DESPITE THE FACT THE Personal Video Recorder (PVR) market is starting to show early signs of maturation, the long term prospects for such technology is bright, reports research firm In-Stat.
The maturation signs include expanding geographic availability of PVR products, particularly into Europe and Asia, and a leveling out of both PVR unit shipments and product revenues, says an In-Stat report. In 2008, PVR product unit shipments are forecasted to surpass 22.6 million, up from 19.6 million in 2007.
"Long-term prospects for the market remain bright, as strong demand from pay-TV service providers for PVR-enabled digital set top box products will sustain growth," said Mike Paxton, In-Stat analyst, in a release.
Other report highlights say:
* The worldwide installed base of PVR products is on track to reach 44.6 million at year-end 2007, up from 33.9 million at the end of 2006.
* TiVo remains the top PVR service provider, measured by total service subscribers. The rest of the top five PVR service providers are EchoStar, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and BSkyB.
* By 2011, annual worldwide PVR product unit shipments are projected to reach 31.6 million.
