Runco Releases LS-10d and LS-10i LightStyle Projectors
Runco LS-10 Series Projectors
Runco today announced that it is expanding its LightStyle Series with two new 3-chip DLP, 1080p projectors; the LS-10d and LS-10i. Designed to excel in both the dedicated theater as well as other rooms in the home, such as media rooms, basements, dens, these new Runco projectors deliver uncompromised 1080p 3-chip video performance at an astounding value.
Runco’s LightStyle Series projectors are a testament to Runco’s craftsmanship and video quality, and the new additions enable Runco to broaden the series with its highest resolution, most advanced performance options yet. Combining technology, design and brightness, the LS-10 projectors are not only powerhouse solutions for the dedicated home theater, but also boast performance and brightness to excel in other rooms of the home where very large, expensive, power-guzzling flat-screen TVs have traditionally been considered the only solution for large-screen viewing. Other rooms that are ideal for the LS-10 include the media room, basement, den, bonus or living spaces. The LS-10 boasts flawless HD imagery, practical integration fea tures, and a sophisticated design that has won critical acclaim for its ability to complement any room’s decor.
"With this new affordable 3-chip, 1080p projector the LightStyle Series now offers a complete gamut of stylish and accessible projection solutions with the legendary quality and craftsmanship that is synonymous with the Runco brand," said Jennifer Davis, vice president of marketing for Runco. "The Runco LS-10 projectors offer a no compromise 3-chip, 1080p, full high-definition solution that fits the needs of today’s homeowner in both performance and price."
Runco’s LightStyle Series combines state-of-the-art DLP-based SuperOnyx technology with Runco ConstantContrast and Vivix image enhancement and proprietary video processing to achieve deep black levels and significant contrast. Both incorporate the ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) calibration suite for optimal performance in any room making Runco’s LS-10 projectors ideal for rooms beyond the dedicated home theater. These calibration tools feature day and night calibration memory settings, individual sharpness and noise reduction controls, programmable image memory selection keys, built-in test patterns and a dark room-optimized remote.
"The LS-10 projectors from Runco close a gap in the channel and satisfy needs with both installers and customers with its incredible performance and outstanding value," said Ward Pitkin, Manager, 3-Chip projectors for Texas Instruments. "We are proud to be able to continue ou r outstanding relationship with Runco and continue to provide the most cutting edge technologies for the home theater market."
The LS-10i features Runco’s legendary internal video processing for exceptional scaling and analog to digital signal conversion. The LS-10d ships with Runco’s award-winning Digital High-Definition (DHD) external video processor offering the same processing and scaling as well as IR and RS-232 control and enables individual display calibration through the controller. Designed as a rack-mounted external processor, the DHD offers advanced connectivity options as well as installation flexibility because it can be located next to, and connect directly to, all other source components with a single-wire connection from the DHD to the projector, making it an ideal solution for retrofit installs.
The LS-10 projectors are available with Runco’s new CineGlide lens solution that enables a motorized, mechanical 2.35:1 anamorphic lens to move in front of the standard lens for perfect Scope reproduction. Runco CineGlide enables the viewer to switch from 16:9 content to 2.35:1 content, without black bars on the top or side of the image, with the touch of a button.
Its sleek, glamorous design and customization options make the Runco LightStyle Series projectors the perfect solution to pair with a design-conscious homeowner. Both the LS-10i and LS-10d can be customized with Runco’s FinishPalette, the latest element of the Design by Runco™ initiative. Runco’s FinishPalette enables full-color, large-format projector design options, including licensed logos from your favorite NCAA collegiate sports programs, a gallery of artist impressions and the option to custom-print your own artwork. Complementing the new FinishPalette offering are 25 new, hand-finished signature paint colors to compliment any décor.
The LS-10i will be available in October for an MSRP of $21,995 and LS-10d will be available in December for an MSRP of $26,995. All Runco displays feature a two-year RuncoCare standard warranty. Runco RedCarpet and PremierCare extended service options are also available. Runco’s new LightStyle Series projectors are available exclusively through the best dealers in the home theater business - the Runco authorized dealer network. For more information about Runco or to find a local dealer in your area, please visit www.Runco.com.
About Runco
Founded in 1987 and acquired by Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR) in 2007, Runco is a market leader in state-of-the-art projection systems, flat-panel displays, video processors, display walls and other components for the custom consumer market. Runco’s display innovations have won numerous awards and citations from the world press. Runco continues to be a pioneer in the custom video display market.
No doubt, that some cheaper stuff can have issues, but at 1/2, or more often far far less, the price, it is hard to say that it isn't still the best value (by far).
As I said, Runco looks great when they work, and it is good to hear that they have significantly improved their quality in the past few years, but Planar, who also bought Clarity has certainly not helped that product line and their support has been terrible for that product division.
All I know, is that 5 years ago, I got to ask the president of Runco why it was that their $20,000 projectors could not perform as well as a $8,000 Marantz/Sharp, and his response was ‘That’s the price you pay for the best.' - Not exactly a company which recognizes its own failings. Good to hear Planar improving that, but still not something I am convinced of.
Often with a great image, from sometimes very noisy projectors and replacement lamps often costing twice what the competitors lamps cost (try to find an LS-3 lamp online!) the Runco product still seems to be dedicated to the high dollar, highly profitable custom installation sector in a world which has basically moved to online options. It's a fairly antiquated way to maintain a business strategy from a company which had notoriously unreliable products delivered year after year after year.
I do hope for the best from them just for the sake of the customers that buy their products, but I'm not prepared to endorse them yet for sure.
BMXTRIX, post: 750993
Runco has been a very high price tag product for years and simply remains the Bose/Monster of the projector industry. Their support is abysmal and their prices are outrageous for product which is 5% (or less?) better than many of the competing products out there.
Of course, there are products out there from Sim2, ProjectionDesign, and Digital Projection which are all comparible and similarly priced which I would recommend in a second over Runco just for reliability alone.
A good Runco is like an Italian sports car… It is great to enjoy, but you better know your mechanic darn well, and be prepared to pay them regularly, often at inopertune times, to get it fixed.
Desn't Runco realize that with the release of a 2.35:1 native DLP chip that touting ‘anamorphic’ capabilities on a NEW product, is already a sign that you are way behind the curve?
https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68386
Give me 2.35 native in a nice theater and add in a 3-chip DLP if my budget allows it! But, in the real world, like most of us, give us 95% of that quality with a Panasonic AE4000 or an Epson 8500UB.
I think these are inaccurate generalizations of a company that's gone under a lot of changes over the past 2-3 years.
Since Planar took over for Runco their service has been excellent. In regards to the entry level pieces, like the LS-5 ($5K) & LS-7 ($7K), those are tweaked Planar carryovers from when the company merged their pieces into the Runco line. Build quality and engineering is 1st class on those two pieces.
The fact that those new Runco models are priced at $1K lower than the previous Planar models, yet offer no less performance shows at least an effort towards offering value. Personally, I would rather have the Runco LS-7 DLP projector at $7K retail over the $8K JVC LCOS piece. Especially since a more generous price break should be able to be found on the Runco. The JVC typically gets marked up on its way through distribution where as the Runco is sold direct to dealers.
The LCD value preposition is a strong one, no doubt. However, those models are designed and built with a specific price point in mind and it shows. The Epson projectors, which I LOVE, are great - but there are quirky quality issues with those as well.
2:35 is slowly coming along, but that Projection Design model you're (I'm guessing) referring to is going to be HUGE $. Considering the Runco LS-10 models, show me a 1080P 3-Chip DLP projector under $20K that's available? I don't know if there are any. But to agree with you to a point, I don't know if one is really even necessary with how good the single chip & LCOS stuff is.
The projector market is becoming a bit of a mess. Incredibly fast changing technology, globalized manufacturing and chipsets/engines so good being mass produced so inexpensively, I'd be lying to pitch the value of a $20K projector. But Runco, at least on their entry level, is offering some really well built & competitive pieces of gear.
PS: Epson's going to show some stuff at Cedia that should also address the 2:35 (similar to Panasonic) movement. As well as some upper end things to compete more directly with JVC, Sony, & Runco. I believe they will be positioned at $4500 & $6500. Watch for a much more elegant styling of casing and a better build quality. A little birdie told me that Epson's been working on a “LCOS like” solution for the $6500 price point. LOOK OUT!
Of course, there are products out there from Sim2, ProjectionDesign, and Digital Projection which are all comparible and similarly priced which I would recommend in a second over Runco just for reliability alone.
A good Runco is like an Italian sports car… It is great to enjoy, but you better know your mechanic darn well, and be prepared to pay them regularly, often at inopertune times, to get it fixed.
Desn't Runco realize that with the release of a 2.35:1 native DLP chip that touting ‘anamorphic’ capabilities on a NEW product, is already a sign that you are way behind the curve?
https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68386
Give me 2.35 native in a nice theater and add in a 3-chip DLP if my budget allows it! But, in the real world, like most of us, give us 95% of that quality with a Panasonic AE4000 or an Epson 8500UB.
Clint Deboer was terminated from Audioholics for misconduct on April 4th, 2014. He no longer represents Audioholics in any fashion.
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