businessinfomag.uk
magazine
18
Projectors
‘mainstream’ applications. Similarly, as
prices of short/ultra-short throw products
fall, more and more institutions are
adopting a premium solution, even in
developing countries.
The decline in the mainstream
segment is due to volume being absorbed
by other areas of the projector market, as
well as a general drop in demand.
BI:
What areas are growing and why?
Kerrison:
The high-brightness segment
(above 5k lumens) is the fastest growing
area, with sales up 10% year-on-year
in Q1-3, 2015. This rise is due to price
declines, particularly in the 5-7k lumens
bracket, which is enticing users from more
mainstream applications (e.g. corporate
and higher education) to upgrade the
brightness of their existing solution.
Moreover, this segment is generally
more immune to the impact of FPDs
as its serves niche applications, such as
Attraction, Staging, VIS/SIM etc..
Solid State Illumination has been the
hot topic in the industry for the last 12
months – and will be the key theme of
2016. The market declines discussed above
will be limited to the lamp-based
market, with solid state solutions across
every market segment (with the exception
of ultra-mobile LED) forecast to rise. There
is a strong appetite for solid state due to
the numerous benefits it offers, from lack
of maintenance and lower operational
costs to its wider colour gamut and
superior contrast ratio. Futuresource
predicts that by 2020 68% of 5k+ lumen
sales will be SSI.
BI:
What is the prognosis for pocket
projectors like the PicoPix series?
Kerrison:
Pocket or ultra-mobile projector
sales decreased 8% year-on-year in Q1-3,
2015. The rise of the BYOD trend has
made this segment less relevant in the
workplace, as it is arguably just as easy to
demonstrate using a tablet. Moreover, as
the installed base of display technologies
in meeting room environments increases,
the need to bring one’s own projector
diminishes. This trend has been most
notable in developing regions over the
last few quarters.
However, there are still opportunities
for ultra-mobile vendors, for example
in break-out rooms in Education. One
leading ultra-mobile
vendor has experienced strong growth by
targeting this niche.
BI:
Are there any future trends buyers
should be aware of?
Kerrison:
Aside from the rapid adoption
of SSI, Futuresource is anticipating strong
uptake of pixel-shift and true 4K solutions
in the mid-term as projection battles
to remain relevant against FPD. TI’s new
one-chip home cinema 4K solution has
the potential to disrupt current resolution
dynamics – especially as its unclear how
it will fit against its 3-chip 1080p offering.
Another trend is App Control (MHL,
Miracast), which is set to become a
standard in certain segments, satisfying
growing demand created by the BYOD
trend (in both Education and Corporate
environments).
Ultra-wide UST solutions are another
segment Futuresource expects to grow.
BETT featured a few demos of such
solutions, suggesting they could cement a
long-term place in Education.
There is a
strong appetite
for solid state
due to the
numerous
benefits it
offers
...continued...
Upgradable
solution
NEC Display
Solutions Europe has launched an 8,000
lumens projector that uses Solid State
Light source (SSL) technology with low
power consumption and a low total cost
of ownership. The laser light has a typical
lifetime of 20,000 hours, eliminating lamp and
filter replacement costs, and provides more
constant light output. For easy installation and
projector customisation, the PX803UL has a
selection of wide zoom bayonet lenses and
an optional ultra-short throw lens.Third party
lenses can also be used.
Large venues and higher education
verticals that rely on dependable superior
quality will benefit from 4K signal support,
professional digital cinema quality output and
internal 4K high bandwidth picture processing.
Versatility and performance
Light and compact, Ricoh PJ WX4141 series
ultra short throw
projectors can
display large images
at close range,
making them ideal
for small spaces,
such as secondary
meeting rooms,
retail displays or
even exhibition
stands. Because they
weigh just 3kg, they
are easy to move from
room to room or carry off-site
(wall mounts are available for permanent
installations).
All three models produce image sizes of
48-80 inches from distances of 11.7-24.9cm,
with a contrast ratio of 5000:1 and 3300
lumens output for vivid images even in well
lit environments. The projectors are 3D-ready
and feature integrated speakers and extensive
connectivity.
The range includes a network model
(the PJ WX4141N), with wired and wireless
network connectivity and a USB port for PC-
free presentations, and an interactive model
(the PJ WX4141NI) that lets users add notes
and drawings to projected images.
Canon showcases new
technology at ISE
Canon showcased a number of new projectors
at ISE 2016, including the XEED 4K500ST,
described as the world’s smallest and lightest
4K installation projector. Two of the new
projectors were combined in a demonstration
of double-4K imaging.
It also demonstrated a new dual lamp
WUXGA installation projector, the LX-MU700,
offering 7,500 lumens output for installations
where high brightness is required. Dual lamp
functionality offers
higher levels of
reliability as, if one
lamp fails, the projector
can continue to operate in single
lamp mode.
Canon was also demonstrating new
additions to its LV line, including the
LV-WX310ST (WXGA) and LV-X310ST
(XGA) portable short-throw projectors.
MHL capability enables both models
to project images from compatible
tablets or smartphones via the HDMI
port.
Large venue projectors
Epson’s next-generation Pro G7000-Series
large venue projectors offer up to 8,000
lumens output; full 360-degree installation,
including Portrait Mode; and the option of
nine interchangeable lenses to suit diverse
applications, including simulators, mapping,
digital signage and command centres. A Split
Screen function enables two different sources
to be projected side-by-side, while free Epson
Moderator software allows up to 50Windows,
Mac, iOS or Android devices to be connected
over the network, with up to four displayed
on-screen simultaneously. The Pro G7000
series also features the world’s first zero-offset
ultra short-throw lens with
a 0.35 throw ratio.
.
co.uk
...continued
Canon XEED
4K500ST
Epson Pro G7000
NEC PX803UL
Ricoh PJ WX4141
