Digital Lifescapes

Soon, just about every type of video-capable consumer electronics device (CE) will have the option to connect to a large screen video monitor or HDTV display. This list of devices will include most portable PCs -- with media tablets being one of the commonly used streaming video players. Digital visual interface (DVI) and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) are related high-bandwidth, unidirectional, uncompressed interface standards, while DisplayPort is a fully digital, packet-based technology. HDMI and DisplayPort have recently gained in popularity within the computer industry. A number of computer vendors and display makers have said that they will stop using legacy DVI and VGA connectors within the next few years. Nevertheless, many devices are still shipping with DVI connectors. According to the latest market study by NPD In-Stat, they forecast that the combined total number of devices shipped with DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort will surpass 2 billion in 2015. "DVI...

Image projectors have been miniaturized over the past decade. Manufacturers are now actively embedding these pico projectors into a wide range of consumer electronics (CE) products, from cellphones to mobile TVs, according to the latest market study by In-Stat . Forecast shipment growth of devices with embedded pico projector modules will grow to over 20 million devices by 2014, with mobile handsets share of that market moving from its current level of 15 percent to over 90 percent by 2014. "Although the integration of pico projectors will occur across the entire CE device spectrum, the biggest push will come from the mobile handset segment," says Frank Dickson, VP Mobile Internet Research. The mobile handset market is measured in billions, creating massive opportunities for component manufactures. For pico projectors, what makes it even more attractive is that the market is hyper-competitive, with manufacturers always aggressively looking to add new features to create ...

Global sales of digital projectors were slow in the first half this year. Global Q2 volumes reached nearly 1.3 million units, representing a 16 percent year-on-year drop from Q2 2008, according to the latest market study by Futuresource. With buyers continuing to hold back on spending, the corporate sector is expected to remain relatively flat for the rest of the year. However, the education market continues to offer strong growth opportunities, with budget levels remaining relatively unaffected. To underline this point, Q2 sales of interactive whiteboards have grown by 35 percent year-on-year, reaching 180,000 units globally. The second half of 2009 is expected to experience numerous large RFPs, with many emerging countries seeking to invest in IT for their education infrastructures. While overall market volumes have been weak, some bright spots include the continued emergence of the short throw and Wide XGA categories. With many whiteboard vendors now offering all-in-one board and pr...