The purpose of this section is to provide other information regarding my experience with the Runco CL-710 and associated activities. I suspect that the information on this page will grow as I learn more about my new projector. Here are a few items to get the ball rolling.

1. WHY NO SCREEN SHOTS from the CL-710?

When I first received my Sony VW10HT I provided a bunch of screen shots here when the question was asked, "How does it look?" This opened up a real can of worms and the pages referenced above explains some of this. Suffice it to say, the screen shots represented quite accurately what I was seeing on my screen with the Sony.

I had planned to take some similar screen shots of the Runco CL-710 in action but ran into a slight problem. When I took pictures of the screen, the resulting shots looked much worse than what I experience in person. While I'm using a different camera now (A Canon ISPro90 rather than the Kodak DC260 I used to own) I don't really think it's the fault of the camera (which has a higher resolution than the old one.) I suspect that it might have something to do with DLP versus LCD technology and how they are handled by digital image capture. (I'm reminded of the old home movies where the TV always seemed to flicker and roll due to timing problems.) If I can figure this out and come up with a workaround I'll try to add some CL-710 screen shots. I trust you understand. Believe me, the CL-710 looks better than the VW10HT in person.

2. HOW DOES IT SOUND?

No, there are no speakers in the CL-710. Same with the VW10HT. I'm talking here about the relative sound levels produced by the internal fans of each machine. As you may recall, I thought that the Sony was very quiet. No need for a "hush box" or similar - and I sit relatively close to the unit mounted above and a bit behind me. I'm happy to report that the sound level of the Runco's fan is about the same as the Sony's. In other words - no problem. The only difference is that the Runco's fan gets faster and louder when you turn the projector off (to cool down the bulb quickly). It turns itself off after cooling. The SONY was loud for a few seconds when you first turned it on then the sound decreased. If you switched out of "Cinema" mode (bulb saving mode - 700 lumens instead of 1000) then the Sony was a bit louder. The Runco, as far as I can tell, has no such setting.

3. WHY RUNCO?

This one is bound to ruffle a few feathers in some circles. RUNCO has long been associated with high quality (and high priced) video products. Some have implied that "Elitist" might be an appropriate word to use. I've read the remarks by some on the Internet and have heard comments such as, "Grossly overpriced," "You get what you pay for," and everything in between. So who's right? I can only talk from personal experience and really don't have any axe to grind. Nor do I owe any particular allegiance to the company. True, I won this projector but, there were no strings attached and Sam Runco (who claims to have invented the term "Home Theater)" knows that I tell it like I see it (pun intended) and he accepts that. So here's my take on this.

There are many, many projectors to choose from and quite a number of manufacturers out there peddling their wares. You can spend under $1000 for a projector or well over $100,000 for one. Usually there is a law of diminishing returns in effect. I saw this within the Sony line itself, when I first purchased my VW10HT for $5,800 in late 1999. Sony also sold the excellent G90 CRT projector for about seven times the cost of the VW10HT and I just couldn't see a seven times better picture involved. (Neither could at least one of the reviewers of the VW10HT who canceled his order for a G90 and bought the VW10HT instead.) Price:Performance was my guiding principle.

In the intervening 3+ years since my initial Front Projector purchase, technology has advanced and the prices have come down. So much so that a true "Home Theater" experience is well within the means of more people than ever (assuming that space is not a problem in your home.) There is no substitute for a BIG PICTURE, especially when it's a GREAT PICTURE. You turn down the lights and you are at the theater! Because of my good fortune I have become part of the Runco "family" and now see things in a different light. True, you can get DLP projectors which apparently have similar specs for less money. However, you must look beyond the specifications and consider all aspects of your purchase. Look at the company involved. Look at the support structure, both technical and informational. Look at the workmanship involved.

The first difference I personally noticed between Runco and Sony (outside of the superior build quality of the Runco projector) was the support structure for initial set-up and technical assistance. Sony manufactures projectors. They also manufacture clock radios and everything in between. Trying to get in touch with the Sony projection support team is like pulling teeth. They mean well, but one hand doesn't know what the other is doing in most cases. If you get lucky, your area Sony Service Center might be able to help. On the other hand they might not know a VW10HT from a VWBeetle. And the "out of box experience" can be a real adventure. It literally took months to go from an acceptable picture on my VW10HT to an excellent picture. And it took a lot of e-mails, phone calls, letters, and other resources - surprisingly very little from Sony personnel themselves (other than through the rumor mill where a "friend of a friend" had heard something about a service bulletin or similar.) It's certainly not a coincidence that so many VW10HT and similar HELP sites have sprung up on the Internet.

The Runco unit was a completely different experience. The projector came fully adjusted and looked great right out of the box. I was provided with a technical support 800 number and was told that if I had any problems with installation a person would be sent out to make sure everything was properly adjusted. While I had no need for such a visit, it was good to know that this resource was available if problems came up. Runco sells video equipment. I have yet to find any catalog with a Runco clock radio. Or a Rotisserie Oven & BBQ. That's Ronco! I think you see what I mean.

Getting back to the specifications, there is more to a DLP projector than just the chip. Beyond the workmanship there is also the question of the optics and the other components. You have to make the decision as to what best meets your needs and your budget. Naturally, price is a consideration for most of us, but make sure that you take all factors into consideration as you make your decision. You may save money at the outset but end up spending a lot more later on. And keep in mind that Runco has entered the arena of moderately priced projectors with their CL-510. It actually costs about the same price that I paid for my VW10HT three years ago. Moore's Law in action.

And by all means, once you get your projector (if you don't already have one) use the majority of your time watching movies rather than just tweaking it. "Tweak" rhymes with "Geek" for a reason. Finally, remember that if you watch enough movies then you might be able to answer some movie trivia questions - which might even lead to winning a new projector!

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