Market forecasts

Report forecasts continued growth in transmission and display equipment market Elsevier Advanced Technology, UK (I989) $995

According to a recently published study from Elsevier Advanced Technology, the market for trans- mission and display equipment now represents almost one third of the $5 000M market for process control instrumentation in Western Europe.

Profile of the European Trans- mission and Display Instrumenta- tion Process Industry predicts over- all growth in the industry averaging almost 7% per year for the period 1987-93. The actual size of the market is expected to increase to over $2000M by 1993. Market growth is forecast to peak in 1992 as i

Will HDTV find a niche Bus iness C o m m u n i c a t i o n s , U S A

Much speculation has been made, and hopes have been pinned on the high definition television (HDTV) industry to rejuvenate the sagging fortunes of the US commercial electronics industry. However, according to a study entitled HDTV: Implications for US indus- t o ' published by Business Com- munications Co Inc, there is unlike- ly to emerge in the USA a price effective HDTV set, even if innova- tive flat panel CRT technology is

the predicted improvement in in- dustrial productivity results in an increase in capital investment as the European open market draws clos- er.

The largest share of the transmis- sion and display market is taken by transmitters and receivers at 26%, with 20% of the market taken by networks, 15% by engineering workstations, 10% by microcompu- ters used as terminals and 10% by data loggers.

The highest growth rate is ex- pected in the use of microcompu- ters as network terminals, parallel- ing their rapidly growing accept-

in the market? (1989)

realized. At best, HDTV might find a small niche in the market.

The report predicts that while US manufacturers may succeed in offering some production equip- ment, the main items such as HDTV cameras, VTRs, converters, coders and decoders, terminals. projectors etc. will mostly come from Japan. On the other hand, the biggest gains says the report awaits programme producers of commer- cials, exporters of US produced

Study forecasts boom in flat-panel technologies Business Communications, USA (1989) $2 250

The long-awaited flat-panel tech- nologies will begin to have a signifi- cant impact on the electronic dis- play market by 1990, according to a recently released study entitled Electronic Display Materials and Design, published by Business Communications Company Inc. R & D efforts are beginning to generate practical products, and while CRT shipments are expected to grow at an average annual rate of 8%, those for flat panel displays are forecast to top 12%. Taken together, the liquid crystal, plasma

and electroluminescent flat panel technologies will grow at average annual growth rates in excess of 15%.

The report acknowledges that flat panel technology is still struggling with some crucial problems. The capabilities of colour, resolution and power present challenges for the designers and developers of displays. Moreover, the fabrication of a flat panel display is more expensive and time consuming. De- spite this, progress is being made. and products such as the active

ance in other process control appli- cations. This increasing use of mic- ros is stimulating growth in micro- computer front-end I/O interfaces at an estimated average of 8.5% per year.

The report reveals that West Germany is by far the largest user of transmission and display equip- ment, taking up almost 30% of the total West European market. The UK is second With 14%, followed by France with 13%.

Profiles of major suppliers are contained in the report, with tables showing the market penetration of market leaders and separate listings covering product strategy, sales performance, and leading financial indicators.

Elsevier Advanced Technology, PO Box 173, Oxford OX2 7X J, UK. Tel: (0865) 512 242 []

programmes, producers of pre- recorded video programmes and other special productions.

The study is divided into chapters dealing with: home entertainment equipment, commercials and prog- ramme production: cable HDTV; HDTV pre-recorded video; semi- conductors; HDTV production equipment: home and industrial electronic security: and HDTV in manufacturing and medical equip- ment.

Business Communication Co Inc, 25 Van Zant St, Norwalk CT 06855, USA []

matrix LCD and the thin film electroluminescent disply offer vast improvement in function.

The report stresses the point that in addition to the TV and computer industries, electronic displays will continue to be important products for the consumer, transportation, office products and communica- tions industries. Their increased use will also continue in the industrial process control segment and dis- plays for medical imaging are fore- cast to increase in prominence.

Business Communications Co lnc, 25 Van Zant St, Northwalk, CT 06855, USA []

DISPLAYS, J A N U A R Y 1990 63