Pico Projectors Trend Up

Most people are not even aware of what a pico projector is unless they happen to see one at a trade show. But these small devices, either LED or laser-based technology, are gaining in popularity.

Insight Media , a research, publishing and consulting firm focused on emerging segments of the display industry, notes there are several markets for these new projectors including toys, digital cameras, stand-alone picos, micros for entertainment, and micros for presentation.

There are two major reasons why these markets are not mainstream, at least not yet.

First, if you look at the total number of small LED and laser projectors sold to date (the first “pocket” projector was introduced in 2005), the number is not very large.

Just 6 million units have sold over the six-year period, according to analysts. But forecasts predict another 2 million will be sold in 2011, so things are looking up for this industry. The cost for these devices ranges from under $100 to several hundred dollars.

The second reason why most people have never seen pico or micro projectors in action is their use model.

Forget about publicity photos (for example, using Adobe Photoshop software to doctor real images or create others), projectors have been used to depict everything from bar-room antics and crazy stunts to new clothing styles and the inside of school lockers.

Again, there is a limited audience for these types of uses.

That's Entertainment

Most pico and micro projectors are used for entertainment, mostly video, but also in gaming and still photos. Because of their low output, most pico projectors are used in dim or dark environments.

This includes places such as hotel rooms, college dorms, bedrooms and army barracks, for example. Most of us wouldn’t see them in use.

Yes, there are micro projectors bought and used for presentations, but the younger generation or road warriors probably would use them at night.

They can watch video streamed from a laptop to a micro projector in a hotel. This would be out of sight for most folks.

Another use model for pico and micro projectors spanning several of the market segments is TV replacement systems, not only existing markets but in developing countries.

For about $1,100 or so, the battery powered or solar charged system can bring the entire family out of the dark and into the modern age.

In the mobile display market, pico and micro projectors face formidable competition from other mobile display products. Number One on the list is direct-view LCD or OLED displays.

These displays are typically 3-inch to 4-inch diagonal when embedded in a handset or 7 inches to 10 inches when embedded in a tablet computer. The point is that a pico projector can make a larger display than the embedded one.

By the way, forget some of the industry marketing claims that a pico projector can produce images up to 60 inches. This is only possible in a dark room.

More than likely, you will be viewing a 20-inch to 30-inch image. However, the viewer needs to be more careful about the ambient light with a pico projector.

Recently, 3M demonstrated its MPro-180 pico projector by using video from an iPad. And now Apple’s second-generation iPad has a pico projector option resident in the device.

The Big View

WMB, along with most industry analysts, believes there is strong interest in pico projectors among product developers.

These include manufacturers of components such as micro displays, scanning mirrors, LEDs and lasers. Systems manufacturers are targeting one or more market segments while service providers see long-term value in an emerging industry.

This interest isn’t sparked by the 2011 potential sales of $2 million or so; it’s driven by potential volumes of 10s of millions or possibly even $100 million or more within the near future.

If these volumes are reached, there will be plenty of profits to go around for all those who stuck by pico or micro projectors in the lean years.

TechMan