As digital terrestrial broadcasting becomes the global standard, the digital terrestrial television (DTT) set top box market will increase sharply in response. But will the global credit crunch endanger large digital terrestrial TV deployment projects, many of which require large amounts of financed capital?
High tech research firm In-Stat examines this question and more in a new research report called ‘Digital Terrestrial TV Set Top Boxes 2009: Analog Shut Off Fuels Worldwide Market’.
The report says that combined shipments of DTT set top boxes will grow from over 36 million units shipped in 2008, to 44 million in 2009. However, the market is expected to decline after 2009, as the analog shut off that is fueling the shipments begins to play out.
And while the declining economy could cause delays in DTT conversion programs worldwide, with consumers purchasing fewer set top boxes (STBs) as a result, In-Stat speculates that the reverse could hold true.
“Another scenario, however, is more upbeat for the STB market," said In-Stat analyst Gerry Kaufhold. "The economic slowdown could spur governments to fund the DTT transition at an accelerated rate to stimulate the economy. By auctioning off the analog spectrum, governments would receive income. Converting analog spectrum for other uses will also spur new innovation and opportunity."
The research also found that:
– Total DTT set top box unit shipments will peak at 44 million in 2009;
– Standard definition DTT set top box unit shipments will peak in 2011;
– The component value of standard definition DTT set top boxes will reach nearly $500 million in 2011;
– The European DTT set top box market value will peak in 2011 at $1.6 billion.
For more information on the report, click here.
