Audio Video News

Hayward, California-based Runco, one of the premier manufacturers of video projectors, has announced the VX1, a high-brightness, high-resolution projector that the company claims is about the same size and weight as much-lower-resolution LCD projectors. The VX1 is based on Texas Instruments' one-chip Digital Light Processor (DLP) technology.

Weighing just 17 pounds, the VX1 is said to offer "stunning, high-definition-capable imaging" while retaining the capability of displaying "all current and forthcoming video formats, including conventional TV (NTSC) and DTV (digital television) formats, with impressive accuracy and eye-opening detail." Advance publicity for the new product also touts its "unprecedented brightness."

Technical advances include dual-aspect-ratio technology to produce "full-resolution, geometrically correct images from both conventional TV (4:3) and anamorphic (16:9) sources, whether it is displaying standard-definition TV or DTV signals in 1080i, 720p, or 480p formats—all of which it is able to reproduce with exceptional accuracy." The new Runco projector has a native resolution of 1024x768, and can also display computer-generated images up to an "amazingly sharp" 1280x1024 pixels. Projected images can range from 24" to 300", measured diagonally.

Runco general manager Rick Bergamaschi says the VX1 is "an important step for Runco. DLP technology offers incredible home-theater imaging. With the VX1 we've achieved genuine high-definition performance from an affordable, compact DLP design." The VX1's suggested retail price is $14,995.