Death of DVD's & CD's?

[Ash]

There's an interesting article I read today that suggests that within 5 years the disc format will be done with and everything will be strictly downloadable.

Go here to read the article then let us know what you think.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030903/music_nm/media_piracy_dc_1

[Dave:Blackeye15]

NO WAY!!! AND I'VE JUST GOTTEN INTO DVD'S TOO NO FAIR!!

-the first rule of fat club-

[Bernie]

I don't buy it.  Not for any technological reason, but for reasons of human psychology (or maybe I'm just talking about my own psychology here):  I think there will always be people who enjoy the actual ownership of a THING, a material object, especially a beautiful and/or well-made object.  Many of the better-produced CDs and DVDs certainly fit this description and I would certainly miss them if they weren't available.

[raj]

They'll get my vinyl when they pry 'em from my cold, dead fingers!

[Fearless Freep]

The reason the web hasn't replaced printed material is because it's hard to take your computer to the bathroom.

I imagine there's some similar prinicipal to be found in other forms of media

[Bernie]

Gives new meaning to the phrase "data dump"....

[AndyC]

I can see this being much the same as the old prediction that computers would eliminate the need for paper. They increased paper usage because it's so easy to print off copy after copy of documents, and people like paper documents. They're portable, they're comfortable to hold and read, easy to pass around.

I have a feeling that many people will still want to have their music and movies in some physical form, as Bernie suggested. I've put my entire collection on MP3 and pipe it throughout the house, but I'm more comfortable knowing I have the discs. I actually have more discs because of this technology, because I can whip off mixed CDs to play in the car almost as easily as printing documents.

It might be hard to convince people to pay the same price when they don't get something tangible. Theoretically, it would lower the price to save on manufacturing, shipping, and retailing. Then again, I can't see any companies dropping the price simply because their costs have gone down. It's also good to remember that most of the savings come from someone else's lost income.

It also seems almost dishonest that somebody could sell an unlimited number of something without paying any more himself.

There is definitely a feeling that things without physical form simply do not have the same value as real merchandise, hence the prevalence of file-sharing software, cracks, key generators and other such things. It's the mentality at the heart of cable and satellite theft for that matter.

Personally, I won't download anything I have to pay for. If I'm going to pay top dollar for software, I want at least a disc and a printed manual. I don't buy ebooks, and not just because most of the ones I've seen are crap anyway. I'll shop online, but only for tangible goods. I don't subscribe to pay sites either. I pay my service fee, and that's all I'll pay for what comes through my modem.

Maybe the next generation will feel differently, but this generation will be around longer than five years.

[wuggles451]

I can see dvd's and cds being replaced but only by some other form of media mini disk memory stick etc. As for me i will probally hold on to my collection of discs for a long long time.

[Scott]

Yea, I can see some wanting a nicely label thing that they can hold. Like any collection that is pleasing to the eye. Art work and the holding of the object.

For myself who am on a movie marathon I just would like to see all the significantly good and bad in film. Also I would like to own a copy of something for a collection, but I at this time don't need the packaging. (like that pizza hut give away) Those disk can be purchased at cheaper cost according to the buyings wishes. Casing, a sleeve, etc.

It has been a concern that the current technology will be replaced after we all invest are earned cash on something that will be out dated. VOD is good and depending on the collecting habits of the viewer will determine the "thing" that is held in possession.

I would like to see both the computer and access to entertainment reach its peak, so I can decide on what form(s) I would like to invest in. Technology at this time is moving so fast, yet so slow for some.

[AndyC]

If flash memory cards, such as the kind in digital cameras, are standardized, and get more capacity and a lower price tag, I can see them being the next big thing. They're tiny, and the information is stored on a chip, making for fast recording and retrieval. Imagine getting a special edition movie with all the extras on a little plastic card the size of a postage stamp, and plugging it into a player the size of your wallet.

[Scott]

Yea, then getting a book of 10 stamps (movies) for $10. Chips will save the extra cost of packaging and shipping.

[Brother Ragnarok]

Screw that, you get no cool packaging.  I'm  a liner-notes man, plus I hate dicking around with my computer.  If everyone downloads everything, there will be too much traffic, servers blowing up, no one will ever see anything.  Screw this download crap.  It won't happen.  Everyone pick up the new Brian Lumley e-Book last Tuesday?  Didn't think so.

Brother R

[The Burgomaster]

Technology marches on! It seems like it doesn't make sense to spend money on electronics these days. Everything becomes obsolete so quickly . . .

[dean]

i agree that cds wont be replaced by purely digital media: i backup way too much stuff on discs, so i won't risk a virus wiping all my precious software.  If everything was downloadable, i can imagine that we'd be hit with a pretty big virus pretty easily


and then the machines will take over


Bring on T4!

[raj]

Hmm, coincidence that Arnie's running for governor of the state with most of the media in it?  I want a physical done on him, just to ensure he's human.