Digital media devices sprout for connected homes

A new class of devicesincluding digital media adapters (DMAs), digital media players (DMPs), and digital media receivers (DMRs)is emerging in the connected digital home, according to In-Stat. DMAs, DMPs and DMRs allow consumers to connect audio players, televisions, PCs and other devices to the Internet and to digital storage devices for media recording and playback.

In-Stat has identified over 40 competitors offering products in the segment. Similarly, a range of semiconductor competitors has positioned processors and ASSPs targeting the emerging equipment market.

“Early competitors were primarily either networking equipment companies or small start-ups,” says Norm Bogen, VP of digital entertainment research at In-Stat. “But now a much broader range of device manufacturers are positioning competitive devices. However, the biggest challenge to this market category is the proliferation of networked game consoles, Internet-connected STBs, networked DTVs, and networked Blu-ray devices that support web-to-TV video and other services.”

The research also found that nearly 4.5 million DMAs, DMPs, and DMRs will be sold worldwide in 2013 with chip providers Intel, NXP, Sigma Designs and Texas Instruments competing in the market. The In-Stat report also said that half of home network users in the United States are interested in a consumer electronics product that enables online video services, including streaming and downloading.