Runco's $250,000 Signature Cinema SC-1 projector

We knew Runco was getting ready to unleash a smattering of new projectors, but its Signature Cinema SC-1 packs a spec list (and pricetag) that deserves some special attention. While 1080p projectors are becoming a tad more common, this DLP device outclasses the wannabes by sporting a 3-chip SuperOnyx DMD, 2,048 x 1,080 native resolution, NTSC / PAL compatibility, integrated DHD video processor, up to 25,000 ANSI lumens (depending on lamp choice), 2,800:1 contrast ratio, and the ability to shoot that spiffy high-def imagery onto a 40-foot surface. Runco also offers a (presumably pricey) CinaWide option, which conveniently adjusts 2.35:1 to fill the entire screen, eliminating those pesky black bars from view. The only dig we could find was the ginormous size: at over two feet across, one foot tall, and nearly five feet deep, this 342-pound beast will likely require an AV cabinet of its own. While the SC-1 is overkill (albeit the ultra sweet, drool-worthy kind) at its finest, it's likely to show you HD content in a way you've never envisioned -- but you'll need a quarter million bucks (and a small group of folks to unload it) to take this one home.

[Via I4U]

[B from TX @ Sep 15th 2006 10:34AM]

I've never imagined a bigger waste of money. Now a $20 million ride on the space shuttle. That's high class. :-) But, what do you do with a projector like this? Business presentations? Watch TV? Play Halo 2? AUGGH!

[AEMV @ Sep 15th 2006 10:51AM]

This is for MOVIE THEATERS like MUVICO and AMC to use, not for HOME use. Goddamn...

[thehifidoc @ Jun 26th 2009 1:50PM]

Doc Greene Replies: Oh It is for home use. I know a guy that sold two of these in Dallas last year. I have seen this Runco beauty in action. It fills a 20 foot wide 2.35:1 (Cinewide) screen with a fully color saturated picture with the lights on. If you have a room that will allow you to seat 20 people or in the case of one fellow out by the pool, this is the unit you need. There is nothing else that even compares. Put up Casino Royale in Blu-ray or Lord of the Rings even on regular DVD and will make you smile. However Halo on a screen this big, might cause post tramatic stress syndrome and is not reccomended.

[crackpipe @ Sep 15th 2006 10:53AM]

You run a movie theater, dumba$$.

[Lon @ Sep 15th 2006 10:58AM]

It is for Home use.

[Lon @ Sep 15th 2006 10:58AM]

This is by far the best projector on the market today. I have seen one, it is AWSOME. And having the CinaWide with Autoscope option is even better. The price of $250,000 is out of the reach of most everyone, but if you have the money, it is well worth the price. You will not see a better image anywhere.

[Franssu @ Sep 15th 2006 11:03AM]

2K projectors have been in the pro market for some time now. But these units usually demand a dedicated air conditionner to cool them. It's not suprising Runco decided to give this oh-so-sweet 2K resolution to the uber-demanding hyper-rich videophile market.

[Jimmy Swingle @ Sep 15th 2006 11:17AM]

Jeeeeez enough with the projectors already!

[Ben N @ Sep 15th 2006 1:41PM]

Daggon. So many choices in spending pretend-daydream-money... Christie or Runco... Decisions Decisions.

[Richard Thomason @ Sep 15th 2006 1:56PM]

Ummmmm....Does it come with a hot stripper that performs lap dances on demand?

[B from TX @ Sep 15th 2006 2:46PM]

Wow, I never thought of a movie theater. I thought they still used reels. I'm so out of touch. I really was imagining a mini-room that dropped from the ceiling inside a gigantic living room, with the 40-foot projection screen at the other end. Large glass window with automatic shades that overlooked the maze bush and private lake.

HAHAHAHAH

[Jesse @ Sep 15th 2006 3:15PM]

While it is sold for "home" use, obviously it's not for the ordinary home. Anyway, if you can afford this, you can certainly get better for the money.

[thehifidoc @ Jun 26th 2009 2:13PM]

Obviously you have never seen a Runco. There is nothing out there that does what they do. Of course a lot of projectors look pretty good on 1080P material. But Runco looks good even with 480i material. That is only one reason. there are many more. But nothing looks like a Runco.

[Jesse @ Sep 15th 2006 3:16PM]

Oops, the URL disappeared from that post:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?id=79210

[grog @ Sep 15th 2006 5:22PM]

A great projector but aren't you just going to watch the same crappy Hollywood movies and crappy tv shows that everybody else watches. A projector like this should come with its own entertainment.

[Ryan @ Sep 15th 2006 5:56PM]

Why do I get the feeling that, five years down the road, this very article will be unearthed as an example of "look how far we've come in pricing". The rule here applies as it does everywhere: You can have it soon, good, or cheap. Pick any two.

Give it some time and this price point will seem like a bad dream, as always.

[Brad E. @ Sep 15th 2006 6:30PM]

Yeah, but if we are patient, I'd bet in a few months the price will come down to $248,000... if we are all patient!

[Gary Goldberg @ Sep 15th 2006 10:09PM]

With 25K lumens it would make a good drive-in theater projector -- if the average DI theater owner could afford it...

[Jon Laye @ Sep 16th 2006 10:23AM]

Runco makes some nice stuff. And everything in life is relative. Not to say that a $250,000 projector is cheap, it is not. But if that's a months income, it may be a reasonable purchase.

[James Freeland @ Sep 16th 2006 11:24AM]

Wait a minute...2,800:1 contrast ratio??

WTF?

The $5,000 Sony Pearl gives you 10,000:1.

If I'm throwing down 250K, I'll need a LOT more contrast for that.

[thehifidoc @ Jun 26th 2009 2:09PM]

Sony has never been known for their honesty in specs.

[Wayward Humdinger @ Sep 16th 2006 10:02PM]

I've seen projectors like this installed in University auditoriums... That's what your tuition pays for: Friday night movie nights!

[Lon @ Sep 18th 2006 9:19AM]

I hope you guys realise that this projector has been out for several years and has always been priced at $250,000. I would not look for the price to fall anytime soon. The people that buy something like this also have 2-3 million $ in CAT speakers and another 50-100K in a screen, not to mention the other components. The projector is not the most expensive thing in the room when you are dealing with $3,000,000 + home theaters.

[laptopdoc @ Feb 17th 2009 11:13AM]

I think i will by a lambourghini instead!