3DTV overshadowed by Connected TV - Global Connected TV Shipments Forecast to Reach 118 Million in 2014

written by: Richard Kastelein

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Published on Wednesday, 20 October 2010 07:39

While much of the hoopla and news coverage surrounding TV features has been honed in on 3DTV, the quiet revolution of connected TV is reaching new heights with news that research shows that over 40 million units expected to ship in 2010 alone. At IFA 2010 in Berlin, much of the hype was 3DTV, despite numbers showing that in fact, 3DTV Sales Forecast are Dwarfed by Connected TV.

Further shattering the illusion in  DisplaySearch's Q3’10 Quarterly TV Design and Features Report, the connected TV category is forecast to grow to over 118 million in 2014. TV set makers continue to develop new service platforms to offer a variety of new formats for TV viewing, while broadcasters are also launching their own standards and portals this quarter, such as HbbTV and YouView in Europe.

“It’s an exciting time for the connected TV sector,” said Paul Gray, DisplaySearch Director of European TV Research. “It’s a battleground where TV set makers, internet video companies, free-to-air broadcasters, pay-TV and the IT industry are all rushing to stake their claims. IPTV is moving from being a technology to becoming recognizable service offerings.”

Despite the growth of the connected TV segment, no clear front-runner has emerged and only around 10% of the connected TVs sold in Japan have joined a network so far, while expectations for North America have been scaled back as the TV market struggles in the region this year. However, Samsung says over 40 per cent of their Internet@TV products have been activated in Europe and add that 47 Million European Households Will Have Connected TV by 2014 from their own research.

Gray added:

“It has been a long, challenging journey so far, especially with new competitors like Google TV joining the battle. Set makers will have to acquire new skills such as negotiating content deals in order to succeed. I think most of the TV supply chain senses that this is a seismic shift in the usage of TV that will be far more significant than 3D, which will not alter TV function or usage patterns.”

It is expected that the connected TV market will split, with basic connected sets carrying enhanced services, while the smart TV segment will encompass configurable apps, sophisticated search and navigation engines, and advanced user interfaces. DisplaySearch defines a smart TV as one that can retrieve content from beyond walled gardens, has intelligent search and recommendation, is upgradeable by its owner, and is able to network seamlessly with other devices in the home.