TokeHoldCough
Active Member
The DVD has been around for about 15 years now, but we are beginning to see the signs of its demise? Recent figures show that US DVD sales slumped by 20% in the first quarter of 2011. So, if this is the end of the DVD, what will replace it? Blu-ray is the latest physical form of owning a film, but increasingly Downloads are gaining popularity.
In the following article we will try to argue for both Blu-ray and Downloads as the likely replacement, whilst trying to remain unbiased. But ultimately only you can decide, so what will replace the DVD? Blu-ray or Downloads?
Blu-ray vs Downloads
The DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) has been around since 1996, when it was first introduced to Japan by Toshiba, with the US and Europe following in subsequent years. Since that time, the DVD has grown to be the dominant format for film. However, with the emergence of high-definition and now 3D film, the DVD is no longer seen as a suitable format. This is backed up by falling DVD sales since 2007, with latest figures showing that US DVD sales slumped by 20% in the first quarter of 2011. It is clear to see that the DVD is set to follow in the footsteps of the VHS and slowly phase out, but it is unclear what format will fill the void left by the DVD. Two candidates are lining up for the opportunity, with Blu-ray set to battle it out against the modern Download culture, but which will emerge victorious.
Blu-ray
To many Blu-ray is still a very new format, having only recently becoming available as a film format in shops. It did this by emerging as the winner of the Blu-ray vs HD DVD debate a few years back. It has vastly greater capacity to record and store information on its 25-50GB discs than the DVD, therefore becoming the new industry standard. This format is much more suitable for new HD and 3D technology which more films and video games are adopting. Blu-ray players are increasingly popular, and with the inclusion of the PS3, Blu-ray looks set to replace the DVD in how consumers buy their films in physical form.
Download
The culture of downloading content has grown out of the popularity of the music industry. With the introduction of the iPod and iTunes, it became much more convenient to download your music straight to your MP3 player to listen to. This led to the death of the music CD, with many highstreet music stores shutting.
History could yet repeat itself for the film industry, with downloads and streaming content becoming more popular. Traditional film renting companies are struggling and many more are shutting, such as Blockbuster who are in the process of being declared bankrupt. That isnt a result of people choosing not to rent as services such as Netflix.com and LoveFilm.com have emerged and grown quickly, allowing customers to stream unlimited movies and TV shows for a monthly subscription fee.
The only problem with downloadable content is the vulnerability to illegal file sharing and piracy. Recent research, however, suggests that illegal downloading is decreasing having peaked in 2008.
Downloading content is desirable because it is easy and cheap. People are no longer interested in owning a physical copy of a film, when it is much easier to download a copy or stream it for a smaller fee. Technology is also making this easier for consumers. Apple is leading the world by allowing people to download content easily to their variety of devices, so that now you can read a book, watch a film and listen to your music all on a single device.
Conclusion
It is obvious that we are living through a transition period where everything is switching to digital. Books, Music, Movies, Software Video Games, etc, are all switching to forms that can be downloaded easily by consumers and we are driving that demand. For that reason, the death of the DVD will more likely result in more of us downloading content. Blu-ray is a very good format and will be around for many years to come, but it will be fighting a loosing battle. Our media consumtion future is digital, and downloading content will become the norm. Blu-ray will be the last physical format for media that we will buy, and with the increasing rate at which technology is improving, it may not be around for as long as people think! At the end of the day, only you can decide how you belive this will end, so what will replace the DVD? Blu-ray or Downloads?
Honestly.. Downloads, that's what I think. Also, for those who haven't seen this and voted on the Site.
Total voters: 508
Downloads: 57% (290 votes)
Blu-Ray: 43% (218 votes)
In the following article we will try to argue for both Blu-ray and Downloads as the likely replacement, whilst trying to remain unbiased. But ultimately only you can decide, so what will replace the DVD? Blu-ray or Downloads?
Blu-ray vs Downloads
The DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) has been around since 1996, when it was first introduced to Japan by Toshiba, with the US and Europe following in subsequent years. Since that time, the DVD has grown to be the dominant format for film. However, with the emergence of high-definition and now 3D film, the DVD is no longer seen as a suitable format. This is backed up by falling DVD sales since 2007, with latest figures showing that US DVD sales slumped by 20% in the first quarter of 2011. It is clear to see that the DVD is set to follow in the footsteps of the VHS and slowly phase out, but it is unclear what format will fill the void left by the DVD. Two candidates are lining up for the opportunity, with Blu-ray set to battle it out against the modern Download culture, but which will emerge victorious.
Blu-ray
To many Blu-ray is still a very new format, having only recently becoming available as a film format in shops. It did this by emerging as the winner of the Blu-ray vs HD DVD debate a few years back. It has vastly greater capacity to record and store information on its 25-50GB discs than the DVD, therefore becoming the new industry standard. This format is much more suitable for new HD and 3D technology which more films and video games are adopting. Blu-ray players are increasingly popular, and with the inclusion of the PS3, Blu-ray looks set to replace the DVD in how consumers buy their films in physical form.
Download
The culture of downloading content has grown out of the popularity of the music industry. With the introduction of the iPod and iTunes, it became much more convenient to download your music straight to your MP3 player to listen to. This led to the death of the music CD, with many highstreet music stores shutting.
History could yet repeat itself for the film industry, with downloads and streaming content becoming more popular. Traditional film renting companies are struggling and many more are shutting, such as Blockbuster who are in the process of being declared bankrupt. That isnt a result of people choosing not to rent as services such as Netflix.com and LoveFilm.com have emerged and grown quickly, allowing customers to stream unlimited movies and TV shows for a monthly subscription fee.
The only problem with downloadable content is the vulnerability to illegal file sharing and piracy. Recent research, however, suggests that illegal downloading is decreasing having peaked in 2008.
Downloading content is desirable because it is easy and cheap. People are no longer interested in owning a physical copy of a film, when it is much easier to download a copy or stream it for a smaller fee. Technology is also making this easier for consumers. Apple is leading the world by allowing people to download content easily to their variety of devices, so that now you can read a book, watch a film and listen to your music all on a single device.
Conclusion
It is obvious that we are living through a transition period where everything is switching to digital. Books, Music, Movies, Software Video Games, etc, are all switching to forms that can be downloaded easily by consumers and we are driving that demand. For that reason, the death of the DVD will more likely result in more of us downloading content. Blu-ray is a very good format and will be around for many years to come, but it will be fighting a loosing battle. Our media consumtion future is digital, and downloading content will become the norm. Blu-ray will be the last physical format for media that we will buy, and with the increasing rate at which technology is improving, it may not be around for as long as people think! At the end of the day, only you can decide how you belive this will end, so what will replace the DVD? Blu-ray or Downloads?
Honestly.. Downloads, that's what I think. Also, for those who haven't seen this and voted on the Site.
Total voters: 508
Downloads: 57% (290 votes)
Blu-Ray: 43% (218 votes)
