Global unit sales of projectors have gone up more than 30% year on year. However, sources indicated that the planned expansion of projector-lamp capacity by Philips and Osram may not be enough to satisfy demand.
Global projector shipments in 2004 should reach 3.471 million units, according to US-based market research firm Pacific Media Associates (PMA). Predictions for rear-projection TVs (RPTVs) have been as high as 6.5 million units for this year. Apart from demand for use in projectors, there is also significant demand for replacement lamps: many LCD projector lamps have an operating life of 2,000-4,000 hours, but they can be damaged if knocked when hot.
Philips and Osram have capacity to supply between 4 million and 4.5 million projector lamps this year, according to Taiwan Philips sales manager, Leo Hung. Total global capacity could reach 3.7 million lamps for standard projectors and 2.5 million to 3 million for RPTVs. However, the two types of lamps are not interchangeable and the capacity ramp is not expected to be fast enough. Although capacity at the end of the year may be able to meet demand, Taiwan’s projector makers are concerned that 60% of current demand will go unsatisfied.
Article translated by Jessie Shen and edited by John McClure
