Runco Expands LCD Line With Outdoor Model

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 11/5/2007

BEAVERTON, ORE. — Planar Systems introduced under its Runco brand its first flat-panel LCD display designed specifically for outdoor use.

The 42-inch WP-42HD is part of the Runco Climate Portfolio of weatherproof displays. It is said to marry Runco's "luxury video heritage and Planar's history of ruggedized, reliable display technology, bringing stellar video quality and performance to the first luxury display series intended for the outdoors."

"The Runco WP-42HD is the first product that illustrates the synergy between Planar's engineering and display history and Runco's dedication to superior video," stated Scott Hix, Planar Systems Home Theater Business Unit general manager/VP. "From the beginning we said that Runco and its dealers would benefit from Planar Systems' unique capabilities in specialty display engineering. Runco's Climate Portfolio affords its dealers a competitive edge and accelerates Planar Systems' vision of becoming the worldwide leader in specialty video displays, including the outdoor display category."

Planar said it opted to go with weatherized displays following a 2006 study from Quixel Research that provided analysis that the outdoor display segment is on track to quadruple between 2007 and 2009.

The WP-42HD LCD uses glass with special element-proof bonding. Resolution is listed as 1,366 by 768. The display includes Runco's Vivix internal video processing, and a 178 degree viewing angle.

An internal setting allows for optimal operation in colder temperatures (-4 degrees in winter mode.)

Also included are an RS-232 automation interface with discrete on/off, input selection and aspect ratio control. Inputs include: digital DVI with HDCP, as well as a multimedia RGB/computer input for gaming, Internet surfing and other computer activities.

The unit will ship to authorized Runco dealers in November at a $8,995 suggested retail.