IRMA Releases First Projections For DVD-Audio And SACD Worldwide Marketplace

The International Recording Media Association (IRMA) has released the first projections for the worldwide marketplace introduction of DVD-Audio and SACD next year.""The launch of these new music formats will be driven by consumer acceptance of a universal player, which will be able to play the highest quality audio and video programming,"" says IRMA Executive Vice President, Charles Van Horn.According to a survey of replicators who will be prepared to fill the pipeline with DVD-Audio and SACD product in 2000, IRMA reports that a total of 18 million discs will be produced in North America during year-one of the new formats' launch. The survey projects the number of discs being manufactured in North America will grow to 50 million in 2001, followed by 80 million units in 2002, culminating in 125 million units in the final year of the IRMA forecast 2003.Worldwide DVD-Audio and SACD replication is projected to reach 28 million units next year, followed by 86 million units in 2001, growing to 162 million units in 2002, culminating at 295 million units in 2003.""Overall the success of these new formats will depend on the record labels' ability to differentiate the advantages of DVD-Audio or SACD over CD to consumers,"" Van Horn added. ""Inevitably, the introduction of remixed, 5.1 surround sound versions of archived music libraries, as well as appreciably higher fidelity music product, will serve as the way that the labels convince consumers to move up to the new format.""For more information, contact International Recording Media Association at 609 279- 700, http://www.recordingmedia.org.