Projection market and technology perspective: where could lasers fit?

The S8B (1999) electronic projector market is a major growth industry. Light sources and illumination systems are critical components and product differentiators. Opportunities for laser light sources are defined through discussion of projector market trends and metrics. Major technology and market trends that are expected to generate a $12B electronic projector market by 2004, including 100% 1998-2004 growth in business projectors, are reviewed in the perspective of recent product introductions. A log linear analysis shows that the light outputs of benchmark transportable data video projectors have increased at a rate of almost 90% per year since 1993. The list prices of these same projectors have decreased at a rate of over 40% per year. The tradeoffs of light output vs. resolution and weight are illustrated. Recent trends in projector efficacy vs, year are discussed. Lumen output per dollar of list price is shown to be a useful market metric. Continued technical advances and innovations including higher throughput light valve technologies with integrated drivers, brighter light sources, field sequential color, integrated and micro-optical components, and aerospace materials are likely to sustain these trends. The new technologies will enable projection displays for entertainment and computer applications with unprecedented levels of performance, compactness, and cost-effectiveness. Opportunities for lasers in mainstream projection systems will require properties commensurate with these trends. These can include ways to make higher image quality, lighter, cheaper, more rugged, longer lived, or more reliable projection systems than can be achieved with conventional light sources