This Minute at Runco

Final Thumbs Up

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:57:00 GMT

Photo by Getty Images

The funeral was attended by family, friends, and fans. The blogosphere and Twitterscape is still aglow with fond remembrances as we all say good-bye to the ultimate lover of movies and friend of Runco, Robert Ebert.

No one can argue that he was the nation’s most influential film critic, who worked across media, from newspaper to television to book publishing to social media, to define a profession. He aptly showed how early adoption of technology can keep a public figure relevant across the decades. He’s the only film critic with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At his funeral, the mayor of Chicago joked that “Roger spent a lot of time sitting through bad movies, so we didn’t have to.” He inspired his fans by bravely and publicly facing down cancer, eventually losing his ability to speak, though not his ability to communicate. In the end, the villain won, but like the fallen heroes in epic films, the legacy continues.

On April 2, just days before his death, he posted an open letter on his blog claiming for himself a much deserved “leave of presence.” To slow down from his prolific writing production (resulting in 306 movie reviews last year alone across 200 newspapers) to do what he could have only fantasized about in his lifetime as a film critic: “seeing only the movies I want to review.”

So, in homage to a gifted and generous movie lover, here is a link to what Roger Ebert called the “Great Movies.” These 300 films shaped public opinion, pushed the boundaries of cinema technology and art, and, Roger believed, were worthy stories, well told. Perhaps some of these will spark your interest. Perhaps you’ll add your own thumbs up to that of Roger Ebert.

And Roger, we’ll see you at the movies.

Unbelievable Home Cinema in Greece

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:29:00 GMT

What do you get when you combine a visionary client, a leader in home theater design, the latest home cinema technology, and an army of craftsman and artists? Well, we are about to find out as we watch the progress on an amazing home theater installation going on now on the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. Theo Kalomirakis, is largely credited for creating the home theater, and his work on this project illustrates why he has garnered respect from the AV industry, design community, and clients alike.

The theater is inspired by the Basicilia of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, an imposing edifice demonstrating engineering sophistication beyond its day. The scaled down design includes marble columns, hand-carved marble capitals, hand-painted frescos by Inga Belozerova and Louis Triverio. The general contractor, Teknamat, and the AV integrator, Yiannis Roubessis of Home & Yachts Private Theaters, is working alongside these artists and craftspeople to deliver an impressive cinema experience, featuring a Runco Signature Cinema™ SC-50d projector.

The entire project has been several years in the making and you can track the final progress of the theater at Theo’s blog.

Planar Releases 3D BIM Models of LCD Displays and Video Walls through Autodesk Seek

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:01:00 GMT

Architects, engineers and designers can now easily integrate 3D BIM models of Planar displays into building plans

3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) models of select Planar large format LCD displays and video walls are now available free through the Autodesk® Seek web service.

Autodesk Seek allows architects, engineers and designers to easily find, preview and download 3D models of Planar displays. They can then incorporate these models into their building plans without having to create the models themselves. According to a report by McGraw-Hill Construction titled, “The Business Value of BIM in North America: Multi-Year Trend Analysis and User Ratings (2007-2012),” BIM adoption has grown 500% in the past years among AEC (Architect, Engineering, Construction) professionals and research indicates that up to 80% of firms have adopted BIM.

“The BIM process has transformed design and construction with its ability to improve project 3D design and team collaboration,” says Jennifer Davis, vice president of marketing for Planar Systems. “By offering our products as BIM ready objects, we make it easier for architects, engineers and designers to integrate Planar displays into their project designs right from the start.”

3D BIM models of three Planar product families are now available from the Autodesk Seek online content library, a web service that supplies free BIM models from a wide range of building product manufacturers. The models include Planar® Mosaic™ architectural video walls, Clarity™ Matrix LCD video walls and Planar® UltraLux™ Series large flat panel monitors. Each of these BIM models provides data-rich drawings and product specifications that accurately depict the displays and their options within Autodesk® Revit®, a market-leading 3D design platform.

While Planar has provided 2D CAD drawings of its products for years, it was time-consuming for designers to turn these 2D drawings into accurate 3D objects. With the 3D BIM models available on Autodesk Seek, building professionals can now download these models and easily plug them right into their overall project designs, speeding up their work and improving the quality of their project models.

“Building Information Modeling technology has quickly become the industry standard for accurately simulating buildings in 3D before they’re constructed,” says Rob Gaspard, AIA, principal of architectural firm WORKSBUREAU. “As a result, we have a growing need to integrate product data from manufacturers like Planar into our BIM designs. By putting 3D models of its displays on Autodesk Seek, Planar is not only miles ahead of the curve, but it’s allowing me to offer enhanced decision making capabilities to my clients, making my job a whole lot easier.”

Audio visual resellers and system integrators who consult, sell and service display technologies can also benefit from these 3D BIM models. Photo-realistic project models have become a key sales tool for AV designers and consultants when pitching their design concepts. Now they can more easily incorporate Planar displays into their design proposals, allowing project owners to more clearly visualize the design.

Spring Break Movie List

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:44:00 GMT

The weather in Oregon is always so predictably wet in the spring. Staycations over Spring Break leave lots of opportunity for movie watching with Runco! What should be on the list this year of must-watch kid flicks on Blu-Ray? Post your favorites on our Facebook Page.

Theo Kalomirakis: Of Movie Palaces and Home Theaters

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

A recent blog post by the godfather of home theater and our friend, Theo Kalomirakis, remembers fondly the bygone era when theaters were destinations. I think home theater enthusiasts agree that movies, and the environments we experience them, can still take our breath away. We are proud that Runco video products are part of the finest home theaters in the world. Subscribe to Theo’s blog. You won’t be sorry.

Planar UltraRes Displays Bring 4K Clarity to Professional Applications

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT

Planar’s new Ultra HD resolution displays are uniquely designed to help professionals across industries reap value from high-resolution information

Today, at the Digital Signage Expo 2013 in Las Vegas, Planar Systems, Inc., a global leader in digital display technology, unveiled the breakthrough 84-inch Planar® UltraRes™ display product line, designed for ultra-high resolution commercial applications.

The new Planar UltraRes 4K displays provide native ultra–high definition resolution (3840 x 2160), outstanding image quality and a range of configurations. Planar UltraRes displays are ideal for professionals in a wide variety of commercial industries who require a large viewing area, very high pixel density and enterprise-level features that allow teams to collaborate around more immersive and detailed visual information.

“In commercial, academic and government settings there is a large and growing volume of ultra-high definition computer and video visual information—along with people making critical decisions based on that information,” said Steve Seminario, senior director of product marketing for Planar Systems. “With Planar UltraRes, we’re pleased to be leading the way for what we expect to be wide adoption of 4K resolution displays in these professional settings.”

Making the Most of High-Resolution Information
Planar UltraRes 84-inch displays are designed for applications including energy, geospatial, engineering and design, architecture, aerospace, control room, collaborative conference room, medical imaging, science, and digital signage, among others. Whether it’s making a multi-million dollar energy exploration decision, quickly rerouting electricity to prevent an outage or producing stunning close-up video for a retail store, Planar UltraRes 4K displays help businesses get the most impact from their high resolution information.

“Our pioneering efforts in video wall technology have resulted in Planar being seen as one of the world’s foremost authorities on 4K,” said Jennifer Davis, vice president of marketing for Planar Systems. “For decades Planar has used ultra high definition content and has been a driving force in display resolutions, going back to our introduction of the industry’s first 16:9 HD resolution rear-projection video wall displays. The exciting Planar UltraRes product line is a natural extension of our leadership in commercial markets and our expertise in resolutions beyond HD.”

Planar UltraRes ultra HD displays offer the following benefits:

Four times the pixel density: Planar UltraRes 4K displays offer four times the resolution of a full HD display. With a native resolution of 3840 x 2160, Planar UltraRes displays make it possible to view the most granular information with stunningly sharp focus.
Advanced image quality: Planar UltraRes displays feature latest-generation LED-lit LCD technology, selectable dynamic contrast and local dimming for enhanced contrast. Planar UltraRes displays also support a full 60Hz refresh rate and10-bit color for an exceedingly life-like video experience.
Advanced industrial design: Planar UltraRes displays provide a sleek design for both function and style. The displays have a slim metal bezel, wide range of digital connectivity options and incorporate failover power supply for 24x7 environments.
Innovative mounting system: The Planar Profile™ Mounting System allows for an extremely slim profile when wall-mounted (about three inches) and provides a front service access mode. The Planar Profile™ Tiling Kit allows for optimized horizontal tiling of multiple Planar UltraRes displays and the industry’s narrowest image-to-image gap for large format 4K displays.
Breakthrough energy efficiency: Planar UltraRes displays come with an advanced energy-efficient design that utilizes edge-lit LED technology and passive cooling. The displays can automatically switch to standby mode when no source is detected and consume less than 0.5 watt of standby power. Planar UltraRes displays include no lead or mercury and are fanless and absolutely quiet.
Modular for easy repair: Planar UltraRes displays have lockable, front service access, providing ease of service without removing the display from the wall.

Satisfying a Wide Range of Commercial Needs
Planar UltraRes displays come in three base models to suit a variety of commercial requirements:

UR8450-LX: 2D landscape display ideal for conference and control rooms.
UR8450-MX: 2D landscape and portrait, higher brightness model designed for digital signage and other higher ambient light environments.
UR8450-3D: 2D and 3D landscape support, ideal for decision rooms where both 2D and 3D images and video are viewed.

Planar UltraRes 4K displays will be available through Planar’s global network of authorized resellers and will begin shipping in the second calendar quarter of 2013. Visit Booth #407 at the Digital Signage Expo 2013 to learn more about Planar UltraRes and to see a demonstration. Additional information is available at www.planar.com.

Pulse Marketing Showcases X-200i Projector at the Gadget Show with 20th Century Fox

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:22:00 GMT

Pulse Marketing were recently asked to build and support 20th Century Fox's exhibit at the Christmas Gadget Show 2012 which featured a Runco XtremeProjection™ Series X-200i projector. The exhibit delivered a stunningly beautiful 3D Blu-Ray experience to show attendees.

According to Pulse Marketing, the Gadget Show was "the ideal opportunity for us to showcase one of Runco's new XtremeProjection Series Projectors. These high-performing projectors offer 3D capability at exceptional value."

Click to view two videos of the exhibit taken over three days.

Behind the Scenes of Our Favorite Movie Effects

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:05:00 GMT

Ever wondered how George Lucas filmed the opening title scrolling sequence in Star Wars? Photographer, Angus R. Shamal has compiled an amazing collection of behind-the-scenes glimpses into some of our favorite movie special effects.

See some of the shots here.

For the entire collection, visit The Blog.

Sound Design features Runco and Planar displays in new showroom

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:58:00 GMT

Texas Runco dealer Sound Design, recently updated their Horseshoe Bay main lobby showroom which now features three Runco and Planar displays.

L to R - Planar® Mosaic™ architectural display, Runco® Vistage™ V-63HD, and Planar® Clarity™ Matrix 3x2 display.

Runco Signature Cinema Projectors Bring Movie Theater 3D to the Home

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Looking for cinema-quality 3D in your home? Look no further than the Runco Signature Cinema series of projectors. Technology Daily News names Runco SC series among its list of high-quality 3D home theater systems for 'true home theater technophiles wanting as close to what are in movie theaters as possible."

See the entire article here.

For more information on Runco SC projectors and other 3D projectors in the Runco product lineup, click here.

Planar Clarity Matrix Video Wall Wins 2012 HTSA Award for Technology Innovation

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Planar Systems Clarity™ Matrix Video Wall took home an award for Technology Innovation at the annual Home Technology Specialists of America awards night.

Greg Caves, Runco/Planar Systems North American Sales Manager-Residential Channel was in attendance and received the award from Bob Hana, HTSA Managing Director and former President of Runco International.

Congratulations to Emmy Award Winner, Sam Runco!

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Sam Runco, founder of Runco International and a founding member of CEDIA was named an Emmy Award winner at the 64th Annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards. He won in the category of "Pioneering Development and Deployment of Aspect Ratio Control Technologies and Systems for Letterbox Images Within Consumer Devices." Without his contributions to this category, Runco CineWide technology wouldn't be what it is today. Congratulations Sam!

For more information and for a complete list of Emmy winners: http://www.customretailer.net/article/sam-runco-to-receive-an-emmy-25053838/1

In case you missed it- CEDIA 2012 Video Highlights from the Runco Booth

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Thanks to rAVe [Publications] for stopping by the Runco booth at CEDIA 2012! Jennifer Davis, VP Marketing at Planar Systems, shows off highlights of Planar Systems products featured at the booth this year:

Runco Highlights MX55 Clarity Matrix MultiTouch Tiled LCD Video Wall Kit

Runco Looks at Planar UltraLux 80" Zero Bezel 700-Nit Display

Runco Shows Planar Mosaic Architectural Video Wall With Integrated Video Processor

Runco Dealers CEDIA 2012 Electronic Lifestyles Winners

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Runco would like to recognize the outstanding installations of Runco dealers who received Electronic Lifestyles Awards in 2012.

Among the winners was Definitive Concepts, who was recognized with the CEDIA 2012 Hidden Installation Gold Technical Design Award, which features a stunning moving Planar Clarity Matrix display that opens to reveal a hidden flatscreen television. Photos of their installation can be seen at CEDIA.net.

See the video of their installation here.

Erskine Group Inc. of Atlanta, GA, also won a Bronze Technical Design Award for their beautiful home theater installation featuring a Runco SC-50 projector. Photos of their installation can be seen at CEDIA.net and on Runco.com in our Installation Gallery.

Congratulations!

For more information about CEDIA's Awards Program, visit: CEDIA.net/awards.

Introducing the Runco Signature Cinema™ SC-30d and SC-35d

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Runco has expanded the award-winning SignatureCinema™ series with two new models, the SC-30d and SC-35d that launch today at CEDIA! These new additions both utilize Runco’s patented Telesto™ digital cinema optics and patented design to deliver the crispest and truest digital projection imagery available on the market today. These offer the best cinematic experience available for the most sophisticated private cinemas, and start at prices under $40,000 - making it the most affordable price points in the history of the Signature Cinema portfolio!

Introducing the New Runco XtremeProjection™ Series

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 07:00:00 GMT

An extraordinary new family of projection systems, the XtremeProjection™ Series, has been added to the Runco family that launches today at CEDIA! This series was designed specifically for the custom installer who specializes in high-end theaters, and appreciates craftsmanship and video quality. Starting out with three new innovative models, the X-200i, X-400d and the X-450d, the XtremeProjection series of projectors fill maximum screen sizes; rely on state-of-the-art DLP-based SuperOnyx™ technology and proprietary electronics, processing, and optics to deliver stunning images from both 2D and 3D sources.

Runco Broadens Award-Winning LightStyle Series with High Bright LS-10HBd Projector

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Introducing the new Runco® LightStyle LS-10HBd projector. Part of Runco’s award winning LightStyle Series, the LS-10HBd creates stunning video at a scale unattainable by other display types. It will provide homeowners exceptional entertainment value without compromising video quality or scale.

With its 3-chip, 1080p design and stunning brightness, the LS-10HBd opens up new projections possibilities in the home. The incredible brightness, along with the ISF™ Day and Night modes of the LS-10HBd, make it possible for families to truly get the most from their DVDs and Blu-ray® discs, television programming, internet video, and computer-based media and spectacular sizes, without compromising the room’s design or décor.

Runco spotted on TV!

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Recently we’ve noticed a few Runco products popping up on TV. Go Runco! Check it out!

HGTV ‘”You Live in What”
[Runco CL 610 Projector]

CNBC (on a commercial advertisement)
[Runco XP Panel]

PBS “This Old House”
[Runco PL-61DHD Plasma Monitor]

Runco Lightstyle LS-12d named finalist in 2012 Manufacturer’s Excellence Awards

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The Runco Lightstyle™ LS-12d projector has been named a finalist in the 2012 Manufacturer’s Excellence Awards, as well as the only projecter nominated this year. The latest addition to the award-winning Lightstyle series, the Runco LS-12d delivers exceptional 3D and 2D performance and is the first projector to be externally paired with the Dimension™ Digital controller, Runco’s newest processor engineered to enhance the performance of Runco 3-D enabled products.

Winners will be announced at CEDIA Expo 2012

Introducing the Planar UltraLux: Large-format, Zero-bezel LCD Displays

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The Planar® UltraLux™ Series is a family 60", 70" and 80" LCD displays that feature a unique industrial design and forward-thinking engineering which brings current consumer electronics styling to the professional market.

“With the Planar UltraLux Series, customers finally have the eye-catching scale to create immersive video experiences with a single large format display,” said Jennifer Davis, vice president of marketing for Planar Systems. “The range of screen sizes, touch interactivity, and design flexibility are unprecedented. And the strong early market reaction to Planar UltraLux is an indication that this type of design is an important performance criteria for buyers of professional displays.”

The product will begin shipping late Summer and is available through Runco Authorized Resellers as well as other Planar partners.

Cameo Kitchens Install features Clarity Matrix

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The Toronto showroom of Canada-based kitchen and fine cabinetry design and manufacturing company, Cameo Kitchens features a Planar® Clarity Matrix LCD VideoWall. See the story here.

HD Living: New Screen and Projector technology allow for more flexibility in home installation

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMT

With the increased flexibility of new projectors and screens, more rooms and spaces in homes once considered too small, too long or too bright are now able to accommodate a projection design and setup. Due to new projection technology, shorter and longer throw projectors allow for greater flexibility and better options for placement. Newer screens now allow a better viewing experience of media with different aspect ratios.

To see the entire story on HD Living, click here.

Planar’s Shannon Vander Giessen featured in DailyDOOH

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The DailyDOOH "Will Work For Love" monthly feature, showcased Shannon Vander Giessen, business development/digital signage for Planar. See the full interview here.

Cresendo Designs' Manhattan Home Install features Runco TVs

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Crescendo Designs brings the latest in technology and design together in Manhattan Central Park West home featuring Runco televisions. Click here to see post on HD Living.

Creative TSI at "Street of Dreams" Home Design Event features Runco

Tue, 29 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The custom installation professionals at Calgary, Alberta-based Runco dealer, Creative TSI, partnered with the award-winning homebuilders at Astoria Custom Homes to create a truly one-of-a-kind home entertainment experience room, with complete automation. An iPad 2 turns on the Runco LightStyle LS-HB projector, club-style pinpoint lights and Xbox 360 with Kinect, brings up the house lights, starts a hidden fog machine and completely preps the room for an amazing movie night, dance party or gaming session.

The projector-screen setup is a precision optical dual-mirror rear projection system, so the projector isn’t located inside the room, but instead in a room adjacent to it.

The event runs May 19 - July 1, 2012 and features four of the area’s leading homebuilders, who each teamed up with their own subcontractors to make their home’s landscaping, interior design and cutting-edge technology stand out from the rest.

To read more about the rooms setup and equipment, visit: http://www.griffinprnews.blogspot.ca/2012/05/street-of-dreams-home-design-event.html.

Home Theater HiFi Review: Runco LightStyle LS-100d DLP LED Projector

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Home Theater High Fidelity recently gave a glowing review of the Runco Lightstyle™ LS-100d ultra-short throw projector. The unique ultra-short throw design allows the LS-100d to be mounted flush to the screen wall while delivering a stunning 100" image.

For the entire review click here.

Runco LS-1 projector: The Street's Top 10 "Coolest Tech Gadgets"

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

TheStreet.com recently revealed their list of the top ten business sales tech tools to have in your sales arsenal to close that deal and the Runco Lightstyle™ LS-1 projector was #1 on that list. Click here to view the "10 Coolest Tech Gadgets to Seal the Deal"

Planar Mosaic wins rAVe Publications Most Innovative New Digital Signage Hardware Product Award

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Planar® Mosaic™ won the 'Most Innovative New Digital Signage Hardware Product' award for DSE 2012 from rAVe Publications. This is just the first of many accolades for this now award-winning product line! See the full list of 2012 Digital Signage CHAMPS.

Planar Matrix at the NAB 2012 REDuser Party

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMT

On Sunday, April 15th over 1000 REDusers gathered at the Tropicana in Las Vegas to kickoff the National Association of Broadcasters 2012 Show. Guests viewed entries from the top 10 finalists in REDuser’s 4k Portrait competition which were screened on a number of new and prototype 4k monitors, including a 2x2 of Planar Matrix 55 and a prototype 64” 4K display. RED Digital Cinema is well respected in Hollywood for pioneering digital 4k capture and the competition was the first ever of its kind for REDusers to create content made especially for 4k display.

“So much motion and still content is being captured today at 4K and higher resolutions, thanks in large part to RED digital cinema who made no-compromises digital content creation accessible to nearly any maker of professional films or commercials. Ironically, most of this dazzling content is never displayed in 4K. The concept behind the 4K Portrait contest was to tap into the army of RED camera faithful to create, produce and display all in 4K. The results were mesmerizing and at the RED User Party at NAB, RED’s customers seemed to really enjoy seeing their content displayed the way they’d intended – in full 4K – and Planar really appreciated the opportunity to show off our displays.” -Steve Seminario, Product Marketing Manager, Planar Systems

Planar Matrix 55HD at the REDuser Party:

Definitive Concepts, Inc. Unveils Motorized Video Wall

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:02:00 GMT

Runco Dealer, Definitive Concepts, Inc. recently designed and installed a motorized video wall with four (4) 46" Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall displays which slide open at the push of a button to reveal an 80" LCD television. Check out the video below of this sleek, one of kind entertainment center:

ConsumerRetailer Sees Increased Consumer Interest in Home Theater Projectors

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:16:00 GMT

In a 2011 survey, ConsumerRetailer has found that interest in home theater projectors has grown over the last few years due to increased interest in 3D movies and sports. For the entire story, click here.

New York Times spotlight on the Runco D-113d projector

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:39:00 GMT

The New York Times recently ran an article featuring the Runco 3Dimension™ Series D-113d on products that 'discreetly' showcase wealth. The Runco D-113d, the world's best and brightest in high-end luxury projection, utilizes Runco's unique, award-winning Constant Stereoscopic Video™ (CSV) approach with the optical filters and glasses of teh Panavision 3D System ® - which has been developed for premiere commercial cinemas.

To read the entire article, click here.

Runco Shipping Policies: CE Pro 2012 Quest for Quality Winner!

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:06:00 GMT

Runco's shipping policies won a Silver Quest for Quality 2012 award from CE Pro. The annual Quest for Quality award honors custom electronics manufacturers and distributors for excellence in customer service. Congrats Runco Shipping and Logistics!

Runco featured on DIY Network: Hollywood Hi-Tech

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Runco projectors were recently featured on the DIY Network show, "Hollywood Hi-Tech" about high end home custom installations in the homes of Hollywood celebrities such as Academy-Award winner Oliver Stone, Entourage star Kevin Connolly, and Entertainment Tonight co-anchor Nancy O'Dell. All of whom chose Runco projectors to be installed in their homes.

Here's a sneak peak of the three Hollywood celebrity installs featuring Runco projectors::

To view more of Nancy O'Dell's and Kevin Connolly's home installations, visit the Runco Video Resource Library.

Runco LS-100d projector featured at Stewart Filmscreen Training

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:01:00 GMT

Stewart Filmscreen is currently holding a training Thursday and Friday for their screen dealers. Runco was on board with the setup of the Lightstyle LS-100d ultra short throw projector at their facilities on a 2.35:1 Stewart screen 84 inches wide.

Here's the LS-100d in action at Stewart:

Runco at Denver Home Show with AV Specialists

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 07:00:00 GMT

The Audio/Video Specialists, an electronic design and installation firm, along with The Rocky Mountain Design Collective will be exhibiting at the 2012 Denver Home Show with a custom built home theater, sharing demonstrations and information about the latest AV technologies. The premium cinema room will be on display for visitors throughout the show before being donated (room and décor only, no electronics) to Brent’s Place, a local non-profit that helps children and families dealing with life threatening cancer.

More than just a TV and some speakers, the Denver Home Show set-up will include premium audio/video products, including a Runco D-73d 3D projector.

The Denver Home Show runs from March 16-18, for more information, please visit www.homeshowdenver.com.

Runco Launches AIA/CES Approved Course: Understanding & Optimizing Home Theater Design

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Runco announced the launch of its first ever AIA/CES approved continuing education online learning seminar, an hour long program which describes how to create the best in a home theater experience with accurate visual reproduction, calibration, and screen selection, to create the ideal viewing environment. The AIA/CES-approved course was constructed by industry experts Greg Campbell and Jeremy Sternhagen, both of Runco, and grants each member 1.0 AIA/CES HSW/LU Hour.

To learn more about Planar and Runco’s AIA-approved continuing education courses open to designers visit

http://www.planardigitalsignage.com/design-resources/continuing-education-credit

Click here for the press release.

Welcome Runco Academy Attendees!

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:28:00 GMT

Runco's industry-leading dealer education program, Runco Academy Master Class starts tomorrow. This 4-day long intensive training session includes sales training and technical training for Runco reps and dealers to ensure that dealers' sales, install and technical teams have the knowledge, competitive sales tools, techniques and equipment to properly sell, install, service and maintain any Runco solution.

The Runco Academy Master Class, a certified training program for Consumer Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) professionals, is held quarterly during the year at Runco headquarters in Oregon. The next Academy session is May 8-11.

If you are an authorized Runco dealer and are interested in attending the next training session, contact marketing@runco.com for more information.

Ultimate Crestron Home Media Room: Featuring Runco Window Wall

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Advanced Home Theater recently converted a customer's personal gym into a media room featuring a Runco WindowWall in a space they have dubbed "The Ultimate Man Cave." See video of the install project here.

To read more about this installation (that also features a DJ booth!), click here.

Sublime Integration installs Runco TV in motorized cabinet

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:37:00 GMT

Sublime Integration of Mississauga, Ontario completed a bedroom installation of a 42-inch Runco LCD TV in a custom cabinet with a motorized lift at the foot of the customer's bed. The cabinet was custom designed to fit the Runco TV and motorized lift while also taking into account the style of the bedroom. The lift is controlled by a wireless touchpanel and can rotate 140 degrees so the owners can view the TV from the foot of their bed or the seating area on the other side of their bedroom.

To read the entire Electronic House article, click here.

Electronic House says Runco LS-1 projector is an affordable home cinema luxury

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:20:00 GMT

Electronic House recently reviewed the Runco Lightstyle™ LS-1 single-chip DLP projector and calls it a "great, reasonably-priced projector that gives a significant improvement over the bargain projectors in the $1,000-$3,000 range."

For the entire review, click here.

Introducing the Planar Mosaic™

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:48:00 GMT

Planar® is excited to announce the introduction of Planar Mosaic™, the only video wall system providing three flat panel tile sizes including a new truly square LCD.

Utilizing proprietary Mosaic Ensemble™ hardware and software, the tiles can be rotated at virtually any angle and mounted in virtually any position, encouraging designers to experiment with negative space while extending project budgets.

This unique combination of software and image processing allows the display of a single image or video over the entire tile layout with unmatched simplicity.

A large-scale prototype exhibit of the Planar Mosaic architectural display system will debut February 16 - March 30 at the Cristin Tierney Gallery in New York, New York, in conjunction with video artist, Yorgo Alexopoulos.

Read the press release here or visit www.planar.com/mosaic for more information.

Introducing the Runco Lightstyle LS-12d and the Dimension Digital Controller

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:25:00 GMT

Runco is proud to announce the new LS-12d -the latest edition to the award-winning LightStyle series. The LS-12d combines a powerful three-chip DLP® engine and a wide array of lens options with Runco's elegant LightStyle chassis design. The LS-12 is the first projector to be externally paired with the new Dimension Digital Controller™, Runco's newest processor engineered to enhance the performance of Runco 3-D enabled products.

To read the press release, click here.

Runco D-113d one of "10 things (electronic) to watch for in 2012"

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The world's best and brightest in high-end luxury projection, the Runco 3Dimension™ D-113d has been featured in Kevin Hunt's "10 things (electronic) to watch for in 2012." For more information on the D-113d, click here.

President of SpeakerCraft Jeremy Burkhardt chooses Runco

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:42:00 GMT

“When looking for a new projector, I had a few requirements: it had to be stylish, and give me amazing video quality that makes me want to watch TV all day long. I decided to look no further than Runco’s LS-3. Not only does Runco have the best video quality ever, the industrial design on the projector is beautiful. I had it customized with Runco FinishPalette™, that made the look complete. It’s in my bedroom, so design was definitely a big factor when choosing a projector, and this one fits the room perfectly. The quality is amazing and allows me to switch seamlessly between movies and TV without having to change calibrations while getting deep blacks and incredibly true color.”

-Jeremy Burkhardt, President of SpeakerCraft

Jeremy chose the Runco LS-3 projector customized with a Runco FinishPalette design by San Francisco artist, Candace Kim.

Countdown to Oscar time!

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:24:00 GMT

And the nominees are for 2012 Best Picture:

1) Hugo

2) Midnight in Paris

3) The Artist

4) Moneyball

5) The Descendents

6) The Tree of Life

7) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

8) The Help

9) War Horse

The Martin Scorsese film, Hugo about the adventures of a young boy living in a Paris train station received the highest number of Oscar nominations (11) and is our pick for Best Picture with its brilliant, beautiful 3-D cinematography and enchanting story that is great for the entire family. What's your pick?

For more Oscar nominee information and Oscar history, please visit http://oscar.go.com/

Runco at Integrated Systems Europe 2012

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:56:00 GMT

Runco will be demonstrating our finest video products at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2012 (January 31 - February 2). Runco will continue delivering on our commitment to providing innovative display solutions for our dealer partners worldwide.

Runco will be demonstrating the D-73d Ultra projector, LS-100d ultra-short throw projector, Vistage V-63HD ultra-flat panel, and LS-HB (High-Bright) projector.

You're Invited: Runco & Planar Arizona Roadshow - January 18th & 19th

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Runco & Planar will be in Phoenix, Arizona at the Marriott Residence Inn Desert View on January 18th and 19^th to showcase four award-winning and best selling projectors and displays.

Planar Clarity Matrix 55” LCD Video Wall - the video wall of choice for customers who want a nearly seamless video wall and uninterrupted operation.
LightStyle LS-10 - Runco's elegant and sleek 1080p 3-chip DLP projector.
3Dimension D-73d - CEDIA 2010 New Product of the Year and CE Pro Best Product of the Year; the D-73d has won numerous awards for its stellar showing in both 2D and 3D modes, with native 1080 DLP 16x9 performance.

Attention Dealers - Showcase Your Home Installs to over 250K+ Potential Customers!

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:41:00 GMT

Electronic House has opened its call for entries for the 2012 Electronic House Homes of the Year. Winners will receive free marketing benefits such as a feature on ElectronicHouse.com with a direct link to your site, a “Cool Homes Spotlight” on ElectronicHouse.com and an extensive promotional campaign done by Electronic House to over 252,400 consumers dealers and builders monthly. Gold project winners will have a full feature in Electronic House Magazine.

Entering is simple and easy, simply visit this link to get started. Here is what you’ll need:

Entry Fee: $299 for the first project, $50 for each additional project
Submission Info:
- Project Details
- Award Category (full list here)
- Project Contributors
- Photos
Deadline for submission is February 3rd
Installations for submitted projects must have been completed between January 1, 2011 and February 3, 2012.

Our very own Greg Caves was named one of this year’s Young Turks of CE!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Greg Caves has been the field face of Runco for independent custom integrators since 1994. What separates Greg in the field is his understanding of the dealers’ business and trying to match the right Runco product to meet their business needs. Greg’s dealers view him as a business partner and ally, and his insight to dealers regarding successful business strategies is deemed as just as valuable to independent dealers. Greg was at the forefront of introducing Runco CineWide™ technology to the market with Sam Runco and through the transition when Runco was acquired by Planar Systems in 2007. Greg has been a constant and provided the much needed continuity during and after the transition. Cheers to Greg!

Read more about Greg and the rest of the Custom Retailer 2012 Young Turks here.

Check out the entire publication here.

Runco’s D-73d made John Sciacca’s Top 11 most read blogs

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A/V industry blogger John Sciacca's post about his first look of the Runco 3Dimension D-73d was one of his top most-read blog posts of 2011 and we're happy to see it remains his pick for "the premier in-home 3D movie experience."

Click here to read more about John's first look of the D-73d.

Runco Best-In-Class 3Dimension D-113d Projectors Now Available

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:02:00 GMT

Runco is excited to announce the availability of its 3Dimension™ D-113d projection system. The D-113d pairs Runco’s unique, award-winning Constant Stereoscopic Video™ (CSV) approach with the optical filters and glasses of the Panavision 3D System® – which has been developed for premiere commercial cinemas. The result is the brightest CSV projection in the world, and an exceptional 3D, as well as 2D, experience for private theaters.

Clients looking for a theater-quality experience in the luxury of their own space are often disappointed by existing 3D products in the market, finding they lack the eye-popping video quality and intense experience they expect. Runco’s D-113d is the only projector on the market that features the spectral filtration technology of the Panavision 3D System. In the Panavision 3D System, the entire visible spectrum is sliced into ten slim bands – with five directed to the left eye and five to the right. This results in each eye receiving the same amount of total white light energy, so the images appear equal in brightness and provide the truest color reproduction.

Runco pairs the Panavision 3D System with is award-winning, proprietary CSV architecture—a vastly-superior approach to 3D visualization. Runco CSV enables seamless decoding, syncing and merging of stereo images to deliver a constant HD image to each eye without the flicker, distortion, or discomfort inherent in other approaches.

For the press release, click here.

Happy Holidays from Runco!

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:24:00 GMT

All of us here at Runco would like to wish you all a fun and Happy Holidays! Also, we would just like to remind you of our holiday schedule.

Runco will be closed on the following dates:

December 23, 26-28th

January 2nd

Runco technical support is always available 24 x 7 at 800-23-RUNCO

Runco LS-1 projector: Best Pick for Year-End Business Investment

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:56:00 GMT

For companies looking on ways to spend left-over budget this year, the Street recommends investing in a better business projector. The Runco Lightstyle™ LS-1 projector was one of three projectors featured for its "full-HD, 1080p, 10,000-to-1 contrast ratio DLP projector that produces a simply stunning, high-quality image." To view the entire article, click here.

Planar Silhouette™: On Everyone’s Wish List

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

This holiday season, the Silhouette is on everyone’s wish list! We got into the spirit and put a bow on the Silhouette in our lobby. You can see how impressively the Silhouette displays show a variety of still image content, in this case being driven from a small media player tucked into the base of the Silhouette. The product towers over 10’ feet and is designed to elicit an emotional response and make video or image more attention grabbing and artistic. To find out more about the product, contact an authorized Runco dealer and installer.

Introducing three new Runco Ultra projectors: LS-HB Ultra, Q-1500d Ultra and the Q-750d/i Ultra

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Runco is proud to announce the arrival of three new Ultra projectors: the 3Dimension™ D-73d Ultra, LightStyle™ LS-HB Ultra, QuantumColor™ Q-750d Ultra and QuantumColor Q-1500d Ultra.

Designed for higher sharpness and lower color distortion at longer distances from the screen, the Ultra versions expand installation possibilities, giving integrators even more tools to sell projection.

Because of its long throw distance, the Ultra projectors provide a perfect solution for design conscious consumers who want the quality of a projector, but don’t want a bulky projector intruding on the home’s design. While standard-throw projectors might need to be placed in the middle of a larger room to achieve the best possible performance, Ultra projectors can move further from the screen, making them easier to conceal and integrate into a home’s décor.

Throw distances range from 2.40 to 4.00, depending on the projector and lens. The Runco Ultra projectors are available exclusively through the best dealers in the home theater business–the Runco authorized dealer network. For more information, please click here.

Planar Silhouette: Architectural and Art LCD Video Wall display featured at Art Basel 2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Planar Silhouette, Planar's architectural and art LCD Video Wall display was featured recently at Art Basel, the annual world premier artshow for Modern and contemporary works. According to Artbasel.com, 'More than 2,500 artists, ranging from the great masters of Modern art to the latest generation of emerging stars, are represented in the show's multiple sections. The exhibition includes the highest-quality paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, video and editioned works.'

Planar VP Marketing, Jennifer Davis (shown below interviewed by Runco Dealer, Advanced Home Theater) provided some insight into the Planar Silhouette and how with its endless configuration possibilities, is able to conform to specific architectural/design concepts.

Click here for the full blog post from Advanced Home Theater on the Planar Silhouette.

Picture This

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

635 million in three days. No, that is not the number of votes from the last American Idol finale or even the amount of money raised by the winning candidate in the last election. 635 million is actually the amount of money raised in three evenings of art sales by Philips de Pury, Christie’s and Sotheby’s last week in New York. With well over a half a billion dollars pumping through the art world in only three days it is clear the art world has not heard that the economy hasn’t fully recovered.

This latest news might surprise many, but not Planar. Planar vision for the convergence of art and technology will make its debut at the end of this month with a showcase at several venues during the highly acclaimed Design Miami and Art Basel Miami Beach event. Planar will kick off the week at Design Miami with by-invitation press and industry event on November 30^th at Avant Gallery in creative partnership with Surface Magazine entitle ‘Pictures + Furniture.’ The exhibit is in its third year at Avant Gallery, but will mark the first time Planar will be participating; providing several large digital displays for top industrial designers and furniture artists to display their video art presentations.

In addition to the ‘Pictures + Furniture’ event, Planar is equally excited to be showcasing exhibits at the PULSE contemporary art show at the Cristin Tierney Gallery, featuring the digital artist Yorgo Alexpoulous’ work on Planar’s Clarity™ Matrix LX-46 media wall. Finally, Miami SOLO, presented by Artexpo, will include a showcase of two prototypes of Digital Canvas™ in partnership with Samsung Semiconductor.

Planar is eagerly anticipating all the events and is looking forward mingling with the art world to learn from and gather feedback regarding ongoing product development designed for this community. If you have plans to be in Miami Beach during the time of Design Miami and Art Basel please let us know as we would love to extend an personal invitation for you to join us at the ‘Pictures + Furniture’ event.

Runco dealer DJS in Austin,TX invites you to a special event: Tour de Toys on Nov 18th & 19th

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:25:00 GMT

For reservations and information, please call 512-244-9311 and visit Dale Johnson Systems.

Runco Dealer Haas Entertainmant unveils Impressive 3D System and Home Automation

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:17:00 GMT

Culver City, CA—November 17, 2011—Haas Entertainment will be unveiling its new state-of-the-art 3D video projection system featuring a Runco LED Projector and a 14 foot-wide Vutec screen. Haas Entertainment will also be showcasing the latest home automation controls from Crestron. Designers, contractors, architects, the media and the public are invited to see first-hand how this system works at a special event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Haas Entertainment’s showroom at 5774 Uplander Way in Culver City.

The new D-73d passive 3D projector from Runco, manufacturer of the finest home theater
display products, will be on display along with the Vutec 3D Passive Vision X Silverstar screen. This projector integrates two independent projection units using CSV™ (Constant Stereoscopic Video) architecture, a technology that delivers a constant HD image to each eye without the flicker, distortion, or discomfort inherent in other approaches. This projector is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and along with the high-gain, contrast and color reproduction of the Vutec Vision X Silverstar, offers an experience that until now has been reserved for the finest public theaters. There will also be a demonstration

of Runco’s Autoscope™ anamorphic lens system for full-frame 2.35:1 video projection and anautomated screen masking system from Vutec that allows for perfectly proportioned images in 4:3, 16:9 and 2.35:1 formats.

In addition, Haas Entertainment will be showing a new home automation system from Crestron.
See how all a home’s electronic devices including audio & video, lighting, shades, thermostats
and even security systems can be integrated for seamless control from an in-wall touch panel or
mobile device. This unique system will allow you to monitor your surveillance cameras or control your lights and thermostats on the go as easily as it will at home.

For over 30 years, Haas Entertainment has been southern California’s leading provider of audio
and video solutions for homes, vehicles and businesses. With a well-trained and professional
staff, Haas Entertainment guides its customers through the often complex design process with
sensitivity and attention to detail. The quality of work has given Haas Entertainment a reputation
among entertainment and top business professionals for being the best place to outfit their homes, cars, location trailers, yachts, businesses and corporate headquarters.

For further information call 310-641-4700 or email: info@haasentertainment.com

REPOST: The latest in 3D: the Planar 3D Matrix goes live!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

It's what the 3D Roundabout caught already at the prototype stage earlier this year, but now it is launched and being installed as well! First installation can be seen the University of Illinois Chicago's Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) in a class room setting. The Cyber-Commons 3D is a class room facility featuring six wide by three high Matrix 3D video wall, made from our 46" Matrix displays, which allows 2D and 3D visualization and collaboration. You can read more about the installation from EVL's own website.

The new 3D Matrix will be at show this week at the SuperComputing 2011 at Louisiana State University, where Planar can be found exhibiting at booth number 2836.

To find out more about the Planar 3D Matrix and read the rest of this post, visit www.Planar3D.com or click here.

Audio Video Design hosts an Evening of Extraordinary Experiences on November 17th

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Audio Video Design will be hosting a VIP event at the beautiful new showroom in the Laguna Design Center on November 17th for an evening featuring exotic cars and live music featuring Steinway Lyngdorf's flaghship Model D Music System. RSVP by November 14th. Call (949) 716-1099.

Congratulations, Hariri & Hariri!

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:52:00 GMT

The internationally acclaimed sister team, Hariri & Hariri – Architecture has a new accolade to add to their impressive credentials. Their monograph “Hariri & Hariri – Architecture: Buildings & Projects” is featured in the new Brad Pitt movie, “Moneyball.” It is sitting on the coffee table in the beach home of his ex-wife (played by Robin Wright). Of course, this accolade competes with many others, including an Interior Design Magazine “Best of the Year Award” and recognition in industry publications and on HGTV. We have enjoyed partnering with this dynamic duo in a variety of projects and activities and are excited about their ongoing success. Congratulations, Gisue and Mojgan!

Runco Academy 2012 dates announced!

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:42:00 GMT

First, the Runco family would like to welcome our last Runco Academy class of 2011 to Planar Systems headquarters in Beaverton, OR. Runco Academy is a 4-day long intensive product training available for Runco Reps, Dealers and Distributors.

Here are the class dates for 2012:

February 24-27

May 11-14 (tentative)

July 20-23

For more information or if you have any questions, please email marketing@runco.com Hope to see you there!

The Magic is in the Mix

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:00:00 GMT

By Jennifer Davis

Last night I attended a private designer reception at Williams-Sonoma. Apparently, Portland’s swank NW 23^rd store is one of two in the world that display not only their kitchen and gourmet products, but also their furniture and accessory lines. I had a chance to talk with Monelle Totah, their VP of product development about trends in the home. She repeated the emphasizes on hearth and home, with great rooms becoming more common place and dining, casual seating, and storage all sharing space in the home.

She emphasized the importance of mixing styles. The gray, heavily-weathered “Belgium” look which is gaining popularity, can be brightened with other colors and pieces. Being a fan of textiles, she suggested adding texture and color in fabrics, upholstery, and accessories like table linens and pillows. She also said how shiny “Hollywood glamour” pieces can be combined with distressed antiques (literally their new “found” line is one-of-the-kind upcycled pieces that they buy in international flea markets). The magic is in the mix.

When asked specifically about technology in the home, something conspicuously absent in their beautifully-appointed showroom, she smiled and commented that she was glad she didn’t have to worry about it in their showrooms. They have a few console pieces that could work for “entertainment centers” and they have a few hutch or chest pieces that could accommodate a Runco Vistage display, but that isn’t really the focus of their offering. She said that at the Highpoint Furniture Fair last week there were more and more entertainment furniture pieces that put the displays out front-and-center rather than hiding them away, which has always been her preference. We discussed that even though technology is a big part of these gathering spaces in the home, designers and their clients are often left to their own devices to solve the challenge of where to put it and how to integrate it into the overall aesthetic.

Runco has responded with products that can be customized, color-matched, and framed to match the style and décor of the room, rather than fighting with it. See the FinishPalette and FrameGallery catalogs for more details.

The magic of Runco extends to helping clients, and the authorized resellers and designers and architects who advise them, to get the mix right!

Paramount enters online streaming rental market with latest 'Transformers' movie

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:10:00 GMT

Paramount Pictures is currently offering a direct-to-consumer online rental streaming option of the latest "Transformers film "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." For $4.99, you get a HD stream of the movie (currently available on DVD) direct to your PC for 48 hours. Warner Bros. Studios has tried a similar direct-to-consumer online streaming option via Facebook offering online rentals of "The Dark Knight."

You're Invited! Sense Audio to showcase D-73d projector and Vistage plasma display on November 1st

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:59:00 GMT

ET Host Nancy O'Dell's Poolside Theater includes a Runco CP-52HD Weather-Proof Display

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Entertainment Tonight host, Nancy O'Dell likes to spend a lot of time outdoors with her family. So they had a beautiful outdoor poolside theater built in their home and installed a Runco Climate Portfolio CP-52HD weather-proof display. The CP-52HD LCD display features an aluminum cabinet sealed to ensure protection from the elements and a specially-designed internal ventilation system to provide adequate cooling, allowing you to leave it outside all year round.

To read more about the features of Nancy O'Dell's outdoor theater, click here.

Finding Digital Wallpaper

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

By Jennifer Davis

As people are using the Runco WindowWall for art or ambiance, we get questions from our dealers and clients as to where they can find artwork to put on their WindowWall the shows off the massive resolution that is possible when you tile the displays together into a wall-size array. For instance, a 3x3 WindowWall of our HB-46 is over 4,000 pixels wide. Although it can certainly show video content from traditional sources like BluRay or cable and people have appreciated the flexibility, however higher resolution artwork is stunning on the display as well.

There are a variety of stock photography and video houses that provide high-resolution imagery and video that could be used to transform your WindowWall from entertainment to art. Most have online collections numbering in the millions that you can browse, preview in “light box” mode, and license in multiple resolutions. Remember that most of this photography or illustrations were created for print, which requires very high resolution artwork (much greater than what is typical for even HD video). Here are a few of our favorites:

Pond5: Their collection features photography, video, and illustrations. They offer week’s free downloads so that you can test content.
iStockPhoto.com: Their collection also features photography, video, illustrations, and Flash animations. They represent several video artists and agencies and can even broker custom commissions.
ArtBeats: they specialize in video footage, up to 4K resolution, and offer a free research service to find the perfect piece for you.
gettyimages: One of the leading sources for journalists, their collection includes a variety of entertainment and sports imagery featuring celebrities and professional athletes.
CorbisIMAGES: Their collection includes world events and fine art.
Fotosearch: they are an aggregator of professional images and footage and are a favorite of corporate brands.

Of course, there is a vibrant and growing community of video artists that are using a digital canvas to create incredible artwork by custom commission or for license. You can find their work featured in museums, galleries, and online. You’ll see their work in commercial projects in hotels, airports, and the like. They exhibit at art shows for private and institutional collectors like Art Basel, Art Expo, and in galleries for Art Week in New York, Los Angeles, and Milan. We have begun to develop some relationships of our own with this community and would be happy to make a recommendation.

And let’s not forget that you don’t have to look past your own camera as a source of art. 9 megapixel or higher digital cameras are very common and produce native photography that is larger than native pixel of most WindowWall installations. Your own family photos, vacation pictures, and the like can become beautiful digital wallpaper on your WindowWall. For higher-than-HD resolution video, you might just want to splurge on a RED digital camera and turn yourself into a filmmaker in your own right.

Happy 33rd Anniversary to Haas Entertainment!

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:41:00 GMT

Runco dealer, Haas Entertainment is celebrating 33 years in business with an anniversary party tomorrow! If you're in the Culver City, CA area, visit their showroom to see the spectacular Runco D-73d projector in 3D and 2D.

For more information , please click on their invite here.

Congratulations Haas Entertainment!

Runco Dealer Liptons Receives Rave Customer Review

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:55:00 GMT

Liptons, a Runco dealer in Canada recently received a great review by a client on customer review site, Customer Lobby, for a custom installation in a multi-purpose theatre room that included a LightStyle™LS-5 with CineGlide projector install.

"During the installation there were several contractors present, and the Lipton's crew worked very well with my designer. Lindsay continuously monitored prices throughout the process, and was able to suggest better equipment as the prices changed. In the end, I received a higher quality system than I originally anticipated, and they still came in under budget."

Great job, Liptons! To read the entire review, please click here.

Runco Dealer La Scala features Runco WindowWall at IDSWest 2011

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

The Interior Design Show West (IDSWest 2011) is an annual residential design show in Canada that features 200 exhibitors showcasing design forward, high quality interior products and services to an audience of industry professionals, architects, designers, consumers and media. Runco Dealer, La Scala, participated at IDS West this year with a stunning, eye-catching booth that showcased both the Runco WindowWall Media Wall and Runco Vistage V-63HD Ultra Thin Display.

Below are a few pictures of the La Scala booth and the Runco Window Wall at IDSWest 2011:

For more pictures of their booth, please check out their blog post about the event: http://blog.lascala.ca/

Runco Vistage V-63HD: Big Values in Big TVs

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

The Runco Vistage V-63HD was recently featured in an article by The Street on high-end TVs featuring more affordable pricing.

On the Runco Vistage V-63HD-

Runco Vistage V-63 Ultra-Thin Display (contact a local dealer for a quote)

No question, Runco is not a big, big TV maker. Other giants such as LG and Philips are making larger sets of note. Still, you must check out this company's Ultra-Thin line.

Not only is this set terrific to look at, but with its usual great-is-never-enough ethic Runco has literally taken back the TV. (Meaning you can custom finish a veil that attaches to the rear of the set in whatever material you like: metal, woods, fabrics, murals and other designs.) Better yet, entry-level Vistage models can be had in the $6,000 range, according to dealers I spoke with, for a 55-inch model before the cost to install. For a TV this good, that's not so pricey.Certainly on the bigger end, Runco sets can get out of hand, but at this point in the line the company is in step with other value high-end TVs. And there is no denying the quality here.

To read the rest of the article, please visit TheStreet.com and for more information on the Runco Vistage V-63HD, please click here.

2011 Electronic Lifestyles Award Winner: Sublime Integration

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:56:00 GMT

Runco would like to recognize Runco dealer, Sublime Integration for their 2011 Electronic Lifestyles Level V: $325,500-$424,000 Bronze award in the category ‘Home Theater Technical Design’ and their 2011 Electronic Lifestyles Level VI $600,000-$980,500 Gold award in the category ‘Integrated Home-Technical Design.’ Both awards were presented this year at CEDIA 2011.

Their installation featured the Runco Signature Cinema SC-50d Projector. For more photos and to view a slideshow of this year’s Electronic Lifestyle Design Awards winners, please visit CEDIA.net

How Do LCD Screens Work?

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Liquid Crystal Display technology has been around for decades. Digital watches and calculators use the ability of the crystals to become opaque when receiving electricity to display information in a small format. The crystalline compound is transparent when no electricity is applied. Stepping up to something like an LCD TV uses essentially the same technology, just applied on a larger scale. Each pixel on an LCD display is made up of three individual crystals: a red, a green and a blue one. Then, depending on how much electricity is applied to each crystal it will block some or all of the light passing through it.

Imagine shining a flashlight through colored plastic and layering different colors on top of each other. The different amounts of red, green and blue give all the possible colors you can see on your TV screen. One of the key things about LCD technology is that the crystals don’t produce any light of their own, rather they rely on a backlight to shine through and produce the image. Because of this when a typical LCD has the backlight turned up for high brightness you can lose out on the deep blacks in the color spectrum since each black pixel is actually an LCD electrified to be opaque. In order to compare how black the blacks are on a TV compared to bright whites the industry has started talking about a contrast ratio. The larger the ratio, the bigger the difference between the brightness of white pixels and the darkness of black pixels. In order to make the best LCD screens in the world, Runco has applied a coating technology known as Acute Contrast Enhancement which triples the contrast ratio.

Another issue that plagues typical LCD screens is their visibility in bright light. If you can remember the last time you took your laptop computer outside, you’ll know how easy it can be for an LCD display to get washed out with a lot of ambient light. Since the crystals become opaque they can start reflecting the ambient light which competes with the backlight coming from the display itself. The result is you can’t see what you’re watching. Runco believes that you should be able to see your TV any time of the day or night, so they developed Ambient Light-Rejection which cuts down ambient light reflecting off of the LCD pixels by 20 times. Less light hitting the pixels means a sharper, easier-to-see picture for you.

The way that the liquid crystals work is by being suspended between two layers of glass and then a thin-film transistor supplies the electrical current to the crystals. That’s great for the technology, but glass is fragile and most TVs live in a high traffic area. To protect the precious crystals, Runco created Impact, Shake and Shock Protection which keeps out dust and protects the screen from the bumps and bruises of everyday life.

Together these enhancements to flat panel display technology are known as OPAL and they help make good LCD displays into the world’s finest.

D-73d Ultra: Superior 3-D projection with a longer throw option

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Have you heard about the latest expansion of the 3Dimension™ Series, the D-73d Ultra? The D-73d Ultra has the same award-winning CSV 3D, 3Dimension processing and PreciseLight optical system, now in a longer throw distance for installation flexibility and best in class optical performance, designed for higher sharpness and lower color distortion.

The D-73d Ultra like all 3Dimension™ Series projectors pair with passive glasses, with a design unique to Runco formulated for precise stereo separation, called Preciselight™. When paired with Runco CSV which projects constant images to both the left and right eye simultaneously into the same space, the proprietary passive glasses show the dedicated image to its intended eye without sacrificing refresh rate or introducing flicker for the best 3D at-home experience.

To learn more about the D-73d Ultra, click here.

Fusion Kitchen

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:51:00 GMT

The “Interactive Video Backsplash” is a demonstration of the latest in display technology coupled with a complete home control system. Imagine a backsplash that can be any image or video that you choose (select from a standard tile backsplash, a video of ocean waves, a collage of your personal photos, or a mixture of all of the above). The backsplash also has the capacity to display live TV, DVD/Blu-Ray, computer or any other source of material. Optionally, the backsplash could be a touch-screen interface allowing you to interact with the various systems including control of music, lighting, security, HVAC, window blinds and security cameras. You can even see who is at the front door.

A typical use might be that while you are cooking, you have your backsplash as a set of photographs that is slowly transitioning from one scene to the next. At the same time a smaller window within the backsplash might contain the recipe (with photographs) of the meal you are cooking (or a YouTube video demonstrating the method of cooking). You can even have another area of the screen to do your email, see updates on Facebook, or catch those tweets coming in. Finally, by adding a small camera to the system, the entire screen could become a Skype/Facetime monitor such that you could have face to face conversations. When you are not cooking the images can be changed to suit the mood. Imagine having all these possibilities while entertaining! This amazing concept was developed by Canadian integrators Architronics and Ariel Muller Designs.

Repost: CEDIA 2011: The Video Stuff (pt. 1)

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMT

By: John Sciacca

September 26, 2011

Runco used to be a spectacle or Circus Maximus at CEDIA. They would pair with giant speaker, amp, wire, seating and acoustical treatment partners to build these themed cities where they would put on million dollar plus demos that would often have hour-plus waits to get inside. Seriously, the Runco booth was like the Space Mountain attraction at Disneyland. And my press badge was like the Fast Pass.

Now, Runco only has a small presence on the showfloor, instead sending dealers up to a darkened viewing room where they can get group demos of the new products. I attended their press conference on Friday and am glad that I did. Last year Runco wowed me with their D-73d, what I called (I’m paraphrasing because I don’t feel like looking up my exact quote), “The best, most eye-comfortable 3D at the Show.” This feeling was reaffirmed when I flew out to Runco’s Oregon HQ and spent an entire 8 hour day watching/reviewing the D-73d. From an eye-fatigue standpoint, the D-73d is about as easy on the eyes as 2D.

So, I was told to expect something even more awesome but along the same lines at this year’s show. So I dutifully headed out of the Resi Daily room and starting walking. And walking. And walking. Then I saw this:

Finally though I reached the Sagamore Ballroom and settled in to see a giant-ass 215-inch wide screen. This was a serious screen for some serious movie watching. And then the lights went down and Runco unleashed the D-113d.

This is the brightest projector that Runco has ever produced, capable of blasting out 11,570 lumens and probably incinerating any flying bugs that might foolishly cross its beam path. Even on this giant screen -- and showing perhaps the only CEDIA demonstration of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ever -- the image was like an awesomely ultra-bright, double-fisted retina punch! I fully expected to see people that stupidly turned around to look back into the supernova sun blast of the lens to have their eyes catch on fire and burn out of their sockets Raiders of the Lost Ark style. (Best...Press...Conference....EVER!) This thing was AMAZINGLY bright. How bright? How about 100 foot lambers on that 215-inch screen bright! Imagine if there was a 20-cell Mag-Lite. Then imagine if you focused that beam down until it was like a lightsaber of light intensity. That would still probably not be as bright as this. Oh. And PS: it still had awesome contrast and black levels.

To read the rest of his article, visit ‘John Sciacca Writes’ blog at http://johnsciacca.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/8793157-cedia-2011-the-video-stuff-pt-1- and also check out our Facebook page for more CEDIA shots of the D-113d and more!

Join us for the Video Wall Technology Seminar at IIDEX

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Jennifer Davis, VP of Marketing at Runco will be presenting a seminar introducing media-wall technology to the design community at IIDEX (Canada’s National Design Exposition and Conference) on Friday, September 23, 2011, 8:30 – 9:30am.
For more information click here.

Introducing the Runco VideoXtreme™ VX-11d projector:

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:50:00 GMT

Runco is proud to announce the new VX-11d – the latest addition to the high performance, award-winning VideoXtreme™ projector family. The 3-chip VX-11d with 1080p SuperOnyx™ combines incredible contrast and brightness with ultra-high resolution to make it the perfect projector for the luxury media room.

Runco’s advanced Vivix™ digital video processing is included to enhance picture quality from standard video sources, as well as provide artifact-free scaling. Also included are discrete input source, aspect ratio, power on/off, HDMI™ input and an RS-232 interface for seamless integration with automation control systems. The VX-11d is also available with Runco’s Cinewide™ with Autoscope™ technology for an unparalleled reproduction of the Hollywood 2.35:1 Cinemascope standard.

To learn more about the Runco VX-11d, click here.
To learn more about Cinewide, download our Guide to Cinewide ® e-book.

High performance, ultra-short throw projection brings superior viewing in any setting with the LS-100d

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Runco is proud to expand its best-selling LightStyle™ Series projectors, with the new LS-100d. Runco’s LS-100d with NEAR (Next generation Extreme Aligned Reflection™) ultra-short throw lens system delivers a stunning 92-inch diagonal image that fits any home theater setting. This clever industrial design allows incredible installation flexibility with a depth of only 18-inches. The LS-100d mounts flush to the screen wall and can be mounted above, or below the screen.

With Runco’s Infinilight™ lampless LED illumination technology, this projector boasts a 70% power savings and requires little maintenance. The LS-100d ships with Runco’s advanced Vivix™ digital video processing to enhance picture quality from standard video sources.

For more info on the Runco LS-100d, click here.

Introducing the Runco 3Dimension™ D-113d: Super bright, commercial-grade 3D projector offers luxury home cinema like you’ve never seen

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:30:00 GMT

September 13, 2011

Runco is proud to announce the new addition to the Runco 3Dimension™ family, the D-113d. The D-113d pairs Runco’s unique, award-winning Constant Stereoscopic Video™ (CSV) approach with the optical filters and glasses of the Panavision 3D System® – which has been developed for premiere commercial cinemas. The result is the brightest CSV projection in the world, and an exceptional 3D, as well as 2D, experience for private theaters.

The D-113d projector allows for screens up to 420” and is Runco’s biggest and brightest solution at 11, 570 CSMS lumens. It is available with Runco’s legendary CineWide ™ with AutoScope™ technology allowing for unparalleled reproduction of Hollywood’s 2.35:1 CinemaScope standard.

For more information about the D-133d, please click here.

CE Pro Best 2011 Winner: Runco Vistage V-63HD

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:00:00 GMT

September 12, 2011

Runco is proud to announce that the Runco Vistage V-63HD ultra thin flat panel TV won a CE Pro BEST award in the Flat Panel TV category. Winners were announced at CEDIA 2011.

For list of all CE Pro BEST 2011 winners, click here.

For more information about the Runco Vistage V-63HD, click here.

CEDIA 2010 Electronic Lifestyles Winner: Engineered Environments

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:07:00 GMT

September 2, 2011

With CEDIA 2011 coming up just next week, Runco would like to recognize yet another Runco dealer with an award-winning home theater installation from CEDIA 2010. Engineered Environments from Alameda, CA received the CEDIA 2010 award for Best Hidden Installation Overall Winner.

See photos of their eye-popping installation at CEDIA.net

CEDIA 2010 Electronic Lifestyles Winner: Audio Video Design

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:46:00 GMT

In anticipation of CEDIA 2011 in September, Runco would like to recognize another Runco dealer with an award-winning home theater installation from CEDIA 2010. Audio Video Design received the CEDIA 2010 Silver Technical Design award for Large Home Theater Level III: $200,000 - $240,000.

Photos of their installation are available at CEDIA.net.

Runco at CEDIA 2011

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

It's nearly time for CEDIA 2011 and if you thought Runco was huge last year, just wait until you see the products for 2012!

Visit Runco on the show floor to see the ultra-thin and sleek Runco Vistage V-63HD and a unique configuration of the Runco WindowWall in booth #3517.

Architecture Goes To The Movies

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Combining two of our loves, iconic architecture and movies, Architectural Digest has published their round up of Hollywood films that prominently feature buildings and interiors in key roles. Too bad they don't give Oscars to the "best supporting architectural design.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/resources/features/2011/09/must-see-architecture-design-films#slide=10

Introducing the Runco QuantumColor Q-650i: Unsurpassed performance in an energy-efficient package

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Runco is proud to announce an addition to the Runco QuantumColor™ Q-650i. This LED theater projector utilizes lampless technology which uses 70% less power than lamp-based projection and requires no maintenance. In addition, the Q-650i pairs QuantumColor’s revolutionary technological advancements, like Runco SmartColor™and InstantOn™ to create an energy-efficient system, without mercury or lead, that delivers must-see projection performance. This combination makes the Q-650i the perfect solution for dedicated theaters.

The QuantumColor™Q-650i offers the largest color gamut ever available in home theater projection combining Runco’s Personal Color Equalizer™ proprietary color management with the ability to measure ColorContrast™, enabling colors to be ‘turned up’ to achieve greater realism and dimensionality. The result is an unsurpassed visual experience that must be seen to be understood.

For enhanced customization and aesthetic appeal the Q-650i can be customized with Runco’s ColourPalette™ design options to create a truly one-of-a-kind projector aligned with the aesthetic of the luxury home.

Electronic House Home of the Year 2011 Winner: Starr Systems

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Runco would like to recognize Runco dealer, Starr Systems, for their 2011 Electronic House Home of the Gold award in the category, "Family/Media Room."

Starr Systems' "Out of Sight" installation featured the Runco VX-8d-CIN 1080p Video Projector, delivering native 720p HD high definition resolution, 12-degree mirror tilt for the finest black levels, and the DLP-based SuperOnyx 3-chip light engine.

For photos and details on these installations, visit ElectronicHouse.com.

A Perfect Fit

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Your home is a reflection of you. We understand this, which is why we offer a wide variety of front projection and flat panel display technologies to fit your style and budget. Your style is what makes you, well, uniquely you.

Each projector is hand-crafted to the specifications of your room and designed to fit your lifestyle. Personalization options like FinishPalette and ColourPalette, extend the range of customizations. In short, we do more than make products that fit your room. We make products that fit you.

CEDIA 2010 Electronic Lifestyles Winner: H2 Systems

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Among the many Runco dealers recognized with CEDIA Electronic LifestylesÆ awards in 2010 was Runco dealer H2 Systems, Inc. for two of their custom home theater installations.

H2 Systems received a Level II Bronze Technical Design award for Large Home Theater Level II: $140,000 - $180,000, as well as a Level IV Bronze Technical Design for Large Home Theater Level IV: $250,00 - $302,000.

For more information and to view photos of these award winning installations, visit CEDIA.net or www.h2systems.ca.

Runco's Most Affordable DLP Projector is Here

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Runco® is excited to announce the newest addition to its critically-acclaimed LightStyle™ Series DLP™ projectors, the LS-1. The LS-1 is a single-chip 1080p DLP projector that provides an unprecedented option to homeowners looking for the performance and flexibility of a Runco projector at a very attractive price point.

"Runco’s LightStyle Series allows us to deliver Runco performance to a new group of clients,” said Brian Hudkins, president of Gramophone LTD. “The beauty of the LightStyle Series is that we have been able reach a larger customer base due to its affordability, without sacrificing performance OR reliability as these projectors meet the high quality standards of Runco.”

Read the full press release here.

Hollywood Hi-Tech Episode Featuring Oliver Stone and Runco Scheduled for August 10

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Be sure to tune in August 10, 2011 at 9:30 pm e/p on the DIY Network for HollyWood Hi-Tech's upcoming episode with Oliver Stone.

The episode will feature a complete home theater make-over at the home of Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone and will include the installation of a Runco projector and LCD flat-panel display.

Click here to view a sneak peak of the show. For more details on Hollywood Hi-Tech's upcoming episodes, visit DIYNetwork.com.

Vote Now For the CEDIA/HGTVPro.com People's Pick Awards

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:38:00 GMT

CEDIA and HGTVPro.com have partnered to show consumers what CEDIA members have to offer with the CEDIA/HGTVPro.com People’s Pick Awards competition. All CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® Awards entries for best Home Theater, Integrated Home, and Media Room have been entered.

Over 20,000 votes worldwide were cast for the competition last year. Be sure your vote counts. Visit the site here, review the projects, and vote your favorites. Forward the link to your friends and colleagues so they can vote too.

One winner in each category will be announced at the CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® Awards Banquet. Voting for the CEDIA/HGTVPro.com People’s Pick Award closes September 2 at 5:00 p.m.

Quadrant Systems to Display Runco Vistage at Street of Dreams in Portland, OR

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Come see the Runco Vistage V-50HD and V-63HD ultra-thin flat panels at the NW Natural Street of Dreams 2011. Also featured is a visually stunning, ultra-slim bezel, 2x2 WindowWall LCD display. Runco partnered with dealer Quadrant Systems in Portland for the show, August 6-23rd in Brentwood Estates on Bull Mountain.

For more information visit Quadrant Systems.

The Surround Sound Principle

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:00:00 GMT

By James Wood

I distinctly remember the first time I experienced surround sound. I was at my uncle’s house and he had just set up his system. He popped in a VHS tape of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and away we went feeling like the snow speeders were about to clobber us in the back of the head. It was an amazing jump forward in my home-theater experience. From then on I longed for surround sound of my very own.

Fast forward to college where my roommate supplied our tiny apartment with a surround sound set-up. He grabbed a home-theater-in-a-box that had the speakers, tuner and DVD player all bundled together. All we had to supply was the TV. The thing was that every time we switched from watching a movie to sports to sitcoms he would need to fiddle with the remote and change the surround sound settings. He would keep pressing buttons, interrupting the sound and creating a jarring experience. That was the beginning of what we’ve come to call “The Surround Sound Principle” in our house.

It all gelled for me when my other roommate moved out and bought his own surround sound tuner. He’s something of an audiophile, so I knew it would sound good, but what thrilled me was that it automatically adjusted its settings for each input. So he’d turn on his DVD player and the tuner would switch over to DVD mode. He’d fire up the game console and the tuner would recognize those settings and switch. He’d eliminated all the button mashing and moved to enjoying his entertainment.

Now when we talk about The Surround Sound Principle, what we mean is that technology needs to get out of the way and let us enjoy our entertainment. This can apply to quality as well as complexity. I was, shall we say, cheap when buying my first surround sound tuner (I was a broke grad student, in my defense), and it showed. Every time we tried to listen to something the tuner got in the way, with low sound levels, poor balance and just all around crudiness. I skimped on the quality and we suffered every time we wanted to use the tuner. My roommate in college skimped on the usability so we suffered.

Runco makes the kind of technology that will get out of the way of your entertainment. Though we don’t make surround sound tuners (your Runco dealer can recommend several that will suit you well), we do make everything up to the highest quality. You will know how to get the most out of your Runco product, from our outstanding dealers to our customer service to our calibration, and we promise that everything will look its best. Whether you’re getting an LED projector, a DLP projector, a Plasma display or an LCD display, your Runco product will meet The Surround Sound Principle with flying colors.

Knowledge is Power!

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:16:00 GMT

Digital media is evolving. Designers and architects are looking beyond traditional uses like way finding and advertising. Using digital media in place of traditional print artwork to create a living space or configuring displays in a free-standing sculpture are just a few of the innovative and remarkable ways to move beyond the big black box. Even with mainstream media wall installations, you can transform a space or achieve business objectives in new and dynamic ways.

Planar (Runco's parent company) can help get you started in digital media design by offering an opportunity to learn the basics of designing media walls through our free online training course: Designing Media Walls: Imagery, video, and information on digital canvases. The one-hour course provides a primer on media wall technology, reviewing key specification items, components, a list of design considerations, case studies and a review of media wall trends. Upon course completion you are eligible to earn AIA (American Institute of Architects) and state credit and qualify for HSW. Register today!

Upcoming Hollywood Hi-Tech Episode Featuring Nancy O'Dell Scheduled for July 27

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:12:00 GMT

Be sure to tune in to the upcoming episode of Hollywood Hi-Tech, scheduled for July 27, 2011 at 9:30 pm e/p on the DIY Network.

The episode will feature a complete home theater make-over in the home of Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O'Dell.

Also, tune in on August 10 when Hollywood Hi-Tech features a visit to the home of Oliver Stone and the installation of a Runco 3-chip DLP projector and 65-inch LCD flat-panel display.

Electronic House Home of the Year 2011 Winner: Hometronics

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMT

Runco would like to recognize Runco dealer, Hometronics, for their 2011 Electronic House Home of the Year Silver awards in the categories of "Family/Media Room" and "Outdoor Space."

Hometronics' massive "Custom Sized Entertainment" installation in Dallas featured a 103-inch, Runco XP-103DHD Plasma Display, as well as two, 50-inch Runco 1080p plasma displays.

For their award-winning outdoor "Supersize Me" installation, Hometronics installed the Runco MBX-1, DLP Projector which was previously used inside the property.

For photos and details on these installations, visit ElectronicHouse.com.

Lions and Tigers and Bears

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:00:00 GMT

By James Wood

In 1985 when Back to the Future came out and Dr. Brown shouted out the results of his calculation, the amount of electricity needed to power the flux-capacitor: “One point twenty-one jigawatts!” It was almost like he was speaking a foreign language. Most of us hadn’t heard of a jiga- anything, and it wasn’t until later that we learned that giga- is what came after mega- and the ‘g’ has a hard sound (silly Doc Brown).

Sometimes it feels the same when hearing about all the ways to measure a home theater projector. There are lumens, candles and foot-Lamberts all used to describe the brightness of projectors, but there’s not much context for what those numbers realistically mean. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) tried to bring some clarity to the situation by defining lumens precisely for the purposes of home theater projection. Without getting into all the formulas, just know that a lumen is the output of one candle emitted. A typical light bulb will send out about 1500 lumens.

So you might see ANSI-lumens listed on a projector and that gives you a specific amount of brightness that you can compare to other projectors. That’s good since you can compare one projector to another, but it doesn’t help much when you want to know how the projector will actually look in your house. Measuring lumens is the equivalent of measuring the output of the projector, not what actually reflects off of the screen. It’s much easier to calculate the lumens since you don’t have to take into account the variables of the screen and room lighting when doing the measurement, but the result is not as helpful when it comes time to pick out a projector.

Foot-Lamberts are the measurement used by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) to determine how bright a movie theater projector should be. One Foot-Lambert is one candle divided by pi per square foot of reflected light. The reflection is the important part, since it doesn’t measure how much light is coming out of the projector, but how much is bouncing off the screen at the people watching the movie.

The SMPTE set the standard of 16 fL for movie theater screens (but they often fall short of that mark), so if you have a comparable projector in your home it will be as bright as the movie theater experience.

But you don’t have to settle for a movie theater experience. Take, for example, the Runco Signature Cinema SC-1 projector, instead of a measly 16 fL it blasts out 331 fL of brightness, making it effectively 20 times brighter than a movie theater. Now that’s something you can compare, or as Doc Brown would say: “Great Scott!”