Will the DVD R.I.P?

Most people never thought it would happen, but now it may become a distant memory. When the first “crazy” people came out with the idea of a light and compact disc on which to store information, movies and music, many beileved the public would not respond. As the projector was replaced by the Beta Max Beta Max by VHS, VHS by DVD we now have to ask ourselves, is the DVD headed for the same fate? With the onset of iPods, Zunes, Blu-ray and other highly innovative operating systems, the DVD may be headed for the trash.

Ever since Apple’s iPod has swept the globe, video and music access has been put in the palm of every hand.
Whether you are taking the Metro or waiting at the dentist’s office, it is now possible to access an array of entertainment through the iPod. It seems that every time you turn on the T.V. or pick up a newspaper, another company is competing to keep up with the rest.
There is no doubt that technology is keeping up with innovation and now with the onset of Apple’s wireless computer and Blu-Ray systems the DVD is doomed.

Wireless is now the future. Apple’s Mac-Book Air shocked many when it debuted without an optical drive. The new technology allows you to download music, movies, T.V. shows and more to a “home base” computer and then wirelessly connect to access the entertainment. Instead of using DVDs you can buy movies from Apple’s service and then watch them wirelessly.

There is also no need to back up these files. The consumer is now able to protect all of their files using Apple’s new Time Capsule. Basically, by using the new Remote Disc, a person can access anything they would from a normal computer, without lugging around a load of DVDs or CDs.
AHS students alike believe that the time for the DVD is over. “Everything comes and goes, nothing lasts forever,” said senior, Jay Washington.
Despite the critics of Apple’s new opertating systems, many believe it is only a matter of time before the public realizes that new technology will make  lives even easier.

“I think the time for CD’s and DVD’s is over because they are old and out of date,” said senior Justin Nguyen.
One of the biggest impacts of the high-def technologies is on the movie rental industry.

In ten years a Blockbuster or Hollywood video will be considered an anomaly. Blockbuster has already had to adapt to Net Flix by creating Blockbuster Total Access. Instead of renting movies experts are predicting that Blockbuster and Netflix will be forced to offer their entire libraries to consumers at home.

What used to be the clearest picture possible, the HD DVD, is now out of the running. On Feb. 21,Toshiba and a host of other electronics manufacturers changed their hardware to support Blu-ray. AHS students agree that the Blu-ray provides a crisp quality picture. “Now the technology is getting better and it will be much easier and the picture is clearer and better,” said freshman Madena Haidari.

The Blu-ray disc offers 25GB and the HD DVD offers 15GB. The amount of storage space alone is changing the entertainment industry.
The music industry is also taking note. The new Zune allows you to wirelessly download videos, movies, pictures, shows and files. It even allows you to charge your Zune wirelessly. “I think eventually all music will be sold on iTunes and there will be more illegal stuff,” said junior Shane Doty.
For the first time ever DVD sales have dropped, foreshadowing the demise of the medium.On Feb. 5 the legendary Disney company, renowned for princesses and fairy castles, announced a nine percent decrease in DVD sales from the previous year. Chief financial officer, Thomas Staggs said in an interview about the decline that “we had strong but not as strong performance in home entertainment.” However Disney has not been the only company to suffer the same fate.

According to MSN Money and Top Stocks, in 2007 DVD sales fell for the last three years after soaring by 75% between 1999 and 2004, according to a report by Global Media Intelligence. DVD player sales are also down 15% over the past year, after dropping 24% the year before.

Many say that the reason that DVD sales are down is because of their price. The Global Media Intelligence report also denotes that participation fees have doubled from five years ago. The cost of studio time, as well as outrageous actor salaries, has resulted in the higher price of DVDs.
No matter what you believe, or who you hear it from, the DVD is rapidy being replaced.
There is no doubt that new wireless technologies and file sharing are revolutionary, the question is: is America ready for it?