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Epson Home Cinema 3010 Projector – Image Quality

Posted on October 18, 2011 By Art Feierman

Before we get into the picture quality of Epson’s Home Cinema 3010 – and the Home Cinema 3010e, please note:

A lot of processing goes on from the start of a photo shoot until you are viewing the Epson Home Cinema 3010 images on your computer screen. As a result, these images are reasonable indications, but not accurate enough for comparing precise color, saturation and other aspects. Note: Selected images relating to shadow detail, and especially black level performance can be very effective at demonstrating how the Home Cinema 3010 positions itself compared to other home projectors. Different computers, browsers, displays, graphics cards, and software, all affect how the image looks on your screen.

I’ve always said, that all home theater projectors, including this Epson Home Cinema 3010, definitely looks better live at your place, than any of our images would indicate.

Epson Home Cinema 3010 Out of the Box Picture Quality

Interesting, very interesting. Cinema mode of the Home Cinema 3010, which is our basis for our “best” mode, shows a significant difference in color balance between full power and eco-mode.

Both are pretty good, however, for “right out of the box”.

In fact, “right out of the box”, the Epson’s Eco-mode offers the more accurate color. Eco-mode, in fact, is very good at overall color, though a touch cool, while full power is definitely shifted a bit more to warm – a bit strong on reds.

For the average consumer of a general home entertainment projector, for use in the family room, bonus room, basement or spare bedroom, probably either setting will be just fine. Most will favor high power, simply because most people see brighter as better.

For those of you really looking for an affordable projector for your theater, though the Epson 3010 is also a serious player for the price, especially if you also want 3D. In that case, try our calibration settings to further improve the picture. The Epson has a good set of color controls.

Epson Home Cinema 3010 Projector - Flesh Tones

Post calibration, the Epson Home Cinema 3010 looks really good. Skin tones are very good, but not truly exceptional. On the other hand, this is an entry level 3D capable projector. At this moment, it is the least expensive 1080p projector to sport 3D. (Technically the Optoma HD33 is $100 less, by MSRP, but the Epson comes with two pair of glasses, and for the Optoma, that’s an extra $99 a pair.)

What I said above, not truly exceptional, I meant it. I have been switching back and forth between, the Home Cinema 3010, and the $3700 Sony VPL-HW30ES. No question about it, the Sony’s skin tones are the more natural. The Epson does fine, but, there is a difference in quality.

On the bright side, though, these skin tones, post calibration are pretty impressive when compared to most other projectors around $1500. They certainly look as good as you will find walking down a line of LCDTVs at Best Buy.

Below are our three James Bond images from Casino Royale. Each has a different lighting scenario, the first – full sunlight, the second image; indoor fluorescent, and finally, filtered sunlight in the third image. And as one would expect, that causes each image of James Bond – Daniel Craig – to have different looking skin tones.

Epson Home Cinema 3010 Home Theater Projector Review-4
Epson Home Cinema 3010 Projector – Physical Tour 2