Epson Home Cinema 3010 - Review Summary

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Art Feierman

Hot Product Award for the Epson Home Cinema 3010 and its sibling, the 3010e!

To cut to the chase, this Epson Home Cinema 3010 is the most exciting projector I've encountered in at least a year. True, there are far better, more expensive projectors, but this one's a bell ringer. I had been very impressed by the Optoma HD33, but in most ways, the Epson out shines and out performs it. The Epson is a very good 2D projector, but it's also a bright, great little 3D projector. Allow me to spend a few more paragraphs, to rave about these new Home Cinema 3010 series projectors.

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Epson Home Cinema 3010 Projector - The Bottom Line

Assuming you agree with us, and are seriously considering one of these Epson's, which do you buy? The Home Cinema 3010, or the Home Cinema 3010e? Since I've already received a couple of email questions about that, let me simplify.

Either will give you 3D, and the real difference, with them both doing 3D, is $400. A $200 price difference, and 2 pair of glasses for the 3010e.

So, if you are 2D only for now, you can get a projector for $200 more, with the wireless HD, which is great if you move the projector around, or if you are installing, and don't want to open lots of walls to run from the gear at the front of your room to the projector on the ceiling.

Myself, I'd likely spring for the Wireless HD 3010e, but you'll have to decide if it's worth the $400 to you. Of course, add those glasses and you have all the same 3D abilities as the standard 3010 as well.

I'd like to address two questions: How is the 3010 as a 2D projector, and how is it as a 2D and 3D projector?

The Home Cinema 3010 is certainly a very good 2D projector in terms of picture quality, and considering the $1599 price, but it doesn't have the absolute best picture for the price.

What it offers instead, is a close to best picture for the money, and just about double the brightness of all but one or two competitors.

And being a bright projector is a wonderful thing for family rooms, bonus rooms and outdoor evenings. That significant extra brightness should give this Epson a lot of bonus points with me, and most of you. I've been yelling at manufacturers for years, to give us brighter projectors for the family room.

The Very Bottom Line on the Home Cinema 3010 projector:

Click to enlarge. So close. The Home Cinema 3010 is definitely my favorite new projector of the year so far. I'm expecting a few more of those, but most of those other projectors that offer potential greatness are going to be about 2-5 times the price of the Home Cinema 3010 and 3010e

Choose your Epson - the only real difference between the Home Cinema 3010 and 3010e is the "e" has wireless HDMI, a very nice touch that can save you a chunk of money if you are paying installers to run wire. It's $400 more, since the $1799 doesn't include the 2 pair of 3D glasses, that come with the standard Home Cinema 3010.

I don't think you can go wrong with this Epson, at this price point.

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As a big fan of 3D HDTV, I will own a 3D projector shortly. If I can't find one I can rationalize to replace my old JVC, you better believe I'll just hang on to my JVC and buy one of these for my 3D usage. My rooms are used to more than one projector, and my JVC is used to sharing the room.

If you enjoy the Epson Home Cinema 3010 as much as I have enjoyed watching it while working this review, it will be one of your all time favorite decisons. Have fun with this one!

pson Home Cinema 3010 Projector: Pros and Cons

Click to enlarge. So close. Brightest 3D projector we've reviewed to date, and the first that has good 3D brightness on an average sized (100" to 110") and surfaced screen, even with a little ambient light!
Handles large screens for 2D viewing.
Very good overall color
Skin tones are very good post calibration, not bad at all, even without
Very good shadow detail
Excellent lamp life (4000 hours/5000 hours)
HDMI 1.4a inputs (2) allows for support for Blu-ray 3D content
2 pair of 3D glasses included
Two 10 watt speakers provide respectable audio when not hooked up to a surround sound system, great out back for a summer festival, or in any room for a quick setup
Dynamic iris for black level performance that's very good for the price range
Excellent 2 year warranty with replacement program
Good looking projector
Excellent value proposition overall! And a very good value proposition even considering it as a 2D only projector

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Epson Home Cinema 3010 Projector: Cons

Black level performance is good but not "ultra-high-contrast"
No lens shift
Only front feet adjustable, and having rear adjustable would simplify for some layouts
Minor 3D artifacts including crosstalk
Could be quieter in full power mode
Lacks CFI - creative frame interpolation