Global set-top box shipments were worth an estimated $22.5 billion in 2014, according to IHS (News - Alert) Technology. And the global market for high definition set-top boxes is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 2.38 percent between 2014 and 2018, according to Research and Markets.

That growth is being driven by digitization in China and India as well as in Latin American countries such as Brazil and Argentina, says Research and Markets, which notes that STB vendors are banking on these emerging countries for their growth as the market in developed countries is saturated.

Research and Markets also explains that there has been increasing demand from customers for the ability to transform video content to multiple formats for display on devices such as television, mobiles, tablets, and PCs.

“Vendors have incorporated a new technology, MHG in STB, which caters to this demand from customers,” the firm reports. “This enables pay TV operators to deliver services to various client devices. This multiscreen phenomenon is boosting the sales of HD STBs.”

Arris (News - Alert) Group, Cisco Systems, Comcast (News  - Alert), EchoStar, Huawei (News - Alert) Technologies, Pace, and Technicolor are among the leaders in the STB space. Here’s a sampling of what some of the other vendors in the STB arena are offering.

Albis Technologies
From digital set-top boxes and business access products to engineering services, Albis Technologies delivers what it calls innovative and tailored solutions.  With global coverage, Albis Technologies' has demonstrated a proven track record of experience and competence.

Amino
Amino Communications sells an array of IPTV (News - Alert)/over-the-top video devices. That includes the new Live Advanced Media Platform, which offers access to the new Amino TV Apps store and seamless multiscreen capability. Amino has more than 850 customers in 85 countries and has sold more than five million devices. Amino Communications (News - Alert) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amino Technologies plc.

Apple
Apple (News - Alert) TV gives viewers access to the biggest names in entertainment, in up to 1080p HD. Users can show anything that’s on their iOS device or Mac on their HDTV with AirPlay (News - Alert). Apple is also reportedly readying a new version of its set-top box Apple TV solution. Rumors indicate it will support live TV streaming and allow users to navigate content selection by using their voices.

Roku
Roku bills itself as the easiest, most convenient way to stream entertainment to your TV. Roku's family of streaming devices range from the tiny Roku Streaming Stick, which fits into the back of a TV; to Roku's streaming boxes Roku 1, Roku 2; and the flagship streaming player Roku 3, which offers an enhanced remote with built-in headphone jack for private listening. Every Roku player comes with access to more than 2,000 streaming channels and more than 200,000 movies and TV episodes. Roku Search helps users find favorite movies, shows, actors and directors across top channels. Plus, Roku Search results display the various channels offering the content and identify free and paid options to take the guesswork out of it. Users can control Roku with the included remote or with their mobile phones or tablets via the free Roku apps for Android (News - Alert), iOS or Windows Phone. This device also enables users to cast Netflix, YouTube and personal media like photos, music and videos from mobile devices to their TVs.

Slingbox
Slingbox M1 delivers all of a customer’s pay TV programming, including all live or recorded content, for remote viewing on tablets or smartphones in up to HD quality. Boasting Wi-Fi connectivity for easy installation, this compact and attractive set-top box works with a TV setup to allow users to enjoy all of their home TV programming remotely with ease of set-up and use. And at just $149.99, Slingbox M1 is the most powerful, affordable Slingbox ever introduced.

TelergyHD
TelergyHD sells the THD504L Linux IPTV set-top box. This low cost Linux set-top box includes Wi-Fi for the audiences that mostly want to enjoy hassle free service live TV, radio, catch up, and VoD. The company also offers the THD603QC Android Quad-core IPTV set-top box. The THD603QC is the top of range Android set-top box to be used for LiveTV, VoD, radio and popular Android Apps such as XBMC, Netflix, Skype (News - Alert), games and many other uses. It is offered for users who want the best performance combined with all thinkable features. Both set-top boxes are integrated with middleware systems offered by several middleware vendors, including Mware Solutions.