Newest video and audio devices increasingly popular

More and more households are buying new generation audio and video equipment. Ownership of MP3 players, DVD players, CD writers and widescreen TVs is increasing quickly. Most households in the Netherlands now have a personal computer

Ownership of MP3 and DVD players doubled

Seven percent of Dutch households owned an MP3 player in 2002 compared with 3 percent one year previously. Ownership of DVD players also nearly doubled in the space of one year. In 2002 24 percent of all households had a DVD player, compared with 13 percent in 2001. The percentage of households with a CD writer rose from 21 to 31.

One in five homes have a widescreen TV

Widescreen TVs are also becoming increasingly popular. Nearly one in five Dutch households had a widescreen TV in 2002, up from one in seven in 2001. The percentage of households with a personal computer rose from 65 to 69. CD players and VCRs have been widespread for a number of years now. In 2002 they were to be found in 91 and 81 percent of households respectively.

Ownership of some video and audio devices

Young people lead the way

It is the younger generation in particular who buy the most modern audio and video technology. In 2002 just over one fifth of young households – where the main earner is aged between 16 and 25 years – had an MP3 player. This is three times the percentage of all households. Two out of five households in this age category had a DVD players and/or a CD writer. In the space of one year ownership of MP3 players, DVD players and CD writers rose very strongly among 16 to 25 year-olds.

Ownership of some video and audio equipment by age of main earner, 2002

Littler interest among older people

Older people are less likely to own modern audio and video equipment. Older people who do not have such equipment are not very interested in owning it either. Only 7 percent of over 65s who do not have a widescreen TV want one. Among 16 to 25 year-olds who do not have one, four times as many want one. Only one in ten older people would like to own a computer and/or a VCR.

Interest in video and audio equipment among non-owners, 2002

Ger Linden

Source: StatLine