This is maybe a rehashing of older Threads here. If so I have not seen or read them.

So I am curious what Projector Makes & Models do members have here on the $20,000 and up Forum ?

Also, what year did you purchase your Projector and why did you choose that Particular-One ?

I think this might just turn out to be a very interesting Thread if Members here choose to Participate.

So come on Guys and Gals what do you say ? Jump in here and add to this Thread: :D

Terry

Hi Terry:

If you want expensive projectors, they're out there. But the reality is that the advancements in digital projectors in just the past few years raises the point that you're possibly asking the wrong question.

I went from a $30,000 Qualia '004 to a $10,000 Sharp XV-Z20000. Although I lamented the loss of the Qualia in my first step (to a Sony Pearl), I've got to give kudos to the Sharp. It's as good as the Qualia, and has some advantages (I have never seen, nor do I want to see, RBE).

There will be a handful--and never more than a handful--of projectors that will retail in excess of $10,000. But the manufacturers are not interested in making these. The real development will be in the <$10,000 market, and the question of whether any excess dollars are justified will be more prominent in this area, than in any other area of A/V of which I can think.

Nick :cool:

Hi Terry:

If you want expensive projectors, they're out there. But the reality is that the advancements in digital projectors in just the past few years raises the point that you're possibly asking the wrong question.

I went from a $30,000 Qualia '004 to a $10,000 Sharp XV-Z20000. Although I lamented the loss of the Qualia in my first step (to a Sony Pearl), I've got to give kudos to the Sharp. It's as good as the Qualia, and has some advantages (I have never seen, nor do I want to see, RBE).

There will be a handful--and never more than a handful--of projectors that will retail in excess of $10,000. But the manufacturers are not interested in making these. The real development will be in the >$10,000 market, and the question of whether any excess dollars are justified will be more prominent in this area, than in any other area of A/V of which I can think.

Nick :cool:

Hi Nick,

I have to tell you that it really surprised me that No-One Posted anything on this Thread until now. "You" :D

So thanks for taking the time to share your opinions. I just wondered what the Members here on this 20K and Up Forum were using as their High-End Projectors. So I thought I would ask.

Guess you are right in that there was No-Responses at all until you replied.

It does seem like that the $10K price range for the New DLP's Etc. are the Growing-Market these days. As you have pointed out.

I guess what made me ask the question in the 1st place here is because I own a Runco VX5000ci showing on a Stewart Grey-Hawk 123" 4-Way Masking Screen. It is going back to Runco for an estimate on repairing it. If I have to replace it I was wondering, what do these Members here have and why ???

I guess what puzzles me is how the Members here on the 20K Up Forum have all this very high end gear and yet they for some reason or other, will not share what Projectors they are using. Maybe I have not been on AVS Forum long enough to warrant a Reply. Just a thought here, but I see for the most part that members here read the Threads/Post but for some reason only a Few actually Post their thoughts. Curious !!!!

I guess I will never know, but once again I appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions. Thanks !!!!!!!!!

Terry

I have had Runco projectors for some time now. I now have the Runco VX1000Ci with the Vivix processor. Had a Runco DTV852 from 1998 - 2003. The Vx1000Ci was purchased in 2003. I had a great dealer with a good deal on the Runco products.....this dealer let me install my own projector.

I have had Runco projectors for some time now. I now have the Runco VX1000Ci with the Vivix processor. Had a Runco DTV852 from 1998 - 2003. The Vx1000Ci was purchased in 2003. I had a great dealer with a good deal on the Runco products.....this dealer let me install my own projector.

Doogie,

If your Runco VX1000ci messed up. Would you purchase another Runco ??? Maybe one of the Newer Models that Runco has recently introduced or would you go to another Brand ???

Like the RS-1 I have been reading that some of the members have installed in their New H/T's.

I think what is concerning me is that I find it hard to believe that a 10K Projector has a better Picture than a Runco VX5000ci for $28K. I am not referring to your VX1000ci, I am actually speaking of all the Newer DLP's that are around that price range. If you simply read the Magazines you would think, why spend money for the Runco when you could just spend 1/3 of that or less and have a much better picture. There must be differences and I wish I was more into this Audio/Video thing than I am. But after having my H/T for 3.5 Yrs. now I am out on the New Gear. Trying to get caught back up and to speed but it is not easy.

Things do change but usually I have found that you get what you pay for. Not always but most of the time. I am not of the opinion that Runco is just selling their name. I think their Projectors do perform and that is why they warrant the extra monies.

So what do you think ???

Terry

I am bending the rules and am using a $34K Marquee 9500 LC CRT projector that I bought used that I might be into for $2K or so.

The stack that I saw at Overclcker's place in Chicago impressed me so much that I have a mint condition tweaked out 9500LC Ultra sitting on the floor waiting to be connected and tested in a stack mode. If it's successful (no reason why it shoudn't be), I should be able to get close to 2000 lumens at approx 50,000: 1 contrast ratio. If I dial the contrast and brightness down to below factory settings and stick with more like 1200 lumens out of both sets, I'll be driving each tube set less hard than with only one set, and I'll get an expected 20,000 hours of useful life out of the tubes.

Considering I don't watch more than 150 hours a year or so, probably less, that will be 133 years or so..:)

I'd expect a capacitor or two to fail long before that 133 year time is up..;)

there are lots of folks here who talk all the time about what they have and why. a little searching will reveal all.

Sim 5K, SOny Ruby, JVC RS1, DP Titan, and others.

Yea Curt, I'd say that Cliff has the reference video system in the world right now IMO.


Right now I have a stacked CRT set up employing the Sony G90, set up and calibrated by Ken Whitcomb on an 11' wide 16x9 Stewart Videomatte screen.

In about a month it will be replaced by a SIM2 HT 5000 3 chip DLP on a Stewart Studiotech Vistascope screen 14' wide also set up and calibrated by Ken.

Art

Doogie,

If your Runco VX1000ci messed up. Would you purchase another Runco ??? Maybe one of the Newer Models that Runco has recently introduced or would you go to another Brand ???

Like the RS-1 I have been reading that some of the members have installed in their New H/T's.

I think what is concerning me is that I find it hard to believe that a 10K Projector has a better Picture than a Runco VX5000ci for $28K. I am not referring to your VX1000ci, I am actually speaking of all the Newer DLP's that are around that price range. If you simply read the Magazines you would think, why spend money for the Runco when you could just spend 1/3 of that or less and have a much better picture. There must be differences and I wish I was more into this Audio/Video thing than I am. But after having my H/T for 3.5 Yrs. now I am out on the New Gear. Trying to get caught back up and to speed but it is not easy.

Things do change but usually I have found that you get what you pay for. Not always but most of the time. I am not of the opinion that Runco is just selling their name. I think their Projectors do perform and that is why they warrant the extra monies.

So what do you think ???

Terry

I really don't know if I would purchase another Runco. The dealer I worked with is no longer selling them and some other manufacturers have really moved up the bar in the past few years.

Since DLP has been good to me.....meaning that the RBE and other artifacts don't bother me or family members, I would probably go for the newer Sharp 20000 or the Marantz 1080P units. These DLP projectors seem to have excellent colorimetry, grayscale and contrast. I have seen the Sharp 20k and find it to be an excellent looking projector. When I purchased my Runco units, they were comparably priced to the competition (within $1-2k) of each other. So I don't see where you or others see a price difference of 3x. One thing about the Runco projectors from a few years ago too.....the colorimetry was some of the best out there. Ken Whitcomb could get my Vx1000Ci to almost perfect color/grayscale with a peak light output of 16fL. Many projectors at the time would require a lot of fiddling. I just got used to the fact that the projectors provided for me what was advertised.

I am bending the rules and am using a $34K Marquee 9500 LC CRT projector that I bought used that I might be into for $2K or so.

Considering I don't watch more than 150 hours a year or so, probably less, that will be 133 years or so..:)

I'd expect a capacitor or two to fail long before that 133 year time is up..;)


Curt, you can't be considered an enthusiast unless you have 200 or more hours per year on the HT projector


Leave this forum immediately :D :p

there are lots of folks here who talk all the time about what they have and why. a little searching will reveal all.

Sim 5K, SOny Ruby, JVC RS1, DP Titan, and others.
Hi Dizzman,

Believe me when I say I am doing the Search thing on this Forum and Others. ;) I thank you for the thought though. I even went back into the AVS Archives to look and see what Members were doing.

I wish I had some Friends that were into the A/V thing here locally. But I do not so at this point it is up to me to read and ask Questions, Sometimes Dumb-Questions to those of you that are on top of the A/V thing.

I started out a very long time ago with a Sony CRT, then went to a Vidikron CRT, and from there many yrs. later, Runco DLP in a dedicated H/T.

Do you know if there is any real difference to the picture from Dish Network as the source, viewing it with a 720P to the New 1080P DLP Projectors ??? The more I read it seems like if you are not using a HD DVD Player and the right DVD you will not see any real difference. So I just wonder if you have any thoughts on this ?

I hope I am asking this question where it makes sense. Picture with Dish Net Work as the source, versus a HD DVD Player and the right DVD Loaded to show off the HD Image. Do you think there is a difference in the picture viewing it from Dish Network on a HD Channel versus the same movie on a HD DVD player ?? My guess is that the HD DVD Player would have the better Picture. Here I am still wondering if there is a "Major-Difference" viewing with the 720P versus the 1080P DLP Projectors ??

What does RBE actually stand for ???

Terry

Curt, you can't be considered an enthusiast unless you have 200 or more hours per year on the HT projector


Leave this forum immediately :D :p

You're right, you know..:)

But.. I do watch test patterns at least 20 hours a week. That should count for something, even if said test patterns aren't being watched on my own set, and are therefore not contributing to the wear and tear of my HT. :D

I have made great strides forward this weekend though. I bought a 'circle of death' XBox 360 and after an aborted attempt last night, I got it working this morning. Waiting for 2 more Paypal payments to come in, then it's HD DVD drive time. I'm actually stepping into the new millenium with one piece of equipment in my HT!

Hi Dizzman,

o you know if there is any real difference to the picture from Dish Network as the source, viewing it with a 720P to the New 1080P DLP Projectors ??? The more I read it seems like if you are not using a HD DVD Player and the right DVD you will not see any real difference. So I just wonder if you have any thoughts on this ?

I hope I am asking this question where it makes sense. Picture with Dish Net Work as the source, versus a HD DVD Player and the right DVD Loaded to show off the HD Image. Do you think there is a difference in the picture viewing it from Dish Network on a HD Channel versus the same movie on a HD DVD player ?? My guess is that the HD DVD Player would have the better Picture. Here I am still wondering if there is a "Major-Difference" viewing with the 720P versus the 1080P DLP Projectors ??

What does RBE actually stand for ???

Terry

My personal pecking order for general video quality:

HD DVD/ Blu Ray
Over the air antenna HD (Broadcast) When no storms present
Dish Network
DVD
....
...
..
Regular over the air broadcasts

RBE is short for 'Rainbow Effect'- Some people can see the rainbows created by the spinning color wheel in the first couple of generations of DLP projectors.

You're right, you know..:)

But.. I do watch test patterns at least 20 hours a week. That should count for something, even if said test patterns aren't being watched on my own set, and are therefore not contributing to the wear and tear of my HT. :D

I have made great strides forward this weekend though. I bought a 'circle of death' XBox 360 and after an aborted attempt last night, I got it working this morning. Waiting for 2 more Paypal payments to come in, then it's HD DVD drive time. I'm actually stepping into the new millenium with one piece of equipment in my HT!

Well, since you are watching test patterns, I guess you are welcome here :p

Good luck with the HD DVD drive. If you have not enjoyed HD on disk in person, you are in for a real pleasure.

My personal pecking order for general video quality:

HD DVD/ Blu Ray
Over the air antenna HD (Broadcast) When no storms present
Dish Network
DVD
....
...
..
Regular over the air broadcasts

RBE is short for 'Rainbow Effect'- Some people can see the rainbows created by the spinning color wheel in the first couple of generations of DLP projectors.

AV Doogie,

I see that you are on here and do respond to Post. Great !!!!

Just to try to Clarify my statement on cost of the Runco DLP to the new DLP's. The VX5000ci is a $28K cost, the New Runco VX5000D is a $35K cost. Now there is a Runco 6000D that is a 1920x1080 with a cost of I think $35K. Then you have all the Newer 1080P DLP's at $10K or less. These units are praised for there excellent picture qualities. That is why I said the Runco is like 3-times the price of the Newer DLP's that it seems like the Majority of Members here are installing in their H/T's. I totally realize that there are other high dollar DLP Projectors out there but I am referring to the 10K and below.

So I was really just asking you if you new if there was a better Picture viewing say Dish Network on a RS-1 Etc. versus say the Runco VX5000ci or the Newer Runco 5000D ??? Both of these as well as your Runco VX1000ci are 720P units and the Newer DLP's out there are the 1080P units.

My understanding from reading all I have so far is that there is really not all that great of a difference in Picture-Quality between the 1080P & 720P DLP's unless you go to a HD DVD Player and only then with the right Movie Loaded.

Have you had the opportunity to view a 1080P like the RS-1 versus our Runco's ?? On different sources to see if there is really any difference to speak of ???

Just wondered:

Terry

Hi

Sony Ruby...Seeing how fast things change in video and how the price threshold keeps on dropping every year, I am in no rush to spend over 10K for a PJ.. I was quite surprised by the current street price for the JVC which by all accounts is one of the best on the market...

Curt

You mentioned a contrast ratio of 50,000:1 for a CRT PJ. I was under the impression that CRTs had for all pracical purposes infinite contrast ratio.. What am I missing here?

Curt/Dizzman and other Members in the Know:

I just read on one of the AVS Threads where a member had just took delivery of his Runco VX5000D.

He was remarking about the great job the New Scaler was doing with different Aspect Ratio's. Like 4x3 as an example.

Question ??? While Runco has my VX5000ci can they UpGrade my Scaler to the Newer one ?

Or maybe the question is, can Runco UpGrade my VX5000ci to the Newer VX5000D ???

Do you all know if I would really see a difference in the Picture if Runco could do this UpGrade and it was Affordable ???

I'm sure some of you might just know the answers to these questions and I can tell you I would "Appreciate" your input.

Maybe I can have my Cake and Eat it too, so to Speak, if this doable: :D

I realize that I can ask the A/V store that is the New Runco dealer that will be shipping my Runco in for repair these same questions. I think from reading Threads/Post here that some of you very well may have 1st hand knowledge. So I'm asking you Members 1st.

Terry

You mentioned a contrast ratio of 50,000:1 for a CRT PJ. I was under the impression that CRTs had for all pracical purposes infinite contrast ratio.. What am I missing here?


With gamma correction, likely the on /off of CRT is in the relm of hundreds of thousands to one with little or no loss of shadow detail. I think Curt is being conservative to ward off criticism.


Art

The typical spec sheet for a 9" CRT projector reads about 30,000:1. I figured you'd almost double that with a stack, so I was conservative..:)

Terry, I don't know if you can upgrade only the scaler, some of the Runco products talk to each other. We got into a big fight here some time ago where someone found a Runco projector sans scaler at an estate sale (the lady accidentally sold the scaler as part of the audio rack, so the projector was alone). I figured the projector could at least be fired up without the scaler, and God, aka Gordon someone or other, sales rep for Runco in Europe came on board and said that there was no way to fire up the projector by itself.

It turned into a a multi-page bitchfest..;)

Turns out you can fire the projector up without the scaler and pass a signal, but most of the controls of the projector were done via the scaler. Long story short, Runco themselves should be able to answer that for you.

Yea Curt, I'd say that Cliff has the reference video system in the world right now IMO.


Right now I have a stacked CRT set up employing the Sony G90, set up and calibrated by Ken Whitcomb on an 11' wide 16x9 Stewart Videomatte screen.

In about a month it will be replaced by a SIM2 HT 5000 3 chip DLP on a Stewart Studiotech Vistascope screen 14' wide also set up and calibrated by Ken.

Art

Art, with that setup I'd replace the chairs with miniature cars, and just call it a drive-in.

What's the diagonal measurements on a screen that size?

Thanks,

Nick :cool:

So I am curious what Projector Makes & Models do members have here on the $20,000 and up Forum ?

Also, what year did you purchase your Projector and why did you choose that Particular-One ?

Well, since we moved to a new house last December and I built a new theater, after researching the available 1080p projectors, I went with a dVision 1080p. I needed to throw a 118" wide picture from around 14", and I wanted more brightness available. Plus, it has one of the sharpest pictures ( if not THE sharpest ) available, thanks to very high quality interchangable lenses. I couldn't be happier. We have been watching HD TV and HD DVD's about 200 hours worth since I got the theater up and running in early March!!

http://gallery.avsforum.com/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/7419278

The typical spec sheet for a 9" CRT projector reads about 30,000:1. I figured you'd almost double that with a stack, so I was conservative..:)

Terry, I don't know if you can upgrade only the scaler, some of the Runco products talk to each other. We got into a big fight here some time ago where someone found a Runco projector sans scaler at an estate sale (the lady accidentally sold the scaler as part of the audio rack, so the projector was alone). I figured the projector could at least be fired up without the scaler, and God, aka Gordon someone or other, sales rep for Runco in Europe came on board and said that there was no way to fire up the projector by itself.

It turned into a a multi-page bitchfest..;)

Turns out you can fire the projector up without the scaler and pass a signal, but most of the controls of the projector were done via the scaler. Long story short, Runco themselves should be able to answer that for you.

Curt,

Thanks for the input on the UpGrade of the Scaler. What one thinks is Simple, never or hardly ever is.

I am going to get the A/V Runco Store here to check with Runco on the possibility of UpGrading my VX5000ci to the Newer VX5000D.

Cannot hurt to ask, who knows maybe the price may be right for the UpGrade if Runco sees fit to offer some Assistance to me. I will not Bore you on the same old story about my Runco and it's on going problems. ;) You can say Thanks-Now !!!! :D

Terry

Actually Terry, please do..:) For two reasons:

1) The tech in me always likes hearing the reason for failures, esp. the strange ones that aren't easily corrected.
2) I'm curious how you're being treated as an out of warranty customer with a problem that goes back to the warranty period. It's no big secret that I used to bash Runco like crazy in these parts, but no more.

Again, I've had it out in the past here and in the CRT forum about Runco, and now understand completely where 'rich folk' are coming from, something that I understood less a few years ago..:). I understand more now about how Runco developed it's name by marketing the 'theater experience' as more or less a package deal in most cases, and am now curious whether the extra $ paid for customer support is paying for itself if you're now getting the white glove treatment.

AV Doogie,

I see that you are on here and do respond to Post. Great !!!!

Just to try to Clarify my statement on cost of the Runco DLP to the new DLP's. The VX5000ci is a $28K cost, the New Runco VX5000D is a $35K cost. Now there is a Runco 6000D that is a 1920x1080 with a cost of I think $35K. Then you have all the Newer 1080P DLP's at $10K or less. These units are praised for there excellent picture qualities. That is why I said the Runco is like 3-times the price of the Newer DLP's that it seems like the Majority of Members here are installing in their H/T's. I totally realize that there are other high dollar DLP Projectors out there but I am referring to the 10K and below.

So I was really just asking you if you new if there was a better Picture viewing say Dish Network on a RS-1 Etc. versus say the Runco VX5000ci or the Newer Runco 5000D ??? Both of these as well as your Runco VX1000ci are 720P units and the Newer DLP's out there are the 1080P units.

My understanding from reading all I have so far is that there is really not all that great of a difference in Picture-Quality between the 1080P & 720P DLP's unless you go to a HD DVD Player and only then with the right Movie Loaded.

Have you had the opportunity to view a 1080P like the RS-1 versus our Runco's ?? On different sources to see if there is really any difference to speak of ???

Just wondered:

Terry


I would like to believe that there is a difference btwn a 720P and 1080P projector on a screen of my size (106" diagonal). At a seating distance of 11.5 feet from the screen (front row) and knowing that the maximum visual acuity of most people is less than the size of a 720P pixel at that distance, I don't know if a person can see the difference. If the information is there, but you can't resolve it, do you see a difference? or is the difference too small and you believe you see the difference because it must be there? I have not been able to see a 720 vs 1080 side by side to be able to tell the difference. The numbers don't mean anything outright either. A 720P projector with better lenses will probably beat the @#$% out of a 1080P projector with poor lenses, etc.

BTW, sometimes you just have to be happy with what you have. I could afford another projector upgrade, but I still have about 800 hours left on the current bulb. Seems like a waste to toss/sell a perfectly good projector because something new comes along with the latest/greatest gizmo. The projector casts a great picture and I enjoy the quality of the video. What else could I want.

I recently got a used Ruby. The xenon bulb does give a very nice, natural picture. I saw Ron's JVC RS-1, also very nice, with better contrast and black performance. My Ruby sample is the sharpest projector I have ever seen, which surprised me since Ruby trashing on the AV forums would have indicated that it was not a sharp projector. My sample is much sharper and cleaner in picture quality than the Pearls I have seen (although the Pearl is also a very nice picture). Some HD scenes look so real it is like a picture window, and outdoor scenes look really outdoors. The Ruby is extremely bright on my 110 " diagonal Hi Power screen at 800 bulb hours, which also surprised me since the trashers also indicated that it wasn't a bright projector. I can easily watch it during the day in a non light controlled room.
It replaces a CRT, which was quite nice in its own right with better contrast and a very painterly picture. However, the Ruby is much brighter and sharper.
My main complaint is that on HD sources through comcast, especially on regular network programming, the picture is so sharp that I can see the makeup, powder and lipstick worn by male actors. On shows like NY CSI, it is a little distracting. I guess they have to improve the subtlety of the makeup effects for HD viewing.

Actually Terry, please do..:) For two reasons:

1) The tech in me always likes hearing the reason for failures, esp. the strange ones that aren't easily corrected.
2) I'm curious how you're being treated as an out of warranty customer with a problem that goes back to the warranty period. It's no big secret that I used to bash Runco like crazy in these parts, but no more.

Again, I've had it out in the past here and in the CRT forum about Runco, and now understand completely where 'rich folk' are coming from, something that I understood less a few years ago..:). I understand more now about how Runco developed it's name by marketing the 'theater experience' as more or less a package deal in most cases, and am now curious whether the extra $ paid for customer support is paying for itself if you're now getting the white glove treatment.

Curt,

I have already placed the call to the Mgr. I purchased the H/T from at the other A/V Store when he was there.

As I said in other Post he is now over Custom Installs at the Authorized New Runco Dealer. He called me today twice and we discussed Runco and the UpGrade Process. He is going to give Runco a call and see where they stand. His personal take on this, is that Runco will not commit to anything until they receive the VX5000ci on their bench in Calif.

So speaking of Runco and them getting this unit back. I will meet the installers this Thursday Morning at 8:30 AM. They have received the Crate/Box from Runco to package up the Projector/Controller. So it will be shipped to Runco this week. :D Finally !!!!!! Can I get a AMEN ???? ;)

I do owe thanks to several members here on AVS for their input. Dizzman was one of the 1st to say and I quote. Dude, send it to Runco and see what they are going to do. They are all about Customer-Support: Thanks Dizzman: :)

I am really going to be interested to see if Runco says that there would be a Major Difference in my Picture if they would do an UpGrade to say the VX5000D or the Newer VX6000D which is the 1920X1080 Projector.

Even if Runco says that they would recommend the UpGrade, the Price is going to be the Real-Deciding-Factor. At least from my end.

If my VX5000ci is performing as it should I Honestly could certainly live with it. I think the real reason I am asking about the possibility of an UpGrade is because Runco will have my unit already and just Maybe they might see fit to do the UpGrade at a Much-Reduced-Price. Due to the fact that the 1st VX5000ci that was installed did not work at all. It was removed and another one was ordered and received and this is the one that has the ongoing problem from the very beginning.

Curt you said:
1) The tech in me always likes hearing the reason for failures, esp. the strange ones that aren't easily corrected.

I want to know as you do what is the part/parts that have Failed in this unit. I was working for IBM as a Senior Customer Engineer for like 12 Yrs. That was a very long time ago. But since I used to be one of the Techs that serviced IBM Products for the Office Products Division I am very interested in finding out what Runco says is Wrong with this Projector/Controller. It is sometimes hard to believe that I was at one time a hot shot with IBM and now I ask these Dumb-Ass-Questions to you Guys on AVS. Oh well we all have our days and then time marches on and the New Hot-Shots are there to take our Place.

It is interesting to read Post here, like you Curt, when you said I watch test patterns at least 20 hours a week. You work on CRT's and I watch my H/T as much as I can in my spare time. I put in a lot of Hrs. at the Acura Dealership I work for, but when home I love the H/T and I think that is one reason I have put up with this Runco not playing Correct for so long. I did not want to do without it.

Terry

Terry, i have to ask what your objective is? Are you looking to replace your projector? If so, what are you looking for? BIG image? extremely accurate image? Huge contrast? What is your frame of reference? Do you have lots of HD content? DO you have a huge DVD library and you just love watching movies?

Your questions seem to always return to what almost seems like a phishing expedition against RUNCO.

If you want to replace your old machine, you can blow past its image quality for under 10K. Or you can spend lots more and have a certain cachet...

What are you really looking for here? If you tell us what you are looking for, you will get far better responses than you do to just a blanket " What are the Projector Makes & Models members Have here for High-End Video ???"

I'm using 2 Marquee 9500LC Ultra CRT projectors. They are blended together by a DVX8022 video processor (ie. not stacked like Cliff's G90s). They have been heavily modified, and are now capable of competely resolving 2520x1050p71.925. They are on a 13' wide 2.40 CIH unity gain screen. With gamma mods, on/off CR easily into the hundreds of thousands to one.

My thread on blending vs stacking and more pictures here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=872126)

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/files/gino_968.jpg

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/files/sincity2_202.jpg

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/files/lotr_733.jpg

Art, with that setup I'd replace the chairs with miniature cars, and just call it a drive-in.

What's the diagonal measurements on a screen that size?

Thanks,

Nick :cool:

15'3"

Art

Art,

You going witha Firehawk or Studio Tek (white)?

Art,

You going witha Firehawk or Studio Tek (white)?

Jeff,
Studiotek microperf X2 material.


Art

Hey guys! What's up? Did Jeff tell ya we ran into each other out in the boonies of Michigan a few weeks ago? That was cool. Kids going to the same summer camp.

Art, you're at it again? And Jeff, gotta have that HEMI meet so I can get a taste.

Okay, thread back on track....

Art, you're at it again? ....

Yea,when I'm not look in the obits. :D

Art

Terry, i have to ask what your objective is? Are you looking to replace your projector? If so, what are you looking for? BIG image? extremely accurate image? Huge contrast? What is your frame of reference? Do you have lots of HD content? DO you have a huge DVD library and you just love watching movies?

Your questions seem to always return to what almost seems like a phishing expedition against RUNCO.

If you want to replace your old machine, you can blow past its image quality for under 10K. Or you can spend lots more and have a certain cachet...

What are you really looking for here? If you tell us what you are looking for, you will get far better responses than you do to just a blanket " What are the Projector Makes & Models members Have here for High-End Video ???"

Dizzman,

Your-Comment:
Your questions seem to always return to what almost seems like a phishing expedition against RUNCO.

If I am reading and understanding part of your Post here, I think I somehow have given the impression that I don't like Runco and have it in for them. So let me try to correct this now. I do-not dislike Runco. I do-not have it in for Runco. I'm not trying to solicit or phishing for Bad-Comments on Runco. I guess I will have to say that it was on my part that you and I hope Not-Others read that into my Threads/Post here on AVS. Hopefully this clears that up with you and anyone else that might have gotten the same idea. Thanks for bringing it to my Attention. Cannot correct what you are unaware of.

The thing I was trying to get from someone here on this Forum regarding Runco was this. How Runco usually handles out of Warranty situations. If I was really "Lucky" I might just find a Runco Employee that might send me a PM or E-Mail and ask me for a complete story on my situation with my Projector and Original-Runco-Dealer. Or maybe someone here had friends at Runco and would get me in contact with them. I guess I am saying AVS is a Very-Big-Forum and a Tremendous number of Members. So you never know if maybe you might just Luck-Out and meet the right person that knows the right person to Help-You. I also was hoping that maybe a member had known someone that had a projector and had Runco do an UpGrade. Then I could have found out how Runco usually handled that. Before someone goes off the Deep-End to say, Terry contact Runco they have the answers. I think that is obvious. As I said before Runco says that they work through their dealers. Not direct with Customers, Runco is not set-up to do that. That is why we have dealers. As I said I was just hoping that maybe someone here had inside info. about some of this. Well none of that happened but I did get some opinions from a number of AVS Members. So, all was not Lost.

I wish there was a simple way to explain what I was looking for on AVS. But I cannot seem to think of a simple way to say it. So let me just give this a shot and hopefully it will not be to long and boring.

AVS Forum looked like to me as an outsider to be very big and tons of members with all kinds of talent and knowledge concerning Audio/Video. The real Pros on the subject. So, because I not being up on any of the New Products out there decided to try to get info. about Runco and how other Projector Companies Measured Up to Runco. The more I read on AVS about the $10K and under DLP's that had Great-Pictures made me question this. If Runco would not offer me any kind of assistance at all on the repair of my VX5000ci would I be better off then going to one of the New Less Expensive Projectors.

So after the investment of $28K for my Runco I had to make a couple of decisions.

(1) Do I spend money to get the New Runco Dealer to come and remove my unit to ship back to Runco for an Estimate ? Then pay same dealer to reinstall and adjust it. Plus whatever the cost of repairs would be.

(2) Or do I say heck with Runco, I will just go with a New 1080P Projector from the Dealer that my Friend works for now. At a price of Approx. 10K. At that point they install it for free because you bought it from them. Also you then have a New Warranty.

(3) So I also thought, why not do a Thread and just ask what are the Members on the 20K and up Forum using ? I thought see what these members have because you know they are into this in a Major-Way. This should give you some idea of what to consider. So, I did use just a very-broad question.

(4) The thing I think that I did not make very clear from the very beginning was this. I have not had any reason to read and stay up on all the New Products out there in the market place. AVS Members are into this like I am into Cars. I spent something like $160,000.00 Dollars Retail for a complete H/T about 4-Yrs. ago. I did not intend on having to Replace a $28K Runco Projector or it having problems. I'm not being ridiculous here, I know electronics can go bad and anything can have problems. What I did do was listen to the Runco Dealer that sold and installed the H/T that said the reason they Primarily sold Runco was because it just hardly ever gave any problems. I had a VIDIKRON CRT Projector before the Runco and I had to send it back to them way to many times It was terrible as far as reliability. So I paid (IMHO) a lot of money to get what I thought was one of the Very-Best-Projectors on the market. I did not think about it giving problems while still being New & Under Warranty. I made one grave mistake maybe and that was I did not push for a replacement projector while it was still under the warranty. Cannot change that now. So, here I am on AVS Forum looking and reading, asking questions trying to decide what action to take.

(5) I cannot really ask the specific questions you refer to in your Post because I don't possess the knowledge and understanding of the terms to ask. This is just being Honest. Cannot ask what you don't know in the 1st place. It is really hard/difficult to be on a Forum with so many very knowledgeable/experts and try to ask the right questions. Hard to believe when you are the one with the Knowledge isn't it ?

(6) I think I can now get to the end of this Post. What I have decided is this. I am hoping I can get the Runco Repaired and or UpGraded. I like it and I think I will be more in Love with it when it is back on the ceiling and producing the Picture that I saw in the very beginning. The other thing that I have found out is this. Don't ask a Stupid/Dumb question like, which projector do you have and why? Easy answer to that one. What ever a AVS Member has is the Greatest/Brightness/Best-Resolution in the whole wide world. When you stop and think, that is really nice, because it says that members love what they have and that is the way it should be. Final comment on this Post. I also have gotten the feeling that there are not a lot of members here that like Runco and especially the prices that Runco gets for their products. That is not meant as a slur just seems like it to me. If I was in a position of having some real Disposable-Income, I would go for the VX6000D Runco. I am still of the opinion that Runco does make and has a very high end product if one can afford it.

Something for members on the 20K and up Forum to Consider and Think-About:
Some of you are very friendly and (IMO) do your best to answer what may seem, Dumb-Questions. For you I say thanks :D There are others that are very hard to Post with and ask questions. I'm on a lot of Car Forums and a Mod. on one of them. So I have been around awhile on Forums and I think if a comment was in order here, it would be this. Members give other members a break because we all have different knowledge in our respective fields. One might come across as a real dummy here with questions, but just maybe it is because they do not know enough to ask the right question/questions. Hey I'm just saying it does not cost anyone on this Forum anything to be Nice. So if I have in any way "Offended-Anyone" here on AVS I {Apologize}. Let us help one another !!!!!! :)

The-End ;)

Runco will (like many high end manufacturers) do all they can to make it right. usually this entails very reasonable repair costs. they want you to be happy.

The real question is that even if you pay 1500 for a new power supply or whatever needs fixing, do you spend that 1500 on parts for an older machine or dive into the new world.

The best advice that i feel can be given is to do it. as long as it is under 2K, then you probably have a good deal. and i cannot imagine it being more than that. As a matter of fact, i would be surprised if it is over 1k.

Now, all that done. you need to get out to some good shops, maybe find some other folks on this forum in your neck of the woods or even plan a trip to cedia in September to see some other stuff. This way, when the next part on the runco goes, you are in a better position to decide if the "UPGRADE-ITIS" bug is biting you.

The fact of the matter is that for under 10K, you can blow away your existing picture. But whether you want to is another story altogether.

Runco will (like many high end manufacturers) do all they can to make it right. usually this entails very reasonable repair costs. they want you to be happy.

The real question is that even if you pay 1500 for a new power supply or whatever needs fixing, do you spend that 1500 on parts for an older machine or dive into the new world.

The best advice that i feel can be given is to do it. as long as it is under 2K, then you probably have a good deal. and i cannot imagine it being more than that. As a matter of fact, i would be surprised if it is over 1k.

Now, all that done. you need to get out to some good shops, maybe find some other folks on this forum in your neck of the woods or even plan a trip to cedia in September to see some other stuff. This way, when the next part on the runco goes, you are in a better position to decide if the "UPGRADE-ITIS" bug is biting you.

The fact of the matter is that for under 10K, you can blow away your existing picture. But whether you want to is another story altogether.

Dizzman,

Thanks for "Your-Post".

You ask me what I watch with the Runco.

I have over 200 DVD's.

I have the Complete Dish Network Programming Package. I went with them for all the HD Channels they offer. Just read on another Thread here on AVS that Dish is by the end of this year going to add a lot more HD Channels. :D

Runco will be gone in the morning and shipped back to Runco. Then we shall see what they have to say. I have Faith in them and this is partly due to your comments on their Customer Support Policies. ;)

Once I find about the cost to repair my Runco I am going to get a Dual Format DVD Player. That I am looking forward to.

Hope you have a Great Evening !!!

Terry

The Bland. Why would he be going with a gray screen in his totally light controlled dark walls/ceiling theater?

Art. Why such a small screen? Only a D of what, a paltry183 inchches although at a very wide aspect ratio.You could put an addition on your house, totally scrap what you have and go with an even larger screen. :) Its only money and a total life disruption.

Are you going to Cedia?

The Bland. Why would he be going with a gray screen in his totally light controlled dark walls/ceiling theater?

Perhaps because he has ample headroom in the lumens department, he could improve his black levels.

The Bland. Why would he be going with a gray screen in his totally light controlled dark walls/ceiling theater?

Art. Why such a small screen? Only a D of what, a paltry183 inchches although at a very wide aspect ratio.You could put an addition on your house, totally scrap what you have and go with an even larger screen. :) Its only money and a total life disruption.

Are you going to Cedia?

I plan to, but Angela will not be going this time. I hate to go places without my personality. :( I'm shooting for September 29th for another get together at my place using my small screen.

Art

The Bland. Why would he be going with a gray screen in his totally light controlled dark walls/ceiling theater?

Art. Why such a small screen? Only a D of what, a paltry183 inchches although at a very wide aspect ratio.You could put an addition on your house, totally scrap what you have and go with an even larger screen. :) Its only money and a total life disruption.

Are you going to Cedia?

Hey Mark,

I am going with another Firehawk.

I use a Firehawk now. I had a Studiotek and was able to compare head to head. Now my Qualia has a lot of lumens but is a bit lacking in the contrast dept. The Firehawk made my picture look better in the darks and the whites were of only minor difference with the Studiotek looking a bit 'whiter'. Not going to head to head, I wouldn't be able to notice the difference with the whites.

I know the Qualia won't be my last PJ, but I am pleased with what the Firehawk does in the contrast dept.


**ART, thanks for the email!

Hi Jeff thebland
Did you connect with integrated interiors??

Mark,

Nope... I actually wanted to talk to Chris and get his thoughts...Have you talked with him lately, I cannot get a hold of him...(unless he is out of town).