Epson Pro Cinema 6010 3LCD Projector Preview

Among one of the brighter, no pun intended - OK, yes it was!) moments of CEDIA occurred when we witnessed the demo of Epson's new Pro Cinema 6010. This is Epson's newest Pro model (which means it comes in black and is sold through traditional dealers only). The new projector replaces the Pro Cinema 9700UB (currently our reference projector). As you'd come to expect from Epson, the new 6010 comes with a full 3-year service warranty (and there is no limit on hours of use) and that warranty service includes advance replacement (typically within 48 hours from Epson to the client). Like all Epson Pro models the price includes a spare lamp, Chief ceiling mount (this is a new mount style), and a plastic rear cable cover to dress up the connections.  New for 2011's Pro Cinema 6010 is the inclusion of 2 pairs active shutter glasses... that's right, the Pro Cinema 6010 is fully 3D compatible. Additional glasses can be ordered at time of purchase and the retail is under $100 (these are consortium glasses and very cross compatible with most IR-based systems).

Since the 6010 projector is 3D, it needs to have emitters for timing the active shutters on the glasses. This is an 18-LED array located just to the right of the lens. The design is that the timing signal would bounce off the screen, but there is also an external emitter option for installations where the projector is hidden or placed within a hush box. 

3D traditional lowers the light reaching the viewer, since the glasses are constantly shutting of one eye - the effect is a 50% reduction in light. Epson uses something it dubs "3D Drive Technology" in its new projectors (including the 3010, 5010 and 3010e and 5010e), which drives the panels at 480Hz, essentially doubling the image refresh rate of 240Hz panels and boosting light to the viewer while reducing crosstalk. The other thing we were surprised to hear was that these new projectors crank up to 2,400 lumens (obviously in peak output mode). Epson is using a 230W E-TORL lamp for all of their new projectors and is claiming a contrast ratio of 200,000:1. What we're seeing as a general trend is that manufacturers, in compensating for the effects of 3D on realized light output, are having to use different, brighter technology to achieve the same calibrated performance with 3D content.

Some interesting features that also caught our attention and are worth mentioning:

• 2D-to-3D conversion upconverts standard video to 3D with variably control over the effect
• THX certification pending (presumably while the check clears)
• Two anamorphic lens modes (stretch and squeeze) which allows you to achieve 2.35:1 anamorphic viewing without an external processor
• Split screen feature in 2D which lets you project two images side-by-side from two different sources

We were very impressed with the demo of the Pro Cinema 6010. It had deep blacks, though it was still obviously a traditional 3LCD system and had its limitations. What's truly impressive is what the effective contrast and color looks like - and for under $4000. In fact, the new Epson Pro Cinema 6010 is shipping in November for $3999.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.