The global installed base of web-enabled stationary consumer electronics (CE) devices is growing rapidly and includes a wide variety of devices. While the importance of the Internet as the ultimate source of content grows, sales of TV-sets, set-top-boxes and other web-enable devices will skyrocket.

Typically, web-enabled CE devices can execute widgets, small software application programs that directly access an online portal, such as Netflix, Amazon VOD, Pandora, or YouTube. The development and use of Smart TV applications are expected to proliferate over the next five years and, as a result, web-enabled CE device shipments are expected to grow 6 fold, surpassing 230 million installed units by 2014, the majority of these in North America and Europe, according to In-Stat market tracking firm.

“Consumer adoption of online applications, using web-enabled CE devices, will be regionalized, or in some cases, country-specific. For example, in China, there is very little licensed video entertainment content available for delivery over the Internet. In contrast, the availability of online video entertainment in Europe and North America is expected to grow substantially over the next five years. The primary markets for web-enabled CE devices will correlate to where online video is also available," said Keith Nissen, an analyst with In-Stat.

In 2014, nearly 70% of DTVs shipped will be network-enabled devices, although many will not be web-enabled. The vast majority of Blu-ray disc players and recorders shipped will be both network-enabled and web-enabled devices.

The popularity of the over-the-top (OTT) video is creating interest in enhancing the IP video capabilities of cable, satellite and IPTV set top boxes (STBs), the analysts said.

Tags: HDTV