This IDC study looks at the 2005?2010 worldwide market for rear projection televisions (RPTVs). It includes a market forecast for 2006?2010 split by region, technology, and screen size. RPTV vendors, both on a global level and in the United States, have continued to experience moderate success in this era of flat panels if only because the RPTV category offers buyers the currently unique combination of very large TV sizes and high resolutions at low price points. Although LCD and plasma TVs get bigger and cheaper with every passing month, neither yet offers RPTV's sheer dollar-per-inch value proposition.

"Given continued flat panel market strength, we believe the RPTV market has run its course and will soon make way for all things flat despite current efforts to improve upon RPTV's form factor (slim DLP) and video performance (LED and laser backlights). With our love for all things big and cheap, the United States will continue to be a haven for RPTVs, as will China, given its vast, emerging middle class. Otherwise, RPTVs will likely have expended their last breath in Japan as of this year and will see their volume erode aggressively in the Western European and Asia/Pacific regions." ? Eric Haruki, research director, TV Markets and Technologies