According to Pacific Media Associates (PMA), the worldwide market information experts on front projectors, the worldwide front projector market for 3D-enabled models will grow from about 1.0 million during 2010 to nearly 5.4 million in 2010.
"PMA forecasts that the lion's share of annual shipments will be those models incorporating TI's DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology, because it takes very little additional effort or cost to make those models 3D-ready," said Dr. William Coggshall, President of Pacific Media Associates.
"Being 3D-ready does not mean that a projector will actually be used in a 3D mode," continues Coggshall. "Initial expectations by projector industry participants centered on the education market because of its overall importance. And certainly 3D can offer big gains in both comprehension for certain subjects and student attention-capturing. However, education budgets are always under pressure, and the cost of the total solution, which can include relatively expensive glasses and content, can be high. These factors suggest that the fraction of installed 3D-ready models actually being used in 3D mode will grow slowly for the near future until the economy fully recovers, school finances improve, and the 3D ecosystem evolves."
"In the immediate future it appears to us at PMA that consumer-oriented markets for gaming, TV (especially sports), and movies will get more attention than education. The demand for 3D digital cinema currently outstrips supply, so if projector makers can leverage that to boost sales of home theater models the projector business will benefit. And the high price of 3D-enabled flat panel TVs compared with front projectors means that ardent gamers could choose projectors," concludes Coggshall.
For information, contact:
William Coggshall, +1 650-561-9020, coggshall@pacificmediaassociates.com
