Triple-figure growth rates for DVD recorders: format still in its infancy in the West.(Focus)

* European sales of DVD recorders increased by as much as 400 per cent

* Recorders account for only around four per cent of DVD hardware sales

* In the US recorders account for only two per cent of sales

* Yet recorders account for a massive 38 per cent of sales in Japan

* Huge Japanese growth levels are due to introduction of DVD recorders with HDD

* Some European territories have adopted the DVD/VCR combo option

Whilst DVD recorders continue to thrive in the technologically advanced Japanese market, consumer ele