Architectural Mapping and Immersive Experiences Hold the Future for Front Projection Market

Front Projection Market Analysis and Commentary

As the pro AV industry continues to evolve, the front projection market battles to remain competitive. According to Futuresource Consulting’s Quarterly Front Projection Tracker, worldwide shipments fell over 16.2% year-on-year in 2019, to 615,000 units. However, market value was comparatively flat, dropping only 6% year-on-year, to $8.8 billion. “This contrast in volume and value dynamics, which is expected to continue long-term, is largely thanks to a significant shift in product mix – fewer units are being bought, but those that are being purchased are demanding a greater ASP,” explained Victoria Tselykh, Research Analyst at Futuresource Consulting.

Sales of Installation solutions (6k+ lumens) increased 7% in volume, 4% in value year-on-year in 2019 – with further growth expected throughout the forecast period. Demand for high-bright solutions is being driven by burgeoning applications, such as architectural mapping and immersive experiences (across a range of entertainment verticals), as well as greater availability of evermore affordable solid-state solutions.

“ISE 2020 will no-doubt see vendors showcase projection’s inherent flexibility in a series of stunning, immersive installations – highlighting that projection technology cannot be rivalled in terms of creative potential, regardless of the tighter pixel-pitches being shown in the LED hall,” added Tselykh.

Whilst the high-end market is anticipating long-term growth, the mainstream space is facing opposing fortunes. “Here the projector market faces numerous issues, namely high penetration rates and the impact of competing display technologies – a trend that is becoming more acute, as demand for technology to facilitate the rising usage of UC for video comms in the corporate space is rapidly gaining traction” adds Tselykh. According to Futuresource, in CY2019 worldwide sales of mainstream B2B solutions fell 19%, while value decreased 17% year-on-year.

So, what does Futuresource expect from the projector market in 2020? Demand for mainstream solutions will continue to tumble, but adoption of premium, high-bright projectors will continue to rise. “The projector market in 2025 will look distinctively dissimilar to how it did in 2019. It will be dominated by sophisticated solutions boasting high-resolutions, high lumens with integrated functionality, such as edge-blending, mapping – even smart capability,” reported Tselykh.

About the author

Victoria Tselykh

Victoria joined Futuresource Consulting in 2019 after graduating from the University of Hertfordshire where she studied BA Marketing. Victoria is a part of the Professional Displays team at Futuresource which analyses several areas within this field, specialising in global tracking of Front Projection, Flat Panel and LED markets.

Victoria leads the research and analysis in the front projection market, working with the major global projection vendors on a quarterly basis.