Seventy percent of European homes to own HDTVs by 2012

The sale of HDTVs and video devices in Europe will surge by 158 percent this year, reaching 28.1 million units, according to new research.

The research, "Europe's High Definition Homes," from Strategy Analytics' Connected Home Devices service forecasts that by 2012, 70 percent of European homes will own at least one HD-capable TV, up from 8 percent last year. Most HDTV buyers will also purchase an HD set-top box, disc player, game console or digital media player.

By 2012, 44 percent of European homes will own HDTV receivers in the form of set-top boxes and integrated digital TVs, compared to 27 percent with HD digital media players, 26 percent with HD disc players and 15 percent with HD portable devices, the report said.

For more information, visit www.strategyanalytics.com.