The year 2006 will be the year that high definition television (HDTV) outsells analog units in U.S. market, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) forecast Thursday.

According to sales projections issued at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the HDTV sets will outsell analog units by 89 percent in the United States in 2006, reaching total unit sales of 15.9 million and contributing to over 23 billion U.S. dollars in total revenue.

The industrial group also reported that growth of Digital TV sales grew 60 percent to 17 billion dollars in 2005. The growing popularity of digital contents and competitive price declines of flat panel displays were two major propellants of this growth, according to the CEA.

"With more than 12 million units shipped, the 2005 year-end numbers demonstrate the growth and success of Digital TV, especially HDTV, which continues to claim 85 percent of the total Digital TV market in the U.S.," said Gary Shapiro, president of the CEA.

This strong sales growth is mirrored on the show floor and in conference sessions at the CES, the boasted world's largest consumer technology tradeshow running Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas. Digital TV and related products are prevalent throughout the show floor of about 180,000 square meters.

Exhibitors are showcasing the world's largest flat panel displays, next generation Digital TV products, technologies to enable consumers to view HDTV on the go and a host of other new products and technologies. Besides, Digital TV is a hot topic of multiple conference sessions.

Shapiro urged U.S. congress to pass a bill that sets a definite date for analog broadcasts cut-off. Such a legislation, he explained, will further boost Digital TV sale.

"Cut-off date for analog broadcasts will truly be the driver that tips the scales in 2006. A hard date will provide certainty to consumers, broadcasters, retailers and manufacturers and help drive sales to even greater heights," he said.

Consumer education remains imperative to ensuring the continued success of Digital TV, noted Shapiro.

Many consumers' primary source of information comes at the point-of-sale, where sales personnel just give simple and confusing explanations, Shapiro said. Thus, a detailed buyers-guide will encourage consumers by helping them better understand the technical terms of Digital TV, he explained.

Source: Xinhua