46.8 mln digital music players were sold in 2004, 132 mln will sell by 2009

Shipments of MP3 players are expected to rise by nearly a factor of four from 2004 to 2009, according to iSuppli. Total MP3 player shipments will expand to 132 mln units in 2009, rising at CAGR of 29.1% from 36.8 mln in 2004. HDD-based MP3 player shipments will grow at a CAGR of 41.8% from 2004 to 2009. Shipments will rise to 56.2 mln units in 2009, up from 9.8 mln in 2004. By 2009, iSuppli expects HDD-based products to account for nearly half of all MP3 shipments at 42.6%, up from 26.6% in 2004.