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It was inevitable as the inexorable march of technology moves on, and it's finally been announced that shipments of High-Definition screens have now surpassed standard definition in 2008.

The current economic slowdown doesn't seem to have affected sales of HDTVs thanks to a drop in retail prices and increased availability, and the technology is enjoying a growth rate of 20 per cent annually.

The figures mean that by 2012 there will be more than 240million units shipped in comparison to 97million last year, while SDTV sales are expected to fall by around 27 per cent year on year.

As a result of this, by 2012 around 50 per cent of all set-top boxes will also be HD-enabled compared to the current figure, which sits at around 20 per cent.

Analyst for iSuppli Sheri Greenspan comments, 'The technology is everywhere these days, on broadcast television, on cable, on satellite, and on the internet. You can't escape hearing about something being broadcast in HD or getting the most out of your HD receiver or the most HD channels available'.

informationweek.com