Global projector sales hit 10 million in 2011

Projector market continues to grow, especially in emerging markets

Sales of projectors around the world approached 10 million units in 2011, according to projector market analyst Pacific Media Associates (PMA).

However, according to the analyst, emerging markets were the key drivers of this growth – with Asia particularly seeing a solid double-digit gain.

"Ultra-short-throw projectors, interactive projectors and high-end models also gained strongly," PMA said in a press statement.

Aggressive pricing of education tenders involving mainstream projectors saw good results in France, Spain and Russia, it added. In the US and Canada, home theatre projector sales grew strongly during the fourth quarter.

The statement followed an earlier report from PMA predicting that sales of pico projectors (see picture) in particular should expand to 58 million units globally by 2015, up from just under three million units in 2011.

That finding derives from PMA's annual survey of manufacturers of projectors, optical engines and components, and reflects ongoing developments in features and functionality.