DVD recorders are beginning to drive the market for non-PC DVD hardware, a trend that keeps the overall global DVD hardware market on the rise, according to In-Stat. The DVD recorder market (not including units connected to PCs) doubled in size in 2004 and will grow by 87% in 2005, the high-tech market research firm said. "Contrary to our expectations, DVD player unit shipments grew in all regions in 2004, with the exception of Japan," said Michelle Abraham, In-Stat analyst. "In Japan, DVD player shipments declined, while DVD recorders grew by over 100%."

In-Stat has also found that:

-- Worldwide DVD recorder unit shipments will grow from 9.4 million in 2004 to 67.7 million in 2009.

-- Digital TV tuners will be added to DVD recorders in increasing numbers in Japan, Europe, and North America. The FCC DTV tuner mandate will require a DTV tuner in each DVD recorder shipped in the United States after July 1, 2007.

-- Three manufacturers are shipping next-generation Blu-ray recorders in Japan, while the first HD-DVD players will be available in the second half of 2005 along with about 90 movie titles. In-Stat expects shipments of next-generation blue laser recorders and players will reach 4 million in 2008, not including video game consoles.

The report, "DVD Players, Recorders, and the Next Generation" (#IN0501925ME), provides forecasts for unit shipments, average selling prices, and revenues by region for DVD playback and recording devices that connect to TV sets, not PCs. It includes a look at emerging DVD player features, DVD recorder combinations, and new DVD technologies including those from silicon providers. To purchase this report, or for more information, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/Ccatalogue.asp?id=162 or contact Erin McKeighan at 480-609-4551 or emckeighan@reedbusiness.com. The report price is $3,495.