Offering FullHD 1080p resolution, active-shutter 3D capability and an option for wireless HD connectivity, Epson America’s Powerlite Home Cinema 3020/3020e ($1,599 and $1,700 suggested retails, respectively) proved to be among the most popular home theater projector models of the past year, earning TWICE’s first VIP Award for the Home Theater Projector category.
Both models offer the essentially the same feature sets, with the 3020e including wireless HD connectivity.
The affordably priced projectors are capable of presenting images up to 300 inches, and offer brightness levels sufficient for use in rooms with some degree of ambient light.
The 3020 and 3020e also provide exceptional color brightness quality, said to be up to three times that of other leading projectors in their class.
Both units offer RF 3D glasses that eliminate any interference from IR-based remote controls, and simplify and shorten the sync process with the projector.
Built-in dual 10-watt stereo speakers add to the projectors’ appeal for portable applications.
The WirelessHD system in the 3020e model allows sending FullHD 3D signals across a house without the need for cables, simplifying projector mounting and setup.
The projectors are rated at 40,000:1 contrast ratios with more than 2,000 lumens of brightness output.
In addition to strong performance in settings with ambient light, an automatic iris helps the 3020/3020e excel in darkened locations as well.
A built-in motion-detect system cleans up standard- definition content from DVDs.
For 3D performance, the 3020/3020e feature reduced cross talk and flicker, making for a more natural viewing experience. Epson’s RF-based active- shutter 3D glasses also have a dedicated on/off switch and are rechargeable over USB.
The 3020e has five wireless HDMI ports. The transmitter also has an HDMI passthrough, allowing it to pass audio and video to an A/V receiver or another display, and an optical audio port for non- HDMI receivers.
