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The End of Physical Media

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the its-only-a-matter-of-time dept.

L-s-L69 writes "The register is reporting that Forrester is predicting that a third of all music sales will be made by downloads in the next five years. They also predict that almost 15 per cent of films will be viewed by "on-demand" services such as rather than by DVD or video by 2005. "

4 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. Video On Demand by notbob · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've used the on demand viewing for at home, but haven't been 100% happy with it.

    The whole pause, fast forward, etc... is laggy and inaccurate. I don't like it.

    I don't like only being able to watch it for 24 hours, give me lifetime viewing for 15$ then we're talking.

    As of right now it's just a waste of money as always.

  2. Is this really a good thing? by Eric+Ass+Raymond · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Is this really a good thing?

    I mean in the worst case scenario this will only mean pay-per-view and draconian DRM.

    --
    BOO! TERRO
  3. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I think they just project the last five years onto the next five years, and if you do that then the findings aren't unreasonable. On the other hand you could point out that PDF has been around for ten years and grown explosively, but hasn't replaced printed media yet.

    I think what these guys keep confusing is that CONSUMING and COLLECTING are two different mindsets, and physical media will always have a market for those of us who like to accumulate.

  4. Re:Really? by smallpaul · · Score: 5, Interesting

    PDF is less convenient (to read) than physical media. But MP3s are more convenient (to listen to) than physical media. That's why people rip even CDs that they own into their MP3 players

    People who collect MP3s are also collectors. I definately feel more like a collector when I occasionally log onto a P2P system then when I am in a CD store. While I am in the P2P system it is pure hunting and gathering with no concern about cost. When I am in the CD store it is about deciding which of the CDs are worthy my hard earned money (and let's not forget the space they take up in my CD rack).

    On the one hand it is cool to look at my rack and see the stuff I own summarized nicely. But on the other hand, physical media is a pain in the ass. CDs and DVDs are really poorly designed media. Way too fragile. For DVDs: too many silly restraints about skipping FBI warnings and advertisments. For CDs: not enough information density.
    If I could leave that all behind I probably would.