Surging digital signage display market attracts interest of IT firms

EL SEGUNDO, USA: The rapid growth of the worldwide market for signage and professional displays is attracting a new group of heavyweight competitors to the business: IT-oriented firms, including PC king Hewlett-Packard Co. and microprocessor giant Intel Corp, according to iSuppli Corp.

Worldwide shipments of LCD and plasma screens for use in digital signage and professional displays is forecasted to grow a hefty 25 percent in 2010, reaching 1.99 million units, up from 1.6 million in 2009, said Sanju Khatri, principal analyst for signage and public information displays at iSuppli.

“Because of renewed economic vigor after the recession, the industry can expect stellar growth during the following years as well, with increases of more than 40 percent projected annually from 2011 to 2013,” Khatri added, By 2013, shipments of LCD and plasma displays for signage and professional displays will total 5.99 million units.

Of the roughly 2 million signage and professional displays that will ship this year, fully three-quarters—or 1.52 million units—will be LCD displays, with the remaining 468,752 being plasma screens.

The figure presents iSuppli’s worldwide forecast for flat-panel signage and professional displays. The forecast excludes the hotel television segment, which some do not consider to be part of the market.Source: iSuppli, USA

Sub-markets to post strong growth
Within the industry, solid growth is projected in 2010 in a number of sub-markets, specifically the indoor venues and retail signage segments.

For the indoor venues market, which includes installations in entertainment facilities, hospitality centers, healthcare facilities, auditoriums and indoor arenas, LCD and plasma signage displays will climb more than 70 percent, reaching 720,000 units in 2010, up from 419,000 units in 2009.

For the retail signage market, which includes displays in the retail environment, grocery stores, shopping malls and fast-food restaurants, LCD and plasma signage displays will rise to 848,000 units in 2010, up 18 percent from 717,000 in 2009.

IT companies display interest
Of major interest in the industry is the increasing recognition among key IT companies of the role that digital signage can play in advertising and communications with end users, Khatri noted.

For instance, Hewlett-Packard has introduced its own line of display products, including 42- and 47-inch widescreen LCD displays, catering to the signage and professional display market. Likewise, Cisco Systems Inc. is offering media players, content management software and digital displays as components of an integrated digital media suite that could also operate as a standalone digital signage application.

A third company of note, Intel, recently demonstrated how technology is able to enhance the retail experience. Intel says its Intelligent Digital Signage Proof of Concept delivers the performance required for demanding video applications, such as running anonymous video analytics applications or displaying multiple video streams and rich graphics.

The platform is based on Intel’s energy-efficient Intel Core 17 processor running the Windows Embedded Standard 2011 operating system.

Source: iSuppli, USA

Nearly 846 million pay TV subscribers in 2014

SCOTTSDALE, USA: Despite a depressed economy, global pay TV markets continue to grow. According to the latest market data from ABI Research, they will expand by a quarter from 2009 to 2014.

Industry analyst Michael Inouye says: “Cable will remain the largest pay TV platform, satellite the second-largest and telco TV the smallest (DTT aside), but the latter will show the fastest growth, more than doubling its share by 2014, albeit starting from a much smaller base. Most of the subscribers captured by telco TV will be lured away from cable services.”

The growth of pay TV services is driven by three major factors: the ongoing digital transition and a parallel rise in demand for premium content, new operators and offers, and new features such as interactivity, video on demand (VOD), and personal video recording (PVR).

“Interactivity is a feature mainly found in mature markets,” notes Inouye. “It’s a way to try and keep subscribers who have other options. While one might expect advanced services of this kind to spread gradually from these mature markets to developing ones, the relatively low per-subscriber revenue available in some countries like China and India may prove to be a hurdle to the expansion of additional features/services.”

Pay TV market growth is occurring in spite of some opposing factors. Chief among these is the availability of low-cost alternatives and substitutes such as digital terrestrial television (DTT) especially those that pair free-to-air (FTA) content with broadband content/VOD. Online content such as that provided by Hulu, YouTube, Netflix, Vudu, and the BBC iPlayer also poses challenges.

“Pay TV providers will ultimately develop strategies best suited to their respective markets,” Inouye concludes. “Generally speaking, however, in still-developing markets often the focus is on areas such as offering additional digital channels and HD content, as well as VOD, pay-per-view, and PVR. In more mature markets, there is growing interest in developing new features and services including interactivity and in-home networking.”

Apple iPad may overtake Amazon Kindle

BOSTON, USA: A recent survey of e-book reader owners and intenders shows that prior to the release of the iPad, Apple ranks just behind Amazon in the US and UK in terms of preferred brand; and if the iPad provides a compelling eReader experience, it may overtake Amazon’s Kindle. Details may be found in the Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab report, “US & UK eReader Owner and Intender Survey 2010.”

Current e-book reader owners report being extremely satisfied with their devices. Four out of five US owners prefer e-book readers to physical books. Potential e-book customers prefer:
* Ease of access to books;
* Ease of content transfer; and
* Newspaper and magazine availability.

“While brand name is still an important factor for current owners when choosing their next e-book reader,” commented Chris Schreiner, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics. “Consumers buying their first e-book reader will focus more on the durability and availability of e-books.”

Kevin Nolan, Vice President of the Strategy Analytics User Experience Practice, added, “Even though e-book readers allow for easy portability, more than half of e-book reader usage still occurs at home.”

Pioneer 5.1 channel A/V receivers deliver expanded iPhone experience to home theater

LONG BEACH, USA: Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. has unveiled a new line of 5.1 channel A/V receivers that deliver a dynamic music experience to the living room.

For the first time, the Pioneer VSX-520-K and VSX-820-K feature wireless Bluetooth transfer of audio content allowing users to enjoy their music directly from their Bluetooth-enabled device to their home theater system and are 3D Ready with the latest HDMI, version 1.4, providing more high definition connectivity options for the Blu-ray 3D specification.

The VSX-820-K also features “Works with iPhone” certification, providing a seamless user experience for iPhone owners. Pre-orders of the VSX-520-K and the VSX-820-K are currently available at Amazon.com.

“Pioneer continues to innovate the A/V receiver category with expanded compatibility for iPhone users. The addition of Bluetooth audio streaming allows consumers to keep their phones close to them to answer calls or select their next song without limitations of a wired connection to the receiver,” said David Bales, marketing manager of audio products for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

“Additionally, by equipping all models with HDMI 1.4, consumers can be assured that their Pioneer receiver is ready for future 3D home theater experiences.”

Global 3-D TV shipments set to soar to 78 million units in 2015

EL SEGUNDO, USA: Global 3-D television shipments will soar to 78 million units by 2015, rising at a CAGR of 80 percent from 4.2 million in 2010, predicts iSuppli Corp. Revenue from shipments of these sets will boom to $64.4 billion in 2015, up by nearly a factor of nine from $7.4 billion in 2010.

Fig. 1 presents iSuppli’s worldwide forecast of 3-D TV unit shipments and revenue for the period of 2010 to 2015.Source: iSuppli, USA

“While 3-D television has been all the rage in the consumer electronics industry, the market so far has been more talk than action,” said Riddhi Patel, director of television system research at iSuppli. “However, announcements made before and after the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January indicate that 3-D TV is becoming a reality. At the event, top television brands including Sony, LG, Panasonic and Samsung showcased upcoming offerings of full-featured 3-D TVs in the home.

Furthermore, consumer electronics makers at CES announced 3-D Blu-ray players and home theater systems, providing critical support that will help 3-D to move beyond a niche market and enter the mainstream in the coming years.”

Because of this strong brand commitment, competition in the 3-D market is expected to be intense, causing prices to plunge. The global Average Selling Price (ASP) for 3-D TVs is set to drop to $825 by 2015, less than half the $1,768 ASP in 2010. This will make 3-D TVs attractive to worldwide consumers.

Fig. 2 presents iSuppli global forecast of ASPS for 3-D TVs.Source: iSuppli, USASource: iSuppli, USA

iSuppli’s forecast assumes that brands will roll out their initial 3-D televisions starting in the first quarter and continue through the second half of the year. Many of the initial 3-D TV sets, designed to test the waters of the market and gauge consumer interest, will command a price premium of $600 to $700 compared to 2D LCD-TVs using Light Emitting Diode (LED) backlighting.

iSuppli predicts that early adopters alone will purchase 3-D TVs in 2010 and 2011. However, by 2012 and beyond, sales will spread to a wider audience as content availability increases and prices drop—factors that will enable 3-D TVs to appeal to a wider audience.

Content is starting to become available this year from ESPN, DirecTV, BSkyB, SkyLife and other broadcasters and providers. ESPN, for example, will be broadcasting 85 games in 3-D this year. Moreover 40 to 50 gaming titles in 3-D are expected to be issued in 2010.

One concern for the television industry is that special glasses are required for consumers to actually see 3-D images.

These glasses raise a number of questions. Will eyewear be compatible with other sets, either from the same or from different brands? Do consumers want to wear the glasses for extended periods—or will extended wearing be uncomfortable? And beyond the price of the 3-D set, how much will the glasses cost? Some quarters surmise that the glasses could be as much as $300 a pair—which would prove prohibitive for an average family to afford.

One way that some OEMs are working around this issue is by including two pairs of glasses with their 3-D sets. These bundles would then take away the price of the glasses and give consumers the capability to view 3-D immediately.

Source: iSuppli, USA

Ralink's 802.11n plus Bluetooth combo passes Bluetooth 3.0 + HS qualification

HSINCHU, TAIWAN: Ralink Technology, a leading developer of high performance wireless solutions, announced that its 802.11n plus Bluetooth combo solution (RT3090BC4) has completed Bluetooth 3.0 + HS qualification by the Bluetooth Qualification Board (BQB).

Targeting notebooks, netbooks and high-volume consumer PC platforms, the RT3090BC4 delivers an unparalleled level of intelligent coexistence between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. With support for high-performance Bluetooth 3.0 + HS functionality, this product catapults wireless mobile products from partners such as MSI Computing of Taiwan into a new level of multimedia capability by enabling Bluetooth 3.0+HS with data rates of up to 150Mbps, while maintaining the simplicity of Bluetooth device detection and setup.

With an optimized bill of materials, simplified design, and integrated manufacturing and testing procedures, the joint solution delivers significantly lower cost and power than discrete Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products.

“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Ralink into the fast growing mobile PC market,” said Jean Huand, Senior VP of MSI. “With its advanced R&D and early investment in the ‘next generation’ of Bluetooth/Wi-Fi co-location technology, Ralink is far ahead of its competition with this Bluetooth 3.0 + HS certified 802.11n plus Bluetooth combo module for PCs. Once again Ralink has demonstrated that it is at the forefront of the wireless market, with high performance, reliable, and cost-effective Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth technology,” Jean added.

The growing popularity of slim, ultra-compact mobile PCs has sparked demand for highly-integrated, co-located wireless solutions. To ensure optimal compatibility between WLAN and Bluetooth, the RT3090BC4 combo solution incorporates a sophisticated coexistence algorithm for improved harmony between co-located WLAN and Bluetooth radios.

It dynamically adjusts WLAN and Bluetooth transmissions to reduce interference, and it responds automatically to the presence and operating characteristics of nearby Wi-Fi Access Points. This results in 80 percent faster WLAN throughput compared to competing WLAN plus Bluetooth combo devices for PCs.

The RT3090BC4 is a highly integrated solution that eliminates redundant components required for discrete 802.11n and Bluetooth modules including antennas, connectors, printed circuit boards, cables, and radio shielding, delivering more than 20 percent cost savings over competing WLAN plus Bluetooth combo products. PC OEMs also benefit from reduced manufacturing costs through easier assembly, faster testing, and simpler inventory control.

The RT3090BC4 supports the 802.11n standard as well as BQB certified Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, the leading-edge version of Bluetooth which was announced earlier this year. The solution incorporates support for Motorola’s consumer-friendly user interface and 22 Bluetooth profiles including high-performance multimedia capabilities such as stereo audio, video streaming, and rapid digital photo transfers for personal area network (PAN) applications.

"Ralink's Wi-Fi solutions are featured in millions of desktop and portable PCs worldwide, as well as the entire ecosystem of WLAN products including retail networking, broadband connectivity, and consumer electronics devices," said Dr. Horen Chen, President of Ralink Technology. "The RT3090BC4 WLAN plus Bluetooth combo solution enables manufacturers to quickly move into the new Bluetooth 3.0 + HS era and increase revenues.”

Ralink’s 802.11n technology is shipping in more than 650 products from customers in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and across all major Wi-Fi market segments including personal computers, retail access points and adapters, DSL and cable modem gateways, televisions, Blu-ray players, web cameras, digital photo frames, and IPTV set-top-boxes. Dozens of customers across these segments ship WLAN products using Ralink’s innovative, high-performance Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 802.11n chipsets.