Set-Top Boxes Take Over the World

I don't have one at my house, but industry analytical types certainly think the Set Top Box will be making a mass exodus into living rooms worldwide. Amidst the confusion about what exactly comprises the elusive Black Box, at least Mill Valley CA-based Jon Peddie Associates takes a stab at defining what they are as it quantifies future installations. JPA's latest box study, called the the Digital Set-Top Box Market Review & Forecast 2001-2007 encompasses "subscriber television boxes such as cable and satellite, and advanced set-top boxes including game consoles, DVD video players, Internet television, entertainment PCs and PVRs." Maybe I do have one in my house after all. JPA says that, by 2007, the installed base of DSTBs will reach 397.5 million units. According to JPA, the technology will be integrated incrementally as we embrace the new electronic goodies over the next five years. If you are interested enough to shell out some cash for the complete report, you might want to check out the Table of Contents first (but don't bother if you don't like online forms).