 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Divining the Trends |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September was a busy month - and October looks just as active in terms of trade shows, company visits and industry news. In the October issue of Projection Monthly with Flat Panel Coverage (which covers events in September), coverage included CEDIA and 3D BizEx. Next month, we will have coverage from CEATEC and FPD International - both in Japan.
As expected CEDIA was rich with new announcements, which we covered religiously, but we also made a conscious effort to look beyond the news and try to understand the trends that are shaping the home theater market segment. This resulted in a number of analytical news stories that are particularly revealing.
For example, Ken Werner focused on flat panels, seeking to answer the following questions:
He found that some think the 1080p train is unstoppable, while others felt there is still a place for 720p products. Surprisingly, there was little pull or push for 120Hz or for extended color gamut. Ken also has a complete run down on the flat panel highlights from the show floor, including his take on what was important and why.
Analysts Steve Sechrist also attended CEDIA to look for some interesting trends, and he came back with two particularly interesting reports. One was a very nice round up of remote control devices and the industry's quest for the Holy Grail of the single remote. There is a clear industry focus on this now and the products Steve profiles are fascinating, albeit a little expensive for most of us.
Steve also did a great story on advancements in wired and wireless HDMI distribution. There is a big need for high quality signal distribution in the CEDIA channel, especially over longer distances, and HDMI is taking over, but there are limitations. This article details the state of the art and where we are going with these technologies.
Analyst John DiLoreto focused on projection at CEDIA. His wrap up summarizes all the important introductions, but provides commentary on what is new, innovative and important about these products. He spent a lot of time talking to these companies to get the details and insight that only come 30 minutes into the conversation. This shows in his coverage of the topic. John also has a longer piece on contrast measurement in projectors. This topic sparked a lot of response when John briefly covered it in his Display Daily column.
John, Art Berman and Matt Brennesholtz also teamed up to cover new screen technology. At CEDIA, we saw light rejecting front projection screens from Planar, Sony and DNP. But one of the more interesting developments was a new rear-projection screen design from LuminoZ. The design is said to enable large screen (size not specified) RPTVs that are only 4.7 inches deep. That's really impressive. We have not seen a demo yet, but can't wait.
In the world of 3D displays, Insight Media and USDC teamed up to sell out the 3D BizEx event held near the San Francisco airport. Not only did we include a wrap up of the main presentations and discussions from the show, but we also included what the 20 or so exhibitors were demonstrating. There are also separate news stories on a number of other important items, such as Philips' new Blue box and Red box solutions and Dolby's demonstration of a competing 3D cinema solution.
There was considerable excitement at this event as 3D cinema is clearly getting the attention of Hollywood and, with Samsung and Mitsubishi already in the 3D TV business, excitement is heating up in this sector too.
In our Market Intelligence section, we summarize the news from several other market research firms including iSuppli, DisplaySearch, WitsView, Pacific Media and Nikkei.
In the Business and Strategic section, there is a nice round up of flat panel manufacturing moves in China, and Ken's nice piece on Pioneer's agreement with Sharp - and the logic, or illogic, of the plan.
The full table of contents of this issue is shown below. The monthly report can also be purchased for $250, click here . You can also evaluate this newsletter by receiving a free back issue by clicking here.
Until next time...
Chris Chinnock Projection Monthly October 2007
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
About Insight Media Insight Media (www.insightmedia.info) is a leading publishing and consulting firm focused on the display industry. With its core team of world-class display experts, Insight Media tracks the technology, components, products, markets, applications, manufacturing and business aspects of consumer and professional display markets. The company publishes daily and monthly news and analysis as well as in-depth annual technology/market reports. It also hosts industry conferences, provides strategic and tactical consulting services and offers industry education via webinars and on-site seminars. To be removed from the Insight Media News list, please click here. Insight Media ©2007 All Rights Reserved. 3 Morgan Avenue, Norwalk CT 06851, 203-831-8464 |