The front projector market saw a boost of 13% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same quarter last year with high end models outpacing the rest of the market, according to Pacific Media Associates (PMA).
During the quarter, the worldwide digital cinema market surpassed 60,000 installations. In the traditional market for super-bright projectors, the inexorable shift continued to Wide XGA and Wide UXGA models, particularly in developed markets. Sales of high-end models were also up in developing countries.
Much of the growth was fuelled by personal projector sales, although continued strength in BRIC countries and a rebound in Eastern Europe buoyed mainstream projector shipments.
The market information specialist said economic uncertainties, a cautious corporate market and squeezed government and education budgets had taken their toll on many developed countries and pinpointed Australia, France, Korea, Spain and Switzerland.
Interactive and ultra-short-throw projectors continued to outperform the overall market on both a unit and a revenue basis, according to the report. This has encouraged more vendors to enter the space and created significant activity in the market for interactive add-on modules and bundles. The third quarter also saw many new 3D-ready projectors enter commercial markets at price points similar to 2D models.