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Price check -- Runco's LS-3 projector within reach of mere mortals

by Steven Kim posted Sep 24th 2009 at 11:49AM

Runco LightStyle LS-3 projector
We'll admit that sour grapes coming from the direction of our wallets usually make us look right past Runco's offerings. It's great stuff from a good company, but let's just say if you slip the Runco logo into a Rorschach test, we won't come up with "affordable." So in case you missed it in our CEDIA blitz, Runco's LS-3 LightStyle beamer carries a MSRP of $4,995 -- not cheap, but not new car kind of money that we associate with the brand, either. It's a 1080p DLP projector that packs a list of Runco tech like ConstantContrast, Vivix enhancement, Runco image processing, that all together are good for 10,000:1 contrast. If you're fortunate enough to be in the market for something like a JVC projector, consider adding the LS-3 to your audition list and call us over for some popcorn.

NuVision crashes the projector party with LED-lamp P2, 3-chip P3

by Steven Kim posted Sep 15th 2009 at 7:33AM

NuVision logoNuVision has picked our favorite way to make a splash with a product sector entrance -- bring out models packing relatively unique tech. The P1, P2 and P3 DLP projectors should fit into NuVision's custom-centric product lineup quite nicely when they release early next year. Things start out pretty tame with the $8,999 P1, a UHP-lamped offering with (of course) 1080p native resolution. The P2 makes the game interesting with its LED lamp system that should pretty much cut the lamp exchanges down to zero if you can really control the ambient light in your theater; but then again, $18,999 would pay for a lot of bulbs. Finally, there's no denying the glory of a three-chip DLP setup, though, and P3 mates those three chips with a 300-Watt UHP lamp for the kind of no-compromise performance you'd expect from a $36,999 beamer.

Runco shows up at CEDIA with loads of projectors and flat screen in tow

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 11th 2009 at 12:32PM


Following CEDIA tradition, Runco (oh yes, they were actually here) had plenty to show off, with new projectors and LCDs, apparently enough that we needed two separate rooms for the press conference. We switched rooms to experience the company's new QuantumColor LED-lit Q-750i, combining Luminus Platlight technology with its own engineering to create what it says is unsurpassed performance and unrivaled customization. Its showcased a few new color management wrinkles, customers can have a shot at making green grass pop without skewing other elements starting in November for around $15k. The company also had in store new Crystal Portfolio LCDs, some featuring its OPAL technology for outdoor situations, and a new round of LightStyle series projectors, for the kind of folks who only want to spend five or seven grand on a PJ, while the VideoXtreme line falls somewhere between that and the $100k+ crowd. Also mentioned? The company plans to keep selling its plasmas, even though a certain someone (cough, Pio) has exited the market. Peep the read links for all the details and jaw dropping prices.

Read - Runco Unveils the Future of Home Theater Projection (QuantumColor)
Read - Runco Introduces Five New Performance LCD Displays
Read - Runco Reveals Its Most Affordable VideoXtreme Projectors
Read - Runco Sets a Projector Benchmark with its LightStyle Series

InFocus' SP8602 projector puts the ScreenPlay line back on the map

by Steven Kim posted Sep 9th 2009 at 9:36PM

InFocus SP8602 projector
It's been a long time since InFocus has brought out a beamer under the ScreenPlay name, but the SP8602 is coming out guns blazing at CEDIA. The 1080p DarkChip DLP boasts a 30,000:1 contrast, but can also crank out 1,300 lumens for when viewing must compete with that big ball of fire in the sky. The SP8602 is packed with good tech, including a six-segment color wheel, TI's BrilliantColor, 10-bit video processing from PixelWorks and 120-Hz support to make sure the images thrown up on the big screen are eye-poppingly good. Heck, it's even ready if said screen is less than perfect -- vertical and horizontal lens shifts, automatic image flipping (ceiling mount is where it's at) and warping functions (don't use them unless you have to) should pretty much be able to deliver square images to all but the most compromised situations. Available in late October, but you'll have to hit up your dealer for pricing.

Mitsubishi rolls out 1080p HC3800 projector for $1,395

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 9th 2009 at 6:05PM


It's not always easy for a projector to stand out from the pack these days, but it looks like Mitsubishi has turned to one of the most tried and true tricks in the book for its new HC3800 model: offer a ton of features for a great price. That starts, naturally, with a full 1080p resolution, and things stay more than respectable all along down the line with 1,300 lumens of brightness, a 4,000:1 contrast ratio, a promised 5,000 hour lamp life (in conservation mode) and, get this, full support for anamorphic lenses in case you're really looking to top off your home theater. Best of all, the projector is set to run just $1,395, and should be available sometime in the third quarter of this year.

[Via About Projectors]

Runco rolls out VX-33i, VX-33d projectors for wealthy CEDIA attendees

by Steven Kim posted Sep 2nd 2009 at 11:51AM

Runco VX-33i projector
Runco has taken a somewhat winding road to attending next week's CEDIA Expo, but the company is coming out guns blazing. Unfortunately for us, though, those are some pricey guns, indeed. Making a debut at the show will be the VX-33i (pictured) and VX-33d projectors -- 3-chip DLP designs that combine 1080p resolution and Runco's own video processing to deliver the goods at really indulgent (larger than 120-inch) screens. The VX-33i has Vivix processing onboard and the VX-33d offloads these duties to the external DHD video processor. Sounds great, right? Well, sorry to say, these beamers aren't going to buck the pricing trend in 3-chip DLP setups -- $50,000 for the VX-33i, $60,000 for the VX-33d put these beyond even our "a guy's gotta dream" category.

Optoma HD20 projector cracks the $1,000 barrier

by Steven Kim posted Aug 6th 2009 at 2:51PM

Optoma HD20 projectorIt looks like sub-$1,000 pricing is shaping up to be the new 1080p as the headline spec for projectors tempting you to reach for your wallet. Don't get us wrong -- $999 isn't exactly in the "impulse buy" category, but it opens up projectors appeal tremendously. Optoma's HD20 has joined Vivitek's H1080FD in the $999, 1080p, DLP-powered beamer segment. Competition is always good, and the HD20 is happy to oblige by bringing 1,700 lumens, a 4000:1 contrast ratio, two HDMI inputs, and a bulb life of 4,000 or 3,000 hours depending on whether you take in the movies in "standard" or "bright" mode. Oh yeah, and the Optoma name might be a little more familiar to consumers than Vivitek, too. Competition is good, indeed.

Vivitek holds true to its word, delivers sub-$1000 1080p projector

by Steven Kim posted Aug 4th 2009 at 12:54PM

Vivitek H1080FD projector
Those craving a 1080p projector but feeling a little strapped for cash right now (and who isn't) will be glad to hear that Vivitek has come through on both its pricing and timing promises for its H1080FD model. If you're looking for a beamer on the cheap and the 720p LCD Epson PowerLite 700 didn't do it for you, the quick rundown on Vivitek's offering goes like this -- DLP engine, 1080 lines of resolution, 1800 lumens bright, $999, available this month. As always, the 5,000:1 contrast ratio needs some salt, but the 29dB rating and 3,000-hour lamp life aren't too shabby; RS-232 control is just gravy. If the performance comes close to the promise, don't be surprised to see some of these projectors added alongside direct-view sets for dedicated night-time viewing in steady-income homes.

TI sticks to its DLP guns, fires off 4k pro gear

by Steven Kim posted Jun 20th 2009 at 11:21AM

Christie DLP projectorYou just knew that Texas Instruments wasn't going to leave the 4k cinema projector market to SXRD, right? Sure enough, TI unveiled its DLP Cinema 4k technology and announced that Barco, Christie and NEC will be sprinkling the new tech across more than a dozen new projectors. Now, if TI would get serious about 3-chip DLP consumer solutions -- not even 4k -- we'd be out of our seats (or maybe the movie house's). Until then, we'll have to settle for the possibility that the lowered costs of the next generation of the DLP Cinema platform will allow for more screens to go digital. One thing's for sure -- those IMAX DLP setups need all the pixels they can get.

Viewsonic announces three new 3D projectors

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jun 15th 2009 at 3:31PM


Good news, 3D fanboys and girls, looks like Viewsonic's back on the scene with a clutch of 120Hz 3D-enabled projectors. The first new model, the PJD6381, looks to be aimed at schools and businesses, with an extremely short throw ratios (around .68) for reducing shadowing effects, and a number of interactive whiteboard options. Available in August, this guy has 1024 x 768 XGA resolution, 2,500 ANSI lumens, a 2,500:1 contrast ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, and is compatible with the both Texas Instruments' DLP Link and NVIDIA's 3D-Vision 3D technology -- expect it to have an MSRP of $1,249. The PJD6211 and PJD6221 ($849 and $899, respectively) also sport 1024 x 768 XGA resolution, as well as up to 2,700 lumens, a 2,800:1 contrast ratio and both DLP Link and 3D-Vision compatibility. These two should hit the stores some time in July.

Mitsubishi's 3D-ready and Unisen HDTV lines in the flesh

by Darren Murph posted Jun 11th 2009 at 5:13PM


Toshiba already showed us what its freshest line of HDTVs looks like, and now its Mitsubishi's turn. The outfit was on hand in NYC to showcase a few of its now-shipping sets, including the 3D-ready Home Theater line and its speaker-infused Unisen crew. We won't bore you with the specs (which can be found here and here, respectively), but we will confess that the 82-inch WD-82737 has us squirming uncontrollably. Have a peek yourself in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mitsubishi's 3D-ready and Unisen HDTV lines in the flesh

NEC upgrades DLP projectors for higher res 3D in time for the premiere of Up

by Richard Lawler posted May 30th 2009 at 10:03AM


If you roll out this weekend to check out Disney Pixar's latest addition to the 3D film movement Up, you might be seeing it broadcast by one of NEC's new NC2500S-A projectors or an older model that has been upgraded, sending out 3D in 2K res courtesy of Texas Instruments' DLP chips. The kids might not notice a 33% improvement in resolution and brightness over previous generations that let it put the show on bigger screens than ever before, but we're sure you will. Word is Clearview's Ziegfeld Theatre is one of the first with the upgrade, so if you're close by, we all know how important choosing a theater carefully can be these days.

Samsung's Joe Kane-designed SP-A900 due later this month

by Richard Lawler posted May 11th 2009 at 10:56PM


Been waiting for something to top the well-received Samsung SP-A800B? How about the next in the line, the SP-A900, ready to ship later this month but now improved with Texas Instruments' DarkChip 4 DLP chipset for an even higher contrast ratio (now up to 12,000:1), similarly higher price, 1080p res at an MSRP of $12,999. CNET lets it be known this should bring the Joe Kane approved design home via specialty retailers as is its custom, but we're sure fans of quality projectors know where it can be found.

Next-gen DLP Cinema platform makes room for live 3D broadcasting

by Darren Murph posted Apr 2nd 2009 at 12:23AM

Surely you knew that you'd eventually hear "DLP" and "3D" in the same sentence, right? Over at ShoWest this week, Texas Instruments is announcing plans for its next-generation DLP Cinema electronics platform. Generally speaking, this wouldn't be all that exciting, but this one's different. Aside from letting us know that DLP Cinema projectors will be deployed by Christie, Barco and NEC at commercial theaters around the world starting in 2010, we're also told that it will feature "increased bandwidth to integrate alternative content to incorporate live 3D broadcasting." Yep, that NAB demonstration and this year's NBA All-Star weekend were just the beginning.

Acer K10 pocket projector finally lands in the UK

by Donald Melanson posted Mar 2nd 2009 at 3:26PM


Acer announced its K10 pocket projector way back in December, but it looks like it's just now finally landed in the UK, and unfortunately received a bit of a price hike in the process. Now retailing for just over £400 (or $560, roughly a $100 increase), the SVGA projector otherwise seems to have remained unchanged since its debut, with it still promising an impressive 20,000 hour lamp life, and offering up 100 ANSI lumens of brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and a projected image size up to 60 inches. As you can see, it's also not quite able to join the ranks of pico projectors, though its specs certainly beat out most of its smaller cousins.




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