Blu-Ray Players/Recorders Will Lead CE Network Game Console Client Growth

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 Blue-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, Denon, Hewlett-Packard, Roku, Samsung, and many others.

The 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

The price is $3,495 (US).