Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) and Free-to-Air Satellite TV services will give the PC TV tuner market a huge boost over the next several years, reports In-Stat. By 2009, the worldwide retail value of the PC-TV Tuner market is expected to reach US$ 3.7 billion, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 42.6 percent. "Personal computers with a TV Tuner provide a wide range of features and functions that enable the emerging market for connected digital homes," says Gerry Kaufhold, In-Stat analyst. "A race among Pay-TV services, Consumer Electronics manufacturers, and the PC industry eventually favors the PC industry. The PC industry moves more quickly, and can ride Moore's Law and Microsoft's software into more market segments more quickly than the other competitors." Microsoft's Media Center Edition (MCE) Multimedia PCs are now gaining market traction in over 30 countries around the world. Microsoft's next-generation Longhorn Operating System is likely to have a dramatic impact on the Multimedia PC world similar to what Windows 95 had on the home computer business 10 years ago. Free-to-Air TV provides "Content" that consumers can record to their PC's hard disk drive, edit, and "burn" onto DVDs for personal archiving with no monthly fees. PC-TV Tuner products also enable "capturing" video from camcorders, VCRs, and other sources. Apple's move to Intel's mobile PC platform sets the stage for intense, head-to-head competition for in-home digital entertainment PCs. Digital Terrestrial TV services require continual updating and upgrading of PC-TV Tuner software, which favors the larger, financially established PC-TV Tuner companies.
The personal computing device market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite recent fluctuations. According to the latest worldwide market study by International Data Corporation (IDC), global PC shipments are projected to reach 273 million units in 2025—a modest but significant 3.7 percent increase over the previous year. This growth reflects the market's adaptation to post-pandemic realities and evolving technology needs across the globe. Personal Computing Market Development While COVID-19 initially triggered unprecedented demand for computing devices during the shift to remote work and online education, we now see a more measured growth pattern. IDC has slightly adjusted its projections downward, indicating a market growing steadily rather than explosively. "In light of so many challenges around the world, Japan is a much-needed source of double-digit growth this year. Enterprises there as well as SMBs have been quickly replacing PCs in advance of the Window...