Runco Shows 70-Inch LCD TV

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 3/27/2008

Los Cabos, Mexico — Dealers attending Runco’s Mexican Getaway, here, Wednesday, were shown the company’s first 70-inch 1080p LCD TV, among a lineup of flagship items coming to market this year.

The 70-inch model addresses one of the company’s product goals under Planar leadership, which is to expand and upgrade the flat-panel LCD offerings with larger screen sizes and 1080p resolution. The CX-70DHD is expected to be available in the next three months and will ship with Runco’s DHD video processor. It is likely to be priced at between $25,000 and $30,000, subject to change, the company said.

Runco’s Bob Hana (left) and Planar’s Scott Hix (left) celebrate the successes of Runco’s top dealers for 2007 during the company’s Mexican Getaway in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Runco’s first “Climate Series” outdoor LCD, which is currently shipping, measures 42 inches and offers 720p HD resolution. The unit was tested to support IP56 standards, which calls for resisting 2 liters of water per second from a distance of 2 meters. It will also function at up to -4 degrees. The company is now working on expanding the series with larger screen sizes and a new double back-lighting system to increase brightness for greater visibility in sunlight. The first of those new Climate models is expected by CEDIA.

In line with the company’s goal of expanding its 1080p three-chip DLP projector lines, Runco showed the VX-22d and VX-22i, which are both compatible with the company’s CineWide lens options. The VX-22i includes built-in video-processing technology, while the VX-22d uses an external processor.

Both models are supplied with digital DHD controllers, featuring advanced Vivix II video processing, scaling and aspect ratio control. The VX-22d and DHD connect via a DVI-D Dual Link cable for a pure digital signal path from input to output, the company said.

The VX-22d offers a motorized AxiShift horizontal and vertical lens-shift capability for installation flexibility.

The RS-900 ($8,995 base suggested retail) was introduced as Runco’s lowest cost 1080p that enables every CineWide lens option to be used with it.

The 1080p RS-1100 ($11,995 base suggested retail) was refreshed with more connectivity, more CineWide lens options including CineWide with AutoScope, improved video processing and a larger throw lens.

The company also refreshed and improved quality at the entry level with two new 720p DLP projectors. The RS-440LT (long throw), which carries a $5,995 suggested retail, and the RS-440 both accept CineWide lenses.

Runco is also offering a two-piece in wall 1080p rear-screen DLP projection system called CineWall, requiring just 30 inches of placement depth. The CineWall 100 offers a large-screen option that is less expensive than comparably sized flat panels and easier to get into a house or apartment.

In plasma products, Runco said it is now shipping the previously announced 103-inch 1080p plasma display monitor. It also added a 50-inch 1080p plasma line, which is replacing former 720p models, in line with the company’s plans to switch out all plasma offerings to 1080p.