Runco LS-10 Special Features

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Art Feierman

3 Chip DLP Projector

By going to a 3 chip DLP configuration, compared to the single chip DLP projectors, means no more spinning color wheel. That also translates into a lot more brightness hitting the screen, since color wheels are terribly inefficient. You can also expect a more dynamic image, but black levels (I don't believe) get better simply because of a 3 chip design. (Nonetheless, this projector is an ultra high contrast projector in performance). Often these "3 chippers" use larger DLP chips than the single chip projectors, and therefore you end up with a much larger projector, as a result of the larger chip size, and the light engine being split into three beams. (That's why single chip DLP's as a group are smaller than the 3 chip LCoS or LCD projectors.) Bottom line: One pays a lot and expects a lot from a 3 chip DLP projector.

Frame Interpolation

Not a whole lot to report here. The LS10 does take 24 fps and up it to 48 fps, but as Runco states, the LS10d says it simply repeats the frame if you use that setting. Since this is a 3 chip DLP device, with no color wheel, or breaks, 48 fps is essentially the same as 24.

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Constant Contrast - Dynamic Iris

Constant Contrast is Runco's name for Runco's dynamic iris function. The dynamic iris action is very nicely smooth compared to most lower priced projectors, but there are several at least as good. This is, however, a "good" dynamic iris, in terms of being rarely very noticeable. I never found it annoying, even on the dark conversational scenes with the camera cutting back and forth between two people speaking in a fairly dark room without a lot of very bright areas. It responds rather smoothly when there are radical brightness changes between scenes. Detectable, if you are looking for it, and only on occasion, but rarely will it show up on your radar. Impressive blacks despite a rather unimpressive contrast comparison spec claimed of 10,000:1. It certainly gets those blacks on dark scenes down there with other projectors claiming 30,000:1, 50,000:1 or even higher.

DHD4 Processor

As previous stated, the LS-10d projector is primarily about the DHD4 processor. The DHD adds $6000. Well, besides lots of inputs, screen triggers, and command and control devices. It would be interesting to see an LS-10i and a LS-10d side by side to see how it improves the picture. After all, you can buy a lot of switching for $6000!