Runco LS-10d – Performance 2 Posted on July 17, 2013 By Art Feierman 1. Runco Lightstyle LS-10d Projector Review - S10 Projector Highlights - Runco LS-10d Projector Overview2. Runco LS-10 Special Features - 3 Chip DLP Projector - Frame Interpolation - Constant Contrast - Dynamic Iris - DHD4 Processor3. Runco LS-10d Physical Tour - Runco LS10 Physical Appearance - Control Panel - Input/Output4. Runco LS-10d Physical Tour 2 - Runco LS10 Menus - Runco LS10 Remote Control - LS10 Lens Throw - LS10 Lens Shift - Runco LS-10 Anamorphic Lens Options5. Runco LS-10d Projector – Image Quality - LS-10d Out of the Box Picture Quality - Skin Tones6. Runco LS-10d Projector – Image Quality 2 - Runco LS-10d Black Levels & Shadow Detail7. Runco LS-10d Projector – Image Quality 3 - Runco LS-10 Shadow Detail Performance8. Runco LS-10d Projector – Image Quality 4 - Overall Color & Picture Quality - Runco LS-10d Projector: Performance, HDTV and Sports - Bottom line for HDTV, and Sports Viewing with the Runco LS-10d Projector:9. Runco LS-10d – Performance - Runco LS-10d Measured Brightness10. Runco LS-10d – Performance 2 - Sharpness - Runco LS-10d: Bottom Line Sharpness - Runco LS-10 Light Leakage - Runco LS-10d Audible Noise - Runco LS-10d Image Noise11. Runco LS-10d Projector Calibration and Settings - Runco LS-10d Color Temperature - Runco LS-10d Basic Settings - Runco LS-10 Calibration Settings12. Runco LS-10d – Screen Recommendations - Runco LS-10d Projector Screen Recommendations13. Runco LS-10i and LS-10d Projector – Warranty14. Runco LS-10d Home Cinema Projector – Competitors - Runco Comparison: LS-10d vs. LS-10i, LS-7 - Runco vs. VC DLA-RS60 - Runco vs. Sony VPL-VW90ES15. Runco LS-10d – Review Summary - Runco LS-10d Projector - The Bottom Line - Runco LS-10d Brightness - The very bottom line16. Runco LS-10d – Review Summary 2 - Runco LS-10d Projector: Pros - Runco LS-10d Projector: Cons - Runco LS-10d Projector: Typical Capabilities17. Runco Lightstyle LS-10d – Full Specifications SharpnessThe optics are very good, the image is nice and sharp, but, this is still a 3 chip projector and there’s slight misconvergence. While it’s true that the JVC RS60 (with its “hand picked” components), was here right before the LS10d, I’ll give the RS60 the slightest advantage in sharpness. I was more “stunned” by the sharpness of the JVC than the Runco, but we’re talking about two very nicely sharp projectors. I’m sure most higher end single chip DLP’s like Runco’s new 2700 lumen LS-HB, will appear a touch sharper, by virtual of no misconvergence of 3 different color panels. For your consideration, our usual close up images Top left: Runco LS10, Top Left Center – Runco LS7, Top Right Center – JVC DLA-RS25, Top right – JVC DLA-RS35 2nd row left: Epson Home Cinema 8500UB, center: Panasonic PT-AE4000, right: InFocus IN83 Runco LS-10dRunco LS-7JVC DLA-RS25JVC DLA-RS35Epson Home Cinema 8500UBPanasonic PT-AE4000PreviousNext Below: Close up of a computer monitor, from Space Cowboys (Blu-ray), left to right Runco LS10d, Runco LS-7, Epson Home Cinema 8800UB, and BenQ W20000. Runco LS10dRunco LS-7Epson Home Cinema 8800UB BenQ W20000PreviousNext Runco LS-10d: Bottom Line SharpnessIs sharper possible? Sure. Is this Runco sharp enough. Definitely, it looks great on pure digital HDTV content, but, quite honestly, the standard lens does not seem to “feel” as optically sharp as the JVC RS60, which seemed truly exceptional. The JVC’s pixel convergence wasn’t as good as this Runco’s yet it seemed sharper. I suspect that the hand picked JVC lens, is better than the standard, standard lens for this Runco. Will some of the more expensive Runco lenses do better? Probably. By a lot? Not likely. Click Image to EnlargeRunco LS-10 Light LeakageThere seems to be very minimal leakage out through the lens of the LS-10d. The vents of the projector show almost no light, and what little you can see, is not going to be a problem. Next! Runco LS-10d Audible NoiseWhen I reviewed the LS-7, without a Runco spec to start with, I pegged it at about 26-27, and maybe lower. Different room now, different conditions. In full power, the Runco is probably 26-27-28 db, based on other projectors I have around here. The Epson 8700UB which also claims under 30 db, is definitely a little more noticeable. Part of that may be the lower pitch of the Runco’s fan noise. Let’s say that the Runco does very well for such a bright projector. It’s not silent, it might bother someone particularly noise adverse, especially if right overhead, but for the most part, in a good theater (not overly acoustically bright), the LS10d should be just fine, even in full power. And of course you can get the LS10d a lot quieter by giving up just 18% of it’s impressive brightness, if the sound actually gets to you. Bottom line on audible noise: Good job, but, of course quieter would be even better. Runco LS-10d Image NoiseI’ve gotten up and walked closer to the screen a number of times observing the overall noise, and it’s impressive. Not sure why, but DLP projectors seem to inherently have a bit more background noise (easiest to see in skys and clouds and light colored fabrics that aren’t jumping around the screen). It’s not much difference, just a general observation. Well, the point is, this LS-10d seems very clean for a DLP. In about 100 hours of viewing, I haven’t noticed any terrible artifacts jumping out and ambushing me. Of course, I expect nothing less than near flawless image processing, since it is being done by the same DHD4 that processes Runco’s high end projectors. I’m sure, like any other high end processing, there are “flaws” somewhere, since there are always trade-offs, and unintended consequences. As I’m writing this paragraph, I’m taking last looks at the LS-10d, with the Blu-ray Lord of the Rings (Fellowship). For about 5 minutes I’ve been looking for anything suspect in the processing, and see nothing (from my normal seating distance). Our goal here isn’t to analyze the image noise for you, but rather, to say, that it should not be something that most of us should be concerned about. 1. Runco Lightstyle LS-10d Projector Review - S10 Projector Highlights - Runco LS-10d Projector Overview2. Runco LS-10 Special Features - 3 Chip DLP Projector - Frame Interpolation - Constant Contrast - Dynamic Iris - DHD4 Processor3. Runco LS-10d Physical Tour - Runco LS10 Physical Appearance - Control Panel - Input/Output4. Runco LS-10d Physical Tour 2 - Runco LS10 Menus - Runco LS10 Remote Control - LS10 Lens Throw - LS10 Lens Shift - Runco LS-10 Anamorphic Lens Options5. Runco LS-10d Projector – Image Quality - LS-10d Out of the Box Picture Quality - Skin Tones6. Runco LS-10d Projector – Image Quality 2 - Runco LS-10d Black Levels & Shadow Detail7. Runco LS-10d Projector – Image Quality 3 - Runco LS-10 Shadow Detail Performance8. Runco LS-10d Projector – Image Quality 4 - Overall Color & Picture Quality - Runco LS-10d Projector: Performance, HDTV and Sports - Bottom line for HDTV, and Sports Viewing with the Runco LS-10d Projector:9. Runco LS-10d – Performance - Runco LS-10d Measured Brightness10. Runco LS-10d – Performance 2 - Sharpness - Runco LS-10d: Bottom Line Sharpness - Runco LS-10 Light Leakage - Runco LS-10d Audible Noise - Runco LS-10d Image Noise11. Runco LS-10d Projector Calibration and Settings - Runco LS-10d Color Temperature - Runco LS-10d Basic Settings - Runco LS-10 Calibration Settings12. Runco LS-10d – Screen Recommendations - Runco LS-10d Projector Screen Recommendations13. Runco LS-10i and LS-10d Projector – Warranty14. Runco LS-10d Home Cinema Projector – Competitors - Runco Comparison: LS-10d vs. LS-10i, LS-7 - Runco vs. VC DLA-RS60 - Runco vs. Sony VPL-VW90ES15. Runco LS-10d – Review Summary - Runco LS-10d Projector - The Bottom Line - Runco LS-10d Brightness - The very bottom line16. Runco LS-10d – Review Summary 2 - Runco LS-10d Projector: Pros - Runco LS-10d Projector: Cons - Runco LS-10d Projector: Typical Capabilities17. Runco Lightstyle LS-10d – Full Specifications Runco LS-10d – Performance Runco LS-10d Projector Calibration and Settings