Television
The total size of the television market in Asia measures at nearly US$22 billion. For the first time, LCD televisions are the largest television category, equaling 40% of the total market value, compared to conventional televisions (39%), plasma televisions (18%), and rear projection televisions (3%). On a volume basis, LCD televisions out-sold plasma televisions four-to- one in 2006. In all, more than 50 million televisions were sold by retailers in 13 countries* across the Asian Region last year. In 2006, 83% of televisions sold in Asia were conventional televisions, a figure that is predicted to slip to 75% in 2007.
"The future is certainly bright for LCD screens in Asia. We expect that LCD televisions to continue a strong advance in 2007 and see a regional growth rate of 72% for volumes in the year ahead," says Steven Kaiser, Commercial Director of Consumer Electronics, GfK Asia.
Markets such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam that had seen relatively low LCD television volumes in 2005 exhibit robust increases in 2006 as the product gains a solid foothold throughout the Asian Region. Further evidence of the product's vitality is seen in China where more than four million LCD televisions are reported sold at Chinese retailers in 2006 and is forecast to reach eight million units in 2007.
DVD Player and Recorder
DVD recorders enjoy a banner year in 2006. The market value of DVD recorder retail sales across 12 countries** in the Asian Region is nearly US$500 million, representing 22% of the overall DVD player market. On aggregate, more than 23 million DVD players are reported sold in 2006 in the Asian Region. The DVD player market is forecast to hold steady in 2007.
"With the two next-generation hi-definition video disc formats finally becoming a reality, it is not surprising to see current-generation DVD players reaching a natural sales plateau," explains Mr. Kaiser. "Yet, despite the impending 'hi-def' future, DVD recorders are actually flourishing in today's market by offering Asian consumers a strong value proposition: a rich feature- set at ever-better price points."
Audio Home System and Home Theatre System
In the audio sector, a China boom is expected for home theatre systems next year when the market volume is forecast to increase by 33% in 2007. The total market volume of audio home systems and home theatre systems combined in 2006 stands at just below four million units across the 12 Asian countries** measured. Regionally, no growth is forecast for home audio products in 2007.
MP3 Digital Portable Audio Player and MP4 Digital Portable Video Player More than 20 million digital portable multimedia players (digital portable audio players and digital portable video players combined) are reported sold in retail shops across the nine countries*** tracked in 2006. Approximately 6 million of these devices feature playback of digital video; the number of these devices is forecast to rise to 9 million units in 2007.
"Such is the pace of technology," says Mr. Kaiser. "The digital portable video player segment did not exist two years ago. Today, video playback is a feature on nearly one-third of all players sold in the Asian Region. We expect memory prices will continue to drop and video content will become even more accessible, positioning digital portable video players as the likely successor to portable video disc players in the marketplace."
Portable Radio Player
The market for portable radio players is currently tracked in 11 countries****. The market size is measured at nearly US$300 million. China and Indonesia have the largest base of consumers for portable radio players in the Asian Region, with the total market volume measured as 2.6 million units and 1.5 million units respectively in each country in 2006.
* 13 countries surveyed for Television were China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia.
** 12 countries surveyed for DVD Player and Recorder, Audio Home System, Home Theatre System, and Camcorder were China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia.
*** 9 countries surveyed for MP3 Digital Portable Audio Player and MP4 Digital Portable Video Player were China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia.
**** 11 countries surveyed for Portable Radio Player were China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia.
