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Tag: standard-definition

  • 2011 Peak For SD DTT STB semiconductors


    High-definition Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) set top boxes (STBs) offer semiconductor makers a short term spike in opportunity.

    But standard definition (SD) DTT STBs will be a more sustainable market for manufacturers, according to In-Stat.

    The researchers forecast that the semiconductor opportunity in SD DTT boxes will peak at nearly USD $500 million by 2011.

    Gerry Kaufhold, In-Stat analyst, said the US analog shut off has driven a surge of HD converter boxes in 2008 and 2009.

    "However, this bubble will wane, while the SD DTT market continues to grow across a broader set of geographic markets," he said.

    Other findings from In-Stat include:

    • The European DTT STB Market Value will peak in 2011 at $1.6 billion.
    • On a European country basis, UK leads the market, followed by Spain, France, Germany, and then Italy.
    • Total DTT STB unit shipments will peak at 44 million in 2009.
    • Key component categories include the Demux/CPU/AV decoder and the MPEG-2 MP@HL/Graphics IC

  • Picture Quality Not Price Driving Purchase of HDTVs


    Fifty per cent of US HDTV owners bought their HDTV sets because of the superior quality of picture and video on high def programming.

    This improvement over standard definition – and not significant price drops – was the most influential factor in their purchase decision, according to a survey by PriceGrabber.com.

    The consumer survey notes that the popularity of HDTVs has grown significantly over the past two years.

    So much so that fifty-seven per cent of US consumers own an HDTV, compared with only 30 per cent in August 2006.

    Today, LCD TV is the preferred HDTV, with 57 per cent owning one.

    And despite economic uncertainties, 73 per cent of online shoppers who do not currently own an HDTV indicate they plan to purchase a set within the next 12 months.

    While price may not be given as the determining factor in a purchase decision, HDTV sales tags have been falling.

    Over the last two years, the average price for LCD and plasma HDTVs has dropped 13 per cent, while the average price for projection (DLP, LCoS) HDTVs has fallen 27 per cent.