Insight Media Releases 2007 Laser Projection Systems Report

2007 Laser Projection Systems:

A study of the use of lasers as an illumination source for projection systems.

Insight Media has just released its new "2007 Laser Projection Systems: A Study of the use of lasers as an illumination source for projection systems."

The objective of this report is to supply technologists, managers, product planners, engineers and researchers with the information needed to evaluate laser technology in proposed projection displays. The required information needed to make these decisions include performance data, cost information and availability, forecasted from 2007-2012. Since the projection market includes segments that range from very low end to very high end, this report evaluates lasers from a few milliwatts to 5 watts and more of optical output per color. Separate Market Segment Analyses of nine different market segments focus on applying the cost and performance data of laser systems developed in the main report.

Highlights:

• Coverage of the use of lasers in displays, including both benefits and problems
• Optimized wavelengths and colorimetry of lasers to be used for projection displays
• A description of current solid-state laser technology for visible-light lasers from 1mW to 5W output and beyond (Expanded to include technologies not discussed in the 2006 Insight Media Laser Report)
• A discussion, including examples, of the opto-mechanical design of solid state lasers
• Evaluation of projection systems that can use laser illumination, including flying spot scanners, 1-D arrays, such as the GLV or GEMS, and conventional microdisplays when used with laser illumination
• A technology forecast for solid-state lasers including changes in the technology that can be expected through 2012
• A forecast of the technology to be used in laser-based projection systems through 2012
• Price forecasts for lasers, as a function of output power, color and quantity per year. All price forecasts go through 2012. These prices are forecast based on the prices of existing lasers. (Including a comparison to the prices forecast in the 2006 Insight Media Laser Report)
• "Breakthrough" laser price forecasts through 2012. These prices are for low-cost lasers specifically designed for projection display applications. (New in the 2007 Report)
• A discussion of how these breakthrough price forecasts may be achieved by laser manufacturers (Expanded and updated)
• A table containing information on 85 companies involved in lasers or laser projection
• Profiles of 12 laser manufacturers (Compared to 6 in 2006 Report)
• Profiles of 11 additional companies involved in laser projection (Compared to 10 in 2006 report)
• View the complete table of contents.

The following graph is a sample of a figure from the price forecast section of the report.

This figure shows the unit prices of 63 red lasers available in 2005 (blue diamonds) and 83 red lasers available in 2007 (red squares). When modeling these data, the forecast unit price line in blue was drawn so every known price was on or above the line. The solid line is for 2005 lasers and the dashed line is for 2007 lasers. This was done, rather than matching the average of all available lasers, because it was felt that projection display manufacturers would use the lowest priced available laser at any given power. The higher priced lasers at that power level include special features such as special packaging, ultra-high stability, very narrow beam angles and other things not needed by display manufacturers. The 1K and 100K volume curves were derived from the unit price curve by the price vs. volume model discussed in the report. The report contains 95 figures and 20 tables.

Market Segment Analyses

Nine market segment analyses for the market segments defined in the table are designed to give details of the application of Laser and LED light sources in specific markets.

• Electronic Cinema & Large Venue (Completed November, 2007)
• Visualization and Simulation (Completed November, 2007)
• Pico-projectors, both integrated and companion (Completed November, 2007)
• Consumer RPTV (Expected completion March 2008)
• Pocket Projectors (Expected completion March 2008)
• Ultra-portable Projectors (Expected completion March 2008)
• Consumer Home Theater (Expected completion March 2008)
• Business Projectors (Expected completion March 2008)
• Heads-Up Displays (both aviation and automotive) (Expected completion March 2008)

Methodology:

Understanding how laser technology will evolve, how light is used in projection systems and the costs of future laser systems is a difficult task. To approach this, Insight Media starts with a very thorough engineering analysis of the laser device technology, performance, performance trade offs and factors that affect pricing. This analysis is designing to model the price and performance evolution of red, green and blue lasers over a variety of power ranges. This analysis is developed by researching web, conference and Insight Media documentation, talking to and meeting with key players in the industry and attending conferences on related subjects. Analyses are validated as much as possible.

For the market segment analyses, we apply the price-performance models for laser-based systems to each market segment. This means understanding the value propositions these laser-based systems will create vs. incumbent or other anticipated products in the category. It means understanding the market segment business and competitive dynamics and how end-users might or might not adopt new technology. It means doing this evaluation today and over the 5-year forecast period. All of this is needed to develop a penetration forecast of laser-based projection systems in each market segment analysis.

The table in the report listing 85 companies involved in various aspects of the laser projection industry reflects the range of companies we talked with or researched.

Who Should Buy:

• This report should be purchased by anyone considering a projection system based on laser illumination
• The report is of value to people planning research, development or products utilizing laser illumination
• Engineers and researchers involved in laser projection systems
• Investors looking for information to support due diligence
• Anyone interested in visible-light lasers up to 5W optical output.

Associated Reports:

The 2008 LED Projection Systems companion report, expected to be available March 2008, evaluates the use of LED light sources in projection displays. This is also a major update from the 2006 Insight Media LED Projection Report.

About the Author:

The principal author of the 2007 Laser Projection Report is Matthew Brennesholtz.

Matthew Brennesholtz has worked in the display field since receiving his Masters of Engineering degree from Cornell University in 1978. He has worked on direct view CRT systems and projection systems based on CRTs, oil-film light valves, DMDs, LCDs and LCoS. In addition to system level work, he was involved in the design and testing of optical components for these systems. Currently he is at Insight Media providing consulting and other services to the display industry.

Deliverable:

The report is delivered as a PDF file under a site license agreement. Each market segment analysis is a separate PDF file. On-site presentations and discussions of the data in this report are also available.

Pricing:

For custom market segment analyses and/or on-site presentation of the results of this report, please contact Insight Media. More Information: info@insightmedia.info.

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.

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