Can DTV (Digital TV) "come to the rescue?" A new report shows how broadcasters, producers and manufacturers of both DTV production and consumer products are making the DTV conversion happen well in time for the 1998-1999 launch in the 30 largest TV markets; and how video servers and networks are replacing VTRs (Video Tape Recorders) in many of the stations' central operations.

The first market analysis of the U.S. DTV market, "Digital Television Report £45;-DTV Production & Consumer Products Overview & Forecast," by Multimedia Research Group Inc. (MRG) offers a product-specific analysis and forecast of DTV production and consumer products using the FCC-approved "ATSC" standard. Because today's markets are driven by new demographics, fast-moving technologies, and consumer demand for choice and quality, the report describes how HDTV (High Definition TV), SDTV (Standard Definition TV) and data services will meet these demands together.

Covering a total of 1,600 U.S. TV stations and about 700 support facilities, the analysis provides both fast- and slow-growth scenarios between 1998 and 2006. It also provides detailed descriptions of product opportunities, amplified by the sharp increase in demand for DTV servers, networks, converters, routers and station automation products.

The report is based on approximately 100 interviews with executives from television broadcasting, manufacturers of DTV production and consumer products, computer manufacturers, the FCC and major trade associations. It emphasizes how market growth results from the synchronized growth of DTV programming, DTV consumer products (TV sets and settops) and DTV production/transmission equipment. It also explains how the first 30 DTV markets (or 52 percent of US TV households) are concentrated enough for broadcasters to conserve conversion costs, learn key lessons and gain critical market position by 1999.

(c) HotWired