According to a study done by Understanding & Solutions, a research firm based in the UK, HD camcorders will account for 10% of units sold in the U.S. and 5% sold in Western Europe this year. However, because of the higher prices of HD camcorders, this translates to over 25% and 10% of sales in actual value, respectively.
Over one-third of American homes are expected to have “HD Ready” displays by the end of 207, with this number increasing to 90% by 2011. In Western Europe, 20% will have “HD Ready” displays by the end of the year, with 65% penetration by 2011.
The average price of over $1300 for a high-definition camcorder this year is expected to halve by 2011. HDV (tape) camcorders were the dominant format in 2006, representing over 75%. They remain the most demanded type this year, as well.
However, Understanding & Solutions expects other formats to drive demand more and more as we move forward. The only format not expected to drive demand as much as other formats is the HD optical disc format (DVDs, Blu-ray DVD, etc.).
Though as a whole the camcorder market has declined by 1%, tapeless devices (excluding DVD) have increased in volume by 81%.
