's especially after the Sale. Hopefully after the Warranty !!!!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=859450

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=861345

If you are the type that really gets into Helping Runco Owners give me a call on my Cell:

1-615-351-9024 Verizon

Free Calls on Weekends: :D

Terry Honaker

Jason:

Is AVS a current Runco dealer, I thought Runco pulled their line from Avs?

We have always been and still are but there was period when Runco did not know how we fit their model back when the internet was new. Thankfully we worked through that period ;)

I think we need a separate Forum area just to bash Runco and complain about their prices, don't you? :D

Ronco filed for chapter 11 just recently.

This is no different than the folks who argue that Home Depot speaker wire is as good as Transparent Audio Opus because "it's just copper". It's speaking in ignorance.

Are you telling me Runco is as better than other good projectors as "Transparent Audio Opus" is from unbranded cable ?

I didn't know Runco was a snake oil ;)

BTW, Runco projectors are somehow hated in by many of my colleagues at office who use them regularly for training. Obviously its because of operational issues rather than price ...

Ronco filed for chapter 11 just recently.

Hi Chris,

Do you by chance have a Link to the Article or News Media that you read this in ??

Runco has been purchased by another company called "Planar".

So I just wonder how Runco Filed Chapter 11 when they have been purchased by Planar and that has already taken place.

Link: http://www.thealarmclock.com/mt/archives/2007/05/ultra_high_end.html

Terry

Reread his msg. Here's the link.

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/06/16/ronco_files_for_chapter_11/

Reread his msg. Here's the link.

http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/06/16/ronco_files_for_chapter_11/

Got it, Ronco, :o

Terry drops head and goes off in corner. ;)

Terry

Ronco filed bankrupcy?? Does this mean no more Ginzu steak knives with our projectors?

:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jHj9FO7Fak

Did you guys here about the new Runco pocket projector? Now how much would you pay for that? But wait, there's more!