Audio Video News

Only four years after its official introduction, the Digital Versatile Disc has made its way into one of every three American homes, according to a study released in early October by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The market's remarkably rapid acceptance of the technology has cemented DVD's position as the "fastest selling consumer electronics product of all time." The amazing number of players in consumers' hands is attributable to DVD's vastly better picture and sound, compared to videotape, and to extremely attractive prices. Basic players can now be found almost everywhere for well under $200.

The format has proved so popular that the film industry is working overtime to produce new titles, and video rental chains like Blockbuster are overhauling their inventories to make room for them. This rush to fill growing demand may be only the beginning, according to the CEA. The study, DVD Ownership and Market Potential, indicates that among consumers who have yet to purchase DVD machines, almost three-quarters (73%) say they intend to do so, and almost half (46%) say they will do so within the year. The intended purchases include ordinary DVD players, DVD-based game consoles, and DVD-ROM drives for personal computers.

Although lack of software inhibited DVD player sales during the format's early days, that is no longer a factor. There are now thousands of movies available on DVD, with more released every week. (See related story.) The CEA study states that word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied current owners have the biggest positive effect on new sales. Almost all DVD owners (94%) claim to be extremely satisfied with their purchases, the study concludes.