On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

HomePlug Product Shipments Doubled in Last 12 Months

August 03, 2008 | Bob Snyder | Home Networking, Home Automation

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance says the number of HomePlug products shipped globally in the last 12 months doubled from 8 to 16 million.

Says Frederic Onado from SPiDCOM Technologies, who serves as VP EMEA of the HomePlug Alliance, "With the extensive range of products available globally, especially in Europe, this growth demonstrates that consumers worldwide are enjoying the benefits of HomePlug compatible products more and more, and that HomePlug technologies are clearly the choice of consumers in Europe."

More than 16 million HomePlug-enabled products are in use on six continents.

Highlights for HomePlug from CeBIT included:

Asoka USA showcased the PlugLink AV 9667 iSocket (PL9667-ETH) that turns every power outlet into an Ethernet network connection, while retaining the use of the power outlet and filtering out noise caused by other electrical devices. Go Asoka
devolo AG showed dLAN TV sat, a solution to distribute a DVB-S signal in SDTV/HDTV quality over household electrical -- without having to route coaxial cable. Go devolo
GigaFast demonstrated a surveillance system with several cameras and an adapter that connects the video images from the cameras to a traditional television. The home's power lines supply the only connection between the various components of the system. Go GigaFast
LEA featured a new and unique auto-diagnostic feature in LEA's NetPlug 200+ allows service operators to immediately diagnose QoS in a PLC network, which directly applies to France's FTTH deployments. LEA also presented the NetSocket200+, a HomePlug AV adaptor featuring a built-in pass-through power outlet and special circuitry that reduces electrical noise, and the NetPower200+, a hybrid power supply and HomePlug AV adaptor to deliver connectivity and power to existing devices such as Set Top Boxes and Modems. Go LEA
ST&T showcased its HomePlug AV and 85Mbps products. Go ST&T

Yitran presented its patented IT800 IC technology and a preview of their new IT700 IC, which will lower cost and footprint by 50%. Yitran will also feature HomePlug C&C V1.0, an industry standard based on Yitran's IT800 transceiver technology. Go Yitran

Go HomePlug

Hawking Technologies Wireless USB Net Adapter

August 27, 2008 | Bob Snyder | Home Networking, Home Automation

Hawking Technologies launches their compact 802.11n, 300mbps, WiFi USB networking adapter with removable antennas for easy antenna upgrading.

“…Using the latest in 802.11n technology, the HWUN1 is capable of delivering speeds of up to 300Mbps. This speed, combined with two upgradable antennas, allows users to customize the adapter to solve any WiFi range issue they have…” says Amy Tang, Marketing Manager at Hawking Technologies.

The HWUN1 connects to a notebook or desktop computer using a USB 2.0 connection and features two antennas that are easily unscrewed from the adapter.

Go HWUN1

WW CE Market Will Grow Through 2011

August 26, 2008 | Bob Snyder | Market Trends - Stats

The worldwide market for consumer electronics products continues to be strong and will o expand through 2011, reports In-Stat. Shipments of consumer IT and CE products will grow from 2.7 billion units in 2007 to 3.1 billion units in 2011.

"Traditional consumer electronics devices continue to be led by the conversion from analog to digital television (DTV)," says Brian O'Rourke, In-Stat analyst.

Recent research by In-Stat finds Asia/Pacific and Rest of World (including Africa, Middle East, and So. America) regions will lead in overall annual growth rates for CE and Consumer IT.

PCs shipments will be driven by a continued transition from desktop to mobile units. "PCs will maintain their strong growth pattern with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7% through 2011.

Their research, "Consumer Electronics Rollup 2008: DTV Set to Lead CE Products Market Growth" examines consumer electronics products in three categories-personal computers (PCs) and peripherals, traditional consumer electronics products, and communications devices. It provides WW forecasts by product type and by region through 2011.

Go CE Report

Al-Futtaim First in UA to Join CEA

August 26, 2008 | Bob Snyder | Distributor News

Distributor Al-Futtaim is now the first international affiliate in UAE of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) of America.

CEA, a trade organization for 2200 companies in the consumer technology industry in USA, owns and runs CES Las Vegas.Al-Futtaim rolled out an iHOME display for Gulf Region consumer electronics and intelligent home systems during International CES Hometech exhibition, featuring best-in-class products from Panasonic, Toshiba, Sanyo, Aftron and Control 4.

CES Hometech, organised by Messe Frankfurt, was held in Dubai for the second year, but this was the first full year under the auspices of the CES of Las Vegas fame. Al-Futtaim was the largest exhibitor.

Go Al-Futtaim

W. Europe Breaks 100 Million Digital TV Homes Barrier

August 26, 2008 | Bob Snyder | Trade Shows and Conferences

Informa Telecoms & Media says digital TV penetration of W. European households broke the 50% barrier in 2007 and forecasts digital homes in the region will reach 104 million by the end of 2008. By 2013, they expect 90% penetration rate, 157 million homes.

	2007	2010	2013
Germany	15,300	24.361	30,439
France	18,017	24,328	26,992
UK	22,268	25,110	26,459
Italy	11,037	17,635	23,811
Spain	8,207	13,379	17,903
Others	13,932	23,863	31,204
Total	88,761	128,676	156,808

Source: Informa Telecoms & Media UK is the most advanced digital market (25% of the region’s digital TV homes), followed by France (20%) an Germany (17%). As other markets show improved digital growth rates, UK will lose its lead and, by 2013, Germany will lead with 19%.