DVD Video Growth Continues During First Quarter 1999 With Nearly 400,000 DVD-Video Players Shipped To Retailers Nationwide

Continuing the trend of last yearís explosive fourth quarter sales, DVD-Video enjoyed excellent growth during first quarter 1999. More than 360,000 DVD-Video players were shipped to retailers through March 26, according to figures compiled by the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA). The DVD Video Group projects that an additional 30,000 units were shipped during the last week in March, bringing the quarterís total shipment to retailers to 390,000.As a further boost to the format, the DVD Video Group estimates that there are approximately 1.6 million DVD-Video players installed in consumer homes to date. And the Group says that based on DVDís strong performance in the first quarter, the installed base is expected to reach 3.3 million players by year-end 1999.From 1997 to 1998, hardware manufacturers shipped 1.4 million units to retailers and the Group projects that hardware shipments will exceed two million units in 1999, underscoring DVDís success as the fastest growing new packaged media format in history.Software is also enjoying growing success. According to projections from 15 software member companies, the Group estimates that 10 million discs were sold during first quarter 1999, demonstrating what the Group says is consumersí insatiable appetite for DVD-based entertainment.Sine the formatís launch, studios and music labels have shipped nearly 30 million units, according to figures compiled by the Group using reports from VideoScan, which tracks approximately 70 percent of the retail market.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 morn than 2,500 titles available and the Group projects that by the end of 1999 there will be 4,500 available for rental and sell-through.""These impressive shipment numbers for first quarter 1999 indicate the overwhelming consumer demand for this exciting format,"" said Emiel Petrone, Chairman of the DVD Video Group and Executive Vice President of Philips Entertainment Group, a unit of Philips Electronics. ""These numbers would have been even more impressive if the industry had not been affected by hardware shortages during the critical holiday selling season.""The DVD Video Group includes seven of the leading consumer electronics manufacturers whose products represent more than 90 percent of the players in the market. The Groupís figures are based on member company shipment numbers and are updated on a regular basis. The DVD Video Group is a Los Angeles-based, industry-funded non-profit corporation that exists expressly to promote consumer awareness of the benefits of DVD-Video and to provide updated information to the media and the retail trade about DVD-Video players, movies and music videos.Consumers can reach the DVD Video Group at 323 845 0160 or through its Web site at www.dvdvideogroup.com.