Runco's 103-inch XP-103DHD plasma gets price, ship date

Nary a month after Hitachi unveiled a 103-inch plasma of its own to take on Panasonic's beast, Runco is getting even more official about its own iteration that first surfaced at CEDIA. The CinemaWall XP-103DHD features a native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, provides ISF calibration modes and includes an HDCP-compliant DVI port. Additionally, its next-generation DHD Digital controller incorporates the firm's ViVix II digital video processing technology, which is said to provide "premium aspect ratio control" and prevent "double scaling." Of course, most of us will be lusting after this from afar -- unless you've no qualms with coughing up the $99,995 required to toss this under the tree when it lands in December, that is.

[scooby03 @ Sep 27th 2007 12:42PM]

Nary?

[Mike @ Sep 27th 2007 12:41PM]

Is it just me or does a hundred grand seem a little steep? So I guess that leaves out any residential buyers unless they are one of those people who likes to show off.

[zargon @ Sep 27th 2007 12:46PM]

It is Runco, it is going to be expensive since they only make high-end gear.

It is not meant for your average residential buyer.

[pandlcg @ Sep 27th 2007 2:16PM]

I think they just forgot to put the decimal between the numbers....surely that must be it

[dave @ Oct 1st 2007 9:04PM]

just mosaic four 51.5 inch TVs togehter and save 90 grand =)

[Jakob @ Sep 27th 2007 1:05PM]

The public service channel in Denmark, 'DR' use the 103-inch Panasonic in their news at 9.00PM. It looks cool, especially when the newsreader is talking to reportes around the contry or world :D

[dream_scape @ Sep 27th 2007 1:04PM]

The only purpose I can imagine for this TV is something advertising-related. Anything else that would need a 100+ inch screen would surely be far cheaper and more effective with a front or rear projector.

[kpluck @ Sep 27th 2007 1:15PM]

Actually, given that projectors require total darkness I could see reasons someone with a lot of money might opt for this plasma instead. For instance, if you had a room where you were entertaining people on a regular basis and you wanted a display to show sports or other events, a plasma would work much better than a projector.

[boulderhorn @ Sep 27th 2007 1:39PM]

projectors are getting better. they don't require "total" darkness. True, you can't use one outdoors on a sunny day, but they are now a perfectly viable means of getting a good picture in just about any room in a normal house. and at 1/10th the price of this monster.

of course, i'd buy one if i had the money...

[timatl @ Sep 27th 2007 1:41PM]

should i get the 750 BMW or Runco's 103" HD Plasma.

[Garst @ Sep 27th 2007 1:32PM]

If you only show how much people would have to plunk down in taxes, you'll deter most people. I certainly wouldn't care how much something is once I found out that I would have to pay $6,249.69 in taxes alone.

[Jacob @ Sep 27th 2007 2:07PM]

unless you're in oregon. No sales tax FTMFW!!!

[andy @ Sep 27th 2007 1:32PM]

When you can buy the same size sony LCD for 80 grand and a top of the line Panasonic Plasma for 90 grand.....

WHY would you just flush 10 grand? I'll bet if anyone reviewed them, the Panasonic would win out in all categories.... unless of course this is just the panasonic rebranded.

[adam @ Sep 27th 2007 2:01PM]

Andy, you have NO CLUE! Comparing a Runco to a Panasonic is like comparing a Bentley to a Hyundai! a Plasma this size, or really any television for that matter, requires proper processing. The Runco's processor alone costs more that most "mainstream" televisions. Not only do Runco sets have a better formfactor, but their picture, due to better processing, looks much better as well. One other thing, this is a little cheaper than the Runco Signature Cinema SC-1 ($250k). They don't make cheap products, and they ensure their customers appreciate what they get.

[Willen @ Sep 28th 2007 8:01AM]

I think Panasonic : Toyota is a better analogy. LG : Hyundai in my book.

[rurounij @ Sep 27th 2007 3:01PM]

Act now and we'll include the showtime rotisserie grill for free. :)

[Ed @ Sep 28th 2007 10:07PM]

This is NOT for residential. It's funny that most people forget that this BIG bastard cannot even fit into most houses anyways. The average door sizes, clearances inside hallways, even sliding glass doors taken off their hinges, don't allow this to be INSTALLED let alone purchased.

I've seen some 2 million dollar houses that you could not fit one of these things at all.

For the residential market there is a practical limit to screen size and it's a lot less then 100 inches.

[ron @ Oct 5th 2007 12:03AM]

I,m perfectly happy with my $3000.00 1080I projector with a 110" screen. Besides now days you can buy a 1080p panasonic projector that will give you a 120" diagonal picture in Hi-Def for about $2700.00 after rebate.Much more desirable. later dudes!

[jonny boy @ Oct 6th 2007 1:34AM]

or you could just but a movie theatre and play Halo on a 1080P projector. that would be cool.

[Joe in Toronto, Canada @ Nov 20th 2007 8:21AM]

Comparing front projectors, or ANY type of projection screen, to a plasma is absurd, same goes for LCD.

If you can't afford it, just say so.