Mid-range projector sales still rising worldwide

Q1 sees 1,000+ lumen projectors sell well in volume terms

First-quarter figures on the global sales of projectors with 1,000 or more lumens of brightness suggest shipments of mid-range product expanded six per cent globally, says projectors analyst Pacific Media Associates (PMA).

Bill Coggshall, president of the US-based analyst, said the Q1 census of global front-projector shipments suggested sales of the higher-end models remain healthy despite naysayers.

"Ever since flat-panel displays became large enough to be used in business meeting rooms and home theatres, there have been predictions of the demise of projectors from manufacturers as well as pundits," he said.

"Any industry experiences a slowing as it ages and increasingly saturates its potential market, whether or not it has strong competition from alternative technologies. The projector industry is over 20 years old, so the six per cent growth rate is strong proof that the projector business is healthy."

Furthermore, in some ways the industry was not taking the greatest possible advantage of potential opportunities, according to Coggshall, who added that many new entrants had not "done their homework" before jumping in, meaning there are now too many big fish in too small a pond. The risk is that this will lead to price cutting.

"Some – or many – projector manufacturers might need to seek better defensive strategy and tactics than they now have," he said.

Some markets and applications are moving to flat panels rather than higher-end projectors. Manufacturers need to focus more on market sweet spots as well as looking for ways to improve the product or offer ways that encourage upgrades.

Also, too many have focused on the industry in terms of units shipped, when profits or at least revenue would be a better measure of success, he said.

"Overall, the industry has been doing things the same old way for too long, and has been so risk-averse it has missed opportunities," warned Coggshall.