Manufacturer-to-dealer sales of digital video products and other products with digital features, such as TV/DVD combinations, have spurred healthy increases for the video category, according to figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

During the first quarter, factory-to-dealer sales of TV/DVD combinations totaled 241,377 units - an increase of more than 355 percent compared to the same period in 20021. Manufacturer-to-dealer sales of DVD players (which includes stand-alone DVD players and DVD/VCR combinations) increased by some 17 percent over 2002 figures to 3,154,195 units.

Strong first-quarter showings from digital video products were due in large part to impressive March sales. During the month, manufacturer-to-dealer sales of TV/DVD combinations totaled 117,431 units for an increase of 436 percent over the same period in 2002. Sales of DVD players grew by 22 percent over last year to 1,613,649 units shipped to dealers. Similarly, factory-to-dealer sales of camcorders also increased by 22 percent to 713,845 units.

Sales of digital television (DTV) products also remain on the rise. During the first quarter of 2003, 766,372 units were shipped to dealers. Earlier this month, CEA announced that since introduction to the market in the fourth quarter of 1998, DTV product sales have passed the 5 million mark with total DTV units reaching 5,139,775 and dollar investment in DTV soaring to $9,298,175,695.

Data cited in this release is available for purchase through CEA's Market Activity Reports and Analysis (MARA) program. With more than 500 reports published annually, the MARA program is recognized as the "authoritative source" for data on the consumer electronics industry. For a list of available reports and purchasing information, visit www.eBrain.org/mara .