The global home entertainment sector, both hardware and content, remains fairly resilient in times of economic downturn, and although 2011 was a challenging year it would appear that the industry fared better than many others.

By 2014, 60% of all home audio shipments across the USA, Western Europe and Japan will feature networking connectivity, according to Futuresource Consulting, rising from forecasts of 10% in 2012 as networking takes over as the major growth area.

With forecasts exceeding 80% of units shipped by 2015, connected TVs are expected to lead the way in global TV shipments escalating from 27% in 2011, according to new research from Futuresource Consulting.

London, 05 January 2012 - Futuresource Consulting has released a strategic research report focusing on the opportunities for personal computer devices within the K-12 education sector, showing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28% for 2011 to 2016.

Highlighting many similarities in camera ownership and behaviour between consumers in the UK and USA, a new wave of consumer research by Futuresource Consulting looks into image-capturing and photo-sharing behaviours across these two major markets.

The growing presence of online video has given rise to significant advances in the overall Russian home video market, with uptake in digital viewing triggering market growth forecasts in the region of 1000% in 2011, according to new research from Futuresource Consulting.

Consumption of legitimate free and paid-for online video is on track to exceed 770 billion views across the USA, UK, France and Germany this year, according to a new report from Futuresource Consulting.

Nearly 50% of consumers are using another electronic device while watching TV at home, according to findings from a new wave of ‘Living with Digital’ consumer research carried out by Futuresource Consulting.

This is the sumamry report from the sessions which Futuresource Consulting addressed at the International Business Session of CEATEC JAPAN 2011 Official Conference．(PDF download only available)

Futuresource has attended CEATEC JAPAN for many years however 2011 marked the first time Futuresource has teamed up with CEATEC JAPAN in an official capacity, as its 'knowledge partner'.

The continued rise in the consumption of digital content in the home, whether through a laptop, PC, connected TV, games console or Blu-ray player has led to an increased demand for higher speed fixed broadband connections.

Despite doubts about the world economy, the IFA Consumer Electronics Show in Berlin had a record number of visitors this year, at 238,000. Trade attendees were up 12% on previous years, exceeding 132,000, and nearly 40% of trade attendees came from outside Germany.

Demand for photobooks from consumers in the USA continues to rise, providing a profitable revenue stream to many companies operating within the sector, with the market growing last year by nearly 25% to achieve in excess of 20 million units sold. Moving forward, this market is on track to make double-digit volume growth again this year and also through into 2012, with Futuresource forecasts predicting 25 million photobooks in 2011 and nearly 29 million in 2012.

Analogue switch-off and the "eco points" discount scheme have had a massive impact on Japanese TV set demand but it is access to online video services through in-built IP Connectivity that will be key to driving demand in the near future.

The continuing strong demand for smartphones has revitalised the global handset market, with the smartphone installed base expected to double by the end of 2011, compared with 2009 levels.

Pure-play (online only) Internet radio and music streaming services continue to experience relatively high consumer usage, although revenue stream development remains key to the future.

"There are around 10 million televisions being sold each year in the UK - and that's in a country that has just 25 million households," says Jim Bottoms, Director and Co-Founder, Futuresource Consulting, "which means every home is going out and buying a TV every two and a half years."