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Epson Home Cinema 3020 Home Theater Projector Review

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Art Feierman

Specs Preview

Epson HC 3020 Specs
Price 1599
Technology 3LCD
Native Resolution 1920x1080
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) 2300
Contrast 40000:1
Zoom Lens Ratio 1.60:1
Lens Shift No
Lamp Life 4000 hours at full power, 5000 hours in eco mode - $299 replacement cost
Weight 13.2
Warranty 2 years w/overnight replacement

Epson Home Cinema 3020 Projector: Highlights

  • 3D Capabilities with support for Blu-ray 3D, satellite channels... game consoles
  • Extremely bright home projector, ideal for family and bonus rooms, and theaters with large screens (brighter than last year's)
  • Four preset 2D modes, 2 preset 3D modes, and Auto mode, and 10 User savable settings
  • 2 10 watt speakers for respectable sound, if you don't have a full sound system, or want to go portable
  • Full color and gamma controls
  • Improved lag times for better fast game play
  • Backlit remote control
  • Dynamic iris for better black level performance, now also operates in 3D modes
  • New lighter 3D glasses, are RF not IR, a big improvement
  • 3D glasses now rechargeable, and it only takes 3 minutes to put on enough quick charge to get through an entire movie
  • Easy to use split screen capability
  • Excellent warranty
  • One of the lower priced 1080p 3D projectors, but above entry level performance

Epson Home Cinema 3020 Projector Overview

This Epson Home Cinema 3020 is one of two versions.  Although this review says Home Cinema 3020 - or HC3020, throughout, we actually worked with the more expensive HC3020e.  Other than a single feature and the price, these two projectors are identical.

The Home Cinema 3020 - or HC3020, is a $1599 3D capable projector that uses 3LCD technology. I would definitely say that this is a projector designed for the family room, the bonus room, or take it out in the backyard for a movie. The thing is, you can put it in your theater too, as it is competent competition for the few projectors around its price, that are more designed for a home theater than a family room.

Officially these new Home Cinema 3020 projectors are 100 lumens brighter than last year's versions. They now claim 2300 lumens, which by my reckoning makes it the brightest 3D capable projector around it's price.  There is one 2D only projector that's a bit brighter, for a few hundred less.

The more expensive Home Cinema 3020e is identical, but for the addition of WirelessHD, allowing you to only have to find AC power for the 3020e, and not have to run HDMI wires, which can save you bucks, especially if you would have to open walls to put in the wiring..  The HC3020e has a MAP - a street price - of $1899.

The Home Cinema 3020 is very well equipped for a home entertainment projector, although it lacks having lens shift, which is found on the more expensive Home Cinema 5020, and the lower cost 2D only HC8350, which is still in the lineup, for a 3rd year. You'll find a long, and detailed overview of many of those features, including 3D abilities, split screen, and USB slideshows, further down this page.

If you are really into 3D - as I am, the Home Cinema 3020 is by far the brightest 3D projector you will find on the market, without spending another $1000 or more.  None of the three major 3D capable 3D projectors near the price can match the brightness.  I'm talking about the Acer H9500BD, the BenQ W7000, and the Optoma HD33.

The Home Cinema 3020, and the Home Cinema 3020e both receive our Hot Product award. It was sort of obivious as the HC3010 was one of our two favorite projector last year, in the under $2000 price range.  Last year the 3010 was tied for our top award in the price range, our Best In Class award for 2D/3D projectors under $2000.

No doubt this Home Cinema 3020 projector, with its notable improvements, will be again doing battle for that award, come February.

WATCH THE VIDEOS HERE: Epson HC3020 "Projector Reviews TV" Video Summary

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