Technological advancements are simultaneously enhancing the sophistication, form and ease-of-use of PC-TV tuners. Tuners in the form of PCI cards and USB sticks are easy to install and do not require the technical prowess associated with earlier formats of the device. PC-TV tuners are at the heart of the Entertainment PC concept, and are propagating the ‘media convergence’ trend. One of the most attractive features of the device remains its ability to support telewebbing, enabling users to browse the Internet and watch TV simultaneously. The PC-TV tuner market came into existence as a niche market serving the requirement of computer enthusiasts or hobbyists who possessed the technical know-how to install and use the complex devices. However, the popularity of PC-TV tuners soon extended beyond this esoteric group, laying the foundation for the entertainment PC concept that found acceptance among mainstream consumers. Today, computer tuner cards and USB sticks meets the need of diverse end-user segments. The flexibility of the device form, affordability and ease of installation is fuelling its widespread adoption and promoting the global concept of Entertainment PC, which is spreading to metro and urban homes, playing the dual role of an entertainment as well as an educational device. Over the last few years, the transition toward small-sized electronic goods enforced component vendors to design miniature devices. At present, the TV tuners segment also referred as CAN tuners, is witnessing considerable transformation and is dominated by advanced silicon tuners. While, TV is expected to be the main adopter of silicon tuners in next few years, other applications, for instance cable, STBs, and mobile handsets are also implementing these new technologies.

As with the broader TV tuners segment, the PC-TV tuners market is undergoing significant changes in tune with the ongoing digitization of television broadcasts. The switch from analogue to digital ATSC broadcasts in the United States in 2009 is one of major growth drivers for computer tuners in the region. Silicon digital tuners are gradually phasing out analogue and relatively-expensive hybrid tuner cards, particularly in North American, and Western Europe, with advancing Asian economies close on the heels. The continuing popularity of video streaming and associated web-related activities such as vlogging, blogging, social networking, online-education and podcasting among desktop and mobile PC users, is driving the demand for computer tuners. In particular, the rampant sales of mobile computing devices such as netbooks, smartbooks, tablets and ultrabooks, is opening up new avenues of growth for tuner USB sticks and PCI cards. At the same time, the expanding telecom, cable and satellite TV networks, Web-to-TV, as well as the Internet TV or Web TV offers a strong challenge to the PC-TV receiver industry.

After sales volumes scaled the zenith in 2008, the global PC-TV tuner market declined in 2009 due to the worldwide financial crisis. Key factors limiting growth of the market include decline in prices due to the introduction of digital-only tuners, increase in competition from various programming and online television sources as well as the overall decline in consumer demand. In addition, sales volumes flattened and revenues dipped as consumers opted for cheaper digital tuners over hybrid analog/digital tuners. Key growth opportunities emerging in the post recession PC-TV tuner market include an increased market share captured by manufacturers of digital/analog tuners through price reduction, while new market entrants are expected to grow by aggressively targeting the digital-only segment while simultaneously lowering profit margins. The market benefited from the introduction of the new Media Center featured in the Microsoft Windows 7 that proffered improved PC-TV connectivity solutions. Notebooks integrated with PC-TV tuners account for the majority of demand, trailed by retail add-in cards, retail sticks and desktops.

Silicon TV Tuners market is expected to record robust gains through the medium term. The growth trend is fuelled by increasing popularity of mobile video services in markets including the US, Brazil, and China. Several manufacturers are integrating tuner ICs directly into the main TV chassis boards and various ODMs are implementing CAN-type modules to hold demodulators and silicon tuners. Over the next decade, it is estimated that about 80% of global TV sets will incorporate silicon tuners. During past few years, silicon tuners gained quick acceptance in various product segments, especially STBs due to additional benefits over conventional CAN tuners. Apart from low-power consumption, smaller size, and lesser cost of TV manufacturing features, silicon tuners also offer a one-size-fits-all solution without needing any customization to deliver consistent quality and performance.

Europe represents the largest market for PC-TV tuners, as stated by the new market research report on PC-TV Tuners. Increasing subscription to Digital Terrestrial TV in Europe is boosting the uptake of PC-TV tuners in the region. The proliferation of the digital broadcast television, in conjunction with higher viewer preference for free-to-air TV broadcasts over premium satellite and cable TV in Western Europe, Japan and South Korea led to a well-entrenched market presence for the PC-TV market. Despite the Euro crisis, the impending switch over to digital television broadcasts in 2012 is expected to drive the adoption of computer tuners in the European market, tracing the path of the United States. The Asia-Pacific market buoyed by vibrant growth in developing markets of China, India, Taiwan, Korea, is forecast to zoom ahead at a strong CAGR of 10.5% through 2018. It is expected that over the next few years, the silicon TV tuners shipments in STB segment are projected to grow by three fold in Asia Pacific region, translating into tremendous growth potential.

Key players profiled in the report include Advanced Micro Devices, ASUSTeK Computer Inc., AVerMedia Technologies, Compro Technology, Inc., Diamond Multimedia, DViCO, Inc., Elgato, Hauppauge Computer Works Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., NVIDIA, TERRATEC Electronic GmbH, VisionTek Products LLC, among others.

The research report titled “PC-TV Tuners: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., analyzes the factors driving growth of the computer tuner industry, including major industry trends, growth factors and major challenges faced by the industry. The report profiles major players, and covers key corporate events. Annual revenue estimates and projections (in US$ Million) are provided for the years 2009 through 2018 for geographic markets including the US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World.