Consumers switch on to internet-connected TV

Almost two-thirds of consumers want their televisions to link to the internet, according to the latest analysis from iSuppli.

Home networking will migrate beyond its PC-centric beginnings in line with these technology desires, and incorporate a variety of entertainment-oriented consumer electronics devices.

These devices are expected to include DVD recorders, cable modems, digital televisions, multi-room digital video recorders, digital media adapters, set-top boxes and games consoles.

Shipments of network-equipped devices, along with consumer PCs and home network bridges and gateways, are expected to rise to 732.9 million units by 2011, more than triple the 225.3 million shipped in 2006.

"The awareness of, and demand for, media home networking is growing rapidly among consumers," said Steve Rago, principal analyst for networking/optical communications at iSuppli.

ISuppli's first-quarter 2007 consumer-demand survey found that 61 per cent of respondents 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that they wanted the ability to network the internet to their televisions.

Male respondents showed the stronger interest, with 71 per cent indicating that they agreed' or 'strongly agreed'.

Wi-Fi is expected to become the most common network physical interface for such products by 2011, followed by Cat 5, powerline and coax.

ISuppli said that makers of televisions and other consumer electronics devices are incorporating IP-based connectivity to enable access to user-created content and new internet-based media portals.

The analyst firm's report predicts that emerging regions, including India and South America, will experience only a slight expansion of home networking usage, despite enjoying strong broadband growth.

Home networking in these regions will be used primarily to link notebook PCs to broadband gateways, according to iSuppli.

• ISuppli Report: Home Networking: In Search of a Killer Connection