I am wondering if there is a big difference in picture quality between these two. Both have their own advantages but not sure how they reflect on how good the picture is.
Runco has 1200 ANSI luminance vs RS1 has 700
RS1 is a 3 hip DILA and Runco is a single chip DLP
RS1 has 15000:1 contrast ratio and Runco has 3200:1

Some say that Runco brightness makes the picture that much better and the black levels are as good as the RS1. Any input is appreciated.

If you were to see both of these units, the first thing you would notice is a difference in the overall look. It's the nature of the 2 technologies. I wouldn't worry too much about the specs as they are different test environments and such. The best thing to do is view similar units and get a feel for what they are capable of, and make the decision based on that.

Jason, thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity to see a DLA-RS1 in the Seattle area. None of the JVC dealers have one on the showroom. Hence I want to get a idea on someone who may have seen both and what their impressions are. I have a dedicated room so it can be fully dark. Also I have a Stewart Grayhalk 16:9 10' Diagonal.

There are peeps in your town that have RS1 (see Seattle shootout thread)...

You can also look at the Sony Pearl which is readily demoed. Though not identical to the RS1, it has a very similar look to it.

Does the runco put out 1200 lumens calibrated? The RS1 does 700 (or close to it) at D65 so it's brighter than most 1080p units under 10k.

I believe runco puts out fairly accurate specs, no? At least more accurate than most. Looking at the specs, I don't know how the black levels could be anywhere close. The RS-1 black level would be around .046 lumens and the Runco would be around .375 lumens or close to 8 times brighter than the RS-1 (assuming the specs are accurate).

A 120" diagonal 16:9 Grayhawk (.95 gain) & an RS1 will leave you with 15.5 ftl with a new bulb at high lamp at min throw. That is the brightest your screen will get. After x hours, you will probably be at 7-8 ftl.

I would go for a higher gain screen with the RS1 and I would go for the RS1 over the Runco. Better contrast, more resolution.

I can organize another shootout once more units ship. You buy the Runco then we'll comparev :D

I have never measured an RS1100. I do know Runco genearlly does accurate measurements, but if this is really 1200 calibrated lumens, this may just be the answer for many people. Me thinks me need to get my hands on one to verify.

Actually I missed type something :-). It is not a Grayhalk it is a Firehalk I have. Hence I would asume the picture would be even brighter using a the RS1.

I have never measured an RS1.

RS1? Whats a RS1? :D

Our dealer here talks quite highly about the Runco brightness and the richness of the picture. Wondering if this is really true compaird to DLA-RS1.
Following is what Runco gives as Light Output:
Light Output: CSMS Specifications:
Home Theater Calibration: 442-587 ANSI Lumens;
14.5-21.6 Foot-Lamberts (fL)
†Variable depending on RVR calibration;
1250 ANSI Lumens

Those Runco numbers don't even seem as good as the Sharp or the HD-81 if those are accurate which I assume they are if they are on the Runco spec sheet.

RS1? Whats a RS1? :D
Whoops. I edited.

Those numbers make more sense to me.

BTW: Does anyone know what is the primary lens in Runco RS-1100 CineWide projector?

As far as throw distance? I believe it is 1.8-2.4x.

According to the manual the standard lens is 1.55 - 1.93. With the Cinewide option the lens is 1.86-1.93.

I stand corrected.

Sorry for the confusion -
I was thinking more of the kind of lens. They have 3 kinds. Proteus, Rainier, McKinley. What is the primary lens on a Cinewide model? Is it a Rainier or Proteus (the lowest quality of the 3 lenses)?

The standard RS1100 Cinewide is the Whitney lens. The RS1100 Ultra has either the McKinley or the Rainier.

Isn't the Whitney lens a Vertical Compression prism lens? I thought I had read somewhere that was the case.

Again, not sure. I am just going by what the dealer book says. :) I have yet to sell one. :)

I may be interested. It looks like the HD81 I bought from you in December is not going to work in my new room. I'm moving shortly and the new room will drop the screen too low.

I wish that there was a way to get some numbers on this projector's output. I was at a local dealer the other day and was impressed with the black level on their entry level CL-420 that they had on display. I'm sure this one will be equal or better to that and 1080p to boot. I'm also looking at the Sharp and of course the JVC. The JVC seems like it will be a good wait on getting one though.

No question it will be an improvement over the CL420, in every regard. I have seen this unit, just not measured it.

What are your thoughts on how the RS-1100 compares to the Sharp? What would you say are the strenghts of the Runco over the Sharp if any?