Datacasting Adding Fuel To Sales Of PC/TV Tuners

Staff On Apr 16 2001 - 6:00am

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — New datacasting services will fuel the rapidly growing market for PC/TV tuners during the next couple of years, according to Cahners In-Stat Group.

Datacasting, the delivery of data services via terrestrial airwaves or satellite, will take off this year and contribute to the 50 percent-plus annual PC/TV tuner market growth for the next two years, the high tech market research firm said.

In-Stat forecasts that the market for analog tuners will slow in 2003, but the market for digital tuners, both terrestrial and satellite, will accelerate through at least 2005. Annual revenues in the PC/TV tuner market will jump from $473 million in 2000 to $1.8 billion in 2005. "While the transition of TV transmissions from analog to digital will keep the overall market growing, it will not be enough to maintain 50 percent annual growth beyond 2003," said Michelle Abraham, a senior analyst with In-Stat's Multimedia Group. "The PC market is slowing and the replacement cycle for consumer PCs is lengthening."

In-Stat also found that:

• Graphic cards that integrate TV tuners account for 40 percent of the market.

• The European market is the largest with more than 50 percent of total sales.

• Three data broadcasters—iBlast, Wavexpress and Dotcast—are ramping up service in the United States. Similar services will be available in Europe and Japan via satellite.

The report, Datacasting to Drive Digital PC TV Tuners (#MM0103MI), includes regional and worldwide forecasts for several types of PC/TV tuners through 2005. It also includes an analysis of both connection options: PCI and USB. The report concludes with profiles of major manufacturers and of PC OEMs offering integrated PC/TV tuners.

To purchase this report, or for more information, see Instat's website, www.instat.com, or contact Matthew Woods at 617-630-2139 or mwoods @instat.com. The report price is $2,495. Cahners In-Stat Group is part of the same company that publishes TWICE.