COTTSDALE, Ariz., July 20, 2010– Silicon chip vendors are fighting hard for the shifting TV tuner market in which traditional can-type TV tuners are being replaced by all-solid-state, silicon-based TV tuners, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com).  NXP is the global market leader for silicon tuners, followed by Microtune, Maxlinear, and others.  In-Stat projects the market opportunity will nearly double within five years, topping $500 million by 2014.

“TV set manufacturers want to make sure they can trust the silicon TV tuner vendor to support their design needs and reliably supply very high volumes,” says Gerry Kaufhold, In-Stat analyst. “Silicon TV tuner suppliers need global supply chains that can source assembly and test, and align their price roadmap with consumer markets.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Some ultra-thin LCD TV sets are already using silicon TV tuners.
• Silicon tuners dissipate less power than can-type tuners, and have more consistent performance and quality due to tighter manufacturing tolerances. Their cost continues to decline as silicon process technologies improve.