Runco Shows 7 TVs, OPAL Technology, Projectors

Runco's booth has been quite busy. Amid the announcement of the company "phasing out" the Vidikron brand, it has introduced a slew of products at CEDIA Expo 2008.

Runco introduced seven new 1080p LCD and plasma flat panels, including the company's largest flat panel — the 70-inch Crystal Series CX-70DHD.

Runco says the CX-70DHD is the first LCD to use Runco's proprietary external DHD video controller/processor. It also features the company's VirtualWide mode, which it says converts 4:3 content to 16:9.

CX-70DHD includes the Imaging Science Foundation's ISFccc calibration suite and Vivix II digital video processing. It's less than six-inches wide and has the following inputs: Composite, S-Video, HDMI with HDCP and RGBH.

The two other Crystal Series LCD flat panels are the 65-inch CX-65HD and 47-inch CX-47HD. Both offer internal Vivix II processing with Runco's RTR (Real-Time Refresh) 120Hz technology, connectivity including HDMI 1.3a with Deep Color, WideVision technology with VirtualWide mode and ISF calibration.

Runco has also added two CinemaWall plasmas: the 50-inch XP-50 and 65-inch XP-65. They feature Vivix II processing, ISFccc calibration and Dynamic Pixel Protection to reduce static image retention.

MSRP:
CX-70DHD — $34,995 (October)
CX-65HD — $14,995 (December)
CX-47HD — $4,495 (December)
CX-OPAL47 — $5,995 (January 2009)
XP-65 — $12,995 (January 2009)
XP-50 — $6,495 (January 2009)
WP-420PALHD — $8,995 (currently available)

OPAL Technology

The company also unveiled its OPAL (Optical Path Alignment) technology, which Runco says provides three benefits:

• Ambient-Light Rejection (ALR) — offers 20-times reduction of internal and surface reflections
• Acute Contrast Enhancement (ACE) — Three-times increase in contrast
• ISS (Impact, Shake and Shock) Protection — Enhances resistance to dust contamination, condensation and direct impact

The OPAL technology will be available exclusively on Runco LCD and plasma flat-panels, starting with the Climate Portfolio WP-42OPALHD and CX-OPAL47 LCD.

VX-8 Projector

Runco is adding the VX-8 to its VideoXtreme line of high-performance projectors.

The VX-8 includes three SuperOnyx DMDs and Runco's exclusive 2.35:1 CineWide technology. It supports 1080p/24 and features multiple HDMI inputs.

The VX-8 features ISFccc calibration for top performance during day or night.

ConstantContrast technology offers frame-by-frame correction, while CorrectColor provides color calibration for D65 protection.

Other features include:

• Seven primary lens options and two CineWide with AutoScope choices
• A low-noise cabinet design
• Updated Proteus lenses
• Increased power Axishift
• A lamp life up to 2,500 hours

The VideoXtreme VX-8 will ship in January 2009 for $19,995.

Viper 3-chip DLP Projector

Planar also showed it's Viper 3-chip DLP projector — the company's first 3-chip DLP projector.

Viper, which has two HDMI inputs with Deep Color, was specifically designed for screens larger than 110 inches. It uses TI's technology to deliver a 10,000:1 contrast at 2,000 lumens of brightness.

ISF's Joel Silver says Planar has "hit a homerun with Viper."

"Viper's full complement of installer-friendly options and tools will enable Planar dealers to create world-class home theaters that fully exploit this projector's significant technical capabilities," adds Silver, president and founder of the Imaging Science Foundation.

The native 1280x720 Viper also includes:

• Proprietary advanced video processing with 10-bit dual image and motion adaptive processing
• True 1080i deinterlacing
• Five lens options
• Horizontal and vertical lens shift
• RS-232 automation interface with discrete on/off

The Planar Viper is currently available.

VideoWall VW-100HD Projection Display

Runco introduced its new VideoWall VW-100HD in-wall projection video display, which offers full HD (1920 x 1080) on a 100-inch screen.

Runco says the 16:9 VideoWall is ideal for installs where an ultra-large screen is required, but front projection is difficult or impossible to deliver.

The VideoWall, which uses Runco's SuperOnyx chipset, is self-contained with a low-profile design that includes a rear assembly less than 32 inches in depth.

The features are:

• Constant Contrast technology for frame-by-frame contrast correction
• More than 5,000 ANSI lumens
• Runco's Positive Pressure Cooling
• ISFccc calibration system
• Vivix II internal video processing

Connectivity includes: HDMI w/HDCP, DVI w/HDCP, Component (RCA), HD-15 (PC), S-Video, Composite and RS-232.

Runco's VideoWall VW-100HD will ship in November for $39,995.