IDC's Consumer Markets: Audio service provides consumer electronics (CE) vendors, PC manufacturers, component suppliers, software developers, broadband service providers, online and mobile media services, music labels, and investors with the information necessary to make their most critical business decisions. Analysis includes business models, distribution channels, market sizings and forecasts, competitive environment, relevant supporting technologies, and user preferences. This service identifies market trends, pinpoints opportunities, and helps clients position products for success.

This service covers the following segments of the digital audio market (coverage includes worldwide and U.S. markets unless otherwise noted):

• A/V and DVD receivers
• Portable media players
• Online music services
• U.S. mobile music services
• U.S. satellite radio
• DVD players and recorders, including Blu-ray

Throughout the year, this service will address the following topics:

• The outlook for digital audio devices, services, and content over the next five years
• The evolution and viability of music distribution business models and channels
• Music industry dynamics and consumer response to new technologies
• Consumer usage/ownership of, awareness of, and intent to use/purchase audio devices, services, and content

Our research addresses the following issues that are critical to your success:

1. Which channels and business models for music distribution are best positioned for success, and how will they evolve long term?
2. How is the music industry shifting to accommodate digital music services and the decline of physical media, and where are the opportunities for start-ups?
3. How is music being combined with other types of media such as photo, video and gaming in media services and CE devices, and how will this trend affect device and service vendors?
4. What are the key drivers and inhibitors in markets for digital audio devices, and which form factors are likely to achieve greatest acceptance?

IDC's Consumer Markets: Audio service examines how content owners, service providers, device vendors, component suppliers, and software developers position themselves to compete in the digital audio market. It reviews the strategies, market positioning, and future direction of key players in this market, including:

AOL, Apple, AT&T, Cisco/Linksys, Creative, D&M Holdings, Dell, EMI, Fuzz, HP, iBiquity, iLike, imeem, Intel, Lala, Last.fm, Live Nation, Logitech, Matsushita/Panasonic, Microsoft, MTV Networks, MusicNet, MySpace Music, Napster, Nokia, Philips, Pioneer, RealNetworks, Samsung, SanDisk, Sharp, Sirius XM Radio, Slacker, Sonos, Sony, Sony BMG, Sprint, Toshiba, Universal Music, Verizon, Warner Music, and Yahoo!.

This service focuses on the following core research. In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct additional research on specific topics, or emerging market segments, via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.

This study forecasts the worldwide and U.S. markets for home A/V and DVD receivers, with breakouts for standalone devices and home theater in-a-box (HTiB) systems.

This study forecasts the worldwide and U.S. markets for portable media players and provides breakouts by storage medium, media format support, and region.

This study forecasts users and revenue in the worldwide and U.S. paid online music services markets for pay-per-download and subscription services.

This study forecasts users, downloads, and revenue in the U.S. mobile music services market and analyzes key players and trends.

This study forecasts subscribers and service revenue and device shipments and revenue in the U.S. satellite radio market. It includes breakouts for portable, home, and automotive device form factors.

This study forecasts the worldwide and U.S. markets for DVD players and recorders. Detailed forecast breakouts for DVD player (red and blue laser), DVD recorder, HTiB, portable, combination player, and auto systems form factors are included.

These studies measure consumer awareness of, interest in, and intent to purchase a number of new and emerging consumer audio technologies and services.

IDC offers a complete market intelligence solution customized to meet your business requirements. The array of products and services available to you includes:

• The opportunity to have your specific questions answered through personal interaction with industry experts who cover the topics and markets in your service
• Around-the-clock access to our market intelligence on idc.com, IDC's personalized Web experience
• A view of the market's future with 12 months of continuous intelligence about its direction and the reasons behind it, along with actionable advice for taking advantage of existing and emerging opportunities
• Special client discount pricing on purchases of research from other services
• Complimentary admission to IDC's annual Directions conference, where you'll hear our latest forecasts and network with IDC analysts and other industry professionals
• Complimentary invitations to monthly executive telebriefings, interactive forums designed to provide you with insights about research and strategies directly from IDC analysts

To find out how our flexible packaging options can meet your specific business needs, please contact your IDC sales executive.

As a privately held company, IDC believes that our customers are our primary constituency. A large percentage of every revenue dollar is reinvested back into our products, including more analysts, more geographic coverage, and extensive primary research.

Our steady growth over the past 10-plus years reflects our commitment to investing in our customers.