New products proliferate to connect TV sets

A new class of devices, Digital Media Adapters (DMAs), Digital Media Players (DMPs), and Digital Media Receivers (DMRs) is emerging in the connected digital home, reports US research firm In-Stat. These new products allow consumers to connect audio players, televisions, PCs, and other devices to the internet and to digital storage devices for media recording and playback.

In-Stat has identified over 40 competitors offering products in the segment. Similarly, a range of semiconductor competitors have positioned processors and Application Specific Standard Products (ASSPs) targeting the emerging equipment market.

“Early competitors were primarily either networking equipment companies or small start-ups,” said Norm Bogen, VP of In-Stat’s Digital Entertainment research, in a statement. “But now a broader range of device manufacturers are positioning competitive devices. However, the biggest challenge to this market category is the proliferation of networked game consoles, Internet-connected set-top boxes, networked DTVs, and networked Blu-ray devices that support web-to-TV video and other services.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following: nearly 4.5 million DMAs, DMPs, and DMRs will be sold worldwide in 2013; Chip providers competing in the market include Intel, NXP, Sigma Designs and Texas Instruments; Over half of US home network users are at least somewhat interested in a consumer electronics product that enables Online Video Services, including streaming and downloading.