ABI Research has released a new report on the growth opportunities for wireless video and audio connectivity in home consumer electronics. The report studies four technologies and how they will evolve to meet the demands of use-case applications that are common to a variety of home consumer electronic devices.
According to the report, the primary connectivity solutions available in the home video and audio market are Bluetooth Personal Area Network (Bluetooth PAN), Wi-Fi as the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), UWB (ultra-wideband) and 60 GHz as wireless high-definition (HD). 60 GHz is the likely standard-bearer for in-home wireless distribution of uncompressed HD video.
The report forecasts that shipments of these four classes of wireless audio and video connectivity products for the home market will increase to nearly 700 million worldwide by the end of 2013. The shipments of these products amount to approximately 150 million this year.
Pointing out that wireless video and audio connectivity within the home is still an early-adopter’s market, Senior Analyst, Douglas McEuen, said, “As prevalent as wireless connectivity is in the home, it’s still a small proportion compared to the potential overall market, and even smaller when it’s a question of in-home media networks. However as these systems begin to appear in consumers’ homes, word of the benefits will spread, boosting acceptance levels.”
The study analyses the key drivers and obstacles for growth in each market vertical and says that as the wireless home electronics market grows, the technologies in question will not compete with each other but coexist and become closely integrated to provide full wireless network coverage.
A steady growth of home connectivity markets is likely but the report also states that a few companies which are “pushing the technological envelope” may accelerate the progression path.
The report profiles the key industry vendors and specifically states that two new vendors stand out in the promotion of the new technology. The vendors include SiBEAM, which has been active in promoting the 60 GHz HD video solution, and Amimon, which pioneered the concept of the video modem.
According to the ABI report, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi markets already have large and well-established markets, but UWB and 60 GHz have yet to reach their full potential.
“Once UWB begins to hit its stride around 2010, it will show the highest year-over-year growth rate of any of the four technologies,” said McEuen.
The report, which is part of the “Home Wireless Video and Audio Connectivity” study, concludes with an in-depth market forecast that tracks the market forces numerically. This study forms part of three of the firm’s Research Services - Home Networking, Short Range Wireless and Wi-Fi.
ABI Research (News - Alert) is a market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets.
Nitya Prashant is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Nitya's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Michelle Robart
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