Game Consoles are Most Connected Current Consumer Electronics (CE) Device

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
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Game Consoles are Most Connected Current Consumer Electronics (CE) Device, but Blu-ray Players/Recorders will Lead CE Network Client Growth

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — While few home network users currently have permanent connections between their Consumer electronics (CE) devices and their home networks, those that do most commonly connect their game console, reports In-Stat. As more connected CE devices become available, In-Stat expects Blu-ray DVD players/ recorders will lead CE network client growth.

“The primary reasons that more devices are not connected to home networks are: consumer awareness/knowledge, availability of network-capable CE products on retail shelves, prices of network-capable CE products, competition with non-network-capable CE products (like docking stations), and lack of perceived need by some consumers,” says Joyce Putscher, In-Stat analyst.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

  • Almost 43% of the Windows PCs used in North American homes in June 2008 had Media Center functionality, up from 32% in 2007.
  • The worldwide media server-capable device market is estimated at $50 billion in 2008.
  • In-Stat’s consumer survey reveals that 64% of US respondents are somewhat, very or extremely interested in watching Internet-based streaming video on their household TV.
  • A proliferating set of competitors are offering a range of Digital Media Adapter/Player/Receiver (DMA/DMP/DMR) devices, including Apple, Cisco Systems, Denon, Hewlett-Packard, Roku, Samsung, and many others.

Recent In-Stat research, Global Networked Media Clients & Servers 2009 Update: Clients Growing but Struggling (#IN0804088RC), covers the worldwide market for home networking-enabled products. It provides:

  • Worldwide forecasts through 2012 for each market segment including network-enabled units and segmentations for wired-only and wireless
  • The worldwide installed base of home networks
  • The worldwide installed base of home networks with both PC and CE devices
  • Detailed consumer survey results reflecting digital home multimedia networking
  • Market analysis of:
    • PCs with a Media Center-enabled OS
    • Basic media servers
    • PCs with a Media Center-enabled OS plus TV tuner
    • Non-PC devices w/embedded media servers (e.g., set-top boxes, digital media adapters/digital media receivers, network storage, etc.)
  • Total media server-capable devices.