More than 1.1 million DVD Video players were shipped through the first half of the year, according to figures compiled by the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA).

DVD Video experienced 300 percent growth in second quarter 1999, shipping more than 730, 000 hardware units compared to 170,000 in the second quarter 1998. Further, the shipments for the first six months of 1999 are an increase of 881,000 units over the same period in 1998, representing more than 300 percent growth. In the first half 1999, 1.1 million units shipped compared to the first six months of 1998 when slightly more than 260,000 units shipped.

Available to consumers for just over two years, there are now more than two million players installed in consumer homes whereas mid-year 1998, there were less than 500,000 units in homes. CEMA estimates that total shipments for 1999 will exceed three million hardware units. The installed base is expected grow to 3.5-4 million hardware units by year end 1999.

According to figures released today by the DVD Video Group, more than 25 million discs have been shipped to retail thus far in 1999, nearly the same amount that shipped in all of 1998. More than 56 million units of DVD video movies and music video titles shipped to retail since the format launched in spring 1997. The figures were compiled by the accounting firm of Ernst & Young, LLP and is part of a series of research projects conducted for the DVD Video Group.

Disc sales are expected to remain strong throughout the year, as witnessed by the more than 200 new titles being released each month. Currently, there are more than 3,300 titles available and the DVD Video Group projects that by the end of 1999 there will be nearly 5,000 available for rental and sell through.