Already the fastest growing consumer electronics product in history, DVD sales will reach new heights over the next several years, according to Cahners In-Stat Group (http://www.instat.com).
The DVD market has grown from nothing in 1996 to more than 28 million units expected to ship worldwide in 2001 and will exceed 60 million units in 2004, the high tech market research firm says.
New features such as DVD-Audio, component integration leading to lower prices, and new products incorporating DVD technology such as TV/DVDs and DVD mini systems, all point to rapid market growth, a 48% increase in U.S. shipments in 2001 alone. More products will enter the DVD recorder market in 2001. DVD recorders using the DVD-RW and DVD+RW formats will finally make their bow in the U.S. and Europe. ``Price will be the determining factor in unit shipments,'' says Michelle Abraham, Senior Analyst for In-Stat's Multimedia Group. ``Though recorders will be available for less than $1,000 by the end of 2001, unit shipments will not reach the millions until prices fall below $500.''
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