PMA Research (PMA) has published its latest monthly report on large-format (32” and larger) displays sold by leading U.S. Pro AV dealers and integrators who serve commercial markets. During the first quarter of 2016, strong sales of larger screen sizes (+60-inch displays), UHD/4K models and interactive models boosted revenues 22% compared with the first quarter of 2015. Volume comparisons also registered a double-digit gain over last year but at a somewhat milder rate than the revenue growth.
The sweet spot in the +60-inch space remained 60- to 69-inch flat panel displays. Sharp’s LC-60LE661U and Samsung’s DM65E were the quarter’s top two models in this range. A meaningful portion of the volume in this size range served smaller- and medium-sized business meeting rooms that had no previous display, according to PMA’s latest dealer survey.
One of the main drivers of revenue growth was the mix shift to even bigger flat panels – 70- to 79-inch, 80- to 89-inch and 90-inch and higher displays. In that biggest size range, NEC’s 90-inch E905 was the top model by revenues during the quarter. And the overall weighted street price for commercial models in the entire +60-inch range was more than $5,000 during the first quarter.
In the interactive display market, unit sales and revenues in the first quarter more than doubled over last year’s first quarter. PMA’s monthly tracking report also showed that SMART’s 6065 4K/UHD model was the top revenue model while installations of interactive displays from Planar, MultiTaction, TriumphBoard, Sharp, and Newline Interactive (in a variety of corporate, government, retail, and education settings) also contributed to the strong quarter.
“We expect the trajectory for interactive display growth to continue along the same path the rest of this year,” said Rosemary Abowd, PMA’s Director of Flat Panel Research. “As interactive technology continues to grow in education and business applications, we’ll see interactive solutions from all the current top-selling brands as well as LG, NEC, InFocus, Elo Touch Solutions, Panasonic, Samsung and Microsoft flood the market with better and more affordable alternatives.”
