With digitized content slowly becoming the norm, there is an increasing demand for video encoders and transcoders that facilitate delivery of video at low bit rates over multiple media without compromising on quality, according to a study by Frost and Sullivan. The analysts say market drivers include government mandates to convert analog broadcast to digital; intense competition among cable, satellite and telco video service providers; enterprise communication; and demand for high-definition services.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, World Video Encoders and Transcoders Market, finds that the market earned revenues of more than $750 million in 2007 and estimates this to cross $1.60 billion in 2014.

“The digital video encoders and transcoders market is on an accelerated growth path, especially as governments in various parts of the world are stepping up their efforts to transition from analog to digital video services,” notes Frost & Sullivan Senior Industry Analyst, Vidya S Nath. “These initiatives are driven with the objective of freeing up spectrum to deploy more channels, and providing other services such as high definition television and interactive applications.”

Furthermore, the high definition (HD) revolution has taken firm roots and cable and satellite operators are looking at HD as means to cash in on their premium subscriptions. Increasing penetration of HD cameras worldwide is increasing the proliferation of content created in HD. Also content providers and service operators are up-converting existing standard-definition (SD) content to HD. 2006-2007 witnessed significant orders for encoders and transcoders, especially from satellite providers in North America.

However, with more than 20 vendors worldwide and emerging vendors competing on price and technology, the market is becoming increasingly commoditized. Considering the wide and disparate product and price range, consumers need to be educated on the requirements of their applications.

“Service operators are faced with the challenge of choosing the appropriate equipment for their networks,” says Nath. “While cable and satellite operators are burdened by incumbent systems that prevent them from adopting advanced format encoders, telco service providers aiming to deploy video services over IP networks require appropriate equipment to deliver broadcast quality video at low bit-rates.”

Vendors need to emphasize the cost benefits of a digitized environment to the broadcasters to win them over and make sure the government deadlines are met. Digital media technologies such as encoding and streaming enable improved flexibility and speed in an on-demand world.

About this study

World Video Encoders and Transcoders Market is part of the Digital Media Growth Partnership Service program, which also includes research in the following markets: digital asset management, digital streaming platforms, content delivery networks, digital rights management, and others. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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