Market research group DisplaySearch forecasts that the total stereoscopic 3D display market will grow from 700,000 units and $902 million in revenues in 2008, to 196 million units and $22 billion in revenues in 2018 – a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38% for revenues and 75% for units.

The market for 3D displays – which is encouraged by the recent success of 3D cinema – is forecast to take off in 2010, providing a welcome boost to the electronics industry. "3D displays are taking off with consumers due to increasing availability of 3D content. In addition, 3D standardisation has also been addressed or is being evaluated in several 3D organisations," noted Jennifer Colegrove, Director of Display Technologies at DisplaySearch.

She adds: "A number of manufacturers of consumer electronics devices, including TVs, monitors, notebooks, Blu-ray disc players, and digital cameras/camcorders/photo frames have aggressively promoted 3D in the home. In addition to consumer use of 3D displays, the technology has also been used for many professional applications and advertisement/public displays."

DisplaySearch forecasts 3D-ready TVs will grow from 0.2 million units in 2009 to 64 million units in 2018. 3D-ready TV will be the largest application in terms of revenue in 2018 with $17 billion.

For an outside view of the rise of 3D, check this article in UK newspaper The Independent.

Story filed 09.01.10