| Over the past few years, the global consumer | | | | The MIC defines the consumer electronics market to |
| electronics industry has witnessed a phenomenal | | | | include the following areas: |
| growth. It can be attributed to the increasing effect of | | | | * Appliance market: Digital consumer electronics like |
| state of the art electronic devices in the market. The | | | | TV, washing machine, PC, modems, etc. |
| Asia Pacific region is the market leader in consumer | | | | * Service content market: Content like entertainment |
| electronics and more of this credit goes to the | | | | information on movies, drama, etc. Services like |
| Japanese companies, which are known worldwide for | | | | distance learning (tele-education), security services, etc. |
| their innovations and quality. The world famous brands | | | | * Network platform market: Networks, including ADSL, |
| like Sony, Panasonic and Matsushita are owned by the | | | | cable Internet, fiber-optic cables, etc. |
| Japanese companies. | | | | |
| The total revenue generated by the consumer | | | | Future Prospects |
| electronics market consists the sale of audio, video, | | | | The consumer electronics industry is expecting the |
| and games console products. The video section | | | | integration of entertainment and communication |
| consists of camcorders, digital cameras, CRT and | | | | electronics in coming years. The companies aim at |
| flat-panel television sets, videocassette and DVD | | | | providing advanced services to help consumers |
| players and recorders, and set-top boxes. The audio | | | | achieve more convenience in their daily activities. It can |
| section includes MP3 recorders and players, personal | | | | be achieved by offering networking consumer |
| stereos, radios, hi-fi systems, cassettes, CDs, and | | | | electronics in the home market. |
| minidisc. Gaming consoles includes all hand-held and | | | | The home security systems is expected to enter in |
| plug-in consoles. | | | | the consumer electronics market. It can help monitor |
| In a survey, condusted by the Japan’s Ministry | | | | fires or break-ins and report them to nearby fire |
| of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the | | | | stations. Consumers could be able to control |
| consumer electronics market is estimated to grow to | | | | appliances in home from their personal digital assistant |
| 11 trillion yen by 2010. It is more than quadruple the | | | | (PDA) or mobile phones. While departing the home, |
| value of 2004. One of the main highlights of this survey | | | | you can turn on the security system while turning off |
| is an emphasis on the convergence of communication | | | | all consumer electronics. On the way back to home |
| and entertainment electronics. This trend is already | | | | from work, a person would be able to start a bath or |
| spreading rapidly, the government views this as a | | | | begin warming up the house. |
| major shift in the consumer electronics industry. | | | | |