A new study by ABI Research shows that while a large proportion of digital content is consumed by a small but influential group of digital media super-users, the mainstream user is increasingly looking for new ways to access and manage content. As consumers become increasingly comfortable with new digital media experiences, those hardware manufacturers that can best balance traditional use-cases with new ones will be the most able to capitalize on this growing class of digital media enthusiasts.

“Today we see a growing class of consumers that are just beginning to watch Internet video or are getting their first PVR,” says research director Michael Wolf. “This transition has them in search of better ways to manage this content cohesively. We believe that those device vendors and service providers that emphasize consumer experience while seamlessly integrating the worlds of old and new media will see the most success over time.”

Generational differences will continue to impact this transition to new media consumption. Those generations fluent in both the worlds of new and old media will continue to use traditional formats while increasingly sampling new ones. Those aged 30 to 34 are perhaps the most prolific in their use in both old and new formats, leading other groups in the size of their DVD collections (53% have over 40 DVDs), the likelihood they use a DVR (43% own one), and whether they purchase music online (24%).

“One of the trickle-down effects of these generational changes to new media consumption is the impact on storage requirements,” adds Wolf. “Hardware vendors will benefit from growing libraries of digital media as the average amount of storage required for digital photos doubles to 1.5 GB in 2012, while the average number of digital music tracks the average consumer has in his or her library will grow from 221 to 372 by 2012.”

The study, “Consumer Media: The Changing Ways in Which Consumers Buy, Consume and Manage Digital Content” explores how consumer use of traditional media is being increasingly balanced with usage of media through new consumption and distribution methods. The report assesses how different consumer types – from “Digital Laggards,” through “Mainstream Users” and “Digital Enthusiasts” to “Digital Super-Users” – will evolve over time and what impact they will have on digital media consumption.

It forms part of two ABI Research Services, Consumer Electronics and Digital Media.