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In-Stat: Digital Media Adapters, Players, Receivers Emerge as Competitive New Connected Home Product Category (18/11/2009)

A new class of devices, Digital Media Adapters (DMAs), Digital Media Players (DMPs), and Digital Media Receivers (DMRs) is emerging in the connected digital home, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). DMAs, DMPs and DMRs allow consumers to connect audio players, televisions, PCs, and other devices to the Internet and to digital storage devices for media recording and playback.

In-Stat has identified over 40 competitors offering products in the segment. Similarly, a range of semiconductor competitors have positioned processors and Application Specific Standard Products (ASSPs) targeting the emerging equipment market.

“Early competitors were primarily either networking equipment companies or small start-ups,” says Norm Bogen, VP of In-Stat’s Digital Entertainment research. “But now a much broader range of device manufacturers are positioning competitive devices. However, the biggest challenge to this market category is the proliferation of networked game consoles, Internet-connected set top boxes, networked DTVs, and networked Blu-ray devices that support web-to-TV video and other services.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

* Nearly 4.5 million DMAs, DMPs, and DMRs will be sold worldwide in 2013.
* Chip providers competing in the market include Intel, NXP, Sigma Designs and Texas Instruments.
* Over 1/2 of US home network users are at least somewhat interested in a consumer electronics product that enables Online Video Services, including streaming and downloading.
The research, “Networked Digital Media Adapter/Player/Receiver Market Gets Crowded” (#IN0904621RC), covers the worldwide market for networked DMAs, DMPs, and DMRs. It includes:
* Forecasts of worldwide DMA, DMP, and DMR units sold through 2013.
* Segmentations for audio vs. A/V products, products that are enabled with Wi-Fi (Ethernet plus Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi only) vs. those with wired LAN only.
* Product definitions, market trends, and vendors.
* A detailed product matrix for selected vendors is also included with 28 columns of features identified, including which CPUs are used in various models.
* Results and analysis of an In-Stat North American consumer survey regarding online-capable CE devices.
* Summary of recent market announcements by major players: Western Digital, Seagate, Syabas, Sonus, Asus, Netgear, QNAP, and Roku.

www.instat.com