Projector sales down 7.5 per cent in Q1

Bright spots globally include B2B widescreen, ultramobile and large venue projection

The worldwide projector market had a tough Q1, with sales down 7.5 per cent for the quarter year on year.

That is according to analyst Futuresource, which added that the main bright spots were the growth seen in large venue and installations involving projectors offering at least 4,000 lumens of brightness – and the continued strength in B2B widescreen sales as well as ultramobile.

"The largest declines were seen in standard-definition mainstream products (1,000-3,999 lumens) as demand shows signs of retraction in key western territories. Growth markets such as Russia and India that had driven volumes in Q1 2012 experienced a difficult quarter as funding for education and public sector projects were suspended," the firm said in its announcement.

"Globally, volumes of mainstream SVGA projectors fell 13.2 per cent while mainstream XGA volumes declined 16.7 per cent year on year."

B2B WXGA volumes grew 7.7 per cent in the quarter year on year. B2B 1080p volumes grew 74.7 per cent in the quarter – and "favourable pricing" is expected to fuel further demand for those products through 2013, Futuresource said.

The analyst also said that sub-2kg "ultramobile" LED projectors are selling well, taking share from models with lamps. Worldwide, ultramobile sales grew 26.7 per cent year on year in the quarter, and LED volumes 31.4 per cent.

"As the brightness of LED models increases, the B2B applications for these products increase, also providing new markets for LED projectors in the road warrior and small meeting room sectors, taking share from lamp-based models. A host of new models in this segment due this year are expected to continue this trend, including the ML1000 from Optoma and Qumi Q7 from Vivitek," Futuresource said.

Installation and large venue volumes expanded 9.8 per cent year on year, to reach 146,000 units globally. Price competition is helping to drive sales of widescreen machines in the 4,000-6,999 lumen market.

Overall, though, 2013 is expected to be difficult, the firm said.