[ekimkci]

Buying a new house already pre-wired for home theater. So I am starting from scratch and have no equipment at all. I have looked around at local dealers and know we like the quality of the Runco Cl-710 however do not like the price.

We have a room which can be totally darken or have ambient light. The distance from the prewire drop to the location of the screen is approx. 14 feet. Width is not a problem. Home prewired by a residential design and installation outfit here in town which also is keen to sell the equipment.

So I am looking for help with not only the projector but also the screen, speakers(book shelf(left,right,center), surround sound in ceiling and 12 inch subwoofer), dvd player, receiver and control system, currently like the Crestron.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Innova]

Runco offers excellent service after the sale, but you pay for it. Some other projectors in the same class as the Runco cl-710 (single chip DLP) would be the BenQ 8700+, Infocus 7205, Sharp 12000 (also soon to be released D2000), Marantz 12s4.


Do a search here and you will find plenty information about each of these. The biggest difference is that some of them are brighter (7205), while others offer more contrast (12s4).

 

[Jason Turk]

Runco does make an excellent product. As with all fine products there is a premium you pay, but in their case it is often well worth it. They also offer added features like long throw lens options which many other companies do not offer.

 

[David F]

It would help immensely if you said what your budget is, and if you could divide it by category ($x for speakers, $y for electronics, etc.). It would also help if you told us whether or not you were interested in HDTV and, if so, whether you would be getting it via DirecTV or Dish (which means budgeting the money for an HDTV box) or cable (where there is no big up-front box fee, just a monthly rental).

 

[ekimkci]

Budget is less than $25000 which is current bid from local company. Looks like I can substitute BENQ 8700+ for the Runco CL-710 and get the same quality picture. As I said we have looked at projectors and had landed on the Runco but am just now understanding that can get same quality for less with BENQ 8700+. What I am looking for now is matching up the BENQ with:

-screen---current quote is for a Stewart 100 inch

-receiver--current quote is for a Yamaha RXV1400

-dvd player--current is Integra Single Disc Progressive Scan INT-DPS-5.5

-receiver--current bid is Integra INT-DTR-6.

-Speakers--all are Klipsch

-control system--Crestron MC2W with CRE-ST 1700c Color Touch Panel

Plan to use local High definition cable T.V. company.

Would like to reduce to approx. $15000 if possible.

Mike

 

[Innova]

-screen-- Stewart Firehawk is very highly regarded around here. I have a Da-Lite HCCV which is similiar (positive gain, gray screen).


-receiver-- Haven't kept up-to-date on them

-dvd player-- Not sure if the Integra has it, but you will probably want one that upscales w/ DVI output.

-Speakers-- Be sure to listen to whatever you are going to buy and/or make sure they have a return policy. Speakers can sound different in the store and your own home. You can get a good deal on some internet brands (rockets, by **********) but you will have to pay return shipping if you don't like the sound.


You can check my signature for my equipment, which was about $10k in total.

 

[krasmuzik]

Custom install places usually quote installed prices - which means programmed remotes and hidden wires, mounted projector/screen, installed rackm and calibrated AV.


Take that into account if you want to DIY on their quote with cheaper substitutes. You may find them unwilling to do any wire runs or remote programming - and you will need to DIY that as well.


Creston/Runco/Stewart are premium products you certainly can find cheaper substitutes - that last 10% of performance always gets you in the pocketbook.


You could instead do


Pronto/Infocus/Da-Lite and get very close to quality - pay attention to setup details and you can probably come out better quality.

 

[rubent]

I'm suprised nobody picked this up but the BENQ 8700+ and the Runco CL-710 are the exact same projector minus the plastic case and the firmware. I think Benq makes the entire CL line. Just look at the specifications of the line ups they match up quite well, also critical dimensions of the case are a dead giveaway. I guess it shows that Benq has come a long way if Runco trusts them to design and manufacture their projectors. I'm willing to bet that Benq has learned a thing or two during their partnership from Runco as well.

 

[Bytehoven]

Quote:

Originally posted by ekimkci Budget is less than $25000 which is current bid from local company. Looks like I can substitute BENQ 8700+ for the Runco CL-710 and get the same quality picture. As I said we have looked at projectors and had landed on the Runco but am just now understanding that can get same quality for less with BENQ 8700+. What I am looking for now is matching up the BENQ with: -screen---current quote is for a Stewart 100 inch -receiver--current quote is for a Yamaha RXV1400 -dvd player--current is Integra Single Disc Progressive Scan INT-DPS-5.5 -receiver--current bid is Integra INT-DTR-6. -Speakers--all are Klipsch -control system--Crestron MC2W with CRE-ST 1700c Color Touch Panel Plan to use local High definition cable T.V. company. Would like to reduce to approx. $15000 if possible. Mike

You might consider checking out the Integra 10.5 for the DVD player. Not sure how the price might differ, but the 10.5 is the latest player getting very good reviews for both audio and video quality. If you audition the 10.5 and find it superior but out of the budget, the Onkyo SP1000 is the same player, rebadged under Onkyo.


Good luck and best wishes with the new system.