Projectors Taking Over Entertainment At Home
The feeding of the film, the clicking sound and that of the reel rolling, the flashing beam of light splashing on a screen – and the magic of inanimate characters coming alive – the fascination of a projector is never-ending.
From the time of the Magic Lantern at the dawn of the 20th century, through the filmstrip projector, the slide projector, the home theatre, to the current generation of the digital, multimedia projectors — the 120 years of projector technology has evolved tremendously. Alongside, its uses and applications have changed. From being used in theatre and for home entertainment to its applications in office or professional environments – the humble projector has been a part of our lives for a long time now.
The television on the contrary arrived on the scene around three decades later. However, it came with a big bang, brought entertainment to homes on a massive scale, and along with the radio, it dominated the personal entertainment scene for over half a century in between. Its popularity was only superseded by computers and handheld digital devices.
Growing Upwards
One would say, the advent of new-age digital technologies, laptops, palmtops, mobile phones, and the fleet of curved, smart TVs and allied technology have left the projectors somewhere behind. However, both the projector market and technology have been growing consistently globally. So much so that in the new normal, the projector is making a stronger comeback, especially in the home entertainment segment. In fact, the pandemic impact has accelerated the adoption of projectors leading to a sharp rise in projector sales in the period.
There are several facets to the growth. The pandemic has created the need of bringing theatre-like entertainment home. With various sporting activities finding their way on the field amidst low or no audience, people want to experience their cricket, football, and other sports in theatre style. Not everyone can host a giant screen at home, but with the projectors installed, the IPL and other sporting events can come alive like never before.
Furthermore, the global home entertainment sector is expected to see a CAGR of 6.2% in the next decade growing from $264,655.3 million in 2020 to $545,147.9 million by 2031. The global gaming sector recorded a stupendous growth of 38.24% post-covid pandemic in 2020, and the market is expected to grow by 13% CAGR from 2021-2028 to reach USD 545 billion by 2028. Hence, the gaming and entertainment in the home sector are growing bigger by the day, and more people have begun investing in gaming and home entertainment equipment, displays and technologies. However, with the unmatched flexibility and features that projectors have to offer, there is a major shift in consumers wanting to opt for smart and interactive projectors and display options. Consequently, the new projector form factors have entered the home projector segment, which includes the 4K Ultra short throw laser projector with True 4K display and 4K Laser TV options. The new projector options act as a replacement for TV and offer portable wireless projection for the millennials.
The Benefits
There is also a health aspect that the projectors address. While any other entertainment screen says, TV, smartphone, laptop, etc., emit light from the display, projectors reflect light on a screen. Hence, they are safer for the eyes. The accelerated penetration of data connectivity, mobile devices, and OTT media have increased screen time for the average Indian. The pandemic has further amplified screen time not only for adults but also for children to operate from home while limiting outdoor activities. As per a study conducted by CMR, the pandemic had caused the screen time to increase from 4.9 hours pre-pandemic levels to 6.9 hours in 2020.
Long hours of TV viewing are straining and restricting. People now prefer to set home projectors with amazing technical features and, as time spent on virtual space has increased, they seek a screen that can protect them from direct light. As projectors reflect light on a screen, the long-hour viewing is more comfortable and does not strain the eyes.
Furthermore, projectors offer several benefits that traditional TV does not. The screen resolution can be customised to quite a few sizes, making projection suitable for different rooms and different audiences. The sizes projected can be as high as 120 inches which is significantly higher than average TV screens in homes. The flexibility with size enhances the learning experience as well. Especially in the case of online learning, it captures more attention and offers students more visibility than squinting on laptop or smartphone displays. The portability factor also offers customers much agility to shift their classroom or home offices to different rooms and spaces.
People are also opting for home projector systems for their value for money. Today, TV has fewer features and has become a limited entertainment avenue. Backed by superlative technologies, projectors are supported by quality audio systems and a host of applications and connected solutions that can help project cable TV and OTT content.
The new normal is a time when the world has realised the importance of resilience, agility, and adaptability. Today, there is increased consumer demand for a singular product that can offer multiple solutions. As the trends grow stronger, projector technologies would undergo further innovation and most possibly begin replacing televisions in this decade.
*The author is Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India
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