Research firm Parks Associates is calling for double digit (just) compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the universal remote category between now and 2013. Knowing how the average consumer is more willing to live with a basket of remotes than plunking down money on a universal model, the 10-percent CAGR is nothing to sneeze at. We're a little troubled by the trend of increasing system complexity called out in the report, however. While we're resigned to ever-increasing complexity in AV systems, average consumers would really like to see things head in the other direction. Hiding the complexity in the remote also tends to make remote set-up complex, which will definitely threaten that growth rate. Also, the report doesn't cal out technologies like HDMI-CEC, which we'd really like to see take off. These gripes aside, though, we're hoping that remote makers take the findings as an incentive to innovate.

According to research firm Parks Associates, revenues from home theater and distributed audio systems will almost double over the next five years and reach $11-billion. If the current housing slump has you thinking that you'll be in your current abode forever and miss out on your share of that whole-home pie, take heart -- the firm expects to see growth in the retrofit market as well. As wireless networking equipment makes it cheaper and easier to saturate your home with entertainment bits, getting a whole-home system won't require new construction or major renovation. Receivers with multiple zone support are common these days, but EHD readers know that all the necessary pieces for whole-home entertainment (audio and video, please) are showing up in the market; what's really needed is some integration and streamlining. So bring it on, manufacturers; pulling cables through walls is no fun!


[Image courtesy CEPro]