PMA Survey Predicts 1080p Projector Growth
Feb 8, 2007 1:21 PM
Pacific Media Associates, global market information experts on large-screen displays, has completed its 2006 North American Reseller/Retailer Survey. This is the 11th year for this annual survey of dealers. This year’s survey covered front projectors, flatpanel, and rear-projection displays. For the first time, the survey included results from dealers who sell primarily to consumers, in addition to dealers who sell primarily to businesses and professional users. One result of major interest from the consumer dealers is the prediction that the unit share of 1080p resolution front projectors will grow to 41 percent in 2007.
“1080p resolution is preferred for HDTV content,” according to Michael Abramson, vice president of Pacific Media Associates. “We have already seen strong demand for higher-resolution products in the flatpanel and rear-projection HDTV markets. Dealers expect that the price gap between 720p and ‘future proof’ 1080p projectors will continue to shrink. Recent releases of new 1080p front projectors models from Sony and SMART Technologies Inc.Mitsubishi shook up the market with street prices below $5,000, which makes them more affordable. We expect this to fuel strong growth for this segment.”
Another shift predicted by the survey results is towards the use of wireless connections with front projectors for media center PC installations. The dealers expect their use to triple from 2005 levels to reach a 63 percent attach rate in 2007.
