FRAMINGHAM, Mass., June 5, 2000 -- Smaller, lighter, and cheaper may be discussion points in other industries, but for the worldwide data projector market, they are the industry mantra. As data projectors move from expensive conference room peripherals to affordable notebook computer accessories, they are attracting a much larger audience and are driving the industry to tremendous growth rates. In fact, IDC projects the worldwide market for these devices will increase from approximately 750,000 units in 1999 to more than 2.5 million units in 2004, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.3%. Projectors have reached the point where they are now seen as essential business tools for presentations and meetings.

"On a technological level, important practical advances have reduced the size and weight of data projectors while at the same time increasing their brightness, resolution, and other capabilities. In addition, the business marketplace has seen an increasing need for presentation tools that enable people to share complex ideas quickly and effectively," said Bob O'Donnell, research manager for IDC's PC Displays and Projectors research program. "Taken together, these movements have created strong demand for data projectors."

According to IDC, much of the market's growth will come from the ultraportable market; devices in this category are five pounds or less. In 1999, just under 40,000 ultraportable data projectors shipped, accounting for just more than 5% of the market. By 2004, the ultraportable segment will account for almost half of all data projector shipments with over 1.2 million. The first ultraportable devices were introduced only in 1999, but several vendors have already began manufacturing these projectors.

"Projector buyers have clearly voiced their preference for smaller, lighter products, and vendors are responding to those needs as quickly as they can," O'Donnell said.

InFocus is the projector market's leader. In 1999, the company accounted for 14% of worldwide projector shipments but that percentage will grow significantly in 2000, due primarily to its pending merger with Proxima, previously the second-largest company in the projector market. Together these two companies have tremendous synergies that IDC believes will help broaden the base of the projector market, as well as further distance the merged company from its competition. Epson, NEC, and Sharp are InFocus/Proxima's closest competitors, with approximately 10% of shipments each.

IDC recently published two in-depth special reports that focus on the rapidly changing dynamics of the projector market. No Fear of Projection: PC Data Projectors Forecast and Analysis, 1999-2004 analyzes the market in great detail. It forecasts data projector shipments and revenues through 2004 by region, technology, category, and channel. The report also discusses the various product categories and looks at trends affecting the market. Projecting Success: A Competitive Analysis of the LDC/DLP Projector Market analyzes the market's competitive landscape. It profiles the following vendors: InFocus, Proxima, Epson, NEC, Sharp, Sony, Compaq, and Toshiba. The report includes a strength/weakness/opportunity/threat analysis for each vendor. In addition, it plots each vendor's position on IDC's Leadership Grid, which measures a company's ability to gain market share and opportunity alignment. For more information or to order a copy of these reports, please contact Patrick Steeves at 508-988-6787 or psteeves@idc.com.

About IDC

IDC delivers dependable, high-impact insights and advice on the future of ebusiness, the Internet, and technology to help organizations make sound business decisions. IDC forecasts worldwide markets and trends and analyzes business strategies, technologies, and vendors, using a combination of rigorous primary research and in-depth competitive analysis. IDC provides global research with local content through more than 500 analysts in 43 countries worldwide. IDC's customers comprise the world's leading IT suppliers, IT organizations, ebusiness companies, and the financial community. Additional information can be found at http://www.idc.com. IDC is a division of IDG.