Summary

The International Recording Media Association forecast DVD-Video players would reach 175 million households worldwide by end of 2004, with U.S. household penetration approaching 10% before 2001. Global disc replication was projected to reach 1.4 billion units in 2002, driven by growth in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.

Source document circa 2000 preserved as-is

Wednesday, December 6, 2000

DvD Players Nearing 10% Penitration in 2001


New York, N.Y., September 20, 2000 -- Using strong numbers to illustrate the success of DVD-Video in the U.S. and the world market, the International Recording Media Association (IRMA) forecast the format will be in 175 million households by the end of 2004.

Charles Van Horn, IRMA President, pointed to DVD-Video players and DVD-PC drives as the product base for growth in the home of DVD-Video recordings. A new optical media research study by IRMA expects DVD to achieve the challenging goal of 10% penetration of U.S. households before 2001 arrives.

Another element of support for the relatively new DVD-Video market segment comes from DVD-capable game systems, where one company estimated 60% of its 1.4 million purchasers had either purchased or rented at least one DVD-Video recording. "Many had purchased five discs or more, indicating to us new growth in the U.S. and Europe markets once the dual-system players become available in each market," Van Horn said.

Geographically, the IRMA study predicts noteworthy increases in the Europe, Japan, and China markets in the coming years. DVD-Video replication is estimated at 710 million discs in North America in 2002, with Europe growing to 310 million in the same period. Japan will account for some 145 million DVD-Video units, and China 100 million. The worldwide total of 1.4 billion discs expected to be replicated in 2002 would be a healthy increase over 905 million units in 2001.

The new IRMA Optical Media Market Intelligence Report - 2000 drew on the participation of IRMA member companies, which represent more than 80% of the world's optical replication capacity. The 413-page study analyzes 14 established CD and DVD formats along with new and under-development optical formats.

The International Recording Media Association is the advocate for the $17 billion worldwide recording media industry, representing all recording media formats, and providing a forum for the exchange of management information on global trends and innovations.

For more information, contact:
Frank McCann
317-872-0964