Jupiter Research estimates that 13.7 million U.S. households already have a digital video recorder, with that figure expected to grow to 54.7 million by the end of 2010. That kind of growth usually should spell rewards for investors who know where to look.
Some say that TiVo Inc. -- the only pure-play on rapid DVR adoption -- is the best way to play the growth wave, while others advise avoiding TiVo, which faces severe competition. Instead, some analysts suggest, investors should look to the less-sexy companies that make either the DVR boxes or the stuff that goes into them.
Disk-drive maker Seagate Technology, which is acquiring competitor Maxtor Corp., is the best way to invest in the trend, Hoefer & Arnett analyst Mark Miller said. Seagate shipped 2.4 million DVR disk drives in the fourth quarter, while Maxtor and another competitor, Western Digital Corp., shipped 1.3 million each.
Some say that TiVo Inc. -- the only pure-play on rapid DVR adoption -- is the best way to play the growth wave, while others advise avoiding TiVo, which faces severe competition. Instead, some analysts suggest, investors should look to the less-sexy companies that make either the DVR boxes or the stuff that goes into them.
Disk-drive maker Seagate Technology, which is acquiring competitor Maxtor Corp., is the best way to invest in the trend, Hoefer & Arnett analyst Mark Miller said. Seagate shipped 2.4 million DVR disk drives in the fourth quarter, while Maxtor and another competitor, Western Digital Corp., shipped 1.3 million each.