Do any members own a Runco DLP Projector & have you had any problems ? [Text View]

tigerhonaker

06-10-07, 12:37 PM

I have owned the Runco VX5000ci Projector since 2003 and it is showing on a Stewart Grey Hawk 123" Screen. This is a dedicated Home-Theatre.

I have a problem with it going from Full-Bright image to a Dimmer-Image. This actually started after I believe the 18 Approx. months of use. Now it does this all the time. It at 1st did this after Approx. 800-1,000 Hrs. on New Lamp. So for a very long time now I have been forced into changing the Expensive Lamps out early. They are suppose to be good for Approx. 2,000 Hrs.

Now the situation has gotten even worse. When you Power up the projector with the remote. The projector will not go to the YPbPr setting to pull up picture automatically. Instead it has a blank screen. Then I have to touch the S-Video and it comes up with a Purple Screen and then I touch the YpbPr on the remote and the picture will come up.

When I 1st power up the projector and do nothing, after awhile I have noticed that in the upper Left-Corner of the screen there is a Time-Clock that says (Power-Down-in-4-Minutes). I have never waited to see if this meant the projector was going to automatically going to power-down on it's own. I had never seen this show up before this latest problem. So have no idea what this clock shut down time is referring to.

The other thing I have recently discovered is that I can no longer get to the on screen menu to check Lamp Time. The Menu that you are suppose to go to check for the Lamp Power being set on 100% versus 80% I cannot get to pull up any longer.

If any of you members here on this Forum have owned or still own the Runco VX5000ci Projector I would really appreciate you Posting here to let me know if you have ever heard of any of these problems. I am now waiting for another Runco Dealer to get back in touch with me to come look at this situation with the projector. The original Runco Dealer is no longer a Runco Dealer. Mismanagement from one of the owners spending company monies. That figures: I think that the Projector as well as the Controller will have to be sent back to Runco to be repaired. Guess that is kinda Obvious.

I did a search on Google to Hopefully find a Forum where other users might have this same high end projector. This Forum looks like my best bet so far.

So looking for other users here and comments from them as well as the Very-Informed Members as well.

Thanks ahead of time for your assistance and or comments.

Terry (tiger)

Dizzman

06-10-07, 06:31 PM

dude, call Runco. that is why you bought one in the first place. Customer support! Runco is one of the best at it.

tigerhonaker

06-10-07, 07:57 PM

dude, call Runco. that is why you bought one in the first place. Customer support! Runco is one of the best at it.

Dizzman,

One of the things I have learned about Runco is that they work through their Dealers.

So I am waiting for this New Runco Dealer for Assistance.

I was hoping to bump into another member here that might also have the VX5000ci Projector.

Thanks though for the Advise.

Terry (tiger)

BTW, I sent them a Very Detailed explanation Via E-Mail and Never received a Reply. :(

Dizzman

06-10-07, 09:53 PM

Call them. I know them very well/ If you call and explain your issue, they will get you started and ensure that the dealer gets to you right away.

Curt Palme

06-10-07, 10:12 PM

tigerhonaker

06-10-07, 10:29 PM

Call them. I know them very well/ If you call and explain your issue, they will get you started and ensure that the dealer gets to you right away.

Dizzman,

Would you care to share how you know the people at Runco ?

I just read in Audio/Video News 5/23/2007 that (Planar Systems) has purchased Runco International, Inc. $36.7 million in cash. I had the Link to this Article here but just found out that a member has to have a minimum of 5-Post before you can provide a Link to an Article. Hopefully if you are interested you can Google and type in the Audio/Video News 5/23/2007 and find the Article on the purchase.

So I hope that this New-Purchase by Planar Systems does not change the way Customers are handled. Maybe Planar will be just as customer oriented as Runco was before Planar purchased them.

I will have to go look in my Runco Manual and see if there is a phone number for customer assistance.

Your response here is appreciated. So thanks.

Terry (tigerhonaker)

tigerhonaker

06-10-07, 10:47 PM

I agree. While there is a good Runco dealer network out there, a 'new' dealer probably won't be familar with 'old' 2003 projectors. Hopefully you'll get a customer techy guy familiar with the 5000 on the phone when talking to Runco, and he'll be able to narrow it right down for you.

Hi Curt,

Thanks for the comments. The reason I am waiting for this New Runco Dealer is because the Custom Installation Mgr. that was with the Runco Dealer that I purchased the Custom Home Theatre from now works for the New Runco Dealer. I did not know this until I did a Google Search for Runco Dealers and found out that this New Runco Dealer has this former Mgr. as an employee. So that is why I am working with this dealer and so far have not pursued calling Runco direct. Also as I did more reading about Runco I found in all their articles that they prefer to work through their dealers. So as it stands I am waiting on this former Mgr. to get back to me.

When I found this Forum on a Google search I thought I might just luck out and find some other owners of this High End Runco VX5000ci Projector. If I did I just thought I could ask them if they had any problems with their projectors and if so, what were the problems and how did Runco correct those problems for them.

The projector is 3-yrs. old but for those members here that know Runco Projectors this was the top of the line for Runco in their DLP Projectors at the time. Many mags. did excellent ratings on this projector. It sold for $27,000 Dollars then.

Just really hoping to bump into other owners of Runco projectors and see how the members felt about them and if as I said did they have any problems with them. If so how did Runco handle their concerns once the projector was out of the Factory-Warranty.

I just clicked on the Runco add here on the Forum:
So now I have a Phone Number to contact Runco:

Corporate Office:
Runco International
2900 Faber Street
Union City, CA 94587
Phone: (510) 324-7777
Fax: (510) 324-9300

Terry (tigerhonaker)

Dizzman

06-11-07, 01:09 AM

I know Sam, Rick, and many others. I have worked for Manufacturers in the AV world for years.

THis however is neither here nor there.

RUNCO prides itself on customer Satisfaction. Call them, they will ensure that you are taken care of.

As far as the planar sale, old news.

tigerhonaker

06-14-07, 08:01 AM

All Members,

Anyone on this Forum own or has owned the Runco VX5000ci Projector ?

If so I would really like to hear/read what you thought of it.

Any Comments would be Welcome and Appreciated.

Terry (tigerhonaker)

AV Doogie

06-14-07, 07:59 PM

tigerhonaker

06-16-07, 03:28 PM

I have the VX1000-Ci which is the little brother of the 5000. I believe these are the same projectors except for better lenses, higher wattage bulb and vertical/horizontal lens adjustment (in the 5000).

The projector has been serving me for about four years now. Excellent picture for a 720P unit. The colors are spot on (calibrated by Ken Whitcomb), with good black levels if not state-of-the-art anymore.

Thanks for the Post here. I have had and still have problems with my XX5000ci Runco. So I was hoping to maybe find someone on this Forum that had the same Projector and see if they had any problems with theirs. I did look and review the Runco 1000 but then I saw the Runco 5000 and decided to go with it. Right before I received the Runco 5000 I read where Runco came out with the Improved VX5000ci so I paid more money to installing dealer to get the newer projector. It worked Great and as you know from your 1000ci the picture was Fantastic (IMO). Then as time marches on for some reason the brightness would change to a lower level. Runco while still under Factory Warranty thought it could be a defective Lamp. So they shipped out a Free Lamp Twice. Then more time goes by and now the picture is always at a lower Brightness plus other Menu Problems.

I now wonder about calling it quits with this Model and maybe going to another DLP Projector that has all the newer improvements that have taken place over the 4-yrs. I have owned this one.

I have just now started to look into the newer projectors and prices of them. So at this point I am not sure what I am going to do.

The Audio Video Environments Dealer I purchased the complete home theatre $160,000.00 Dollars from is now no longer an Authorized Runco Dealer. So I now had to find another Runco Dealer that I have not spent the 1st penney with. I'm sure they will be just jumping up and down to assist me with this problem.

What to do ?????

New One ?
Contact Runco Direct ? This has been mentioned by a member on this Forum:
Time frame to ship unit back to Runco and then back to the dealer here to reinstall.

Well, certainly a lot to consider with many options.

I think I should perhaps look and see if there has been a Thread with the Question. What is the best choice in DLP Projectors for $10K to $15K ???
See what owners have to say that own the Newer Models out there now:

Terry

Curt Palme

06-16-07, 03:52 PM

tigerhonaker

06-16-07, 04:29 PM

Terry, I would suggest you contact Runco first. Even with the ownership change, I'd mention the issues you state above to them. Hopefully they have records of the bulb issues. ONe thing that Runco is/was known for is their customer service, and hopefully this will continue with the new owners. You'd think that if you were considering jumping ship to another brand of projector, they'd want to take extra care of you.

OTOH, service is always a PITA for all manufacturers, and maybe they will try and flip you into another unit. Hopefully this isn't the cop-out type of 'service' that you'll get from them.

Curt,

Yes I am on this Forum reading a lot these days. I mention this so that if any of the more Informed-Members here do Respond to my Thread/Post I did not do it just for practice.

The thing that right now is holding me from personally calling Runco is this. The Dealer I purchased the H/T from has lost many of their employees. One of them which was the Custom Installation Mgr. now works for the Authorized Runco Dealer and I have placed a call to him. He is going to come out in person and look at the situation and maybe he will bring a Tech. He is more than aware of the on going low level brightness up and down on this projector. So I really think and "Hope" that having this person contact Runco on my behalf is the way to approach this. I did say I "Hope" didn't I ???

I say this because I also have considered calling Runco myself and see what they say regarding this situation. I have read comments in a review with the prior owners of Runco that Runco prefers to have all their dealings with customers through their dealers. This makes me think I should stay with hoping this Mgr. I spent all this money with will do on my behalf what is right between Runco and me. Truthfully he is so busy (New at this co.) that he has not gotten back to me yet after our phone conversation.

Then I like many people have second thoughts on the whole thing. I am now thinking, what about how the prices have dropped on all the DLP Projectors. So maybe I should just switch out this VX5000ci Runco and go with a 2007 New DLP. This is going to be I think so time consuming to have the dealer here order the Crate from Runco to ship Projector & Controller back. Them to repair or recommend whatever from their end. Then ship it back to dealer her. Set up time and take off again from work to have that dealer reinstall units.

So that is why I have considered "Dumping" the Runco and just buying a newer 2007 DLP Projector.

As anyone with any common sense would think. What if it is really just something simple for Runco to correct with my units and I jump the gun and Trash-Them without Runco ever looking at them.

What a position to be in. This unit sold for $27,000 Dollars and here I am thinking of Trashing-It. I must need to go to a Therapist Immediately. ;)

Terry

I wonder which of the 2007 DLP Projectors have the same quality picture as this VX5000ci Runco ??? And what they cost ???

Mine is showing on a 123" Stewart GreyHawk Screen with 4-Way Masking: So any new DLP Projector needs to be able to show a Very Bright, H/D Image on a screen this size. Completely Light Controlled Home Theatre. When all Sconce-lights are out room is Pitch-Black:

Terry

Dizzman

06-16-07, 04:59 PM

While the runco ownership model has changed, nothing has changed in the company.

AV Doogie

06-16-07, 08:40 PM

Curt,

Yes I am on this Forum reading a lot these days. I mention this so that if any of the more Informed-Members here do Respond to my Thread/Post I did not do it just for practice.

The thing that right now is holding me from personally calling Runco is this. The Dealer I purchased the H/T from has lost many of their employees. One of them which was the Custom Installation Mgr. now works for the Authorized Runco Dealer and I have placed a call to him. He is going to come out in person and look at the situation and maybe he will bring a Tech. He is more than aware of the on going low level brightness up and down on this projector. So I really think and "Hope" that having this person contact Runco on my behalf is the way to approach this. I did say I "Hope" didn't I ???

I say this because I also have considered calling Runco myself and see what they say regarding this situation. I have read comments in a review with the prior owners of Runco that Runco prefers to have all their dealings with customers through their dealers. This makes me think I should stay with hoping this Mgr. I spent all this money with will do on my behalf what is right between Runco and me. Truthfully he is so busy (New at this co.) that he has not gotten back to me yet after our phone conversation.

Then I like many people have second thoughts on the whole thing. I am now thinking, what about how the prices have dropped on all the DLP Projectors. So maybe I should just switch out this VX5000ci Runco and go with a 2007 New DLP. This is going to be I think so time consuming to have the dealer here order the Crate from Runco to ship Projector & Controller back. Them to repair or recommend whatever from their end. Then ship it back to dealer her. Set up time and take off again from work to have that dealer reinstall units.

So that is why I have considered "Dumping" the Runco and just buying a newer 2007 DLP Projector.

As anyone with any common sense would think. What if it is really just something simple for Runco to correct with my units and I jump the gun and Trash-Them without Runco ever looking at them.

What a position to be in. This unit sold for $27,000 Dollars and here I am thinking of Trashing-It. I must need to go to a Therapist Immediately. ;)

Terry

I wonder which of the 2007 DLP Projectors have the same quality picture as this VX5000ci Runco ??? And what they cost ???

Mine is showing on a 123" Stewart GreyHawk Screen with 4-Way Masking: So any new DLP Projector needs to be able to show a Very Bright, H/D Image on a screen this size. Completely Light Controlled Home Theatre. When all Sconce-lights are out room is Pitch-Black:

Terry

Runco has serviced me well through two projectors, (DTV852, VX1000Ci). I would give them a chance to come through for you. If they don't, dump them like yesterdays proverbial garbage.

You did not ask me about different projectors, but since I'm nosey...... I have briefly used and watched calibration of the Sharp 12k MkII and the Sharp 20k. Sharp seems to produce better projectors every generation. The 20k has a beautiful picture and will probably be a little 'sharper' than your 5000. I think the black levels are better in the newer DLP units as well. JMHO

Good luck...

tigerhonaker

06-17-07, 02:03 AM

Thanks,

Well I am leaning towards trying to work with the New Authorized Runco Dealer and the Guy that I originally purchased H/T from. in fact I am going to make that follow-up call with him on Monday.

If that gets me no where then I will contact Runco myself.

The more I consider the options the more it seems like to me to at least see what Runco is willing to do or not do.

At least then I will know that Runco does or does not back up the customer after the sale. As members here have been considered enough to point out, in their dealings with Runco everything was positive.

After members here have said that their dealings with Runco were positive. I am thinking that this situation may turn out good/positive.

Stay tuned I will be posting what the end result of this is on this same Forum after Runco provides an answer.

Then the rest of you will know what Runco did for me in my situation. That I think I owe to you members, especially the ones that replied to this Thread.

Thanks again and stay tuned:

Terry (tigerhonaker)

QQQ

06-17-07, 11:35 AM

tigerhonaker

06-17-07, 12:29 PM

I just took the time to jump around and read some of the comments on the Cable Tread here on the $20K up systems.

What I now see is the same names as the ones that responded to the two Threads I started on my Runco VX5000ci.

I am a Mod on another Forum for FE (Fuel Economy) & Environment. On that Forum that I was invited to early on, there are members that know matter what the OP question was, have their swing on everything Posted. They just wear out many of the especially New-Members. I say this because as I have read here from some of the names that appear on every Thread like the Forum I am on as a Mod.

It is interesting that there are a lot of members that appear to (Read) Threads here but make No-Comment. I wonder do they not make a comment because they are afraid of other members who will jump all over their comments. Or do they just read only and really have nothing to say or add to a Thread.

The cable "War-Thread" as I think it was stated is the reason I am doing this Off Comment/Comments Post.

But I started this Thread so I guess I can make these observations to members that post here.

Well in my case it seems that the members that have taken the time to add their comments have chosen to be informative and not All-Knowing. This is a very large Forum and I think as a New Member I would like to say that you members that are on here all the time, keep in mind that just because someone ask what appears to be a stupid question, it may be that they are looking for other members thoughts to see if others are of the same mind set as the OP.

Curt, you seem to be more down to earth and offer Legitimate remarks.
Dizzman, you I thank for taking the time to comment but when I ask you your connection to people that work at Runco. You come back with something like I know Mark and lots others because I did or do work with Manufactures. You then say something like that has No-Bearing on this Thread. What I think you failed to see in my Post with that question to you on who you knew at Runco was this. I was hoping you might say, Terry when your Dealer calls Runco or You call Runco ask for ------ and tell them Dizzman mentioned you would be in contact. I work at an Acura Dealer now and refer people to other Dealers that I know the Employees there. Why not, it cost me nothing and could help the Customer and the other Dealer. Same for Runco, you know them as you pointed out, so why not assist another A/V Member out ?? Just a comment here to think about. I live in TN. and I think you live in Calif. as I remember from your Post. Runco is in Calif. and you already know the people.

A V Doogie, Thanks for the Heads-Up on Runco and your dealings with same.

I think when New Members take the nerve to do a Thread on a Forum that the Old Members that in most cases have a great deal of info. on any given subject should just ask the New Member what they are looking for from Members. I know that 4-Yrs. ago I read everything I could get my hands on at that time to get hopefully up to speed on Audio/Video. But that was then and not now !!! So when this Runco Projector has finally really gotten to the point that it is Annoying to watch I once again have tried to find the Largest Forum to do Threads on for assistance. It looks like there are members here that Live for A/V. I like many others just want to Watch & Listen to my H/T. It has taken me 4-Yrs. to finally pay for this H/T and I really don't look forward to spending another Exorbitant/Excessive amount to get my H/T back to normal. This is not to say I won't, because I may not have a choice. I was hoping with spending $27K on the Runco that it would be a reliable piece for yrs. That has not been the case.

Hope I have not Rubbed some of you Oldies here the wrong way being the Newbie here. Dizzman my name is Terry Honaker and I probably would not fit into the lingo as "DUDE". I am 62 Yrs. old and was never into the Free-Love Hippie thing. I was in Vietnam in 1965-1966. No-Drugs here Dizzman Then or Now. So hey Terry is fine for me if you don't mind. ;)

Just trying to get some of you to realize what might be second nature to you is not necessarily to others. Most Newbies are looking for Help & Sound-Advise and if some of you that are in the Business can simply make a phone call to people you already know in the business, why not Help !!!

Terry (tigerhonaker)

tigerhonaker

06-17-07, 12:48 PM

It seems to me there are multiple considerations here. Obviously Runco should be given an opportunity to fix the problem but IF there is a charge involved it will have to be looked at closely to determine if it is worth it to spend the money. It would not be unusual for a repair to run 2K on a model this expensive. IF that were the case, I'd check into what the value of this projector is on the used market. As everyone knows projector prices have dropped like crazy over the last few years. I personally wouldn't pay more than 2 or 3 thousand for the Runco when I can now buy a brand new 1920 x 1080 JVC RS1 RS1 that outperforms it for 5K - 6K.

QQQ,

Your right and that is why I have had second thoughts on how and what to do in this situation.

The new DLPs are cheaper and from what I have read have the Performance to back it up.

I am hoping with all fingers crossed that the Mgr. that now works for "Hi Tech. Innovations" will come to the rescue on this with Runco on my behalf. He sold and set up the complete H/T and also knows of this on going Brightness up & down problem. My thinking is that the Co. he is now with is a New Runco dealer and hopefully Runco will want their business in the Future, so this would be an Excellent way for Runco to show how they stand behind their Projectors after the sale. And in my case this Mgr. will be known at Runco from the original A/V Store he was at.

So Runco is going to get their chance to step up to the Bat as they say.

Terry Honaker (tigerhonaker)

QQQ

06-17-07, 01:52 PM

OTOH, service is always a PITA for all manufacturers, and maybe they will try and flip you into another unit. Hopefully this isn't the cop-out type of 'service' that you'll get from them.
Curt,

I'm not sure what you mean by "flip you into another unit", depending on what the manufacturer offers that can often be one of the best possible options for a customer and would not necessarily be a cop out at all. If for instance, they offer to upgrade him to a new 1920 x 1080 unit for a greatly reduced price, that could be the best of all worlds for him. He gets to replace an older projector with a new state of the art machine for a greatly reduced price. Now of course it would all depend on what they offered him.

QQQ

06-17-07, 01:59 PM

What I now see is the same names as the ones that responded to the two Threads I started on my Runco VX5000ci....
Terry, a couple of things to add with regard to a few of your observations (that I am not quoting), as you may be overlooking that the ultra high-end forum has very few visitors compared to the other forum simply because it's dedicated to components 20K and up (at least in theory, obviously everything that gets discussed here is not 20K and up). So you tend to see the same people posting here for that reason. Visit the digital projectors forum on the other hand and while you'll of course see some of the same names posting in that forum all the time, there are a LOT more particpants.

In this forum people are quite helpful with the exception of a few trolls. However there ARE as I'm sure yo0u noticed a lot of debating and insults throw back and forth about high end cables. Interestingly you won't find as much Runco bashing here because the members here are not as opposed to paying a high price for something.

In the digital projector forum on the other hand you'll tend to find more dislike of Runco simply because they charge a premium for their projectors.

tigerhonaker

06-17-07, 02:27 PM

Curt,

I'm not sure what you mean by "flip you into another unit", depending on what the manufacturer offers that can often be one of the best possible options for a customer and would not necessarily be a cop out at all. If for instance, they offer to upgrade him to a new 1920 x 1080 unit for a greatly reduced price, that could be the best of all worlds for him. He gets to replace an older projector with a new state of the art machine for a greatly reduced price. Now of course it would all depend on what they offered him.

QQQ & Curt,

I just found a member here on this Forum that is a Runco Dealer and sent him a PM. Hopefully he will respond to it. The PM is the same as this Post. He has been a dealer for 12 yrs. So I would think he would have an opinion on what Runco might do in this situation.

Do either of you know this Member, and if so maybe a PM from you would help in getting him to respond. Just a thought.

Link to Post # 54

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10808608#post10808608

Terry

QQQ

06-17-07, 02:35 PM

tigerhonaker

06-17-07, 03:22 PM

Terry,

I saw your post to him. Doesn't look like he posts often so I would not hold my breath. Did you look in his profile to see if he lists his business? If so perhaps you can contact him directly. I am not dealer but not for Runco. If you need one to assist you I might be able to find one for you that would be pleased to assist. Let me know.

QQQ,

After I did the PM and Post to John I did go back and look at his Post History. He said in one of his Post, I am done with this Forum and wish all of you well with your choices for A/V gear. Something to that degree.

So I am sure as you said he is not going to respond. :( However I did also go back and view his Profile and it said, Biography:
10 year industry veteran, currently working for Definitive Audio in Seattle

So I think just for the heck of it I am going to do a Google search and see if I can find that dealer and then see if I can contact him. I would like to know what his thoughts are on this.

I think he got Trashed on the $3K DLP/Projector Threads and said in so many words, I don't need this Abuse by the uninformed. He came across in his Post as honest and a veteran A/V Professional to me. I think he would still be on the Forum if he had not gotten on the part of the $3K area. Those members for the most part just did not want to hear about the reason the higher end pieces like Runco are better. So they just beat him up until he just said the heck with this.

Terry

tigerhonaker

06-17-07, 04:02 PM

QQQ,

I just received a PM from John. So he sent me his E-Mail address and I have sent him a follow-up E-Mail.

I also ask him to reconsider coming back on board and doing Post. He sounds like a very informed person to me.

Terry

QQQ

06-17-07, 04:33 PM

Great, good luck!

Curt Palme

06-17-07, 06:25 PM

Q- what I meant by my post above is that as Terry himself said, it only takes select few people to leave a company to drastically change what happens. Terry himself said this about the original Runco dealer who lost some people to the 'new' Runco dealer.

I have no idea about the internal workings of Runco, but without Sam at the helm, who knows if policy is going to change. I do however trust Dizzman's opinion, so if nothing has changed at Runco, so much the better.

I am not one to abandoned 'old' technogy for new (thus my working on 10 year old CRT projectors), so I wouldn't give up on the 5000 until all avenues of resurrection have been resolved.

Dennis Erskine

06-17-07, 08:59 PM

tigerhonaker

06-17-07, 09:34 PM

A couple of points (or considerations here).

First, there could be something wrong that is easily fixed ... either via Runco directly or the "new" dealer. Second, that projector's scaler had several firmware upgrades during its life (replaced by the 5000D and then the 6000D). As to replacing the projector, that is clearly an option. Understand, however, the 5000 had an incredible set of lenses the quality of which is generally not available today without significant expense. I would suggest repair.

...and for Curt, Sam is still very much involved.

Dennis,

Your words and thoughts here are very well received. I am hoping that Runco will see fit to upgrade the scaler and repair what ever it is that has caused the problems with it. The picture is still very Clear and the color is as always just great (IMO).

Would you by chance know if in fact Runco can upgrade the VX5000ci Controller to the New Model Controller ? Here is another thought, would they simply replace the existing controller or actually upgrade the existing one ??

Have any of you had any thing sent to Runco to be repaired ?? If so did they treat you right as in cost ? Or someone that you know that has sent Runco a Projector/Controller for repair or upgrade??

I have noticed that AVS is a Runco Dealer. Is this correct ?? If so I am surprised that the Admin. here has not made any comments as to how Runco has been to deal with as far as DLP Projectors/Controllers that are out of Warranty and need to be repaired.
See Post Below:
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Alan Gouger
Administrator

AVS GOLD CLUB MEMBER

Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Somewhere in the good ole USA
Posts: 14,685 Quote:
Originally Posted by LJG
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

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Man I wish I was a lot more into this than I presently am. If I was one of you members here that are like the Gurus of A/V Gear I guess my questions seem to be, shall we say Lame at best.

But if you do not know, then I say ask those that do. That is why I have came to this Forum where I think the real Pros are. I think my judgement of the members here on the $20,000 and up gear is correct.

Terry

tigerhonaker

06-18-07, 08:58 PM

Members,

The process for getting this Runco VX5000ci Projector/Controller repaired is in motion, finally. ;)

I made contact with the New Authorized Runco Dealer today. I spoke with the Custom Installation Manager which is the same Mgr. that sold me the H/T at the old A/V store. He is coming to my home this Friday and then is going to talk to the Runco Rep. for this area. He knows this rep. from the old A/V store he was at. The rep. will remember the problem from back then because he was made aware of it. So from there the dealer will get Runco to issue a Case # and Runco will ship them the Factory Boxes to ship units back to Runco for repair.

I also per the conversation with the Mgr. at the new Runco Dealer, called the owner of the original A/V Store and he pulled the copies of the service records on my VX5000ci that showed the dates that the lamps had been replaced and when Runco sent those lamps to the A/V store. So I have the Paper-Trail now to support the fact that this unit had this problem in the very beginning.

Question for Members here on this Forum ???

If any of you are interested in how Runco handles this as well as what the cost is to repair these units, let me know and I will keep you informed. Not to mention, what has went bad in this Projector/Controller ???

Thanks to the ones of you that have taken your time to Post here with comments/suggestions on what you think concerning this situation. It has not been wasted and helped me to make the Final-Decision to get things rolling in the right direction and stop thinking about what to do. If possible I prefer to keep this VX5000ci. Hopefully Runco will Help make this Possible:

Great-Forum (IMHO) ;)

Terry Honaker (tigerhonaker)

tigerhonaker@aol.com

AV Doogie

06-18-07, 09:48 PM

Good luck, I hope the experience is a good one.

Alan Gouger

06-19-07, 12:45 PM

Hi Terry

Your title did not mention any trouble nor do I have any experience with your model so I gravitated to other posts of interest.

Sadly between work and the size of this forum it is impossible for me to read everything and post as much as I use to. Ahh, the good ole days :)

There are always a bunch of good people here willing to help and Im glad to see they came to the rescue. Sorry to hear of your problem but I am glad to see you were able to hook up with your past installer. What are the odds of that. Maybe you could pick my next lottery numbers for me, Ill cut you in :)

Sadly having to jump from dealer to dealer can add some fatigue to the process but hopefully Runco will work past this and help remedy the situation to your satisfaction.

Keep us posted!!

Alan Gouger

06-19-07, 08:19 PM

Terry threads merged:)

tigerhonaker

06-19-07, 10:40 PM

Terry threads merged:)

Alan,

Thanks for the assist on Merging the Two-Threads. I being a mod on one of the other Forums I am on could do that myself. But here I do not have the Clearance to Change Titles and Merge Threads Etc.

I hope this does catch some of the other Members here that have Runco DLP Projectors so that I hear from them as well as them being able in the I hope Near-Future to read how Runco handles this situation for me.

We all are all here to Help one another. So for those that have High End Projectors I would follow this Thread and see how Runco does choose to handle this. It will also let members possibly know that spending the extra dollars to purchase a Runco Projector is worth it if Runco is willing to take care of you after the sale. We shall all see how this works out.

Believe me after many of you taking time to Post here on this Thread I "Promise-You" I will Post exactly what takes place with the repair of this unit with Runco. Including what they do as far as assistance and what dollar amount I have to pay as well as what did fell with this VX5000ci.

Stay-Tuned ;)

Terry Honaker (tigerhonaker)

Dizzman

06-20-07, 03:09 AM

Dizzman, you I thank for taking the time to comment but when I ask you your connection to people that work at Runco. You come back with something like I know Mark and lots others because I did or do work with Manufactures. You then say something like that has No-Bearing on this Thread. What I think you failed to see in my Post with that question to you on who you knew at Runco was this. I was hoping you might say, Terry when your Dealer calls Runco or You call Runco ask for ------ and tell them Dizzman mentioned you would be in contact.

Hope I have not Rubbed some of you Oldies here the wrong way being the Newbie here. Dizzman my name is Terry Honaker and I probably would not fit into the lingo as "DUDE". I am 62 Yrs. old and was never into the Free-Love Hippie thing. I was in Vietnam in 1965-1966. No-Drugs here Dizzman Then or Now. So hey Terry is fine for me if you don't mind. ;)

Seems to me that this entire thread might be a phishing episode. all that happened was tha multiple folks gave him the same advice of "call Runco directly and they will ensure that you are helped out. And all we got was "well, maybe i will do that someday."

Let this thread die.

Dizzman

06-20-07, 03:11 AM

I was not born until 67. So I am not exactly a Free-Love Hippie either. In case you missed it, Dude is a common colloquialism in our society.

JlgLaw

06-21-07, 01:43 AM

Just a slight "overreaction" to the facts, as stated by Diz. :eek:

tigerhonaker

06-28-07, 11:17 PM

Update:

Runco is shipping Crate to Dealer to box up the VX5000ci & Controller to ship Units back to them for an "Estimate" on Repair.

I did listen to the conversation between the Custom Installation Mgr. and the Runco Tech. The comment I heard from the tech. was maybe a Power-Supply bad. This was over the phone so we shall know for sure when units get back to Runco.

Should be sent back last part of Next week. 1st week of July if all goes well.

Terry

Alan Gouger

06-28-07, 11:58 PM

Terry

Glad tp see progress being made. Hopefully it will not take very long for them to diagnose the problem. Is this machine in or out of warranty?

tigerhonaker

06-29-07, 10:35 AM

Terry

Glad tp see progress being made. Hopefully it will not take very long for them to diagnose the problem. Is this machine in or out of warranty?

Alan,

Projector is I think 2-Yrs. out of Warranty. However the Mgr. that came to my Home made sure that Runco was Very-Aware that the problem went back to when it was 1st Installed. Runco said to dealer at that time we will ship you a Lamp for unit we think that is what is Wrong. They did that Twice and after that I put up with the Brightness at times being Lower than Normal. Also what I ended up doing as time went by, was changing the Lamps out with Lower & Lower times on the Hrs. for each Lamp. The last Lamp had only 1,100 Hrs. on it when changed. The Lamp is suppose to be good for Approx. 2,000 Hrs. So it was really getting expensive to change Lamps out with like 1/2 the Hrs. on them that they were suppose to have. Now it is Low all the Time. Plus other Problems. I think as I understand the situation Runco is going to have to get it on their Bench and see exactly what all is really Wrong with it. Then they will let the Dealer here know what they will do if anything to Assist Owner.

The Local Rep. for Runco will get involved if Runco I guess does not offer some kind of Assistance to me. That Rep. is aware of the problem with this Projector from the very beginning.

I'm just glad that I got on this Forum and Got other Opinions as to what and how to Handle this situation. For all those Members and you (Alan) I am Grateful.

Great Forum. :D

I am really looking forward to getting this Projector back the way it should be. It HAD a Great Picture when 1st Installed.

Terry Honaker

tigerhonaker

07-09-07, 09:56 PM

UpDate:

Runco will be Boxed/Crated this Thursday morning at 8:30 AM. Then shipped to Runco to see what the problems are and what has Failed in the Units.

Also to see if Runco suggest to UpGrade to a newer model.

Terry

tigerhonaker

08-20-07, 09:33 PM

Well It is hard to believe but I got a call from my friend that works for (Hi-Tech-Innovations) the Authorized Runco Dealer in Nashville, TN.

He received my projector back from Runco and it is going to be reinstalled this coming Thursday morning at 8:00 AM

There is a lot more to be said about Runco and how this has been handled by Runco. I cannot complete this information at this time because my dealer and the Runco Rep is still working with Runco in Calif. So the final out come has not been decided at this point in time.

I guess the good part is at least I will have the projector back up and running after this coming Thursday.

I also found out that the Runco dealer I am working with does have on board a ISF Certified Tech. and all the high dollar Sencore Equipment to work with. So I do not have to look further for the right qualified ISF Tech to do the Calibration on the VX5000ci.

I was told today by my Runco Dealer that they should have a reply from Runco by the end of next week regarding the Repair and Possible Upgrade of this Projector. So I will let you all know the bottom line as soon as I know.

Terry
Looking forward to Thursday: ;)

R Johnson

08-25-07, 04:00 PM

... He received my projector back from Runco and it is going to be reinstalled this coming Thursday morning at 8:00 AM....
Terry,
I hope your projector got reinstalled as scheduled, and that you've been busy enjoying it. Looking forward to your next update on this saga...

tigerhonaker

08-25-07, 04:35 PM

Terry,
I hope your projector got reinstalled as scheduled, and that you've been busy enjoying it. Looking forward to your next update on this saga...

Johnson,

I did not get it reinstalled on Thursday.

The reason it was not installed was this. I decided to do the VX5000D Upgrade. So they needed to order the upgrade from Runco and also there are cables that have to be ordered at the same time. In this case they need to be 30' lengths. Projector is mounted on ceiling and pull out rack is in a cubby hole behind a black-curtain when it is pushed back in position.

Also I was trying to get the New Samsung Dual-Format DVD Player and have it all installed at the same time. There is a lot more to what has gone on with Runco in this than I have posted here. I am waiting to see what is worked out between my Runco dealer, Runco and the Runco Regional Rep. As to repair cost and who is going to pay ??? Me or Runco ???:confused: That is why I have not really posted what took place because it has not been decided yet on who is doing what. More details will follow for those that really want to know what happens when you deal with Runco after Warranty runs out. In this case the Projector had this same problem in the very beginning.

So, I am now waiting to hear from my Runco Dealer as to when all this is going to take place.

I would have posted this info. much earlier but Appeared that there was "No-Interest" on this 20K & Up Forum so I did not bother. I think I made a mistake in the very beginning by doing the 1st Thread on this Forum. I should have I think done it on the Digital Hi-End Projectors - $3,000 USD MSRP and Up Forum for Projectors. My Mistake !!! :o

This Forum is for I think the {Professionals-Only} and I did not realize it when doing my 1st Threads here because I was New at the time and did not realize which members were on each Forum. If you are not the Very-Elite A/V Enthusiast, there is IMHO no-room for you on this 20K Forum & Up. Nothing wrong with that and if I had been around here longer I would have picked up on it sooner. As it is I started a Thread here because of the cost of the Runco being $28K and therefore I thought it went in this area of AVScience.

I hope Alan Gouger the
Administrator reads this Post and will "Consider-Moving" it to the more "Appropriate-Forum". Digital Hi-End Projectors - $3,000 USD MSRP and Up.

I think a lot more members there would receive the information and it might just possibly be of some Help to them making their Projector choices in the Future.

Terry

Curt Palme

08-25-07, 05:03 PM

tigerhonaker

08-25-07, 05:46 PM

No Terry, I for one am very interested in how you're getting treated with a unit that seemingly has been problematic from day one. Let's see how this all transpires, seems to me that it's been about 2 months now that this has been going on for.

I do want to know the details, and you should have no problems posting the facts as they happen. Runco has been known for the 'white glove' treatment, both in products, installation and price. Let's see if it extends to customer service for something that's out of warranty, esp. that Sam is more or less out of the company, even if he still is involved on a day to day basis.

Curt,

If there is interest shown I will as I said in the very beginning willing to take the time to Post the {EXACT-FACTS} and they will not be {SUGAR-COATED} I promise you.

This is going to cost me some IMO serious money to do the upgrade from the Vivix 1 to the Vivix 11 (DHD) Controller. But I think the end result will be worth it. I want to be able to hook up the newer DVD Players that are HD Format and this will give me that capability. Along with other enhancements with the DHD Controller.

I took the time to read the Thread on the Runco DHD Controller here on AVS and was that ever interesting. Seems like the majority of members here are not very friendly when it comes to Runco.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=735276
That I think is putting it mildly. Especially when it looks like most of them do not own a Runco Projector so it is somewhat puzzling as to why all the negative remarks. I think it is obvious that Runco does not sell inexpensive Projectors. So I cannot see why all the dislike for the product because the ones that own the Runco projectors seem to be very happy with them. They also are the 1st to comment on the price but once again they like what they see on the screen.

OFF-Topic: Curt this is a very difficult forum to feel at ease on. :confused: As I said in the last post here. I wish I had known how the members here think before I did this Thread. If I had I would have done it on the other $3,000.00 up Forum for Projectors. Nothing wrong with being All-Knowing as members here come across but it does not leave much/any room for the less Knowledgeable Member that is the new member that stumbles on here. Sad but true.

Speaking for only myself I feel sure that I will "NOT-SPEND" any more time than necessary on this Forum once I do the final post on the VX5000CI/VX5000D and how Runco handles their end. I might read here but I really doubt that I would ever post anything. What would be the point with all the very elite/professionals here. No point: They already are in a league of their own and All-Knowing.

Terry

R Johnson

08-25-07, 06:44 PM

Terry,

A good friend of mine spent some serious money on a Runco CRT plus processor some years ago. He had some problems with the processor and sent it back to Runco for check-out / repair. Like you, his original dealer was no longer in business, and he went through a new dealer. Fortunately, the *second* time it came back, the processor worked. In the interim we explored other processor options. Ultimately he was taken care of quite well by his new dealer and Runco.

In my mind, Runco sells many excellent products. But their market seems to be primarily the person who wants a custom installation and is easily able to pay the freight.

The "mass market" digital projectors have become quite good of late. It's difficult, if not impossible, for most of us to compare projector / processor alternatives. Though without benefit of such comparisons, I think that the point of diminishing returns sets in pretty quickly. For instance, my little sub $1,000 Mitsubishi HD1000 1280x720 DLP looks pretty impressive when fed OTA HD or a nice HD DVD from my Toshiba HD-A1. Regular DVDs are quite pleasing when upconverted. Would a Runco 1280x720 DLP with the latest processor (at several times the price) look THAT much better?

When my friend and I were exploring processor options if his Runco processor couldn't be fixed, we found that good processor might be about $3,000. I gather the Vivix II DHD is not inexpensive.

Re the $20K forum: This seems to be largely an Audiophile group. Often interesting to read, but much less so of late.

Ron

tigerhonaker

08-25-07, 07:03 PM

R Johnson

08-25-07, 07:39 PM

tigerhonaker

08-25-07, 07:45 PM

Terry,

The Runco processor alone lists for more than a JVC RS-1 projector!! And I thought the DVDO VP50 at $3,000 was hard to rationalize.

Like you, most of us remember very clearly how much we paid a few years ago for our expensive toys. That makes it hard to be objective, but it sure seems worthwhile to explore alternatives to the Runco repair/upgrade route.

Ron
Ron,

If I was not friends with the Custom Installation Mgr. at the Runco Dealer here I would have more than likely went a different route.

But I trust him so I will bite the bullet and see how this goes.

Hopefully for the best. I read on one of the Threads here that a member purchased the VX5000D Runco and loved the picture so I think all will be just fine once it is done.

Hopefully in the very near future.

Terry

R Johnson

08-25-07, 08:07 PM

Terry,

I understand that there are many considerations that go into these decisions. But I'm quite confident you will be pleased with the quality of the image. I hope you'll get the installation completed soon and get back to enjoying the system.

Looking forward to your next installment,
Ron

Dizzman

08-25-07, 10:00 PM

tigerhonaker

08-25-07, 10:03 PM

Terry, an older (albeit upgraded) single chip runco with 720P resolution will not hold a candle to an RS1.

Keep that in mind. as you are a car guy, you well know when it is time to just go to a new vehicle. Think about that with this situation. sell the runco and upgrade in this case.

unless your upgrade path is an unbeatable deal.

Dizzman,

It is going to be discounted and now the question is ??? Runco covering the "Complete-Cost" of the repair to the VX5000CI ??? I think they will.

Terry

Litherish

08-25-07, 11:56 PM

Terry,

Personally, before even sending an out of warranty projector back to the dealer or manufacturer, I would have opened it up. Sometimes it is just a connector that might have come loose over time, or simply mechanical wear on a component somewhere on the bulb igniter's ballast.

This problem sounds similar to one I had a while back with a Proxima 9400+ that was going through bulbs way too quickly, and some would, similar to your problem, go from bright to dark. It turns out that one of the connector leads connecting the bulb to the projector had somehow melted/scorched off a chunk of metal. And the contact was poor, which created an arcing effect that greatly reduced bulb life. Eventually it got so bad I opened it up and took a look. Found the problem, diagnosed it, and bought a couple connectors at RadioShack that I soldered onto it. And it worked perfectly again.

Your problem may be more complicated though, since it appears something else was going on to make the menu do strange things as well. In most projectors, there are two main power supplies, one for igniting the bulb and keeping it running, and another for regulating all the other components including fans/motherboard/DLP chips etc...And power is taken from the main power supply and hops to the bulb igniter. That is what I've seen in most projectors I've worked on.

But no sense in further discussing that, the deed has been done.

Hopefully they don't spank you with a big repair charge.

~Litherish

tigerhonaker

08-26-07, 12:01 AM

This was posted on another Thread here but it really needs to be on this Thread. So here it is copied and Pasted. There is still more info. to be posted as the replies from Runco have not come back to my Runco dealer yet. Stay-Tuned:

No Flame Suit Needed:

I hope that after my dealer has had another talk with the Runco Rep and that Rep back to Runco that they see this is the Projector that they sent the Lamps for to correct the Problem from the very beginning. The real problem was the Projector doing the Blinking from a normal Bright Image to a Lesser bright Image would not do it long enough for the Tech to get to my home to personally witness it. So if they could not get it to fell there take on it was that if they pulled the projector and sent it to Runco and Runco fired it up and it did nothing WRONG then Runco would ship it back with a note that would say, No-Trouble-Found. Operating Normally: So the projector was never sent back to Runco for the on going brightness issue. They sent out lamps and tech installed them and as time went on I just made up my mind to let it go until the projector would do it in a constant failure mode as it finally did. This was after the warranty period however. But as I said in the other post the documentation was there to support the on going problem. If this was not enough on the front end i was actually going to get the Runco VX5000. Before I received the unit I found out that Runco had came out with the VX5000CI so I made the Request (Demanded) that they install the New Runco VX5000CI which was the exact same price as the VX5000. Keep in mind I had Never Received the 1st VX5000 Runco. The owner said no-way. I said either you offer me some choice here or I have another option for you. Come get these boxes out of my home and I will find another dealer that is willing to do for the customer what they should in the 1st place. That is install the Newest Runco Projector and not trying to unload a dated model on the customer. So a compromise of sorts was made. I paid another Restocking Fee of like $3,685.00 Dollars to get the VX5000CI Projector. Now that was solved. Here comes the New Model of Runco the VX5000CI and it was installed and guess what ???? It was over-heating and shuts it self off. So it is removed before it ever even worked. Next comes the Runco VX5000CI that now has the Blinking Low Brightness Image Problem on the front end. New !!!!! It is the one Runco has repaired and sent back to my Runco Dealer. So there is a very somewhat lengthy story as to why Runco should pay for the repair of this particular Projector. Their dealer being somewhat not Ethical with their customer and Runcos Projectors not performing as they should have. Especially for a $30,000.00 Dollar unit. Now customer is saying to Runco through his Runco Dealer that they cover repair and I will pay for the upgrade. Give me strength.

While I am on a roll here with Runco. Here is the, well kinda rest of the story. Runco is told "Exactly" what to do and how to handle the repair of this VX5000CI Projector. All they were ask to do was this. Call the dealer and or Fax the dealer and give an "Estimate-On-Repairs" if Runco was not going to repair unit for {FREE} so dealer can contact customer to see if customer (ME) wants to spend the money to have unit repaired. Also according to Runco repairing unit at their cost after reviewing History of Customer with dealer in the beginning. Then customer wants to know if this unit can be upgraded to the VX5000D ? If so what would be the cost to the customer after he has put up with all these things from a dealer as well as defective products for the past 4 yrs Approx. What does Runco do ? They repair the unit and ship it back to their dealer here. No phone calls as to cost to the customer and No price on the availability of the upgrade. So here we stand now with this situation.

So YES my post seem to be all over the place and for that I apologize. Maybe this will clear things up.

This is also why on the other Thread that I said there is a lot more to this Runco situation than has been posted at this time. I also said as it concluded I would bring all the information on how Runco chose to handle the situation and it would not be (SUGAR-COATED).

As to the question or comment on customers spending way more money than they should have to. I agree, but it is this simple, you have to go with someone and the best you can do is pick the biggest-high-end-dealer that handles the Best Products for the monies you have to spend. Usually a lot more money than you have to spend when it is all said and done. I like a lot of other members that are not in this for almost their entire lives have to rely on others. And as we all know you can and more than likely will get took to the cleaners. But as consumers we just hope and a little Prayer that in the end after all the money (Credit) is spent we have a somewhat High-End Home Theater to Watch and Enjoy. Personally I am well pleased with the performance of my HT when it is all up and running. The picture looked great and the sound was just awesome. Now this is where the moment of "TRUTH-COMES-IN". Ignorance is Bliss as they say, Thank-God !!!!!!! Because if we do not go to another persons home and hear or listen to their HT then ours remains just an Awesome thing to Watch & Listen to. Not to forget getting on a Forum like AVScience where the Pros hang out. Then you can really feel like an IDIOT that should be taken out and SHOT for spending all that Money on Junk. Pitiful is it not that we live in a Society that just cannot wait to break it off in the unsuspecting Consumer and to top it off think it is the Right-Thing-To-Do.

As to the RG (Richard Gray) power conditioners and surge protectors I guess I will just live with them for now.

So is spending another ??????? something dollars with Runco wise??? I don't honestly know at this point. But to trash a $30K Projector I am not prepared to do either. So choice was ? Repair it and also do you upgrade it while it is down ?? I decided to do BOTH, Repair it and Upgrade it and I am personally very excited about getting it back on the ceiling and seeing it work the way it was designed. Then I want a Dual-Format top of the shelf DVD Player. I think right now I will go with the Samsung that was just introduced. That is if my dealer can get one of them.

Well, this is the story in full detail and I bet it will answer if not all of the questions as to what in the world is going on with this Runco thing.

AMEN:

Terry

Dizzman

08-26-07, 02:54 AM

What i find funny in all of this is that you have still not contacted runco directly.

All this back and forth and "i wonder what they will do..."

Just call them!

I have an install in India right now (pro av) where a part is not setup correctly by the dealer, after three of four tries and the dealer not doing things right, i just called ClearOne directly and they already have a guy working on it.

Contact the manufacturer directly. it is what you should have done in the first place.

tigerhonaker

08-26-07, 11:52 AM

Curt Palme

08-26-07, 12:04 PM

I'll answer for Dizzman:

Yes?

;)

tigerhonaker

08-26-07, 10:03 PM

No Terry, I for one am very interested in how you're getting treated with a unit that seemingly has been problematic from day one. Let's see how this all transpires, seems to me that it's been about 2 months now that this has been going on for.

I do want to know the details, and you should have no problems posting the facts as they happen. Runco has been known for the 'white glove' treatment, both in products, installation and price. Let's see if it extends to customer service for something that's out of warranty, esp. that Sam is more or less out of the company, even if he still is involved on a day to day basis.

Curt,

I thought about the other Thread and the ongoing discussions with Jim Burns and Gordon McGlade. The thread was the discussion on the Runco DHD Controller. And yes I know they may not even reply but if they do I want to know what they have to say. So I just sent Both of them PM's and I will be curious to see if they either one reply and if so what they have to say.

Dennis,

I'm not in anyway afraid to call Runco. What I do not want to do at this late date is cause a friend of mine to possibly get in any kind of trouble with the company he now works for from trying to get this mess straightened out with Runco. If I do nothing it will get resolved but I think Runco needs to take care of the repair bill and then heavily discount the DHD Controller to me. Reason, all the trouble I have went through from the very beginning with their dealer. I am going to talk with him in the morning and see if he thinks it will not cause him any grief on his end then I will personally place the call to Runco and explain what has taken place with me and their product from day one. Dennis I thank you for your advise and in some ways I think as you very 1st suggested I should have contacted Runco in the very beginning. A little late for that now. Cannot start over but I can still get this resolved either with my friend and the co. he works for or by me calling Runco direct.

In the beginning I posted here to see if there was other owners here that owned the Runco Projectors and if so did they have any problems with them. Also I wanted some advise as to how to approach this. At the same time I found out that my friend now worked for the new Runco dealer and at that point I approached him since he new the situation from the other Runco dealer he use to work for. After this I decided to maybe let other members know how this was being handled by Runco since the Projector was now out of warranty even though the problem started when the projector was new and under warranty. I thought it might be useful for others to see that Runco either would or would not take care of a situation as they should based on invoices from them to their dealer while unit was still under warranty. I really don't think there are many people that would go to and take their time to help others if something happened to their A/V equipment. So this Thread was meant to actually help more than just me. I hope that in the end it is of help to other members. It is my intent.

Terry

Jim Burns

08-30-07, 11:42 AM

Hi,

Reply to what? I received the PM but was not sure what it was referring to.

JB

tigerhonaker

09-02-07, 12:19 PM

Hi,

Reply to what? I received the PM but was not sure what it was referring to.

JB

Jim,

I sent you another PM and hopefully it is much more to the point. Since I sent you the original PM I have been contacted by the Runco Regional Rep for this area Jim Kershaw. He is meeting with the proper Runco managers at Cedia and will get back to me this coming week.

Thanks,

Terry

tigerhonaker

09-15-07, 04:41 PM

Hi All,

Runco is "All-about-SUPPORT"

Here is the rest of the Runco VX5000ci story.

I know there are members here that have little if any interest in this Thread. However as I said in the beginning I would finish what I started by letting members here know that own or might one day own how Runco handled this "Out-of-Warranty" Projector. So, here it is for one and all.

Runco covered the [COMPLETE-REPAIR-COST]. The projector was purchased back in 2003 so I think that means it was out of the factory warranty Approx. 2 1/2 yrs. So if the cost of a Runco Projector is high ??? And it is compared to many other Brands, this does show that Runco stands behind their product. So IMHO I think Runco has (Stepped) way up to the Bat and in-fact have (Exceeded-ALL-My-Expectations). Looks like you do get what you pay for from Runco.

Next I did decide to invest in the DHD Controller Up-grade. My feelings are if Runco would take care of their responsibility, I then would continue to invest in their products. The DHD Controller is going to give me more flexibility in the H/D area. Like Dish Network H/D Channels. The New Samsung BD-UP5000. Soon to be Released. It will provide a Digital Path from the New Dish Network VIP722 H/D Satellite Receiver as well as the Samsung BD-UP5000 to the VX5000ci.

Also I did elect to have the ISF Calibrations done. Once when the Runco VX5000ci with DHD Controller Up-grade is installed. Then after approx. 100-150 Hrs. later when the Samsung BD-UP5000 is installed. So this time I should see everything that the projector is capable of producing.

So all is done and paid for and the only thing that needs to take place at this point, is the final installation. Everything will be ordered this Monday so the Clock-is-Ticking.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/img-sub-logo_hi-techinnovations.gif
Phone: 615-372-0372

E-mail: chris@hi-techinnovations.com

Address: 618 Grassmere Park Rd,
Suite 18
Nashville, TN 37211
Fax: (615) 315-8784

Runco DHD Up-grade cost:

Hardware Items:
1ea Runco DHD 1080 Processor Up-grade Program
1ea Vision Ware 10m Premium Lossless Powered HDMI cable
2ea Vision Ware 2m Premium HDMI Cables
4ea Geffin Pemium HDMI to DVI Crossover Adaptors

Misc:
1ea Runco Shipping Carton (Hi-Tech will cover this cost if Up-grade is done)
1ea Insured Shipping Via FeEx to Runco International (Split Difference)

System Total:
ISF Cablibration with Follow-up Visit:
Installation Labor:
Total:
Tax:

System Grand Total: $8,708.32

Terry

R Johnson

09-15-07, 06:11 PM

Terry,
It's good to hear that Runco was able to satisfy you. I trust the installation will go smoothly and that you'll be pleased with the result.
This has been quite an "adventure" !

Ron

tigerhonaker

09-15-07, 06:32 PM

Terry,
It's good to hear that Runco was able to satisfy you. I trust the installation will go smoothly and that you'll be pleased with the result.
This has been quite an "adventure" !

Ron

Ron, You will not hear me say otherwise I can assure you of that. The one good thing is about all the time that it has taken and the different people involved in getting this resolved is this. I'm still "Impressed" with Runco and hopefully when I get this system back up and running I will get to "VIEW" what I have never seen since day one with this Projector. It was Never-ISF Calibrated. My-Very-Big-Mistake IMHO. That is going now to be taken care of.

Thanks and Have-a-Great-Day,

Terry

Curt Palme

09-17-07, 12:40 AM

Hopefully you didn't Jinx the Install/set by posting #62 above before the damn Thing is actually running in your Home..:D

Also, please update in about a Year or so so that we know the Unit is still working. Seems to me that it was 'repaired' a couple of Times before, only to fail again in due time..

Dizzman

09-17-07, 01:54 AM

dude, call Runco. that is why you bought one in the first place. Customer support! Runco is one of the best at it.

I just want to point out that this was post number 2 of this thread!

Glad to hear you have had good success. enjoy the system.

tigerhonaker

09-17-07, 10:04 PM

I just want to point out that this was post number 2 of this thread!

Glad to hear you have had good success. enjoy the system.

Hey Dizzman,

I'm glad you are not the kind of fellow that would say to another member this:

"I-Told-You-So"

Being serious now, thanks Dizzman for your comments and "ADVISE". :)It was never taken (Lightly) by me. I just did it a different way by using a friend at a Runco Dealer and in turn he put me in touch with the Regional Runco Rep. So it did take time but the results were worth the wait. As you pointed out in your Post #2 I may have been able to have shortened this process by picking up the phone and using the Phone & Fax Machine to communicate directly with Runco. The reason I backed off on doing that was once I made contact with my friend I decided to let him as a Dealer handle it as Runco says they "Prefer" to work through their dealers.

The one thing that I have found out by being on AVScience Site is that it "Seems" like not many members here like Runco Products. That I truthfully do not understand. I-Really-Don't !!!!

I can understand people not wanting to pay the price to have Runco Products as they are expensive. However it seems there is more here than just price. I think I will stick around and see if I ever pick up on what the real bottom line is to why members here on the $20K and up Forum especially come across like that.

For those that have posted here on this Thread I Thank-You !!! :D

I will do at least 1-more post on this Thread to let the Runco Owners know how all this has worked out as soon as the Projector and DHD Controller are installed and ISF Calibrated.

Waiting-Patiently, ;)

Terry

Quote by curt palme
Hopefully you didn't Jinx the Install/set by posting #62 above before the damn Thing is actually running in your Home..

Also, please update in about a Year or so so that we know the Unit is still working. Seems to me that it was 'repaired' a couple of Times before, only to fail again in due time.. End of Quote:

Curt I hope I did not. I guess I will find out soon with a little wait. ;) I will tell you this. If it does not "Perform" as expected I will not (Hide-the-Truth) I promise you that. I am expecting it to look Great. I just installed the new Dish 722 DVR HD Receiver and waiting on the Samsung BD-UP5000 Duo HD Player. I think this is going to be Great.

Curt Palme

09-17-07, 11:18 PM

Terry, you keep espousing the virtues of Runco, but your posts really seem to be going the way of the Emperor's New Clothes.

Runco did this, Runco did that, yet you still have perfect blacks in your home theater. THe problem is, that's the only color on your screen right now.;) I'm not bashing nor praising Runco at this point, but again, please post WHEN YOU HAVE A PICTURE!

THEN tell us if it was worth the $9K

Dizzman

09-17-07, 11:55 PM

tigerhonaker

09-18-07, 07:50 AM

Jeffmac

09-18-07, 11:43 AM

To say that many here do not like runco is an incorrect statement.

Many here point out (rightfully so) that when it comes to pure performance, you can get a far better bang for your buck with many other systems.

A little OT: I thought the Runco VX22 was a better projector than the
Sim2 C3X1080 at CEDIA. Yes, it's 15k more but it's not like it was equal to or worse than the Sim.

Dizzman

09-18-07, 12:14 PM

Not in all cases Jeff. but in many. but of course when you factor in all the other things like service, then the equation shifts

tigerhonaker

09-18-07, 02:05 PM

To say that many here do not like runco is an incorrect statement.

Many here point out (rightfully so) that when it comes to pure performance, you can get a far better bang for your buck with many other systems.

So the main rub is that why spend all that money when one can get better performance for far more.

However as many also point out, if you want no part of DIY, and have the benjamins to spend, then go for runco, they will likely keep you very happy for years.

There are those that will throw out the old "more money than brains" adage, but they feel that about any high priced item.

But as curt rightfully points out, 3 months later (factor in the value of a lost theatre for three months) and 9k more, you will have something that should make you happy. but for a few K less, you could have had a cream of the crop brand new 1080i projector (http://www.projectorcentral.com/JVC-DLA-RS1U.htm) 10 weeks ago.

It is a balancing act. you made a decision and i hope you are happy with it.

As far as the "i told you so" you spent plenty of time humming and hawing online and seemingly going around in circles. So it was unclear what you were really looking for. you even seemed to be putting down runco in your posts as well (SEEMED TO BE) So it was a relief when you finally just decided to get the ball rolling.

I worked for an AV company manufacturer for ten years and it was terribly frustrating when folks would never just call us with a question or problem. most of the time we were just waiting to bend over backwards just to help. but in many cases they would not. they would go to a forum and ask opinions and spend far more time than a phone call would have taken.

In the end though, i hope you enjoy the new rig.

Dizzman,

One of the post that really woke me up was the one on the discussion of the Runco DHD Controller with the sub contractors that actually worked on that development. It did not seem like a very friendly conversation to me from this Forum to those two men. Not to mention that anytime Runco is brought up here that it just seems like price is always the main topic. But you and others have been on this site for a very long time now so maybe I am not reading and understanding the Threads and Post that I see here.

Your right as far as me trying in the beginning to decide what to do about the Runco Projector situation. I did not at the time want to deal with the Runco Dealer that was No-Longer a dealer. Then I did not realize until I kept looking that I knew the Mgr, at the New Runco Dealer. So what to do? Trash a $30,000.00 Projector, Try to have it repaired, How to get it repaired, How much to have it repaired, Give up and purchase a new Projector, Attempt to work with a different Runco Dealer, So Yes I was as you say, Very-Undecided. As it has turned out though my friend did take care of the situation and for that I am thankful. Also I have now established a working relationship with this new Runco Dealer. So yes as you have said, the HT has been down for 3-Months and truthfully still is at this time. I think where we differ in our thoughts is this. I am not of the opinion that I could have a "Superior-Projector" for the same money installed in my HT. I still think that you get what you pay for. If the other Runco dealer had not "Screwed-Up" the Serial Numbers of the two VX5000ci Projectors this whole process would have been completed a lot sooner. But I cannot do anything about that dealer and how they operated but have to look to this new dealer and hope things go well.

I do not know or have the expertise to install a new projector and hook it up to my HT. Just plain do not know how. For those of you that do have this knowledge I say to you, GREAT. All you have to do is foot the bill for the product and you are set.

As you also pointed out I came across in Post here that I was against Runco. I think I can see where you might have thought that in the beginning. I did as I recall do a Post and said I did not have it in for Runco. What I should have said was I had it in for the OLD Runco Dealer that got this screwed up by a mix up in serial numbers. Not to mention getting dropped as a Runco Dealer. So trying to get any of this resolved through them I think would have been a Major-Mistake.

In any case as I said in a post just a few back, yes I am still of the opinion that there are members here that do not like Runco and it's products. Price I suppose being a major contributor to those opinions. I notice that there are very few Post/Threads done by New Members and or Old Members talking about Runco Projectors. I think the reason is, because of the Cloud that seems to be here regarding Runco. But you and others have their opinions and I have mine. I guess we will just not ever agree on this. Just a difference in what we think, read and the way we choose to interpret the same.

I have no hard feeling's here at anyone an so voice the same here. However I stand by my opinion of Runco and this site regarding the same.

Curt you are a very hard man:

Terry

Dizzman

09-18-07, 03:43 PM

tigerhonaker

09-18-07, 08:53 PM

Some of the pissing against the DHD that was directed at Jim and Gordon who are a little antagonistic at times. Jim is not the smoothest guy at getting along.

You will also see in that thread that questions were being asked and not answered. and for sure, there are also those here who do nothing but complain about anything runco. but those are also the same folks who complain about anything.

Dizzman,

Yes I can see where you are coming from as far as Jim. Well kinda I should say. Here is a question I ask him in a PM. The other person Gordon never REPLIED:

Jim Burns,
I wonder if you would mind telling me in "Simple" down to earth language what the difference is between the Vivix 1 & the DHD Controller. I want to Upgrade to the DHD Controller and would like to know what I will gain by doing so. Will the picture be any better ??? Any comments will be Appreciated and this time you are not on that Thread about the DHD so there will be No-Dumb-Ass-Remarks: Promise:

Here is his TOTAL-REPLY which is short and to the POINT:

The VHD scaler was analog 480i in only.

The DHD is all formats in.

So I guess he is a man of Very-Few-Words I suppose. Not exactly what I was expecting from him. I really thought he might give me some info. that might explain the reason why the DHD was such a Big-Deal for Runco to add to their Projector's. Well anyway I just went on line and found Articles written about the DHD and it's benefits. I thought Jim would be glad to Brag on the DHD and share it's Benefits with me versus the Vivix 1 that I have.

Terry

BTW, I think one thing that I really should have pointed out in the beginning of this Thread is this. There are not a lot of really High-End AV Dealers here. So trying to get a Runco Dealer in the middle of this situation with my projector IMO would not be very easy. If the dealer sold you nothing then I really do not think they would care to take the time to HELP-ME with my situation. Truthfully since I was in sales for approx. 20 plus yrs. I can relate to a dealer and it's employee's not wanting to get involved. Where is the money coming from for their time ? So not to drag this out further that is another part of this that was not said in the Thread on the front end. This is not like Calif. with Runco Dealer's everywhere.

Jim Burns

09-18-07, 09:27 PM

tigerhonaker

09-18-07, 10:01 PM

Well..... I am not Runco. I am a consultant. It is not my place to tell anyone what is in a product, how it was designed or why company policy is what it is. I answered the part that I could. Same goes for the post in which you where referring to from a year ago. I also stated the same thing in that posting. I protect my clients and try my very best to design and help them develop products that preform and help the market grow..... I guess some people don't like that.

Sooo..... I keep the responses short, that seems to work better.

Jim,

I can see from your Post that it reads like you think I was asking for "INSIDE-TECHNICAL-INFORMATION".

I must have done a very poor job of asking the question. Now that you have done this post I guess maybe I was asking you a question that you cannot answer. Not because I am asking for information about the inside of the DHD Controller but because you must be an "Engineer". That is not to imply a smart remark. It is just to say I was wanting to know from an "Owners-Standpoint" what the difference was between the Vivix-1 and the Vivix-2 (DHD). This would be a simple question to a sales person but to a "Design Engineer" I can see it is and there is probably know way for you to tell me what I was looking for. Your way over my head and I just wanted to know why or what is the big deal with the DHD Controller to spend $6,999.00 Dollars to Up-grade to it.

The problem is I can't get to your level and you cannot as I see it now get down to a layman's terms on what the DHD Controller does.

So my [B](Apology) I offer YOU.

My Father-In-Law is an Electrical Engineer and I learned a long time ago not to try to ask him any "Simple-Question". He just can't answer in simple words. It just gets complicated way to fast to understand what his answer is. I guess the same applies here with "YOU". Your to Smart. ;)

So if you do drop back by here I hope that some way or another that I have gotten across to you that I was not in anyway looking for [Trade-Secrets] or Runco-Insider-Design-Information.

It was just a very simple question. Honest :)

BTW, I take it that you may have read more of this Thread and if so you realize that I did spend the money for the DHD Controller Up-grade. I found enough info. On-Line to convince me it is well worth the Money for the Up-grade. Sorry we did not get through to one another, Jim. My-Apology again !!!

Jim Burns

09-19-07, 08:53 PM

wadeh911

09-19-07, 09:43 PM

I just called Runco at 9:30PM Eastern Time and they answered the phone. I simply called to inquire if their RS-1100 DLP Projector was capable of accepting and/or displaying a 1080p24 signal from my Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player. The receptionist took my name and number, and promised that I would get a call back. Not 2 minutes later a Runco technical service rep returned my call, AT 9:32PM. Regardless of their answer, their customer service impressed me.

Now for the answer provided by the Runco technical service rep: No, the RS-1100 accepts and displays only the 1080p60 input signal. The starting Runco projector which accepts and displays 1080p24 is the VX-22D.

Even though I was disappointed that my display fell short, I'm glad I took the advice of this forum and called Runco. Their service level exceeded my expectations.

tigerhonaker

09-19-07, 10:49 PM

No apology needed. I just hope you understand I like to be conservative with my responses regarding warranty policy and how something is built.

Your PM to me did contain a lot of warranty and dealer issues so I avoided those because I have nothing to do with those areas.

Ask me an application question, :)

Hi Jim,

It looks like you do read certain Post here. So that being the case I just want to let you know I "Appreciate" you taking the time to respond to my post here.

Take-Care,

Terry

Curt Palme

10-03-07, 09:38 PM

So... 2 weeks have gone by and not a word from Tiger. Did Runco come through along with the dealer or are you still viewing perfect blacks in your theater?

tigerhonaker

10-03-07, 10:06 PM

So... 2 weeks have gone by and not a word from Tiger. Did Runco come through along with the dealer or are you still viewing perfect blacks in your theater?

Hi Curt,

Okay here is the deal for "YOU". :D I have not posted the Up-Date yet but I will for "You" now if you want to know what is going on for the past two weeks.

Here is your Big-Chance, do you wait or do you want the Fact's Now ??? :confused:

Terry

Curt Palme

10-03-07, 10:38 PM

I just want to hear that you got your money's worth. I don't really care either way, but I do hope that you got customer satisfaction.

So sure, update us to this point..:)

<edit> Sorry, 'I don't care' sounded crass, let me rephrase: It doesn't affect me what the outcome is, but with the amount of money and grief you've gone through, I hope that you got 110% satisfaction with the money you spent.

There, that sounded better..:D

tigerhonaker

10-03-07, 10:58 PM

I just want to hear that you got your money's worth. I don't really care either way, but I do hope that you got customer satisfaction.

So sure, update us to this point..:)

Curt,

Nothing has taken place as of Yet. That is why I have not posted an Up-Date.

The rest of the story as of yesterday when the local Runco dealer called me with an update is this.

Runco was waiting for product (DHD Controllers) to arrive so they could do their thing and then ship mine to dealer here locally. So by the end of this week my dealer will have the DHD Controller and they already have the cables so "Tuesday" around 8:30am they will be at my home to install the projector along with the New DHD Controller.

Wednesday at 8:30am the ISF Tech will arrive at my home to do the ISF Calibrations to the Runco. I will be home that day. Took a day off.

Also the same dealer (High Tech-Innovations) will adjust the complete sound
system.

So next week things should finally look up as far as the HT (Home Theater). I'm trying not to get just Crazy/Excited over this until it is all "Completed" and I can finally Look & Hear the System for myself and see if the $9,000.00 Dollars was worth it IMO. I am a believer at this junction until I see and hear the system. I know one thing for sure that (High Tech-Innovations) is going to do their part to see that all this is completed in a most Professional-Way !!!! The Custom Installation Mgr. their is my friend from the other A/V Store that I originally purchased the HT from. So one of the techs that is going to be doing the install here came from that original dealer. He is very aware of what is here and how it all works, as he was one of the techs that did the original install. Also the Mgr. is coming over to over see the install and to listen to the Audio after it is adjusted along with the Picture.

Now if Runco has done their thing in repairing the Projector as I have confidence that they did. They run the projectors for 24-Hrs. to make sure everything is correct so all should go well next week.

Thanks for Asking Curt: I know you did not have to: :)

Terry

tigerhonaker

10-07-07, 12:49 AM

Hi All,

High Tech-Innovations called me at work Friday morning and informed me that they could install the projector and the other components if I wanted to watch it this weekend.

This may come as a "Complete-Surprise" but I said YES.

So everything was installed and I set up the New Dish DVR722 that evening after I got home.

I will make comments once the ISF Certified Tech comes this Wednesday to do the Calibrations. He is also going to set up the Audio once he completes the Video.

So Stay-Tuned:

Terry

R Johnson

10-12-07, 12:58 PM

Terry,
Looking forward to your comments....
Ron

tigerhonaker

10-12-07, 03:54 PM

Terry,
Looking forward to your comments....
Ron
Mr. Johnson,

I have not done the "Follow-Up" because I am on "HOLD". :(

Sad but TRUE: The dealer has a problem with a major New Install and ask if I would wait until they can get things going for that customer. I can watch mine but do not have the "ISF Calibration" done. That I am looking forward to so I can see how the Pic looks with my Runco because of two reasons.

(1) Never had it done when unit was originally installed.

(2) Now I have the all digital DHD Controller Up-grade so I really want to see how the HD Channels look from Dish.

Plus I want to see the difference in the different Sources like Dish HD, Samsung HD DVD Player, regular Non-HD Programs. OOPS I forgot regular DVD's versus HD DVD's.

Here is a (Question) that I have not yet really gotten a Firm-Reply on. I want to find out for myself what the difference in "Picture-Quality" is between, Dish HD-Programs- HD DVD's- Non-HD DVD's- and just regular Dish Programs: Looks like it will be awhile before I will have that "Comparison" due to the release of the Samsung Dual-Format HD Player.

Do you have a Runco Projector ????:confused:

More than likely I will hear from my dealer this coming week [I-Hope]. :D

So I have not forgotten to do the follow-up I just have not gotten the finished product yet. ;)

Terry

BTW, the other thing I really want is the Samsung Dual-Format HD DVD Player. There are more dates as to when it is going to be released than stars in the Heaven. :D

R Johnson

10-12-07, 04:20 PM

I have not done the "Follow-Up" because I am on "HOLD". :(...
Do you have a Runco Projector ????:confused:

I was suspecting you might had had another delay...
No, I don't have a Runco. But a good friend bought a Runco CRT and processor back in 1999 for some serious money. He's had a couple of "interesting" repair experiences, so I've been interested in following your story.
Ron

tigerhonaker

10-12-07, 04:52 PM

I was suspecting you might had had another delay...
No, I don't have a Runco. But a good friend bought a Runco CRT and processor back in 1999 for some serious money. He's had a couple of "interesting" repair experiences, so I've been interested in following your story.
Ron

Ron,

I will do a follow-up as soon as I can "TRUTHFULLY" reply to what I see from the different Source's.

I can share this with you now, as far as what the Pic looks like out of the box after Runco did the repair and with the DHD Controller Up-grade. The Dish HD looks really "GREAT". Infact it looks "Superior" to watching a DVD on my Integra DVD Player. In the past the Integra DVD looked clearer with much more Detail IMO. I can now tell that there is a major difference in the Quality of the Pic between a NON-HD Channel and a Dish HD Channel. I mention this because in the past I honestly could not actually see a difference if any between the Regular Dish channel and the Dish HD Channel.

So as I am repeating myself here, I am looking forward to see what the difference will be in the different Source's once the ISF Cal. is done. I think I will see even a Greater-Difference:

Terry
BTW, when I do post my opinion it will be Very-Matter-of-Fact. I will not color my View's. However it looks is exactly what I will Post:

tigerhonaker

10-18-07, 08:04 AM

Hi,

Well I received a call from my Runco Dealer and it looks like Tomorrow-Friday is going to be my "DAY".

I am getting somewhat "Excited" about this taking place. WOW !!!! 1-more day to go.

Terry

WilliamC

10-18-07, 09:24 AM

Curt Palme

10-18-07, 10:07 AM

Tell me you haven't paid up front for this??? If so, at this point I'd be livid.

tigerhonaker

10-18-07, 05:37 PM

After reading this thread, I came away with the following:
Call the manufacturer if you get no where with the dealer. I'm sorry but why anyone in their right mind would wait so long to get an issue resolved when the resolution is right at their fingertips is beyond me. In the end needless amounts of time were spent. I honestly have a lot of trouble buying most of what the OP said.

Regardless enjoy your system and I hope the 8K you spent on upgrades are worth it.
William,

I have been thinking as to how I want to respond to your post. I think I will take this approach.

(1) Do you own a Runco-Projector ???? :confused:

(2) If you do ??? I would think that you would already be aware of this (Fact) regarding contacting Runco Direct as a Consumer. Runco (States) this: We (Runco) do not have the resources to work directly with [Customers]. So we depend on our Professional Runco Dealer to act as the go between. The dealer works with the customer and us to resolve issues.

(3) So yes there was a lot of time spent to get the situation resolved. Now to "YOU" it reads like this was a total waste of time. So you would have done this completely different. That is your take and your decision.

(4) However, this was my decision and I chose to go through the "Proper-Channels" as Runco suggest. If you read the complete Thread here I think it should be very apparent to you this was not a simple thing to get resolved. I am not going to go through all the reasons again.

I am totally satisfied with the results I have gotten from the way I chose to handle this from the beginning to right now. The Projector has been repaired by Runco for "FREE". My dealer went through the local Runco Rep and that Rep went to Runco and all turned out well for all parties concerned. Runco keeps a customer and the New Runco Dealer gets a New Customer. Things sometimes just do not take place as fast as we would prefer, but in the end all has turned out very well. I have the Highest-Regard for Runco, my Dealer and the Runco rep that got this handled. I will continue to Praise Runco and Recommend Runco for their Customer Support as well as their Excellent Products.

William you said:
Regardless enjoy your system and I hope the 8K you spent on upgrades are worth it.

If you are really interested in what I think of the results of the money I spent for the Up-grade then check back here and I can assure you I will do a Post as a follow-up on how the Picture looks after the ISF Calibration is Completed.

William you said:
I honestly have a lot of trouble buying most of what the OP said.

William, This really bothers me that you make this comment and you do not know me. You have never met me in person, spoke with me or in any way know me before making this remark. All I think that I am going to say regarding your comment is this. Would "You-Appreciate" me making this kind of remark about you when I have never laid eyes on you in my life ??? Well, I feel the same way regarding your comment. It is uncalled for and has nothing to do with discussing Runco and their product and or their service. Please, in the Future try not making such a comment about a "Total-Stranger". Thanks !!!

Terry

Terry

tigerhonaker

10-18-07, 06:14 PM

Tell me you haven't paid up front for this??? If so, at this point I'd be livid.

Curt,

Yes I Paid for all of this "Up Front" and it was (My-Decision) to do so. I have No Regret what so ever about that decision. I am Totally Satisfied with everything that so far has taken place and the way things have been handled.

I'm human and therefore as anyone I would have liked this to have all been resolved in a much shorter time frame. With that being said I realize from being in the business world for many yrs. now that things just don't always work out as fast as anyone would prefer they do. That is just the Hard-Core-Truth if we like it or not. I could pick this thing to death I suppose and pick aspects of it apart. But I know and have respect for those that were involved in this from the very beginning and things have in the end worked out. They did as best they could and that is all I personally can ask of others.

I will say this regarding the money of the up-grade. Who is to decide what something is really worth to another. Certainly not I and in fact when you come right down to it what is anything really worth ??? Well the short answer is this.

It is worth to that person whatever it COST as long as that person is HAPPY with their choice.

In this case I am HAPPY with every aspect of this and hope to see the Final-Results come Friday. I have every confidence in the ISF Certified Tech that sets up Runco's that cost 3-times the price of mine.

Off Topic:

Curt, You know what I think is sad ???? Some of the members here that make Stupid uncalled for Remarks to other Members when there is No-Reason for it at all. Some members are constantly just got to show others how very smart they are with their clever remarks. It makes me really wonder if anyone really uses their high dollar systems because I personally do not see how they possibly could with the time they spend on this Forum showing others how very Stupid they are and how Smart they are. I can assure you that when my HT is completed I will be watching and listening to it daily. What I won't be doing is reading all the Back & Forth Remarks by the Know-It-Alls on this Forum. I'll finish my Thread for those that own Runco Projectors and for those members that might be interested in the Purchase of a Runco Projector. But for all the Bitching back & Forth post after post I say, {Give-Me-A-Break}. Who cares about who has the most clever remark this evening and who can make the other member feel Little/Stupid etc. How crazy all this is when I thought this was a Forum to Honestly discuss equipment, concerns, operation of components and it looks and reads like "I-Dare-You" to Post here. We are waiting for you !!!!!!!!!! I have watched very closely to see if other Runco owners would Post here and I can see why they have not. Way to many Hard-Core I Hate Runco Members here. But hey I am not silly enough to think that what I say here is going to open the minds of members here that choose to be so Very-Sarcastic to others. I know better. In the end there will be the same members going back and forth at each other and wondering why there are not New Members Posting. Sad !!!!!!!!

Terry

Curt Palme

10-18-07, 07:34 PM

Jim Burns

10-18-07, 08:03 PM

I never said I hate Runco. All I know is.

1) Currently you are achieving perfect blacks
2) You are also not putting wear on any bulbs.
3) Someone else has your $8K.

1) Wasn't sure where it was going
2) Laughed hard
3) maybe... just maybe one step over the line (Not that I have ever done that:rolleyes: yes it is clever)

Before I go on I would like to make one point very clear. “The comments of Jim Burns are his and his alone, he is (or I am) speaking for him self and no one else”

OK I felt I needed to say that because of my long term relationship with Runco and other HT entities.

Ah Hem…

once again….

THIS IS MY OWN PERSONAL RESPONSE

Now that that is done.
I would like to applaud the enthusiasm for Home Theater that I have seen in this post. Terry is a guy that has had a hard time getting his Home Theater up to the level that he is looking for… yet he is still very excited and is not turned off by what has happened. He is hard core HT. As am I and probably everyone else is that has expressed their opinions in the last four pages of posts. His path to HT bliss may be the path less traveled for the vocal opinion of those on this forum; however his destination is the same.

I would now like to come off my soap box and wait for the flames.

Thanks,

tigerhonaker

10-18-07, 10:34 PM

I never said I hate Runco. All I know is.

1) Currently you are achieving perfect blacks
2) You are also not putting wear on any bulbs.
3) Someone else has your $8K.

<edit>: I nominate this post for most clever remark today..;)
Curt,

Curt you said:
2) You are also not putting wear on any bulbs.

Maybe I should have mentioned that Runco also "Replaced" the $750.00 Lamp for (FREE) along with the repair of the Projector.

I'm not sure if you will "Believe-Me" or not but I will give this a try.

I've been watching the Runco VX5000ci with the DHD Controller Up-grade for the past weeks that have gone by. As I said in an earlier Post on this Thread.

I also said that due to circumstances beyond (High Tech-Innovations) the Authorized Runco Local Dealer here in Nashville, TN. they could not send their ISF Certified Tech. to (Complete) the final calibrations to the Projector. They were doing a New-Install and had problems and ask If I minded waiting until they got this customer up and going with a picture. I said YES because mine was working just fine until I had their Tech come by and complete the calibrations.

I was promised that when he came to my home there would be {NO-TIME-LIMIT} placed on his visit. So as I said in the last Post to you I am very happy with this dealer and Runco for going way Beyond what they had to do for me with my VX5000ci being out of the Factory Warranty. Yes as I said the projector did have this problem in the very beginning but not consistently so the problem was never corrected. Then that Runco dealer was no longer an Authorized Runco Dealer as I also said. So from there to now another dealer took over and completed what should have been done by the selling dealer.

It is a shame to me that members and not just you are so very quick to jump all over Runco and it's products because they are expensive. As I said before and I feel the same way today you get what you pay for sometimes and more often than not. Runco is to me an example of this. Expensive ???? Yes, but as this Thread/Post shows Runco does take care of their Customer even when they are not actually in a situation where they have to. As in a situation where the unit was 2-Plus yrs. out of the Factory Warranty.

I said this before but I think I will repeat this again. Since Runco did as I would hope they would. I decided to spend more of my money with their company. This was the DHD Controller. My money and my decision and I am very excited about the Picture I see with the projector and it has not been through the ISF Calibration as of yet. The Dish Network HD Channels look Great already. Example is HD CSI Miami and HD Discovery as well as others.

The only thing I hope that takes place here for other Runco Owners as well as Members/Visitors is they will see that Runco and Runco's Dealer took care of Business. I went by the Guide-Lines that Runco suggest a customer is to use and all is well now with the HT.

If anyone that wonders if any of this is correct or wants Further info. before you do your next Projector Purchase feel "Free" to E-Mail me or PM me. I will reply if you are for real and not just wanting to be another Runco Basher.

BTW, I normally would not give out this personal info. but in this case I will make the exception. I am 62 Yrs. old and have worked for IBM in Customer Engineering as well as sells for many yrs. in the past. So if you want to discuss the Runco Experience I have had I am willing as long as you are interested in their Product and not just wanting to BITCH about how Expensive they are. If you cannot afford their product or think you can purchase a Projector for $8k to 10K that out performs the Runco with the same degree of Support from an Authorized Runco Dealer I say that is called America and Free Choice. I am of the opinion as I stated that if you want the Complete Package you are going to have to pay for it.

Terry

WilliamC

10-22-07, 09:43 AM

William,

I have been thinking as to how I want to respond to your post. I think I will take this approach.

(1) Do you own a Runco-Projector ???? :confused:

No. I fail to understand why you are so confused.

(2) If you do ??? I would think that you would already be aware of this (Fact) regarding contacting Runco Direct as a Consumer. Runco (States) this: We (Runco) do not have the resources to work directly with [Customers]. So we depend on our Professional Runco Dealer to act as the go between. The dealer works with the customer and us to resolve issues.

Here is the thing with this... Your dealer was not around anymore. Obviously things are different with you, but if spend any money on any item and I get to support from the dealer I go to the manufacturer. You may want to look at what Runco said again because no where did they say they WON'T deal with the consumer. Frankly I could care less what resources they have available, I paid for their product and they will provide me with the proper level of support.

(3) So yes there was a lot of time spent to get the situation resolved. Now to "YOU" it reads like this was a total waste of time. So you would have done this completely different. That is your take and your decision.

Yes TO ME it is a total waste of time and it is MY take on the matter.

(4) However, this was my decision and I chose to go through the "Proper-Channels" as Runco suggest. If you read the complete Thread here I think it should be very apparent to you this was not a simple thing to get resolved. I am not going to go through all the reasons again.

I have read the complete thread and it was not a simple thing to solve by your own actions. Had you actually headed the advice to call Runco directly this issue would have been resolved much more promptly. No need to go through the reasons again.

I am totally satisfied with the results I have gotten from the way I chose to handle this from the beginning to right now. The Projector has been repaired by Runco for "FREE". My dealer went through the local Runco Rep and that Rep went to Runco and all turned out well for all parties concerned. Runco keeps a customer and the New Runco Dealer gets a New Customer. Things sometimes just do not take place as fast as we would prefer, but in the end all has turned out very well. I have the Highest-Regard for Runco, my Dealer and the Runco rep that got this handled. I will continue to Praise Runco and Recommend Runco for their Customer Support as well as their Excellent Products.

FYI if you would have gone directly with Runco from the start the same result would have occured just quicker!

William you said:
Regardless enjoy your system and I hope the 8K you spent on upgrades are worth it.

If you are really interested in what I think of the results of the money I spent for the Up-grade then check back here and I can assure you I will do a Post as a follow-up on how the Picture looks after the ISF Calibration is Completed.

My comment never implies that I am interested, it just states that i hope you enjoy your system and the upgrades are worth it. I am not interested on whether it is or is not worth the upgrade price.

William you said:
I honestly have a lot of trouble buying most of what the OP said.

William, This really bothers me that you make this comment and you do not know me. You have never met me in person, spoke with me or in any way know me before making this remark. All I think that I am going to say regarding your comment is this. Would "You-Appreciate" me making this kind of remark about you when I have never laid eyes on you in my life ??? Well, I feel the same way regarding your comment. It is uncalled for and has nothing to do with discussing Runco and their product and or their service. Please, in the Future try not making such a comment about a "Total-Stranger". Thanks !!!

No I have not met you in person and do not know you that is pretty obvious. Remarks can be made at any point in time by anyone. My "remarks" as you call them are based on your posts throughout this thread. Simply put it is hard to believe what you are saying because anyone that has spent that kind of money or any money for that matter to argue against valid advice. You made no attempt to heed the advice given to you and continued to post asking for help even though help was given to you! Also one very important detail that I do not know if it has been mentioned before... You have had this issue from the start and never had it taken care of. That honestly makes no sense at all. If you have a defective unit then you should have gone to your dealer and ensured that they either swapped it out or repaired the unit. None of this was done as you state that the unit had the problem and it kept getting worse. The general consesus if that if someone has a defective unit you make sure you get it fixed. Would you drive a car that has a bad transmission or troublesome breaks? Hey if you wanna spend your money this way thats your deal, but don't come here asking for help and then act like you are not getting it. You got the right advice and you chose to ignore it. Thats fine its your choice and should have been left at that.
You also mentioned if I would "Appreciate" you making these comments about me... Honestly, I wouldn't care. Make as many comments as you would like they make no difference and simply promote free speech. I don't believe in censoring ones opinion simply because it offends another. If that happened the everything would be censored because everything in this world will offend at least one person.

You feel the same way about my comment? That makes no sense to me. What is there to believe about my comment. Are you trying to say you have trouble believing what I said? If so, um....ok.

You also said in the future not to try and make any "such comment". I will not try, I will continue to do as I wish. I am not trying to be rude with this statement. I am just simply saying that while you may desire this to happen there is no way it will.

Have a nice day! :D

R Johnson

10-22-07, 03:47 PM

Terry,
I hope that there hasn't been another delay getting your ISF tuneup.
I hope you've been too busy watching movies to writeup your comments.
Ron

tigerhonaker

10-22-07, 08:23 PM

William C.

Your right it is a Free Country and you have every right to voice or write your comments down.

Terry

tigerhonaker

10-22-07, 08:25 PM

Terry,
I hope that there hasn't been another delay getting your ISF tuneup.
I hope you've been too busy watching movies to writeup your comments.
Ron

Hi Ron,

I will explain what is going on as soon as I am able and have the time to do a proper Post.

I have not forgotten.

Terry

Curt Palme

10-22-07, 09:04 PM

Isn't it awesome when the end user backs up the prolonged delays caused by the dealer/supplier?

May we all have customers like you Terry! :)

tigerhonaker

10-22-07, 11:15 PM

Isn't it awesome when the end user backs up the prolonged delays caused by the dealer/supplier?

May we all have customers like you Terry! :)

Curt,

If you really knew me I bet you would be pleasantly surprised. Now your thinking why would I make this comment ?

Because you are reading on this Forum like I am this Laid-Back person that just seems to not get excited at all about things. Even when it goes on with a manufacturer for a very long time. Not to mention that I appear on this Forum to be a True-Supporter of Runco and it's Dealers. They can do (No-Wrong) according to me and my Post.

Well, I am not a Laid back person at all. In fact when the situation calls for it in my determination I am anything but laid back.

But in this matter here with the new Runco Dealer (Hi-Tech Innovations) and Runco the manufacture I am being "CALM". And I will back this dealer as well as Runco until I see that they are not trying to resolve this situation. I think everything will turn out for the best with all parties involved.

So Calm I am as I type this Post and I will remain in (Total-Support) of Runco for their Product's and their (Service/Support) until they prove me other wise. And truthfully as Foolish as It may read here I have every confidence I will not be disappointed in the END.

Curt, as you said in your Post: Terry may we all have customers like you.

YES you can as long as I believe you are trying to do the right thing. I'll back you all the way !!!!!!!!!! That is what IMO (In-My-Opinion) a Loyal-Customer should do for a company that does the right thing for their Customer.

Runco is that kind of Manufacturer:

Curt, it is always a Pleasure to read your Post on AV Science Forum. :D

Have A Great-Evening,

Terry
BTW, If Runco or it's Dealer does not take care of Business you just might have the opportunity to see/read the other side of me. Man I really Hope & Pray that does not happen. It ain't Pretty:

Curt Palme

10-22-07, 11:38 PM

tigerhonaker

10-23-07, 08:07 AM

Hey, I was just having a bit of fun with you. Having just come off a repo situation where a customer stopped paying his bill due to his own personal financial issues, and me having to repo some of my equipment, and then the customer having the nerve to call the police telling them that I stole the equipment and then me having to explain the situation so that I wouldn't be arrested and the police telling me that they had no issue with me....

(OK Curt, time to take a breath..)

.. trust me, a customer that is understanding of a dealer situation is FAR preferred than someone that comes on here strongly a nanosecond after the dealer doesn't come through in the promised time frame...

:)

Curt,

Well finally the "Real-Curt" has come out at (LAST). :)

So really you do see why I am sticking by Runco and Hi-Tech Innovations as they are trying to resolve this projector thing. Good for you and it is nice to see that you can Post comments that are of a Very-Positive-Nature if you let your hair down. I would provide the exact same level of Support & Confidence in dealing with you Curt. All I ever ask is that a (Person/Company) does what they should for the other guy that they themselves would expect if it was them. I think you know where I am coming from.

Thanks for showing your real side here. It cost nothing to be nice and have some understanding of others.

Glad that your Bad Situation worked out for you and you did not do any "Days". ;) :D BTW, this line is meant to be FUNNY !!!!

Terry

Curt Palme

10-23-07, 08:54 AM

tigerhonaker

10-23-07, 02:54 PM

tigerhonaker

10-23-07, 11:22 PM

Is now the time to add my 'HOWEVER' statement? ;)

(just kidding!)

I think I can sum this up that no one here wants you to be left hanging, and everyone more or less wants everyone else to have an enjoyable theater/stereo experience, despite some of the bashing and arguing that goes on around here.

You did at first seem to come across as being all pro Runco, all the time.

Now that we've all come full circle, everything seems to be a bit more balanced.

Curt,

Your last Post here read like I would hope anyone would be concerning another member and their HT. That being the case I have decided to make the below comments.

I'm not going to go into what is going on at this time with the projector and the DHD Controller Up-grade but I think it would be obvious that it is not performing exactly as it should. Once Ray makes a decision as to how he is going to handle this I will Post what happened with the projector once it was reinstalled and the ISF Certified Tech did the Calibrations. I want to give Runco the opportunity to correct things before Bad-Mouthing-Them or their Product. Seems like the right "Ethical" thing to do IMHO.

Here is the person at Runco that Hi-Tech Innovations and myself are working with at Runco.

I received this E-Mail Below:

I was looking at some posts on AVS Forum and saw yours. Have your problems been solved? If not let me know.

Ray

Raymond P. Medeiros
Assistant to the Founder

Runco International Inc.
2900 Faber Street
Union City, CA 94587

So we shall see how this goes. This certainly looks like the right person at Runco to make a decision regarding this matter.

Terry

R Johnson

10-23-07, 11:40 PM

Terry,
I was expecting a happy conclusion to your saga. But it seems it's not over yet. Good luck! I think Ray will make sure you're satisfied.
Ron

Dizzman

10-23-07, 11:41 PM

tigerhonaker

10-24-07, 12:14 AM

Terry this is what is making some of us bang our heads. you have not done the right thing. you have dealt with no system for months. Ray works directly with Sam and i would bet that Sam was the one who saw these posts and got Ray to help you.

When you have a problem, you contact the manufacturer. you paid a dealer initially who sold you a RUNCO product... not theirs but a RUNCO. you paid the big $$$ for a RUNCO product. and when you have a problem you should have called RUNCO!!!!! who gives a rats A$$ about their staffing levels. this is why there are bigger margins and theoretically more profit on one of these beasties. they make it right. If you had dealt with Runco directly from the beginning, then things would have been fixed likely no longer than a month after you first had an issue.

I feel strongly about this issue and bring it up frequently, i have worked for a few AV manufacturers and any time we saw somebody online maoning about some issue (no matter what the age of the product was) we would try to get ahold of them right away to try to get things dealt with ASAP. i mean honestly, you have been here since june the 10th looking for suggestions.

So stop wasting time and screwing around. get RUNCO to deal with it.

And honestly, Runco puts TONS of efforts into ensuring that the proj is very good out of the box. waiting for the ISF calibration in this case is almost a waste of time. give it a few months, enjoy the proj, make sure it works ok... put a few hours on the lamp... THEN pay the excess $$$ for an ISF nitwit. (*this is my personal feeling about ISF since Joe left the organization that he started many years ago*) who knows, you may not even want it. to my feelings, ISF holds some sway on a proj that is more neutral, factory, whatever out of the box. SOny's, etc. Runco works quite a bit to ensure it is calibrated when you get it. can it be improved... sure. how much... not that much i feel. depending on your eye of course.

Dizzman.

Ray is the one that will make the decision here. It is not that the Projector is not working. It is but there are problems still with the unit after being reinstalled.

At this point I was I guess not wanting or expecting to get any suggestions on which way this should have been handled as you said in the beginning, CALL-Runco-Direct.

Dizzman, the comment above might read like I am being or coming across as a smart-a$$. It is not meant in that way at all and I hope you especially do not take it that way.

This post is just to let maybe Runco owners or future owners to see how this has went. Not that the next person would handle their situation like I have but simply this is how this has went for me and the way I went about it.

Well, I think at this point it is a wait and see what Ray decides he is going to do on his end. That will be the end to this and I hope it goes well as I still like the Runco Projector even though at this point in time it is not Perfect.

Again, Dizzman I have never said you were wrong in your comments and suggestions you have the background to support those. I just did not have the right name at Runco to call in the very beginning and therefore I went to their Dealer.

Terry

tigerhonaker

10-24-07, 08:02 AM

Terry,
I was expecting a happy conclusion to your saga. But it seems it's not over yet. Good luck! I think Ray will make sure you're satisfied.
Ron

Hello Ron,

Off-Topic:

I talk to a couple of guys in Chicago every day on a Chat Room on another site. Met them in person a year ago at (Hybridfest 2006). Nice guys and I see you are from or live in Chicago.

Back to the Topic:

I will either Post here or (Personally) send you a "PM or E-Mail" and tell you more of what has actually taken place about the Projector. Once it is Actually Resolved one way or the Other.

Terry

Curt Palme

10-24-07, 08:48 AM

tigerhonaker

10-24-07, 02:16 PM

While I have no inside track of what's going on, I am going to PM Dizzman what I think is going to happen, and I'll post it once this whole thing is resolved. I'm curious as to how close I'll come in guessing what's going on.

Curt,
I'm really not trying to act like this is some big SECRET but I do think I owe it to Ray at Runco and the Local Runco Dealer here to resolve this situation before I Post the Exact-Problem.

It would be nice if Ray would take my suggestion and this would be over "Immediately". However I am not Ray so the decision rest with him.

Even if he will not do as I have E-Mailed him and suggested I think the situation will still be handled to my "Satisfaction" by Ray and my Local Runco Dealer.

My Faith in Runco is still STRONG !!!!!!!!!! :D

Terry

Jim Burns

11-05-07, 01:29 PM

I never heard form your dealer. Did you reset the DHD like I suggested? Did the Digital inputs get brighter?

tigerhonaker

11-05-07, 01:38 PM

I never heard form your dealer. Did you reset the DHD like I suggested? Did the Digital inputs get brighter?

Hi Jim,

I prefer for the moment to reply to "You" by PM.

So PM is on the way if I can get the time to reply from here at work.

BTW, Thanks for the Up-date !!!!! :D

Terry

Curt Palme

11-05-07, 01:42 PM

My Faith in Runco is still STRONG !!!!!!!!!! :D

Terry

Care to modify this statement? :p:D

tigerhonaker

11-05-07, 02:04 PM

I never heard form your dealer. Did you reset the DHD like I suggested? Did the Digital inputs get brighter?

Jim,

PM has just been sent to You.

Terry

tigerhonaker

11-05-07, 02:06 PM

Care to modify this statement? :p:D

Curt,

You are such a DOG. ;)

Hey I would be asking the same question of you if this was turned around. :D

Terry

BTW, YES, My Faith in Runco and people like Jim Burns is Very-Strong [STILL].

tigerhonaker

11-05-07, 04:17 PM

Curt,

Stay tuned I just finished a PM and received a reply from Jim Burns along with Chuck at Hi-Tech Innovations the Runco Dealer here.

Chuck has been in touch with Runco and so this
FRIDAY

the tech will be at my HOME to Complete-the-Install:

Terry

I always say Keep-the-Faith until there is No-Hope Left: It [Pays-Off] in most cases:

Curt Palme

11-05-07, 05:58 PM

Terry, just so you know, (and despite what others might think here), I'd demand an update about ANY manufacturer if someone had a problem with a product. Since I'm a tech, I'm always interested in the outcome of something that's broken, that's just the sick person that I am.

Jim Burns

11-05-07, 06:21 PM

I do not think the unit is broken. I think there is a set up issue that is about to be resolved.

DNMOODY

11-06-07, 08:35 AM

CINERAMAX

11-06-07, 08:42 AM

I didn't even get one guy who said he has viewed one.

I viewed one. It was nice but a lttle bit on the sepia side. The digital projection unit has a filter on the lamp, the runco and sim have the filters in the light path. The filter on the lamp is a cleaner approach.

Now I did tell you this. Don't go bitchin later that you weren't told.

DNMOODY

11-06-07, 09:07 AM

My two cents again. Has anyone posting comment ever tried calling Runco directly for service. I have. THEY DID NOTHING. I junked the Runco 7" crt projector and replaced it with an Ampro 9" crt projector. You all know the story about Ampro. By the way, the dealer couldn't do anything with Runco either - that's why he got me the Ampro.

I have a sports car that we have rebuilt, modified, and driven every week. I can tell you just about everything about it. Where it was originally built, history, what's it's like to drive, what's wrong with the car's design and how to fix something. I can tell you what are the best tires to use and where to buy them. I can answer almost any question about the car because I own it and experience it every day. If this was a Shelby Cobra forum, I could answer these questions directly.

Jim Burns

11-06-07, 09:42 AM

I viewed one. It was nice but a lttle bit on the sepia side. The digital projection unit has a filter on the lamp, the runco and sim have the filters in the light path. The filter on the lamp is a cleaner approach.

Now I did tell you this. Don't go bitchin later that you weren't told.

You are talking about the wrong projector. The unit Dal is talking about does not have a color filter in the light path because it is a UHP lamp.

Jim Burns

11-06-07, 09:46 AM

My two cents again. Has anyone posting comment ever tried calling Runco directly for service. I have. THEY DID NOTHING. I junked the Runco 7" crt projector and replaced it with an Ampro 9" crt projector. You all know the story about Ampro. By the way, the dealer couldn't do anything with Runco either - that's why he got me the Ampro.
.

You do know Ampro went out of business about the time you bought the projector. I am surprised Runco did not have parts for your projector, what model was it and how old was it? That does not sound right to me. I know Runco still services some CRTs. Are you sure it was not your dealer not being authorized for Runco any more? Switching to Ampro at that time seems very odd, it was common knowledge they where in trouble.

CINERAMAX

11-06-07, 09:48 AM

You are talking about the wrong projector. The unit Dal is talking about does not have a color filter in the light path because it is a UHP lamp.

In my opinion All UHP based 3 chip dlp need filtering of the excess green and some blue in order to be driven more linearly among the three rgb channels.

Curt Palme

11-06-07, 09:51 AM

Dal,. I'll counter with this:

Most 'rich people' that will spend say $100K+ on a custom built home theater will not be on a forum like this. They take their disposable income and go to an A/V designer/installation company and will tell them to put in a system. The end user wants simplicity in operation, and most likely that's probably all they know about their HT.

Far less people actually take somewhat of an interest in electronics/audio/video, those that do will come here. Then there are guys like me that don't have anywhere near the disposable income, and the only reason I come here is because I have access sometimes to high end equipment, but usually it's broken which is why I end up with it.

I'm now making my living selling and repairing CRT projectors, but I've never bought a new one that was any higher end than the entry level Runco/Zenith units.All of my $35K projectors (original list price) come from de-installs and surplus routes. I usually pay pennies on the dollar.

The problem with the whole electronics industry now is that everything is completely disposable, and my opinion is that there are more design flaws and glitches in new equipment than ever before. Since a company like Runco doesn't manufacture their devices, they are at the mercy of the OEM supplier to provide a reliable base product. You're also at the mercy of the high end installation company to provide service, sometimes to a system that they didn't install in the first place.

If an OEM manufacturer has a flaw in one of their products, the super duper high end tweaked out units end up having the same issues.

I've talked to a number of high end dealers locally and a few in Seattle. All are now building significant labor $$ into the quotation to deal with system glitches, and often won't even look at systems that they didn't install and document. Manufacturers are dropping tech support for their old equipment as fast as possible, as service doesn't pay the bills. This is across the board in my opinion, it doesn't matter whether you're talking about a $49 DVD player, a $500 commercial amplifier or a $100K home theater installation.

I also find it interesting that while the entire consumer electronics industry is more complex than ever, many people are buying their electronics at WalMart or a car parts place. Ironic, isn't it?

Anyways, I'm probably all over the map here, but that's my take. I'm sure there are lots of 3 chip Runco DLP owners that have no idea that avs exists, and they've been working fine since they were installed. You just never hear about those customers...:)

BTW, your Ampro 3600 is an 8" set. Hopefully you weren't sold a bill of goods when you bought that set. Only the Ampro 4XXX line are the 9" sets. I can repair it with you if you want. That will be a LOT cheaper than any new digital projector, regardless of the problem. THe set is modular, you can install the parts yourself.

Cheers!

Edit (you posted while I was typing)- if you can rebuild your car, you can repair your CRT projector. I can't say the same for a digital set.

Jim Burns

11-06-07, 09:54 AM

In my opinion All UHP based 3 chip dlp need filtering of the excess green and some blue in order to be driven more linearly among the three rgb channels.

I can live with that, I was just pointing out you guys where not talking about the same thing.

Curt Palme

11-06-07, 09:56 AM

You do know Ampro went out of business about the time you bought the projector. I am surprised Runco did not have parts for your projector, what model was it and how old was it? That does not sound right to me. I know Runco still services some CRTs. Are you sure it was not your dealer not being authorized for Runco any more? Switching to Ampro at that time seems very odd, it was common knowledge they where in trouble.

Jim, Runco has gotten rid of all of their CRT parts as of about 2 months ago. I've had 3 phone calls from Runco CRT owners in the last 2 weeks that told me that Runco turned them away and tried to talk them into digitals.

THe early Ampros certainly had issues, the later 3600s are (to me anyways) as reliable as any other set. The only common issue I've seen with Ampros is if the projector is installed with a box around it. That block the fans and a shrouded Ampro will easily overheat and have multiple failures over time.

Jim Burns

11-06-07, 10:01 AM

I freelanced for Esprit/Ampro in the 2000, 4000, 3300, 4200 era. Good looking projectors.. at the time. Had they been reliable I may have never become an engineer. I went to school to learn how to re engineer them so they would work. I think I still have a couple of CRT amp cards and an H O T module.

I forgot about Runco selling all of that stuff off. That happened right about the time I left.

Curt Palme

11-06-07, 10:05 AM

One of these fine days I'll resurrect one of the Aquarays that I have here. Pre pre pre Ampro but similar/same engineers, circa 1986, video only.

:)

Jim Burns

11-06-07, 10:10 AM

Wasn't it AquaStar back then? Before Charlie Trippe got involved.

Curt Palme

11-06-07, 10:20 AM

THe Star was the more expensive bulletproof model. The Ray was literally TINY, 60 lbs maybe? I've got two here, both with issues, but one day when CRT is completely dead and I have time on my hands (20 years from now), I'll fire it up. I've still got most of the schematics here, and if I could fix these when I got started in pro video in 1986, then dammit, I'll be able to repair it now! :D

Jeffmac

11-06-07, 11:45 AM

I viewed one. It was nice but a lttle bit on the sepia side. The digital projection unit has a filter on the lamp, the runco and sim have the filters in the light path. The filter on the lamp is a cleaner approach.

Now I did tell you this. Don't go bitchin later that you weren't told.

That was my impression also of the Runco VX22...a little bit on the sepia side.

DNMOODY

11-06-07, 12:26 PM

Curt, you are right, the Ampro is a model 4600. Its just been a long time sitting in the media room. Its not been used for about 4 years. I've been thinking about re-vamping this room for over a year now. I'm in Pittsburgh, PA. When the media room was first built in 1990, not many people had these. There were not many installers, nor forums to obtain information. So we sort of made it up. We used a Stewart perforated screen with speakers located behind it about 13 feet wide. Originally we bought a 7" crt Runco projector ( I don't know the model ). We burnt it up turning up the gain to light the large screen. So Runco did nothing because it was our fault. By the way - there was no official Runco dealers in Pittsburgh in 1990. We bought the unit directly from Runco. The Ampro unit with 9" crt's would have the brightness that we needed. We didn't know Ampro was in trouble. There wasn't any Ampro dealer in Pittsburgh in 1994. We bought the unit directly from Ampro. It worked great for about 3 maybe 4 years until a power board or something like that blew out. We scrounged some used parts to fix it. and so on. Finally we had an ex-ampro engineer come in from Texas a couple of times to fix the unit and to set it up. In my opinion you need an ex-ampro engineer to set the darn thing up. The last straw was one of the crt's went out. I was done spending money on it. The whole room has been dormant for several years. I've been going to the IMAX. I have had the notion to resurrect this room.

DNMOODY

11-06-07, 12:29 PM

what does sepia side mean?

Curt Palme

11-06-07, 12:38 PM

Shoot me a PM when you're ready to get rid of the Ampro. I'll make sure I'll offset your digital purchse by some amount..:)

With that screen width, not to mention that it's perforated and rear projection, there's no way a CRT will do that room justice. You do need a really bright digital in that application.

BTW, Ampro went under in 1998. I think they were just fine in 1995, although I have no inside information about that one way or the other.

Cheers!

Jim Burns

11-06-07, 01:09 PM

Sepia refers to the image looking brown..... (-green)

This, again is a set up issue.

tigerhonaker

11-06-07, 01:39 PM

Terry, my name is Dal. Read my post list a few days earlier asking about a Runco projector. Its under DNMOODY. I didn't get the response I was looking for either. Some questioned my knowledge as well. The point is your'e on this forum trying to find an answer to a question from people who own this equipment. I don't think they do. I don't think there is but a hand full of them who spent $160,000.00 on a media room. If they even spent $27,000.00 for their projectors, they'd be pi___ed that it needed repair. I have scrapped a Runco 7" crt projector ($9,000.00 in 1992) because they wouldn't service it. Replaced it with an Ampro 9" crt projector ($30,000.00 in 1995) and am scrapping it. I know just were your coming from. The Runco dealer in my area suggested I buy a new 3-chip 1080p projector for $45,000.00. I asked for opinions. Not one person said I own one and its great. Go ahead and buy it. I didn't even get one guy who said he has viewed one. Terry, in my opinion, they just don't know.

Hi Dal,

Just thought I would let you know I did respond to your other Thread on AVS.

Check Post #'s 9 and 14 and you will see that I am that member. (tigerhonaker) same as Terry.

I did not go as far as saying to you to "Purchase" the $45K Dollar Runco but I did suggest you take a look at the Runco VX6000D. It is the next Level Up and the Current Model of the Series I own the VX5000ci.

So if you still want a member to say what they think here is (My-Opinion).

YES, I will recommend Runco and have to say that my situation with my VX5000ci is being addressed by my current Authorized Runco Dealer as well as Jim Burns and Runco the Manufacturer.

They have and are working together to resolve my situation. In fact I think it all will be over this coming Friday. :D

Curt, this comment is for YOU. I did say (THINK) but I will Post when things are Completed Friday and I have time to actually look at the RESULTS: :)

I did not tell you in the previous Post on your Thread to buy the Runco VX6000D because I think you should make that decision based on what you (SEE) and Prefer in a New Projector. But after reading your comments here on my Thread I feel like I should and just did let you know I think Runco is a (Professional-Manufacturer) and in my case they certainly have taken care of (Business). I have No-Complaints on this end PERIOD.

If I were to single any person out that contributed most to assisting me it would be Jim Burns. He is a Caring, Professional, Ethical person IMHO. I cannot say enough nice things about him or him helping me with this situation.

In the end Dal I still think we all need to make the final purchase decision on what we think and see and not what others have to say on a Forum. My thoughts and others are just opinions and I do not want to tell anyone to purchase anything unless they themselves want the Product.

Take Care,

Terry

tigerhonaker

11-08-07, 08:15 PM

Well tomorrow is getting real CLOSE.

Just heard from Jim Burns and he said all is a go for in the morning. :)

Terry

Jim Burns

11-09-07, 05:29 PM

Well?

Curt Palme

11-10-07, 10:42 AM

I believe the contrast ratio is still at: infinite: 1

;)

tigerhonaker

11-10-07, 12:08 PM

Well?

Hi Jim,

I am going to do a Post going over what has taken place with the Runco VX5000ci with the DHD Controller.

But I think I am going to (Watch) and (Listen) very closely for today so that when I do the Post it will be much more "Accurate". I did not get to view the different sources like SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition) Channels. Also I want to View a (Super Bit DVD) now that the Inputs have been changed on the Integra DVD Player.

Also Max went through the Audio so I want to hear how it does now.

Don't worry it is going to take place SOON !!!!! My-Comments that is:

Jim Burns, Chuck said to me on the phone that [You are the Man]. I take it from his comments to me that You must have really "Impressed" him.

Not enough words in the English Language to say How much I "APPRECIATE" all that you have done for me revolving around this Runco Situation. Man it would be so nice if more people were like you (Jim Burns) and step FORWARD to help a Stranger and know that there is nothing in it for THEM. You have given me or maybe I should say brought back to me my Confidence in others from what you have done. Especially with you not being with Runco anymore. How many others would get or choose to get involved in something as big a MESS as this was and they are not even any longer working with with the company (Runco in this Case).

I hope other members that even though they do not Post on AVS Forum but do READ Post see and Appreciate how there is still Strangers that choose to get involved and Help others from this AVS Forum Site. AVS Forum IMHO (In my Honest Opinion) is the place to be if you are into HT (Home Theater) and Audio.

Thanks AVS (Audio Video Science) for your Help and especially members like Jim Burns that drop by here. Great Forum !!!!!!

Terry

BTW, Chuck said he did talk with You & You gave him some additional Ideas. :D

tigerhonaker

11-11-07, 11:54 PM

Hi Guest & Members:

Well where to start with this ending to a 5-Month Runco Projector ordeal.

I would like to provide in this Last Post here information to those that read this thread Now and in the Future. If I do not say enough here then all this will mean nothing and at the same time I don't want to make this so lengthy that it is over kill. So I guess I'll just start and see how it goes.

A quick rehash of my situation:

I purchased a VX5000ci Runco Projector approx. 4 1/2 Yrs. ago. It had a brightness issue that was never corrected. The unit went out of the Factory Warranty and at the same time the Runco dealer I purchased the complete HT from was dropped by Runco as one of their dealers. So I was left with a projector that I was changing the lamps out way too often and then about 7-9months ago the picture was for the most part staying on the dimmer side of the image. That was then:

Here is now:

The projector was repaired by Runco even though it was out of the Factory Warranty for Approx. 2 1/2 Yrs. Reason the problem went back to when the projector was installed and I had the paper trail to send with the projector to Runco through the New Runco Dealer (Hi-Tech Innovations) in Nash. TN. Runco did the repair for "FREE". Kinda hard to believe from any manufacturer these days. But it is True.

So the projector comes back to Hi-Tech Innovations and they call me to schedule it being reinstalled. I decided at that point to do the DHD Controller Up-grade since Runco was Professional enough to do the repair on the projector for FREE. Runco ships out the DHD Controller and the dealer gets with me and they show up and reinstall the projector along with the DHD Controller.

What took place then was I took off from work to meet on another day the ISF Certified Tech to go through the ISF Calibrations on the Runco. Well as it turned out the picture was noticeably better with the Component input than the DVI input. I am speaking of a lot of difference. Also the ability to get the controller and its inputs to work correctly was just not really working very well at all. So Tech leaves and was going to report back to his dealer what was going on at this point. So I was able to watch the Runco and it had a pretty good picture but not exactly what I had been told to expect or in fact what I was seeing at this time.

Next:

I should mention before I get too far along that a guy by the Name of (Jim Burns) has been involved in this on going process with Runco. Not to forget Ray M. at Runco. So phone calls are made between the parties mentioned and the dealer. They come to find out that Runco had the wrong serial number to this projector. That is another long story. The Short-Version: The 1st Runco dealer did not update the records with Runco for this projector.
So the DHD Controller was shipped to dealer with the Wrong (Firmware) installed. Runco ships out the correct (Firmware) and the ISF Certified Tech returns and installs/down loads it into the DHD Controller. Now things are looking up. :)

As soon as this was completed the tech was able to go right through all the different inputs with the Calibrations. So now the Projector is at this point set up correct. He also switched my Integra DVD Player over to HD 480P and went through the Calibrations with it. Then he went and set up the Audio with the Digital Sound Level meter. Readjusted the position of the Main Front JM Lab Spkrs. Redid the Frequency Crossover point of the 4-Subs and adjusted their levels.

So what do I Think, See and Hear from this HT now that it was Completed ???

(1) I reviewed these Superbit DVD's: Lawrence of Arabia, Black Hawk Down, VIN DIESEL XXX, and Finding Nemo on my Integra DVD Player. The picture looks just Brilliant-Full of Color-and the Detail now is just Breath Taking. I'm not one of the professional Audio/Video Members here so I can only use the terms that come to my mind. If you want fancy read a magazine. :) The 480P has made a major difference in the Quality of the Picture. It really is striking. The sand in Lawrence of Arabia as well as the many Epic Scenes were just Great. The smallest of Detail now shows and as I said the colors are just so Full and True Looking. Finding Nemo with the Colors in those Scenes is just something to behold. Just Beautiful.

(2) The Surround Audio is something that one would just have to hear to truly appreciate it on this HT. It is a 7.1 Surround System with 4-Subs, one in basically 4 corners of the HT. So when you hear the action you can actually feel the action.
I also listened to these two Audio DVD's: Standing in the Shadows of "MOTOWN" & QUEEN (THE DVD COLLECTION) Greatest Video Hits 1
Queen was redone on this DVD in dts 96/24 and believe me when I say this thing ROCKS that is not even close to how it actually sounds on this system. The surround portions on it are like nothing you have ever heard unless you have a very high end Audio System that will decode the 96/24 Format. This DVD will let you hear if your surrounds are really performing or not.

(3) Watching Dish Network on my 722 DVR Sat. Receiver:
I watched SD Channels, HD Channels, and mixed it up by watching like RAVE, Discovery HD, HD Net, Monster HD, CSI HD, and also watched a Black & White Movie called, (A Night at the OPERA) with the (Marx Brothers). I think that was back like 1935. The picture had Detail that was just Great. It was hard for the wife and I to believe that this Film was made back in 1935. We then watched (Boys Town) in Black & White. So the Runco even watching Black & White Old Movies in SD was Great. Plenty of Detail in their Faces and the Clothes they were wearing. This is due to the processing ability of the DHD Controller. It takes SD Movies and they come (Close) to HD Images. Not the same as HD Pictures but I assure you they look really good. Far better than what one would expect out of a Black & White Movie filmed back in the 1930s or 1940s. The DHD Controller works !!!! Glad I did the Up-grade for the Runco VX5000ci from the Vivix-1 I had with the VX5000ci originally.

As far as the HD Channels, The Detail and Colors are now what one would think they should be. Full Brilliant Color with Detail that now is greater than watching a SD (Standard Detail) picture. There is now the difference that I thought you were suppose to see watching HD Channels versus SD Channels. I watched A SD Cowboy Old Movie like back in the 40's and the Picture was just Super. True Black & White that showed everything in Detail on their clothes etc.
The HD Channels that were Filmed with High End HD Camera Equipment and then shown on Dish look just Great. You can see detail in faces on close ups and the texture of their clothes like their suits, ties, etc. Things just look like you were there in person looking at the same thing instead of viewing them on a HD Channel in a HT environment. I watched a movie by the name of (The Last King of Scotland). The detail when it showed his face was just so Life Like to be watching a Movie. I honestly do not think if you were there in person that his face could or would have looked any different than viewing it on Dish HD.

(4) Closing Comments:

I would like to say to anyone that takes their time to read this Last Post that I wish perhaps I was much better at describing how this Runco Projector produces the outstanding picture it does. At the same time this also applies to the Audio side of this HT. But I am just a normal guy that was fortunate enough to be able to afford this HT back 5-yrs ago. It has taken that long for the wife and I to pay for it. We now have the balance of the DHD Controller to pay for. So when I speak of a HT that cost Approx. $170,000.00 to me that is a lot of money. So I have provided here as best I can what has taken place with the Runco Projector and how things have ended up. Maybe a layman's terms sometimes are enough for most people when reading about equipment. I personally get Lost with the Professionals when they discuss the Very High end HT Equipment. If I do not know what they are talking about it does not do me any good to try to read their Post. Here I hope this is down to earth in a manner that anyone can read and understand. My thanks go out to (Runco), (Jim Burns), (Ray M. @ Runco), (Chuck Williams @ Hi-Tech Innovations) as well as members here on AVS Forum for their Thoughts and Advice. Home Theater is IMO the up and coming thing to the World. It makes little difference what Country we live in because we all Love Movies and Music. HT is a wonderful place for all of us to Relax and Enjoy ourselves.

Peace to One and All,

Terry Honaker (tigerhonaker)

BTW, Jim Burns you have heard this before. Check is in the Mail:
Well my Friend it is not a Check, but Check-Your-Mail. :D

R Johnson

11-12-07, 02:49 PM

Terry,
I'm glad to hear that you are finally happy with the installation. I suspect you'll be even happier once you're able to add the HD DVD/Blu-ray player to the system.
Ron

Curt Palme

11-13-07, 10:13 AM

The Short-Version: The 1st Runco dealer did not update the records with Runco for this projector.
So the DHD Controller was shipped to dealer with the Wrong (Firmware) installed. Runco ships out the correct (Firmware) and the ISF Certified Tech returns and installs/down loads it into the DHD Controller. Now things are looking up. :)

Jim, can you clarify something (and I'm being completely ignorant here being a non digital guy):

If the model number of the projector is consistent, why do different Runco serial numbered projectors need different software/firmware? Is the different firmware running different resolutions? Why did changes occur within the same projector model number? Seems strange to me..

Jim Burns

11-13-07, 10:25 AM

Unless the form factor or lens throw changed the model numbers always stayed the same even though there where changes in the light engine. Runco had a couple of reasons to do this, one of the main reasons was to make it easy on the dealers.

Curt Palme

11-13-07, 10:44 AM

I have no idea what you just said. If the DLP chip and surrounding circuits didn't change, why did the processor need new firmware? Sounds like Terry said that the picture improved dramatically with new firmware, I want to know why.

Thanks!

Jim Burns

11-13-07, 11:49 AM

The projector does change, but throw distance and the size of the projector stayed the same so the model number stayed the same.
The picture is better because the new software was written for that specific light engine. Also it was set up properly. The biggest change he saw was from set up.

Curt Palme

11-13-07, 10:43 PM

Gotcha. No question a 480p signal from a DVD will give spectacular results over a 480i signal..:)

layinlow64

11-14-07, 11:35 PM

tigerhonaker

11-15-07, 12:56 PM

very interesting read. I am glad that end conclusion is satisfaction.:D I have just spent over an hour reading this thread... that spanned over 5 months. I would have been pissed if I had not been able to read the log awaited conclusion, suppose I picked the right day to read this "saga."

LAYINLOW64,

:) So what (You) are saying is that (YOU) just really like the "End". :D Well so did I the [Owner].

But being Serious here now. The good thing is if you or anyone were interested in the purchase of a projector this Thread would let you know that (RUNCO) stands behind Their-Customer after the Sale. So this Thread covered like you say the past 5-Months but in the end it does let a prospective buyer know to check out Runco as a possible High End Projector Manufacturer.

I will say that they have went the Extra-Mile on this situation and what more could a customer want and or Expect from any Manufacturer after 2 1/2 Yrs. out of the Factory Warranty.

Terry

Jim Burns

11-16-07, 08:32 AM

Curt Palme

11-16-07, 09:04 AM

Well, FINALLY someone that knows the 'Kreskin' bit. Every time I use that line, I get blank stares..:)

It's not really over yet, I will defer for 7-8 months or so to see if Terry's bulb really lasts. I don't think I emailed Dizz actually..:)

Bottom line is, Terry got the 'white glove treatment' or so it seems from Runco, yourself and the dealer. THat's what's expected, that's what he got.... and what he paid for.

I'm sure more than one person here would think that the $8K would have been better spent on a non Runco 1080p projector and installation which for something like the Ruby or the RS-1 would have come out to $8K as well with installation and setup methinks. ($5K for the projector, $3K for installation and ISFing).

HOWEVER... that's not my call, as it's not my system. Let's just hope that with typical 2 hour a night HT use, Terry sees at least 5 more trouble free years out of his system. That's what's important.

Jim Burns

11-16-07, 09:07 AM

You could really be like Kreskin and write your "prediction' after the fact.

AV Doogie

11-16-07, 06:23 PM

It's not really over yet, I will defer for 7-8 months or so to see if Terry's bulb really lasts. I don't think I emailed Dizz actually..:)

Bottom line is, Terry got the 'white glove treatment' or so it seems from Runco, yourself and the dealer. THat's what's expected, that's what he got.... and what he paid for.

Bottom line is that Terry is 'still' happy with his purchase. I have read thread after thread here about the sony projectors and numerous others with serious defects (convergence, prismatic aberration, dust blobs, etc)direct from the factory....and the factory response was relatively poor considering these units were 'still' within the warranty period.

Your bias against Runco is noted.;)

tigerhonaker

11-18-07, 10:14 AM

Bottom line is that Terry is 'still' happy with his purchase. I have read thread after thread here about the sony projectors and numerous others with serious defects (convergence, prismatic aberration, dust blobs, etc)direct from the factory....and the factory response was relatively poor considering these units were 'still' within the warranty period.

Your bias against Runco is noted.;)

AV Doogie,

I have been thinking if I was going to Further Comment on this Thread or not reading comments made here by members.

After reading (Your-Comments) I think I will. You are "Correct" IMO about your Comments:

Quote AV Doogie: I have read thread after thread here about the sony projectors and numerous others with serious defects (convergence, prismatic aberration, dust blobs, etc)direct from the factory....and the factory response was relatively poor considering these units were 'still' within the warranty period.

And that is part of the reason I did not go with a much CHEAPER-Projector from one of those companies.

Also the projectors I did read about that appear to be similar to the Runco in Quality and Performance if not Better in some cases were IMO Expensive. Like in the neighbor hood of $35K to $50K. So I figured I was just as well off getting the Runco repaired and doing the Newer Controller for $8K installed as well as this figure covering the ISF Tech doing his Calibrations and the Cables etc. that were needed to do the up-grade.

It did take 5-months to get everything completed but in the end I think the WAIT was well worth it. As my other Post says concerning the Picture as well as the Audio.

If I was going to spend another $35K up on a Projector I would have Honestly talked Directly to Raymond P. Medeiros,
Assistant to the Founder, (Sam Runco) and Paid the Difference between my VX5000ci and the VX6000d Projector. I think he would have given me some kind of Credit on my unit and I would have paid the difference to get the new projector. I did not go that route because I do not want to spend another $30K for another projector. I just still do not see the advantage to doing that. Would the picture be better ??? Maybe so but would it be $30K Plus Dollars better ??? Not in my Opinion and since it is MY-Money we are talking about here I don't think so. As I thought once my projector was operating as it was designed with the newer DHD Controller that Jim Burns helped to Design I would be more than satisfied with the result. I was right and I am (Very-Satisfied) with the Picture. So yes I did spend another $8K for the up-grade but I got a lot more than just another piece of equipment for that money.

I thought about the guy that did a Post here about owning the Runco VX1000ci and he made the comment that went something like this. I'm happy with what I have and to just keep spending money for the next newer thing is silly. He also said something like I think we should enjoy what we have instead of continuing to chase the next better box. Very Valid Points he made unless one just has an Abundance of Money and is in the position to buy every New Component that comes down the Pike. Nothing wrong with those few fortunate people either but I am not in their position. So I have chosen to do money wise what would IMO yield the Best Results for me in my HT.

Thanks for (Your-Comments: AV Doogie) as they are Dead On Target. I am as I said Very-Satisfied with the Runco VX5000ci and DHD Controller.

Is there better ?????? I hope so or a lot of companies would go out of business. But if one has all they need and it is doing what it should, be Happy that you could be Fortunate enough to have what you do.

I-AM !!!!!:D

Terry

Gabinzki

07-03-09, 10:19 PM

Hi Terry, so here we are, a year and a half later (Im a little late to the party it seems) :D I'm glad everything worked out for you, that seemed like quite the adventure. You are a very patient man, indeed. I'm in the market for my first projector, and am considering a Runco, came across this thread and just had to read the whole thing to find out what happened. :) I've heard Runco is a great product, but your experience tells me they also have great service as well. Hope everything is still going strong with your HT. BTW, cool pics.

Wayne.

tigerhonaker

07-03-09, 11:28 PM

Hi Terry, so here we are, a year and a half later (I'm a little late to the party it seems) :D I'm glad everything worked out for you, that seemed like quite the adventure. You are a very patient man, indeed. I'm in the market for my first projector, and am considering a Runco, came across this thread and just had to read the whole thing to find out what happened. :) I've heard Runco is a great product, but your experience tells me they also have great service as well. Hope everything is still going strong with your HT. BTW, cool pics.

Wayne.
Hello Wayne,

Well here we are at 1 1/2 Yrs. later or so.

Here is how the Runco VX 5000ci W/DHD Controller is performing these days.

Perfect !!!!!!!!

No-Problems Period since it came back from Runco and I had the Up Date
done on it.

In fact I just finished watching a HD Movie on it on Dish Network.

YES, I say buy a Runco especially the new 1080P ones that are out now.

I have not been on here lately but this is a Great Site for sure.

Let me know what you end up doing and how you like it after your purchase & install.

Oh, glad you liked the Great Pics from my Verizon Cell Camera :)

Regards,

Terry

Gabinzki

07-04-09, 11:46 AM

tigerhonaker

07-04-09, 12:25 PM

Hello Terry,

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear all is well with the HT. I don't plan on buying a new Runco, maybe an older model, simply because of the $$ for a new one. There is a site on Ebay that sells re-furbished units for really great prices. That's one option. Unless I can get a new unit for $10k or less.:confused: Ill keep you posted with what I decide to do.

BTW, on a side note, have you seen any of the 'Celtic Woman' DVD's ? If not, with the set-up you have, I recommend you get ahold of a copy of 'A New Journey, live from Slane Castle, Ireland', from 2006, or their debut DVD, simply titled 'Celtic Woman', it was filmed at the Helix Theatre in Dublin in 2004. They even have an awesome Christmas DVD, filmed at the Helix Theatre in 2007. The sound on these DVD's is incredible, best I've ever heard, and the whole show is a feast for the eyes. With the system you have...WOW ! :eek: (just make sure you set it for 5.1 as they may autostart in 2 ch. stereo). I've seen them live, I bet your HT would be very close to that.:) Cheers,

Wayne.

Wayne,

I don't plan on buying a new Runco, maybe an older model, simply because of the $$ for a new one. There is a site on Ebay that sells re-furbished units for really great prices. That's one option.

Even my 720P/1080i Runco does just fine in the Picture Quality I can assure you of that.

So used as long as you can verify it is working properly would be Great. Especially Cost Wise.

I would NOT go out at my age now and pay $30K for a Projector.

So, I hope this one just keeps right on trucking as it is now.

I Printed Out your Post and will "Make-Sure" I check on those DVDS.

Just for what it is worth I will tell you this regarding the older 720P units like I have with this Runco.

Unless you are some kind of Audio/Video GEEK I can tell you to Save Dollars and get one of these older Runco Projectors. The Picture is just Awesome to watch.

Now, I am NOT saying the newer 1080P Projectors from Runco are not Superior. I am saying the 720P older units work just fine and there is really No reason to Drop a Ton of Dollars just to say I have a 1080P Projector.

I'm thinking from your Cheers at the end of your Post you are from England or Canada maybe :D

Terry from Franklin, TN. USA