Summary

Cahners In-Stat Group predicted in September 1999 that ATSC 8-VSB would become the dominant technology for digital broadband multimedia services, with tuner shipments surpassing both digital cable and DBS by 2003. The firm projected over 50 million U.S. households capable of receiving 8-VSB signals by end of 2000, driven initially by sub-$300 PC tuner cards.

Source document circa 1999 preserved as-is


Tuesday, September 28, 1999

    ATSC 8-VSB Standard to Become Dominant Technology for Digital Broadband Multimedia Services by 2003, According to Cahners In-Stat Group

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--Sept. 27, 1999--In a breakthrough report, Cahners In-Stat Group expects that by the end of 2000, more than 50 million U.S. households will be able to pick-up an 8-VSB signal from a local digital terrestrial broadcast station.

    The growth of 8-VSB tuners will out-pace that of digital cable in 2002, and surpass shipments of direct broadcast satellite (DBS) by 2003, according to the high-tech market research firm.

    "Many industry watchers believe that the ATSC 8-VSB digital television standard is on the verge of collapsing," said Gerry Kaufhold, principal analyst with Cahners In-Stat Group. "they're wrong because they haven't looked far enough. 8-VSB will be a viable new technology for Digital TV and its growth will be strong."

    Cahners In-Stat Group also believes:
    Reports of the demise of 8-VSB are premature. The ATSC 8-VSB standard will become a dominant technology for digital broadband multimedia services. The future of 8-VSB as a transmission standard is now much brighter than it was before, thanks to breakthroughs by semiconductor companies such as Philips, Motorola, Microtune, Oren and NxtWave.

    During the early stages, 8-VSB Tuners for PCs will be the market driver, hitting price points below $300 at retail during 2000, providing a low cost entry point for consumers.

    The overall market for 8-VSB tuner/demodulators in the U.S. will be slow to start, but will quickly pick up, with shipments topping 11 million units during 2002.

    Out past 2002, the Satellite Broadcasting Market will drive 8-VSB because it gives EchoStar and DirecTV a "selling item" in their on-going battle to win over Cable TV subscribers.

    The report, ATSC Digital Tuners: 8-VSB Tunes in the World, No. DT9910CE, is a breakthrough analysis that provides a worldwide 12-year forecast for nine separate products that will most likely contain ATSC 8-VSB Tuners.

    It also details annual unit shipment forecasts for ATSC 8-VSB tuners and demodulators in six countries. For more information on this service, or to purchase the report, please call 617/630-2144 or visit http://www.instat.com/catalog/cat-dt.htm .

    Cahners In-Stat Group (http://www.cahnersinstat.com) covers the full spectrum of digital communications research from vendor to end-user, providing the analysis and perspective that allows technology vendors and service providers worldwide to make more informed business decisions.

    Contact:

    Cahners In-Stat Group
    Gerry Kaufhold, 520/363-9752
    email: [email protected]
    Chris Hecht, 480/483-4443
    email: [email protected]

 

Copyright 1999

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