Audio Video News

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is reporting that manufacturer-to-dealer sales of digital television (DTV) monitors and sets (monitors with integrated tuners) totaled 117,851 units with $222 million in revenue during July. The CEA adds that these unit sales figures represent a 165% increase over the same period in 2000.

The numbers also indicate steady DTV growth, with July registering as the most successful month for DTV sales so far this year. The CEA says that the current statistics indicate a 30% increase over June unit sales and a 39% increase over June dollar sales.

The CEA's Gary Shapiro says that the recent numbers suggest that "consumers are embracing the digital experience, which offers crystal clear pictures and enveloping sound. Manufacturers continue to introduce a wide variety of new DTV products, including HDTV sets retailing for under $2000. Indeed, despite the economic turbulence, more and more consumers are turning on DTV, reinforcing our contention that consumer electronics provide maximum value. We expect to see strong numbers month after month as more consumers experience DTV."

According to the CEA, consumer dollar investment in DTV is projected to reach nearly five billion dollars by the end of this year. The organization also projects sales of DTV sets and monitors to continue their rapid growth in the coming years, with unit sales of 1.1 million this year, 2.1 million in 2002, 4 million in 2003, 5.4 million in 2004, 8 million in 2005 and 10.5 million in 2006.