"...The increasing popularity of CD-recordable and the growth of higher-priced low-end magnetic media have sustained momentum in the worldwide optical/removable storage media market. According to IDC, the street-equivalent value of shipments will increase from $2.8 billion in 2000 to $4.2 billion in 2004. Shipments continued their aggressive surge, soaring 173% in 1999, and by 2004, IDC expects they will approach 5.8 billion.

"CD-R media is fueling the removable media market, CD-recordable will become the primary floppy replacement technology on the desktop." said Peter Brown, an analyst for IDC's Storage program. According to IDC, CD-recordable media will account for 97% of the market's unit volume and 51% of its value in 2000.

"Despite DVD-recordable's significant growth, technologies will be vying for widespread acceptance. The lack of standard technology and small installed base of DVD-ROM drives capable of reading recorded DVD data will limit widespread adoption through 2004.'' Brown said.

IDC recently published Optical/Removable Storage Media Market Forecast and Analysis, 2000-2004, which analyzes the worldwide markets for CD-recordable (CD-R/RW), DVD-recordable, 3.5in. magneto-optical (MO), large form factor optical (5.25in. and 12/14in. optical), low-end magnetic removable disk (primarily Zip), and high-end magnetic removable disk (primarily Jaz) media. Forecasts are provided for market value, unit shipments, and average street value. Regional shipments and market share are also presented..." NULL