The market for 3D TV sets will grow dramatically in 2011, by almost 500%, according to US research firm In-Stat. TV set manufacturers have greatly expanded their 3D TV product lines, in some cases offering the 3D feature on more than half of their TV set models.
“Over the next few years, a greater percentage of large-screen TV sets will ship with the 3D feature,” said Michelle Abraham, research director, in a statement. “We expect 100% of all 40-inch and above DTV sets will eventually be 3D-enabled. This will not only cause shipments of 3D TV sets to increase, but will also grow the number of households worldwide with 3D TV sets. 3D content providers need not worry that consumers will be unable to view their content.”
Recent In-Stat research also found the following: households with 3D TV sets will eclipse 300 million in 2015, as a large number of DTV sets sold will have the 3D feature. In 2011, Europe will boast the most 3D TV unit shipments at just over 7 million. By 2015, Asia/Pacific will have the largest share of 3D TV unit shipments at 32%.
To ease consumers’ confusion about 3D TV sets, 3D is being marketed as a feature of a TV set in 2011, rather than a whole new TV market. However, the market is not that simple, with many passive display TVs being introduced this year, which use a different type of glasses than the active display TV sets.
Over the next few years, a greater percentage of large-screen TV sets will ship with the 3D feature. In-Stat expect 100% of all 40-inch and above DTV sets will eventually be 3D-enabled. This will not only cause shipments of 3D TV sets to increase, but will also grow the number of households worldwide with 3D TV sets.
According to In-Stat, 3D content providers do not need to worry about consumers being unable to view their 3D content. With a large increase in the number of TV sets with a 3D feature coming to market in 2011, TV set manufacturers will make it difficult not to buy a 3D-enabled set in the coming years.
