Here is an overview of some of the technologies driving market growth. Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) has long been the benchmark event for discovering the latest market trends and technology in the professional audiovisual (AV) industry.Visitors can expect to feel a tremendous sense of confidence in the halls, especially since AVIXA's AV Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis (IOTA) Global Summary 2019 has seen the organization raise its growth forecast, reflecting, it said, strong economies and demand for new products and services.
From €224 billion in 2019, AVIXA now believes that by 2024 global revenues for the industry will reach €296 billion, outpacing global GDP growth.
CEDIA's research provides similar grounds for optimism. The UK alone, for example, represents a market valued at around €779 million, with home cinema installations growing by 9% and 80% of CEDIA survey participants expressing confidence that their revenue will increase over the next year.
It is widely accepted that the success of the commercial and residential sectors is a function of two key drivers: the proven value provided by AV solutions and the AV industry's continued adoption of new technologies. In the commercial world, AV is evolving from a "nice-to-have" into a highly strategic asset.
TheGrowing Importance of AI:
A recurring theme throughout the event is likely to be the growing importance of AI and machine learning. In smart homes, for example, ISE attendees can expect to see increasing evidence of manufacturers adopting AI-enabled technologies like Alexa and Google Assistant, responding to consumers' desire for a more integrated, unified "one ring to rule them all" environment. This is becoming increasingly important as a growing number of devices and appliances become IoT-enabled. ISE 2020 will reflect this shift in the connected home market.
On the commercial front, AI, combined with sensors such as integrated cameras, is finding a place in digital signage (an AVIXA market forecast predicts a value of $45 billion by 2024, roughly 35% higher than in 2019) as retailers seek to create more personalized, engaging, and relevant consumer experiences. In fact, researchers expect the professional AV industry to see increased AI adoption in any market where customer experience is paramount, such as hospitality and healthcare. Hospitality companies will spend heavily on AV in the coming years to meet and exceed the expectations of a tech-savvy, traveling public.
AI is also believed to have the potential to transform unified communications and collaboration, and it's already making its way into AV solutions designed for education, where research indicates that nearly nine out of ten students are now taking advantage of the benefits of AV technology for learning. Regardless of the vertical market, ISE visitors can expect to see plenty of evidence of AI, including XR (extended reality), embedded in various platforms.
LED Proliferation:
AI is largely a "behind-the-scenes" technology. One of the most visible manifestations of change in the industry is the rapid rise in popularity of LED as the display technology of choice. Not only does it bring unique advantages in the creative deployment of displays such as video walls, but as its price decreases, it is beginning to displace individual LCD screens. ISE 2020 is likely to provide further evidence of LED proliferation, including in the residential systems market, as "multi-screen" becomes the new trend for home theater installations.
However, a recurring question is how long LEDs will enjoy their current position in the spotlight. OLED technology has numerous theoretical advantages in terms of image quality, installation, and the opportunity for highly creative implementations. However, it is still not without its challenges, especially in the area of pricing, and ISE 2020 will provide an opportunity to assess its progress toward mainstream adoption.
Perhaps surprisingly, despite stiff competition from flat-panel displays, the projector market remains remarkably vibrant as it reinvents itself. Having largely eliminated the reasons not to buy—primarily the cost of ownership—with solid-state backlighting, new generations of projectors are becoming increasingly application-specific. The success of projection is not limited to the commercial market: PMA Research reports that global sales of 1080p consumer projectors have increased by almost 30% year-on-year.
