Reading this title, maybe someone will say: "Hey! This was already published." Hehe, don't worry, this is not a duplicated news item 😉 The previous one was referred only to CD media and was discussing about the possibility that CD discs production can be stopped because of the introduction of next generation optical media.
This one is a bit different. Surfing the web today I found an article stating that optical media in general, and not only CDs, are doomed and will disappear soon, because of the following reasons:
1. Downloading programmes and films from the Internet will replace buying content on discs. Microsoft, Apple, and others, are lining up to offer the service.
2. Cable-on-demand: as above. Here in the UK, Telewest/ntl, BT, Homechoice and others will offer increasing diversity.
3. New formats require pricey hardware: consumers won't pay en masse for expensive players
4. Rise of the hard disc: they're getting physically smaller, and growing in capacity.
What can I say? Points 3 and 4 are certainly valid, but I still think that optical media will survive for a long time. Why? For a very simple reason: people still want to store contents in an easily accessible way, and optical media are a very good method, certainly better than old videotapes, and still enough reliable for everyday usage.
It is possible that HDD will become cheaper enough to take the place of optical media, but I think that this will not happen in the immediate future.
Source: HDTV UK
