Runco Takes Home Cinema to the Xtreme With New 3-Chip DLP™ Projectors
VX-2 Series Expands to Offer More Installation Solutions
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — February 1, 2006 — Runco International, the world leader in high-end home theater video display technology, continues their tradition of maximizing product performance with the introduction of an expanded line-up of VX-2 series projectors in the acclaimed Video Xtreme™ portfolio of 3-chip DLP video displays. Offering customers more options and greater flexibility, in addition to revolutionary high-definition imaging technology, Runco once again solidifies its position as the authoritative voice in luxury home cinema.
The VX-2 series breaks new ground by offering a wide range of performance options originating from a single light engine design, in this case Runco’s award-winning system that was designed around three of Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs), delivering unprecedented clarity, color saturation, and contrast. The series consists of the VX-2i, VX-2c, and the VX-2dc. Each model, in addition to its own unique properties, can optionally be outfitted with Runco’s exclusive CineWide™ and CineWide™ with AutoScope™ technology.
“The Video Xtreme™ VX-2 Projection System Series is a thrilling achievement for the Runco team and is exciting news for discriminating home theater enthusiasts,” said Bob Hana, president of Runco International. “Our design approach was based on offering our customers a wide range of options that would perfectly match their design goals and performance expectations.”
Reflecting on the need for such a variety of options at this rarified performance level, Mr. Hana continued, “While the VX-2i projector pushes the edge-of-the-art in video reproduction, and as a stand alone product would certainly rank as the best 3-chip DLP projectors on the market at its price point, incremental improvements in picture fidelity can still be realized by incorporating some of the advances we have engineered over the years, such as dedicated outboard processing we incorporate in the VX-2c and state-of-the-art digital cinema optics we’ve added to the VX-dc. We now have the ability to perfectly match our client’s expectations, which perpetuates our philosophy of delivering the right product for the EVERY installation challenge.”
In designing the VX-2 series, Runco has built a projector that not only reproduces superior images but also offers a new level of installation flexibility. Using Runco’s smallest 3-chip chassis ever—measuring just under 10” high—it puts a captivating picture where many 3-chip projectors simply can’t be installed. Multiple lens options (five zoom lenses and one fixed short-throw for rear screen projection for the VX-2i and VX-2c, and four zoom lenses and one fixed short throw for the VX-2dc) make the VX-2 series highly adaptable within restrictive installations and fit for screens up to 250 inches wide.
The VX-2i leads off the series of DLP projectors and offers an internally integrated video processor based on ViVix™ Technology, and as a result no external processing is necessary. As the first consumer projector manufacturer licensed by Texas Instruments for DLP, Runco and its engineers built on an exclusive store of experience to implement the 3-chip configuration with 16:9 aspect (1280 x 720 native resolution) for home theater applications in the VX-2i. Using Runco’s own industry-recognized Cinema Standards Measurement System (CSMS™), the VX-2 series achieves a light output of 1,199 Home Theater ANSI Lumens, 52.1 foot-Lamberts (2,500 ANSI Lumens), and a CSMS contrast ratio of 271:1 (3,100:1 ANSI). CSMS incorporates the respected Imaging Science Foundation’s (ISF) calibration standards and measures performance in a simulated home theater environment that has been adopted by independent video technology testers and custom installers seeking to provide the finest quality picture.
The VX-2c package sets a higher standard for home video excellence with the ViVix II™ DHD™ Digital Controller. The all-new Digital High Definition™ (DHD) Video Controller provides the industry’s leading image processing, scaling, and aspect ratio control; as well as expansive connectivity to guarantee future compatibility. It individually tailors signals reaching the VX-2c from each source and its VirtualWide™ feature converts 4:3 images to 16:9 screens without losing any image integrity––yet requires only a single DVI cable to connect to the Controller to the VX-2c projector.
The DHD Controller features eight inputs and field-upgradeable software that lets installers download new features on the job, guaranteeing performance always matches the most cutting-edge sources. It includes three 12V DC trigger signals to activate third party components like motorized screen lifts and drapes, features IR capability and an RS-232 interface for control via home automation systems.
The VX-2c is also the world’s first projector to include Runco’s exclusive new LiveLink™ technology internally. This technology, developed by Runco engineers, is the only existing solution today for transmitting pure digital DVI signals over longer distances. Typically, high-definition digital video signals can only be transmitted through DVI cables for a few meters without losing quality, but the VX-2c allows digital signals to be sent along its DVI cable up to 75 feet without any degradation of signal quality or bandwidth.
The Video Xtreme VX-2dc Projection System represents the ultimate expression of video fidelity in the series by incorporating specially produced Digital Cinema optical lenses. These lenses represent a noticeable improvement in edge-to-edge detail and are optimal for longer throw distances and larger screen applications. The advanced optics in the Digital Cinema lens eliminate “prism” effects and color “bending” that might become noticeable with large screen surfaces. As lenses are the most important component in defining the quality of a projector, Runco International offers this exclusive option to push the outer limits of performance for the VX-2 chassis.
These renowned DLP projectors can also be outfitted with Runco’s exclusive CineWide™ and CineWide™ with AutoScope™ technology. This feature allows Runco projectors to utilize the full capability of their DMD chips, displaying movies formatted in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio with increased resolution and brightness. The AutoScope™ function allows the maximum resolution of the projector to be utilized in both 16:9 and 2.35:1 aspect ratios, and can be easily automated by using one of the 12V triggers available on the DHD controller to control the motorized anamorphic lens assembly for simple setup and an improved theater experience. Adding the CineWide™ with AutoScope™ option to its VX-2 projector portfolio is a representation of Runco’s ongoing commitment to deliver pristine cinema picture quality through its cutting-edge engineering.
Each Runco projector equipped with CineWide™ or CineWide™ with AutoScope™ is enhanced not only with a new lens configuration but also with software, which is programmed to ensure uncompromised widescreen reproduction of movies originally filmed in the CinemaScope 2.35:1 format. Through a combination of electronics and optics, each projector is able to take advantage of every pixel on its DMD chips, thereby producing a 2.35 image with enhanced resolution and increased brightness. Regardless of the video source used, these projectors maximize clarity, color saturation and contrast of all source material. Each projector is also able to fully maintain all high-definition resolution or upgrade pictures to virtual high-definition for widescreen projection.
About Runco International, Inc.
Founded in 1987 and currently headquartered in Union City, California, Runco International is a market leader in state-of-the-art projection systems, flat-panel plasma monitors, video processors and other components for the consumer market. Runco’s innovations have won numerous awards and citations from the world press. Runco was the first company to introduce and market a line doubler with a multi-frequency projector in 1990 and also introduced the first multiple-aspect-ratio controller, the ARC-IV, to the Home Theater market. Recently, both of these features have become essential for the new digital high definition capable televisions.
Video Xtreme, ViVix II, Digital High Definition (DHD), Cinema Standards Measurement System (CSMS), VirtualWide and LiveLink are trademarks of Runco International. Digital Light Processing, DLP and DMD are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
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