Flat Panel Display Use Among American Churches Rapidly Increasing According To New TFCinfo Report
Flat panel display use in the house of worship market is rapidly growing according to TFCinfo’s recent research report entitled, “The Use of Video Displays in American Churches 2012.” Of the AV-focused churches that TFCinfo surveyed (churches that have made a strategic and financial commitment to integrate audio visual equipment in their worship service), 61% state that they own at least one flat panel display 32”+. This is a 20% increase, up from 41% in 2009.

As churches increasingly turn toward display technologies to help spread their message and fuel membership growth, this in turn drives demand for additional displays. With the growing trend of multi-site or satellite locations, and video venues of a much smaller size, these bright displays are making a very appealing, affordable option for the churches.

“This is not only increasing dramatically at the large church level, churches of all sizes are embracing flat panel displays,” states Tanya Lippke, TFCinfo Director of Survey Market Research. “This research shows that the percentage of small churches using flat panel displays has doubled. In 2009 25% of the churches with 0-250 seats were using a flat panel display; today half are incorporating the displays into their facilities.” Continue reading 

Epson and NEC continue to solidify their position in the projector market by improving ratings in key market segments, Sony and Panasonic benefit from a solid brand image.

TFCinfo today announces the completion of its “Projector Brand Customer Perception and Preference Study 2012.” This report marks the 11th year that this annual projector brand benchmarking study has been conducted. In this year’s installment some interesting movement is seen among the brands in the three measurable areas of brand strength: awareness, image, and intent. These areas are analyzed across the five most important market segments in the projector industry--large corporations, SMB (small and medium business), SOHU (small office/home user), education, and government.

Awareness
Most notable, Epson and NEC post gains in unaided free recall this year across each of the market segments surveyed, and some of these gains are considerable (NEC up 10% education). Epson, the #1 brand in sales, maintains their top spot in education and takes the #1 spot in government for the first time this year. Unaided free recall is extremely important to ensure that your brand comes to mind to be included in the important pre-purchase research.

Some strong increases are also seen this year for brands that have previously suffered from lower overall unaided brand awareness. Awareness for Optoma, Dell, and Hitachi is improving greatly and beginning to reflect their current market share.  Continue reading

Flat Panel Display Use Churches Accelerates Sharply (up 20% From 2009), while Projector Use Continues to Grow at a Steady Pace

According to respondents in TFCinfo's latest market research study on “The Use of Video Displays in American Churches,” 60% of US churches are looking to purchase and expand upon their projection and video display systems. The house of worship market for audio/visual products continues to grow as churches increasingly turn toward display technologies to improve communications with attendees, and fuel membership growth. This, in turn, drives demand for additional displays.

For over eight years TFCinfo has immersed themselves into the church market to assist manufacturers, dealers and integrators in better understanding this growing market segment. Because there is so much interest in this market, yet there remains limited information, TFCinfo, in conjunction with Church Production Magazine, Worship Facilities Magazine and the new Worship Facilities DESIGNER Magazine, recently conducted an extensive end-user research study to explore the use of projectors and flat panel displays in American churches. TFCinfo surveyed 700 respondents, all of whom are responsible for the AV equipment at their place of worship.

This extensive report provides historical trend analysis by contrasting current results with those of TFCinfo’s earlier church market surveys. One of those trends is the growth in the number of projectors a church owns over time. The churches in this research that state they have three or more installed projectors have gone from 16% in 2004 to 39% in 2009 to 44% in 2011.

Additionally, of the AV-focused churches that TFCinfo surveyed, 61% state that they currently own at least one flat panel display 32”+ (up from 41% in 2009). Based on the need for multiple visual aids in larger churches, and the cost of flat panel displays being more affordable, churches have been looking more to flat panel displays and how they can be used within their church. These results are clearly showing increased opportunities for larger orders.  Continue reading

TFC Review Newsletter September 2011

Differences in K-12 and Higher Education Video Display Purchasing Patterns Highlighted in TFC Info's Most Recent Report

TFC Info recently announced important AV video display buying trends in both K-12 and higher education from their latest report entitled “The Use of Projection and Interactive Whiteboards in Education 2011.”

TFC Info’s report examines and provides detailed information on the use of projectors and interactive whiteboards in educational settings, purchasing habits, and educational preferences in order to aid manufacturers addressing this important vertical market.

Some major differences are seen in this research between the two groups as to what information sources are most influential, who has the decision making power, how often and how many video displays are being purchased, and how the purchase process works.

While roughly half in both educational segments state that they buy their projectors as needed as opposed to once per period/year, the frequency of projector purchases is relative to the amount of projectors being bought. Institutions of higher learning are heavy purchasers of multimedia projectors. 62% of those in higher education state that they purchase projectors a few times a year; which is in contrast to just 26% in K-12 that state they purchase a few times per year.  Continue reading

TFC Info's Latest Flat Panel End User Study Reveals High Demand For Future LED LCD Display Purchases 

Results from TFC Info’s most recent flat panel end user survey reveal that LED LCD is the technology of choice for future flat panel purchases. Pent up demand for the displays are expected while purchasers wait for more competitive pricing.

More than half of the entertainment users surveyed state that if they were in the market for a flat panel display today they would purchase an LED LCD, this is an 18% increase vs. last year’s 2010 results! Although the demand is there, LCD is currently dominating the market now. LCD may get a boost from those not yet ready to purchase LED until prices are more in line with what consumers are willing to pay for the technology (average desired price from study for a 46” LED LCD is $1,042 compared to current average street price of $1,427 1Q’10).  Continue reading