Runco To Add Silicon Optix Technology
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 1/24/2005
LAS VEGAS — High-end video projector manufacturer Runco International announced at International CES that it has reached an agreement to put Silicon Optix's Realta HQV video processor in forthcoming products.
Runco said it will combine Silicon Optix's Realta processor with its own ViViX video enhancement technology to up-convert standard-definition signals to near HD quality.
“This is going to be quite a technological coup for us,” Sam Runco, Runco International's CEO, said in a prepared statement. “Our forward-thinking philosophy requires that we constantly consider technical integration that will enable us to deliver superior products to our customers. Partnering with Silicon Optix and blending these two ground-breaking technologies will allow Runco to effectively raise the bar in continually engineering simply the best video-processing display devices available in the market.”
The first Realta-enhanced projectors are slated to debut at CEDIA Expo in September and should be ready to ship in the fourth quarter.
The technology incorporates a fully software programmable video-array processor capable of performing over 1 trillion operations per second, an Image Fidelity Enhancement Engine, and end-to-end 10-bit image processing.
The systems combine to provide simultaneous processing of dual high-definition image streams, delivering quality video into home entertainment and professional video display products, including plasmas, RPTVs LCD TVs and front projectors. The chip was evolved from Teranex's $60,000 broadcast and post-production platforms.
During CES, Runco also announced a new entry-level DLP projector in the CL-410, which will carry a $3,495 suggested retail. The projector, which will help to broaden the product range of Runco dealers, offers 1,024 by 576 EDTV resolution and DVI input.
Also announced were four three-chip DLP projectors in Runco's VideoXtreme series. Models include the VX-80d, VX-60d, VX50d and VX40d. The projectors incorporate Runco's ViViX II image processing, and CineWide technology, which enables the projectors to display movies in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
The projectors all use TI's Dark Metal Process DMD chipsets and Xenon lamps. Each model will be offered in two versions. The VX-80d and VX-60d are offered in both 768p and 1,050p resolution, while the VX-50 and VX-40d offer both a 720p option or an alternate CineWide with AutoScope option.
All Video Xtreme Projection Systems include digital high-definition (DHD) video controllers, to perform image processing, scaling and aspect-ratio control using Runco's ViViX II processor design.
Runco also announced the Signature Cinema SC-1 high-definition flagship projector with an advanced video processing system. The SC-1 is billed as a fixed-pixel digital cinema projector with “unprecedented accuracy and faithfulness.”
The unit features specialized circuits that implement Runco's Signature CineStep Process that preprocesses, decodes and optimizes film-originated signals; enhances dynamic black level; and contrasts and details reproduction without increasing noise levels. It also uses post-processing to eliminate undesirable RGB characteristics associated with digital projection.
The company also announced an enhancement to two Vision Series models in its Vidikron line. New models Vision 25 and 45 are single-chip DLP models featuring a new chassis design that improves performance and changes the cabinet designs to look more like the existing Vision models 60, 80 and 100. The new versions will replace the Vision 20 and 40 models in late January.
