We believe that the pay TV media server category will be dominated in the near- to medium-term by the set-top box, while the PC media server and consumer electronics categories will flourish as personal and Internet content media servers, said ABI analyst Michael Wolf.

Home media servers and connected entertainment networks might soon be as common as the microwave, thanks to integrated digital technology and the growth of broadband.
ABI Research, in a new report released late last week, predicted that the PC media server market alone will increase from $3.7 billion in 2006 to $44.8 billion by 2011 as traditional computers turn into fully functional media servers that can stream content to living rooms and stereos throughout the home.

The report indicated that the trend will be supported by tech giants, such as Microsoft, Intel, and Apple, that will continue to release new products and services designed to bring it all together.