TrendWatch Special Report Finds 120,000+ Workstations in Use by U.S. Studios

Report presents a detailed 160-page report on U.S. workstation installed base by market and platform for the visual effects/dynamic media and pro video U.S. markets. Based on original TrendWatch research conducted with a wide range of U.S. studios and facilities, the Workstation Report" outlines the estimated number of workstations in use by type and size of studio/facility. The report also discusses workstation trends by market/segment and what these trends mean for hardware suppliers, software suppliers, studios/facilities and educators.

(PRWEB) April 13, 2005 -- TrendWatch Inc., a leading market information company for the pro-video, visual effects, content creation and graphics markets, today announced the availability of Workstations -- The TrendWatch Perspective on Trends in Workstation Evolution and Use in the Visual Effects/Dynamic Media Markets," (Workstation Report") a detailed 160-page report on U.S. workstation installed base by market and platform. Based on original TrendWatch research conducted with a wide range of U.S. studios and facilities, the Workstation Report" outlines the estimated number of workstations in use by type and size of studio/facility. The report also discusses workstation trends by market/segment and what these trends mean for hardware suppliers, software suppliers, studios/facilities and educators.

Knowing workstation use by market and platform is critical for industry suppliers and analysts," said Jim Whittington, TrendWatch founding partner. In our last survey, we asked studio owners the actual number of workstations in use at their facilities and used these data to estimate industry-wide workstation installed base. We were surprised to learn the growth of Linux workstations as a dominant platform used by studios today. Workstation trends is must-have information for anyone doing market or product strategy work."

In the Workstation Report," TrendWatch experts discuss the development of workstation use in visual effects and how advancements in workstation and software capability have enabled artists to accomplish more complex effects on the desktop. Also discussed are trends in workstation use by type and size of studio/facility and platform. Some key findings include:
•   TrendWatch estimates there are over 120,000 graphics workstations installed in U.S. studios/facilities
•   53% of U.S. studios expect to have more Mac workstations in the next 18 months
•   36% of U.S. studios expect to have more PC workstations in the next 18 months
•   Over half of U.S. visual effects/animation studios expect to have more Windows XP, Mac and Linux workstations in the next 18 months
•   59% of independent filmmakers expect to have more Mac workstations and one-third expect to have more Windows XP workstations in the next 18 months
•   40% of workstations are in studios with two to four employees
•   For companies that work on independent films, corporate training materials and content for television, Windows NT and Windows 2000 are the most prevalent platforms

The Workstation Report" identifies seven forces that industry decision-makers must contend with as they evaluate workstation use by studios today. This report is published in Acrobat PDF format and includes linked Excel data sheets containing detailed workstation data by type and size of studio/facility.

TrendWatch reports are based on comprehensive surveys and research with todays animation and visual effects studios, postproduction facilities, audio recording/mixing studios, video editing/recording studios, independent filmmakers, corporate film and video companies, production companies, broadcast/cable studios and Web/interactive media companies. TrendWatch research methodology has been carefully developed to ensure that the studios and facilities responding to TrendWatch surveys are representative of the overall market demographics. TrendWatch market information is from primary quantitative market research designed to show trends and changes in the industry segments and markets.

Pricing and Availability
The Workstation Report" is sold separately and priced at USD $975. For more information and details on the reports contents, key findings and excerpts from this research, please visit www.trendwatch.com/special.html. To order, please visit the TrendWatch eStore or contact TrendWatch at (415) 380-8561 or via email at info@trendwatch.com.

About TrendWatch
TrendWatch is among the most trusted and respected market information brands in the professional graphics industries. Since 1996, TrendWatch has provided an independent resource for tracking on-going business metrics. TrendWatch reports are based on original market research with studio/facility business owners/ executives and used by leading suppliers and analysts. For more information, please visit the companys Web site at www.trendwatch.com.

TrendWatch is a registered trademark of TrendWatch, Inc.
All other brand names, product names, service marks or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

For more information, press only:
Heidi Lowell, Liaison Inc., (503) 796-9822, heidi@liaisonpr.com
Scotti McGowan, Liaison Inc., (503) 796-9822, scotti@liaisonpr.com

Reader contact:   
Jim Whittington, Partner
TrendWatch, Inc.
(415) 380-8561
jimw@trendwatch.com

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