DTV set-top boxes a $10b industry?

Digital set-top boxes, or STB's, are expected to take off in 2006 and eventually fuel a $10 billion market in 2009 according to In-Stat. Surprisingly, Australia is the leading worldwide consumer of STB's, while the United States is second.

One market that will open up in 2007 is China, who is expected to open up their broadcast programming to digital broadcast television within the next year or two. Interestingly enough, with the F.C.C. mandating integrated digital tuners in the United States, you have to wonder if set-top box sales will continue to grow as indicated in this report. I'd place my money on the PVR and hard drive market growing faster than the STB market.