MD RPTV Sales Also Grow

PORTLAND, ORE. — Sales of micro-display-based rear-projection HDTV sets, continued to post growth numbers amid the runaway popularity of flat-panel TVs in 2006, according to Quixel Research's "Micro-display Rear Projeciton Market Review for Q4 2006."

Quixel reported that unit sales for the U.S. micro-display RPTV category were up 25 percent from 2005 to 2006 and up 13 percent in the fourth quarter from the previous quarter in 2006.

"It was very interesting that the MD RPTV category continued to grow at both the large and smaller screen sizes. Unit sales for 60+ inch models grew 25 percent from 2005 to 2006 and the value was obvious when compared to flat TVs of similar size," stated Tamaryn Pratt, Quixel Research principal. "However, the 46-inch [microdisplay rear-projection] models also showed another quarterly increase in volume, addressing a consumer that was more brand conscious and perhaps needed to fill a specific space in their homes where a Flat TV would not work."

The 40-inch to 49 inch screen size segment captured almost 20 percent of the total MD RPTV category in 2006 while the 60+inch segment accounted for more than 25 percent of the category, according to the study.

Revenues for the category topped the $5 billion mark in 2006, increasing 1 percent from 2005 results of $4.9 billion. As price pressures increased in the fourth quarter, revenues saw a slight dip, falling 2 percent to $1.3 billion in the fourth quarter. Sales of models with full 1,080p resolution continued to be a bright spot for the microdisplay rear projection, with revenues up over 200 percent from 2005 to 2006.

The total value of the Advanced TV market in the United States was worth almost $24 billion in revenues in the fourth quarter 2006 and the microdisplay rear projection segment share represented over 20 percent of the market.

By 2009, Quixel Research projects that all MD RPTVs will be 1,080p.