Is the DVD dead?

DVD or Digital Video Disc as some people would like to call it is a digital optic disc storage format, invented and developed by Phillips, Sony, Toshiba and Panasonic in 1995. DVD's cam be played in many different types of players including DVD players. DVD's allow the customer to watch their footage at their comfort of their own location whether it being at home, work or even on the train depending on what type of player is being used, also in complete control from pausing to fast warding and rewind. In this day and age DVD's can now be played on any platform which supports the DVD such as a laptop or a portable DVD player.

Over the years technology has gradually improved to a whole new level with on demand streaming services such as NowTV, Netflix, LoveFilm etc. proving to be a popular hit with customers. Dumping the DVD and switching over to online, so is the DVD really dying out? There are many features that come with DVD such as over 2 hours of high quality digital video, supports widescreen movies on standard or widescreen TV's (4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios) this gives the consumer the advantage to rewind or fast forward to a particular scene they missed or want to replay again. This is one great aspect to owning a DVD keeping consumers happy.

With on demand streaming copyright protection warnings are put into place however this also applies with DVD's. The rise of file sharing and piracy has prompted many copyright holders to display notices on DVD packaging or displayed on screen when the content is played that warn consumers of the illegality of certain uses of the DVD. In the US for example, the right to re-sell, rent or lend out bought DVD's is protected by the first sale doctrine under the Copyright Act of 1976.

DVD's offer an ease of access to its menu buttons it allows us to choose a specific chapter of the film or movie that you are watching. On demand has proved to be a major threat to DVD it has clearly taken over the industry, the many advantages that on demand provides is that it is easily accessible on multiple devices so if the consumer owns a smartphone for example they'll be able to view their movie on their phone, but it also has its disadvantages; some people say that DVD has been re invented to blue ray, some people would like to have a physical copy, its proved to be more reliable as consumers get annoyed with the continuous pop ups that appear on screen pausing the film mid way through.

Both sides have shown the pros and cons of their uses. Some people will like to keep a DVD or still use it and see it as a collectible whereas some will just enjoy the fact of not having to physically leave their house to go purchase a copy of a DVD instead just pay for it online and stream. I personally will use on demand streaming as it saves me a lot of time and money the thought of owning a DVD and knowing not being able to look after it properly means it will permanently damage and will not function properly.