A great year for peripherals

Blu-ray technology and digital photo frames are among the best sellers of 2009, CCI Distribution has claimed

Blu-Ray bonanza: Distributor CCI claims 2009 was the year for the technology

Last year was the year of Blu-ray and other consumer peripherals, according to storage and multimedia distributor CCI.

CCI’s sales of Blu-ray optical technology surged 50 per cent in 2009, compared with 2008. Sales of consumer peripherals from digital photo frames to docking stations and media players also grew strongly.

“Digital photos are replacing traditional prints and iPod docking stations replacing home stereo systems. This trend will almost certainly continue into 2010 and beyond,” said Nick Preston, sales director at CCI.

Blu-ray was a future-proof investment and demand for digital data by home media hub and HD downloads means the market for optical storage should be strong this year.

Futuresource said the first TV and Blu-ray devices that access internet content emerged in 2009 and 20 per cent of flat-panel TVs shipped in Europe this year will be web enabled. Increasing competition and diverse offerings will drive the market.
Analyst Meko also pointed out that half the LCDs used in European TVs could be made locally in 2010.