20050506

Another Music Format: Does Anyone Care?


Yes, once again there is another attempt to bring out a new music format. One that will not play in existing players. And one that cannot be copied (yet). I think the music industry perpetually does not get it. How many times are we supposed to repurchase the same song: LP's, 8 tracks, cassettes, CD's, mp3's, and now Dual Discs. I'm sure it will end up with DAT, and minidiscs.
I've been reading a lot of information about the new Dual Disc format and how the RIAA hopes it will make more people buy music on discs rather than download it on the Internet. Frankly I can't see any benefit that these discs bring to the table other than some 5.1 surround sound on the DVD side. Of course you'll need a DVD player to listen to it, but is this enough?

I think there are three issues that the RIAA is going to have to overcome here. First, is this content really value added? Do people really want to see behind the scenes footage from last years concerts? Will people watch again and again? Second, the price has to come WAY down. If the RIAA is going to take a page out of the MPAA and their DVD products, they need to lower prices. DVD's are much cheaper than most VHS releases were 10 years ago AND you get much more content that people actually do watch. Paying $18 for "The Incredibles" and the same for a Jennifer Lopez album, "Rebirth" makes no sense to me considering how much more you get with the movie. Third, will people actually notice? I've seen no ads for this format in stores or even on the Internet.

Again the RIAA fails to understand the market (how many 13 year old girls care that the new Simple Plan Dual Disc has 5.1 surround sound) and continues to waste everyones time with these wacky proposals.

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