Runco International
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Display technology |
| Founded | 1987 in Northern California, United States |
| Founder | Sam Runco and Lori Runco |
| Fate | Acquired by Planar Systems, Inc. in May 2007 |
| Headquarters | Beaverton, Oregon , United States |
Area served | International |
Key people | Sam Runco (founder) |
| Products | Front projectors, plasma display monitors, LCD monitors, in-wall projection systems, video processors, signal enhancers |
| Parent | Planar Systems, Inc. |
Runco International operates as a division of Planar Systems, Inc., a U.S.-based multinational corporation situated in Beaverton, Oregon, specializing in the production of a diverse array of display technologies.
History
Established in 1987 in Northern California by Sam Runco and his wife Lori, Runco International traces its roots back to 1970 with the creation of an early large screen projection system. Prior to its formal incorporation, the company functioned under the name Runco Video and introduced the Cinemabeam projector, notable for its external convergence control designed for expansive screen projection. Two years following this launch, Runco implemented a Fresnel lens to enlarge a 15" television image onto a wall, marking a pivotal advancement in large screen viewing experiences.
Sam Runco, a founding figure of the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), has been honored with CEDIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into Dealerscope magazine's Hall of Fame due to his significant contributions to the home theater sector.
After becoming an incorporated entity in 1987, Runco International unveiled the Home Theater (HT) video projector. As demand within the home theater industry increased, the company expanded by acquiring brands such as Vidikron and growing its California headquarters alongside international distribution networks during the early 1990s. Runco gained recognition for its CRT projector offerings, which included units produced by manufacturers like Zenith Electronics, NEC, and Barco.
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, Runco recorded net sales amounting to $54.6 million. Subsequently, in May 2007, Planar Systems, Inc. acquired Runco International, consolidating design, manufacturing, customer support, marketing, and training operations at Planar’s headquarters in Beaverton.
Product lines
- Front projectors: Reflection Series, Signature Series, VideoXtreme Series
- Plasma display monitors: CinemaWall Portfolio, PlasmaWall Portfolio
- Liquid-crystal display monitors: Climate Portfolio, Crystal Portfolio
- In-wall projection systems: CineWall, VideoWall
- Video processors: DHD Digital Controller, SDC Digital Controller
- Signal enhancers: LiveLink DVI Cabling System
Registered products and technologies
- CinemaPro
- CinemaWall
- CineWide
- Crystal Series
- Dynamic Pixel Protection
- Imagix
- IntelliWide
- LiveLink
- PlasmaView
- ProjectAVision
- Radiant
- Reflection
- Runco
- Theater Manager
- VHD
- Vidikron
- Virtual High Definition
- VirtualWide
- Vivix
- Vivx
- WideVision
- Video Xtreme
- Pixel for Pixe
External links
Product reviews
- The New York Times DealBook: Runco D-113d projector – [1]
- Jonathan Blum, Fortune Small Business: A $9000 Bargain TV
- Jonathan Blum, Fortune Small Business: A $20,000 TV Actually Worth the Price
- Eric Taub, New York Times Gadgetwise – [2]
- Home Theater Review: Runco PlasmaWall XP-65HD – [3]