CEDIA 2009

Runco has announced the QuantumColor Q-750i single-chip DLP projector, its first model (and one of the industry's firsts) to utilize LEDs for its light source rather than a conventional projection lamp. Runco calls this technology InfiniLight, a name likely derived from the fact that the LEDs, which also replace the conventional DLP color wheel, can be modulated by the source to drop in level, or even shut off completely, in dark or fully black scenes or interscene blackouts.

The projector also incorporates Runco's new SmartColor, a hue compensation and gamut mapping technology said top produce bright, vivid colors without compromising flesh tones, and Personal Color Equalizer, Runco's color management system. he projector can produce a wide, extended color gamut far beyond the REC 709 HD standard (Bleh!) or adhere to Rec709 or several other standards. The Q-750i, with internal processing, will debut in November at $14,995, and in December, with an outboard Runco processor, as the Q-750D for $17,995.

Several other new Runco DLP projectors were also shown, and while most of them are likely of interest only for super-expensive custom home theaters, the new LightStyle DLPs are, as projectors go, relatively affordable at $4995 for the LS-3, and $6995 for the LS-5, and $15,495 for the LS-7--the latter the only three-chipper. The LS-7 would seem redundant with the Q-750i in the line, but conventional lamps are still much brighter than LED lighting for projector u se. Nevertheless, the LED-based Q-750i was plenty bright on a moderately large screen in a darkened room. Joel Silver of the ISF has reported measuring 24 foot-Lamberts from the Q-750i on a 1.3-gain, 80-inch wide screen.

The image from the A-750i, in the demo we were shown, was spectacular in many ways. With the projector set for its wider color gamut rather than the REC 709 standard, the colors were over the top but in an addictive and alluring way. I'd never use the projector that way, but some users will be transfixed by the wide range of colors derived by the projector. But the blacks and contrast ratio were the real grabbers; the image went completely black in fadeouts, the screen itself disappearing into the darkness of the room. THAT I'd pay money for, assuming the projector can be adjusted for accurate color reproduction (and advance word is that it can).