PMA Research (PMA) has published its latest set of sell-through tracking reports on large-format (32″ and larger) flat panel displays being sold by leading US AV/IT Distributors and Pro AV dealers and integrators who serve commercial markets. The December PMA Research Flat Panel Tracking reports highlighted strong year-on-year gains for the professional large-format display market. In the Pro AV Channel, 2016 unit sales and revenues of professional large-format displays saw positive double-digit growth over 2015 sales. On a year-over-year basis, unit sales grew by 17% and revenues ran 29% ahead of 2015. The revenue growth was accelerated by increased sales of the following:
- +70-inch models (+26% units, +37% revenue)
- Touch-capable displays (+101% units, +104% revenue)
- UHD resolution (+49% units, +74% revenue)
- Media Player-equipped models (+27% units, +31% revenue) * High Bright models (+20% units, +27% revenues)
In the AV/IT Distribution channel, unit sales and revenues also registered significant growth. The year closed with both unit sales and revenues of professional large-format displays up 32% over CY2015. Compared to 2015, professional display sales saw strong growth in +70″ models, where unit sales grew 85%, and in 24/7 models where unit sales grew 78%. Finally, while still a tiny portion of the total, unit sales of touch-enabled displays grew 65% from CY2015 to CY2016. Unlike consumer TVs, the pricing differential between FHD and UHD professional displays remained significant. In the larger sizes, above 55″, there was still a 40%-50% premium for UHD professional displays compared to a similar-sized FHD professional displays.
