2011 peak year for SD DTT STB semicon: In-Stat

SCOTTSDALE, USA: The semiconductor opportunity in standard definition (SD) Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) set-top boxes will peak in 2011 at nearly $500 million.

High-definition DTT STBs also offer a short-term spike in semiconductor opportunity. However, SD DTT STBs are the more sustainable opportunity for semiconductor manufacturers, reports In-Stat.

"The US analog shut-off is driving a surge of HD converter boxes in 2008 and 2009," says Gerry Kaufhold, In-Stat analyst. "However, this bubble will wane, while the SD DTT market continues to grow across a broader set of geographic markets."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
* Key component categories include the Demux/CPU/AV decoder and the MPEG-2 MP@HL/Graphics IC.
* The European DTT STB Market Value will peak in 2011 at $1.6 billion.
* On a European country basis, UK leads the market, followed by Spain, France, Germany, and then Italy.
* Total DTT STB unit shipments will peak at 44 million in 2009.
* Standard Definition DTT Set Top Box unit shipments will peak in 2011.