Digital Home Remote Controls

The Transition from IR to 802.15.4, Low-Power Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi

The market for remote controls is immense, with unit volumes in the hundreds of millions. There is a large number of companies competing compete in the remote control market, including well known consumer electronics manufacturers, large and small remote control manufacturers, and original design manufacturers (ODMs). Technologies for remote controls are currently at a transition point, with RF standards being developed and supported by the major consumer electronics manufacturers.

This study analyzes the market for OEM and aftermarket Universal Remote Controls. Also central to the analysis of this report is an examination of the trends in the transition from Infrared (IR) to Radio Frequency (RF) technologies. The analysis is intended to encompass the global market for these products and technologies. Remote control shipments and revenue are forecast by region and major market segments. A forecast for the penetration of RF technology in the remote control market is also presented.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • What are the key digital home markets that drive remote controls?
  • What are the market opportunities for OEM and Universal Remote Controls?
  • What factors drive consumers to purchase a universal remote control?
  • What RF technologies are attempting to supplant IR in the remote control market?
  • How many RF-based remote controls will ship each year from 2008 through 2014?
  • Who are the key silicon providers for the remote control market?
  • How will smart phones and other devices morph into remote controls via downloadable applications?
  • How will the remote control evolve in coming years as more web applications make their way onto TV?

Who Needs This Report?

  • Consumer electronics manufacturers
  • Silicon providers
  • OEM remote control manufacturers
  • Universal Remote Control Manufacturers
  • Mobile phone manufacturers
  • Software developers
  • Home automation vendors

Table of Contents


Section 1.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1. Report Overview

Section 2.
MARKET TRENDS AND ANALYSIS
2.1. Remote Control Definitions
2.1.1. OEM Remote Controls
2.1.2. After Market Universal Remote Controls
2.2. Market Forces for Consumer Adoption of URC
2.2.1. Increase in Number of Components
2.2.2. Ease of Use/Setup
2.2.3. Falling Prices and Increasing Features
2.2.4. Vendor Marketing and Consumer Education
2.3. Definition of the Market Segments
2.3.1. Low-End Remotes (<$30)
2.3.2. Mid-Range Remotes ($30 - $250)
2.3.3. High-End Remotes (>$250)
2.3.3.1. Home Automation / Professional Dealer Installation

Section 3.
TECHNOLOGY TRENDS AND ANALYSIS
3.1. Current Remote Control Technologies
3.1.1. Infrared
3.1.2. Radio Frequency
3.1.2.1. Z-Wave
3.1.2.2. ZigBee
3.2. Emerging Remote Control Technologies
3.2.1. RF4CE Consortium
3.2.1.1. Historical Background
3.2.1.2. Technology Overview
3.2.1.3. Products in the Market
3.2.1.4. RF4CE Cost Adder
3.2.2. Bluetooth
3.2.3. Wi-Fi
3.2.3.1. Increase in number of IP-enabled CE Devices
3.3. User Experience and Interface are Key
3.3.1. Motion-Based Control
3.3.1.1. Hillcrest Labs
3.3.1.2. Philips uWand
3.4. Alternative Platforms
3.4.1. Mobile Internet Devices as URC
3.4.1.1. tvCompass
3.4.2. Smartphones as URC
3.4.2.1. Apple iPhone and iPod touch
3.4.2.2. Nokia Home Control Center Solution
3.5. Technology Conclusions

Section 4.
MARKET FORECASTS
4.1. Forecast Methodology
4.2. OEM Remote Control Markets
4.2.1. Digital Televisions
4.2.2. DVD
4.2.3. STB / PVR
4.2.4. Digital Media Adapters
4.2.5. Home Theater Receivers
4.2.6. Media Center PCs
4.2.7. Video Game Consoles
4.3. OEM Remote Control Total Available Market (TAM)
4.4. Universal Remote Control Market Forecasts
4.4.1. URC Unit Shipment Forecasts
4.4.2. URC Revenue Forecasts
4.5. RF Penetration in Remote Control Market

Section 5.
VENDOR PROFILES
5.1. Silicon Providers
5.1.1. Ember Corporation
5.1.2. Freescale
5.1.3. Texas Instruments
5.1.4. Zensys
5.1.5. Zilog
5.2. Remote Control Vendors and Manufacturers
5.2.1. AMX
5.2.2. Audiovox Accessory Corporation
5.2.3. Celadon
5.2.4. Control4
5.2.5. Infrared Remote Solutions, Inc.
5.2.6. Logitech Harmony
5.2.7. Philips
5.2.8. Remote Technologies, Inc.
5.2.9. SMK Electronics Corporation
5.2.10. Sony
5.2.11. tvCompass
5.2.12. Universal Electronics
5.2.13. Universal Remote Control
5.3. Software Developers
5.3.1. NoviiMedia
5.3.2. Salling Software
5.4. Industry Association
5.4.1. CEDIA

Section 6.
COMPANY DIRECTORY

Section 7.
ACRONYMS
SCOPE OF STUDY
SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY
NOTES



Tables
  • Key Characteristics of RF4CE,
  • Digital Television Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • DVD Player and Recorder Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Set Top Box Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Digital Media Adapter Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Home Theater Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • PC TV Tuner Card Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2015
  • Video Game Console Remote Control Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2016
  • OEM Remote Control Total Available Market by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Universal Remote Control Shipments by Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Universal Remote Control Revenues by Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • RF Remote Control Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014

Charts
  • Digital Television Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • DVD Player and Recorder Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Set Top Box Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Digital Media Adapter Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Home Theater Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • PC TV Tuner Card Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Video Game Console Remote Control Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • OEM Remote Control Total Available Market by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Universal Remote Control Shipments by Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Universal Remote Control Revenues by Segment, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • RF Remote Control Shipments by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014

Figures
  • Examples of Low-End Universal Remote Controls
  • Examples of Mid-Range Universal Remote Controls
  • Examples of High-End Universal Remote Controls
  • RF4CE Stack Architecture
  • Hillcrest Labs Motion Control Hardware – The Loop™
  • Philips uWand Remote System – uWand Remote and uWand Bar
  • Acoustic Research ARRU449 Block Diagram