Projector Sales Grow 66% in Q4 2009

It could be that the bigger is better philosophy is driving consumer interest in the front projection category.

Unit sales in the United States grew 66 percent from Q3 2009 to Q4 2009 and 15 percent from Q4 2008 to Q4 2009, according to Quixel Research.

Overall value for the home theater front projection category was up 45 percent from Q3 2009 to Q4 2009 with revenues topping $97.2 million in Q4 2009 compared to $67 million in Q3 2009.

The front projection market ended the year with revenues of $288 million, which is down 15 percent from $340 million in 2008.

"It was an outstanding quarter for the front projector industry. With so much consumer focus on the flat-panel TV market, it is amazing that shipments came close to the 45,000 unit mark," says Pratt. "We haven't seen sales over 30,000 units since 2007."

Along with the consistently solid sales of higher-end models, a significant portion of the Q4 growth was based on widely available 1080p models priced under $1,000, as well as niche all-in-one front-projection/DVD combination style models. Pratt says this data indicates how the projection category may be opening up with more opportunities for CE Pros and specialty electronics dealers.

"There are many homes for front projectors and they aren't all in mansions," she says. "Manufacturers now address a much wider audience with front projection."


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