Epson has no immediate plans to introduce a 3D projector as it believes the technology is not yet good enough.
The company made its stance on 3D technology clear earlier this year at the IFA consumer electronics exhibition in Berlin.
Its general director for Europe, Jean-Marie Lacroix, said 3D technology, content and the market are not ready yet.
"Picture quality is the focus for Epson's future and we are not launching a 3D projector at present, because the standard of the technology is not good enough yet," noted Lacroix.
He said that only 3% of current worldwide television sales can be accredited to 3D televisions, further supporting the company's position that the quality of 3D technology is not up to scratch.
Epson's product manager for projectors, Alexandre Di Caro, explained further: "Image quality is what we want and we believe that 3D picture quality is not acceptable at present. Not in projector technology or even in TV. Nobody knows what the standard for 3D will be and we will rather wait to know this before we introduce a 3D projector offering.”
Di Caro said Epson is focusing on a long-term strategy to give customers the best image quality when it is ready, unlike some its competitors, which he believed have taken a short-term stance, releasing 3D-capable projectors and screens with "poor 3D quality images".
Di Caro said these 3D products are not supported by proper 3D content. "The lack of 3D content is another reason why we have not released a 3D projector yet. Yes, there is 2D content being optimised for 3D, but the quality is still lacking."
New offerings
In light of this, Epson unveiled two premium home cinema 3LCD projectors featuring its latest 3LCD Reflective panel technology, as well as two more affordable 1080p HD projectors for first-time buyers.
Di Caro says the new EH-R4000 boasts a contrast ration of 1 000 000:1, while the EH-R2000 is capable of 500 000:1. "As a result of our new 3LCD Reflective panel technology, built on the power of our previous 3LCD technology, the projectors show images with deeper blacks and brighter whites, as well as richer colours across the entire colour spectrum. This ensures projected images are more true to life and of exceptional quality," he says.
The EH-R4000 and EH-R2000 further offers enhanced picture detail with its HQV processor. “The new projectors also allow for more fluid action sequences as a result of increased frame interpolation and the 1 200 lumens output ensures much clearer images, especially with dark night scenes," he adds.
The new EH-TW3600 and EH-TW3200 entry-level home cinema projectors, says Valerie Riffaud-Cangelosi, senior business manager for Epson Europe, are great value products for first-time home cinema projector buyers. "These 1080p projectors are perfect for gamers, sport fanatics and movie lovers who want to watch smooth action sequences with high brightness and definition. They are a smart alternative to those wanting an HD television," she adds.
Epson hopes these new more affordable and 3LCD Reflective projectors will enable the company to increase its local market share of 13% from the third spot behind Acer (25%) and Optoma (45%) -- according to 2009 figures quoted by Di Caro - to the number one position.
The company is currently number one globally in the home cinema projector space with 29% market share, followed by Optoma with 18% and Acer with 16%.
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