Futuresource Consulting has continued its decade long study and released the fifth edition of the global videowall report which explores the adoption rates of technologies in the tiled display market. This report continues to build on its heritage tracking the established technologies of rear projection cube (RPC) and super narrow bezel (SNB) but focuses more keenly on the narrow pixel pitch LED (NPP LED) category which is gaining real traction and moving in to be a serious contender in this space.
From a macro perspective the report found that the videowall market reached 536,000 units in 2014, 19% growth on 2013 (RPC & SNB). This growth was driven by SNB, which grew at 22%. Futuresource Consulting also found that NPP LED stood out, with a rapidly changing competitive landscape and increasing momentum in verticals such as retail, public display and broadcast. Activity in the control room space, an important value niche, has largely been limited to China where State/Government projects have given it a strong foothold.
The report certainly suggests that NPP LED technology is one to watch. By 2019 Futuresource Consulting has forecasted that NPP will account for 31% of total videowall value and 15% of volume (m 2).
Chris Mcintyre-Brown, Associate Director Displays & Broadcast Equipment at Futuresource Consulting commented, “The early disruptive impact from NPP LED has been clear with the competitive landscape changing dramatically across 2014/15 as display vendors increasingly include the technology in their line-ups. The burning question has been to what extent it will impact existing tiled display options? NPP will certainly take market share from RPC and SNB, but there are plenty of opportunities to allow the technologies to co-exist together, typically dictated by specific performance advantages and vertical market demands.”
Rear Projection Cubes (RPC) remain remarkably resilient, with only 6.5% decline in sales during 2014. This is a niche but stable category, and is expected to remain this way for the foreseeable future.
The SNB category continues to be a major force in the industry, after its introduction in 2007. The category posted another very strong year, with 2014 closing on 499,000 units. This represents a CAGR of 16% since 2010. Critically, given the mounting competition from NPP LED, Futuresource expects to see healthy double digit volume growth out to 2017 with increasing demand from a broader range of verticals and more aware, educated channel.
From a regional point of view, the APAC region and in particular within the Chinese territory, drives volume across all three categories.