The quick ascent of video streaming and digital download services has led some entertainment industry members to prognosticate the downfall of physical media. However, recent trends suggest that the demand for disc-based film media such as Blu-ray is as fervent as ever, especially in the United States.

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ “2013-2017 Global Entertainment and Media Outlook” report, the global entertainment industry is expected to net $2 trillion in annual revenue by 2017, Billboard reported. Currently, the U.S. entertainment and media market generates less than $500 billion each year, but that figure is expected to grow to approximately $632 billion in 2017, when it will account for 29.4 percent of the global industry. The U.S. film industry is expected to surpass the $100 billion mark in 2016, a historical high point for Hollywood.

The home video market will contribute to this new era of growth. Although researchers predicted that revenue from digital media will outpace that of disc-based formats in North America by 2017, DVDs and Blu-ray discs will remain the market leaders worldwide. One of the factors contributing to projected market growth is the continued emergence of key regions with increasingly sophisticated consumers, including China, Russia, Brazil and India. As the economies of these nations grow, more of their citizens will pursue the creature comforts that Americans have enjoyed for years, including the high-definition playback provided by Blu-ray media and the experience of an advanced home theater system.

Time is right for home theater growth
According to Home Theater Review contributor Jerry Del Colliano, these encouraging trends combined with a recent upswing in the overall economy, and the real estate market in particular, have created conditions that are ideal for creating or improving a home theater. One of the factors that Colliano cited in support of his stance was the increasing availability of high-quality equipment at reasonable prices, thanks to the emergence of online vendors.

“High-performance internet-direct [audio-visual] companies have set a new standard for value in the consumer electronics world while offering excellent customer service, trade-up programs and more,” Colliano wrote.

For instance, DIGISTOR’s line of slot load Blu-ray hardware and software packages can enhance the home theater experience by facilitating home video playback. By installing these tools in a PC or Mac, users can copy their one-of-a-kind videos to Blu-ray media, ready to be viewed on the big screen. With quality equipment, consumers can enjoy a unique movie theater experience in the comfort of their own homes.