Silicon chip vendors are fighting hard for the shifting TV tuner market in which traditional can-type TV tuners are being replaced by all-solid-state, silicon-based TV tuners, reports In-Stat.  NXP is the global market leader for silicon tuners, followed by Microtune, Maxlinear, and others.  In-Stat projects the market opportunity will nearly double within five years, topping $500 million by 2014.   

“TV set manufacturers want to make sure they can trust the silicon TV tuner vendor to support their design needs and reliably supply very high volumes,” says Gerry Kaufhold, In-Stat analyst. “Silicon TV tuner suppliers need global supply chains that can source assembly and test, and align their price roadmap with consumer markets.”
 
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
Some ultra-thin LCD TV sets are already using silicon TV tuners.
Silicon tuners dissipate less power than can-type tuners, and have more consistent performance and quality due to tighter manufacturing tolerances. Their cost continues to decline as silicon process technologies improve.
The research, “World Silicon TV Tuner Forecast in Six Regions” (#IN1004693MMT), covers the worldwide market for TV tuner ICs. It includes:
Examination of technology and market issues affecting the growth of the silicon tuner market in three key market segments: set top boxes, satellite TV, and consumer TVs.
Detailed forecast for the number of silicon TV tuners and satellite silicon tuners to be shipped, along with estimates for the annual dollar value for silicon tuners used in line-powered equipment.  This data is show in detail for six distinct geographic regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Profiles of key silicon tuner vendors, including NXP, Trident, Microtune, Maxlinear, Fresco Microchip, ESS Technology, Elonics, Broadcom, ST Microelectronics, Silicon Labs, Texas Instruments, ANADIGICS, Abilis Systems and Xceive.