My Epson 3010 projector just arrived! - Page 65

Hello all,

I've got a curious issue that I'd like some opinions on. I had my 3010 for a little over a year now and logged about 2300 hrs on it when all of a sudden, along with a couple of other minor hardware issues that had developed, a blue blob started to develop on the lower left corner of the screen. I changed inputs, hdmi cables, bypassed the receiver, you name it but the blue blob was clearly visible no matter what.

I talked to Epson and they put me through a battery of tests and determined it was like some kind of hardware failure and sent me a new one. Great service by the way. However, one of the tests they put me through was to remove all video cables and leave just the power cord plugged in and then view the menu screen to see if the 'blob' was visible. Curiously, it was not.

Now that I've got my new projector, which looks great by the way and is "blobless", I did that same test for curiousity's sake. To my surprise, there is a blob-like distortion in the exact spot where the blob showed up on the previous projector. Its not the screen either because you can move the projector's aim all over the screen and it follows the bottom left portion of that. This is an eerily similar issue that I can't get past, even though the blue is not affecting the image in any way.

The one common denominator is the power-cord. Could the power cord affect the image on screen? I've made sure it isn't touching any other cables and even tried different outlets but no change in that distortion. My theory is that something in the power-cord is defective and once this new, brighter lamp starts to dim a little, maybe it won't blow through the distortion? But then why wasn't there a distortion under the same conditions on the other one? My technical knowledge on these things are admittedly very small so I'd like some other opinions.

Any thoughts on this?

Sorry cant comment on your question but isn't it nice to Epson stand by their product for 2 years?

I wish they would swap 3010 with 3020

It was certainly a nice surprise! My experience with customer service departments for electronics companies has been far below the grade in comparison. I was expecting to have to send it away and wait for weeks to have my unit repaired and to be totally honest, I had no idea about the replacement portion of the warranty until they suggested it. I'm hoping this other issue is not another one waiting to happen though...

That was part of my original question in my previous post.. If I happened across a problem and needed a replacement were these still being manufactured so the replacement would be new or is everything from this point forward (as returns) going to just be refurbished models also returned and then redistributed.

From the response that several serial #'s were found between forum users on their products to be the same. That means there is no new replacements if you ever need one.

But given the high praise about their CS / Return policy I'm surprised they don't replace faulty with new.. and if new is not available in the product just replace it with comparable and new.

But I can see that being abused I suppose

Epson told me long back that their 2 year warranty does not guarantee a new unit but a refiurbished one.

I only have around 800 hiurs and am a bit worried as my warranty will expire in a year.

I have checked my firmware, and found it to be V 104.....how does one update the firmware in the Epson 3010.
Do you simply copy files to a USB chip and then plug itin to the Epson USB port?
Who has hands on experience doing this?

Many Thanks,

Paul --

Oh, what is the latest version firmware?
Where do you down load it?

Paul--

I think the last firmware was 113, http://www.avsforum.com/t/1366241/my-epson-3010-projector-just-arrived/1620#post_22260346
It requires Windows XP to install, with the directions contained in a pdf with the download. Some used the Windows Virtual PC, XP mode that can be activated on Windows 7 Pro editions. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/support/faq.aspx

I would reconsider not using a black felt type border. Adding one would make for a cleaner looking image.

Looking for a good budget PJ. Will the 3010 fit the following scenario and be a good option?

16 Ft throw
120" 16:9 AT Screen
80% TV/Sports 20% Movies/Games
Room is not 100% light controlled, open media room

The PJ will need to be mounted 11-13" above the screen..

Can the 3010 work?

If so, recommend places with best pricing to obtain?

No. You want a 5010. You need Lens Shift & the additional Lumen output, and the much greater contrast only adds the icing.

Look around...5010s are to be had for less than you might expect. And since your going "ATl, every asset of tbe 5010 is essential.

Being too lazy to update the FW, I tried the LCD alignment again with my 3010 ceiling mounted and this time I looked at the opposite side of the screen than what the yellow box would highlight and I was able to see I could align the blue and red again! It was a bit of pain, but got the alignment to work as before.

probably this was the only way to deal with. Any new 3D experience to share???

Knock, knock! Any body there?

Whats interesting in your 3010 or 3D journey?

The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate in 3D is awesome! Well worth the purchase if you don't have it yet.

I really enjoyed Dredd 3D and the I Robot 3D conversion on my 3010. Has anyone tried the Monsters Inc 3D conversion? Or for that matter, the new Top Gun 3D?

The opening shot alone is a GREAT 3D demo!

Hotel Transylvania 3D was amazing on 3010. so many pops and depth.

I was looking into getting a CIH setup as I was tired of the scope format on my 120" screen. Then quickly dropped that idea as its way too expensive (around 5k). Then I went for a 150" screen with some hesitancy about drop in lumens, but I am glad to report that 3010 beautifully fills up my massive screen and the brightness is just right even with Eco lamp and Cenema mode (if anything on 120" it was too bright). 3D is also bright. Now the scope format looks awesome and I dont crave the CIH setup anymore.

I also found someone came up with less than 150$ option to create a CIH setup....he does not explain exactly what he did but its interesting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivvcW-t50sI
Edited by falafala - 2/26/13 at 11:47am

Agreed, excellent film to showcase 3d, little to no ghosting on my 5010. Pretty good film too!

VERY cool! Can you share where you got the lens (Canon hf s21 s200) and how you attached it? The youtube video was impressive!
Thanks!

Ed

It's not his video, he simply linked it, here is a link to a video on the same basic lens (these have been discussed on AVS before).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VGTCT1yKBU

Expect some image distortion with an inexpensive wide angle lens, I have seen one in use, they are not really designed for projection use but they do get the job done if your goal is to do it cheaply.

Here is one of the cheap ones... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wide-Angle-Lens-for-Canon-VIXIA-HF-S20-HF-S21-HF-S200-/130527867447

Jason

What's not obvious to me is what exactly is this lens doing? It certainly not an anamorphic lens as 3010 does not support this format. So is it just giving extra zoom that looks good for scope?

I've been thinking about trying the ND filter on my 3010 to try and get better blacks.

I found what I think are the 2 items I need on eBay -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/77mm-2X-Neutral-Density-ND2-ND-2-Glass-Filter-Black-NEW-/320745598301?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item4aaded6d5d

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-86mm-to-77mm-86mm-77mm-Step-Down-Filter-Ring-/220505383459?pt=US_Filter_Rings_Holders&hash=item3357252223

Can anyone tell me if I've got the correct items to use?

Complete waste of time fitting an nd filter as all you are doing is reducing the light output so you are doing nothing for the perceived contrast ratio.
Far better results can be had with a grey screen as this not only improves the blacks but it also reduces ambient light reflecting off the screen improving things further. And tbh you wouldn't even know you was using a grey screen as whites still look white.

I already have a Da-Lite high gain screen. When I first got the projector I saw that post where someone tried out the ND filter earlier in this thread and posted shots of the results. It looked pretty good. I figured I would just use the projector as is and maybe down the road try out the filter. I was watching something the other night with and a nighttime scene kinda made me think about the filter thing.

Hi,
does anyone have personal experience with the Canon hf s21 s200? Thats the video are really nice.

I found on internet another video with 2:35.1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=larA0gjC07Y

Joining the group of proud epson 3010 owners. I found it for $540 on bestbuy (open box, 400hrs on bulb and missing 3d glasses), and $129 for 2 yr warranty with bulb replacement.
My throw distance is about 17 feet, and just ordered 125 inch elite screen from amazon.
Projection on the wall of about 150 inch is wonderful...so I am sure 125 would be great.
Have yet to try 3d...

Welcome to the club. WOW you STOLE it!

Ed