Following a strong fourth quarter, the Home Theatre Front Projection category kept its momentum, with sharp sales increases in both volume and value year-to-year, according to Quixel Research.

The company's USA Home Theater and Entertainment Front Projector Market Review for Q1 2010 revealed that US unit sales were down seasonally, from Q4 2009 to Q1 2010, declining 21% in volume and 25% in value.

Overall value for the Home Theater Front Projection category was US$72 million in Q1 2010 compared to US$97 million in Q4 2009, and US$62 million in Q1 2009. However, year-on-year the category saw a 51% increase in unit sales and a 17% increase in revenues.

"The entry level models really carried the category in the first quarter," Quixel Research's principal, Tamaryn Pratt said.

"Both DLP and 3LCD entry level HD1080p models were widely available and hovering around the $999 and $1499 range, which wasn't the case early last year," Pratt added.

Quarter-to-quarter the HD1080p resolution segment declined a mild 5% in units and gained 12% volume share in the same period. Revenues for the HD1080p segment were US$65 million in Q1 2010 or down 20% compared to Q4 2009; but year-on-year revenues were up 35% .