Audio Video News

According to new statistics released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), manufacturer-to-dealer sales of video products in January grew by 8% over the first month of 1999 and totaled nearly 3.5 million units. Sales of DVD players, projection televisions, and camcorders were the major factors contributing to this growth, according to the trade organization.

The figures also show that sales of analog projection televisions grew to 92,000 units, 27% ahead of last January. The CEA says that camcorders also contributed strongly to the month's growth, with shipments reaching 297,000 units, a 31% increase over last year. Sales of large-screen TVs (those measuring 29" and higher) rose by 16% over January 1999, representing 18% of the 1.36 million sets sold so far this year. This points "to a continuing trend of consumers' building home theater environments," says the CEA.

According to the numbers, however, the strongest category was DVD Players: 370,000 units shipped in January 2000, a 195% increase over January 1999. The CEA estimates that DVD player sales will again be strong in 2000, reaching more than 6.5 million units for the year.