On July 9th, projection screen supplier Fist FSCREEN released the Fresnel Canvas optical screen Z series in Chengdu. The product adopts ZigZag technology, aiming to achieve a flat and stable screen surface similar to that of a hard screen, the casual experience of "rolling up and going" like a frame screen, and the convenience of non-destructive installation similar to a magnetic screen.

The pre-sale prices of the 100-inch Z1 and Z2 models are 999 yuan and 1399 yuan respectively, positioning them as entry-level products. Among them, the Z1 model brings the price of Fresnel optical screens below the thousand-yuan mark for the first time.

In recent years, China's smart projection and laser TV markets have developed rapidly. Smart projection has grown from 750,000 units in 2016 to 6.18 million units in 2022; laser TVs have increased from 22,000 units in 2016 to 252,000 units in 2022.

The prosperity of the overall projection display market naturally promotes consumer demand for screens. By pairing with suitable screens, the impact of the use environment can be reduced, enhancing the large-screen viewing experience even in bright living room environments and integrating into smart home designs.

Low-end projection screens still dominate

Currently, projection screens on the market mainly include white plastic screens, fiberglass screens, metal screens, soft white screens, anti-glare screens (optical screens), etc. The main differences lie in the materials used and the technical solutions applied, leading to variations in gain and gain viewing angles.

Projection Screen Market Classification and Differences

Source: Compiled by RUNTO

According to online monitoring data from RUNTO, sales of projection screens on JD.com and Ali group e-commerce platforms exceeded 1.5 million units in 2023, but low-end white plastic screens dominated, with products priced below 300 yuan accounting for over 65% of the total.

Optical screens become the development direction

Optical screens significantly enhance brightness and clarity, offering stronger gain and are becoming the development direction for projection screens. Currently, there are two main technical routes: black barrier and Fresnel.

Black barrier screens employ a black and white prism structure, with the black coating absorbing ambient light interference, while the white coating reflects projected light into viewers' eyes. Major manufacturers include ##'s Hequan and Hongsheng. Fresnel screens have a surface pattern of concentric semicircles, reflecting only light projected from the projector's position, thereby blocking and absorbing ambient light. Major manufacturers include Fist, Apex, Hisense, etc.

Relatively speaking, Fresnel optical screens hold a significant advantage in shipment volume. According to RUNTO data, in 2023, China's optical screen market shipments reached 310,000 units, of which Fresnel screens accounted for 280,000 units, or 92% of the total.

Liu Dingkun, Chief Analyst of the Projection Display Supply Chain at RUNTO, believes that the current ratio of optical projection screens is not high and should have greater potential in the future. The main reasons are firstly, users do not perceive a strong necessity for pairing projectors with screens in mobile consumption scenarios, and the demand for effects is unclear; secondly, the market is flooded with more ordinary screens, and consumers have less awareness of optical screens, let alone Fresnel screens.

As Fist has brought the price of Fresnel optical screens down from thousands of yuan to below a thousand yuan, and with the extension of optical screens from ultra-short throw to mid-to-long throw markets in recent years, RUNTO believes that optical screens will gradually become more affordable and accessible to the general public. In the Chinese market, shipments are expected to exceed 350,000 units in 2024, a year-on-year growth of 16%, and the market size is projected to reach one million units by 2029.

China Projection Optical Screen Shipments and Forecasts, 2021-2024

Data Source: RUNTO, Unit: 10,000 units

China's optical screen annual production capacity exceeds one million units

Another reason for the relatively low market share of optical screens in the overall projection screen market is their higher costs and prices, especially for Fresnel optical screens, which are essentially ultra-large precision optical devices involving four aspects of research and development: optical design, optical materials, ultra-large and ultra-precision mold manufacturing equipment, and ultra-large and ultra-precision material forming technology and equipment.

Currently, domestic enterprises in China have developed certain production capabilities. Companies like Fist and Apex have transitioned from relying on foreign mold opening in the early stages to establishing their own ultra-precision mold processing capabilities and supporting manufacturing systems, successfully breaking foreign monopolies in the self-sufficiency of optical screens with an annual production capacity exceeding one million units.

China's Projection Optical Screen Production Line Capacity

Source: Compiled by RUNTO

Furthermore, the product direction of optical screens is entering a new phase. In terms of application scenarios, they are gradually penetrating from laser TVs to ultra-short throw LED projections and mid-to-long throw laser projections; in terms of display effects, they are transitioning from monochromatic lasers to trichromatic low-speckle optical screens; in terms of product sizes, they are covering from the mainstream 80-100 inches down to 75 inches and extending up to 150 inches; in terms of product forms, magnetic screens, flexible screens, electric lifting screens, and other types are continually being enriched.

RUNTO believes that based on product improvements and price reductions, optical screens still require more intensive market promotion and user education. They have the opportunity to become mainstream in the projection screen market within about five years.