I thought Microsoft's explanation of why they dropped DVD support from the Windows 8 - Media Player (because everyone streamed movies now days) was a little silly.
Umm, but I wonder about all those millions upon millions of dvd's still out there and those still being sold? Maybe they might sweeten the Windows 10 pot and bring it back.
Then again, Microsoft sometimes, reminds me of a shady politician side stepping the issues.
My guess is Windows Media Center will carry over into Windows '10', (when all the proper elements are in place.)
DVD's days are numbered... I was in Best Buy the other day, and I suddenly noticed... And i'm not sure when it happened.. but they no longer carry *ANY* Music CD's. Not a one. Who would have guessed that a few years ago? DVD's can't be too far behind.
Most computers these days don't even have attached DVD drives anymore. Certainly not most laptops. Microsoft may be ahead of the game a little, but I'm guessing DVD's will be all but dead within 2-3 years.
Nowadays, with prices coming down on Ultra-4K TV's, DVD's are a cruel joke on them... Blu-Ray never really took off. My guess is that if there is going to be a physical media, it will soon be a read-only flash drive. Why ship bulky Blu-Ray's that can scratch, and only have a 35GB capacity when you can have 128GB or greater flash devices. Prices would still have to come down on flash, but if they were shipping billions of them then that might happen.
I think that's doubtful. They've certainly changed their format significantly, and they may do so again, but they won't be out of business.
Looking at their 2014 financial report, it looks like their sales are roughly the same as last year (down a bit, but then they closed a number of stores, and had disruptions due to remodeling stores). Certainly not stellar growth numbers, but they seem to be holding their own, and making money.
I actual hope you are wrong about DVDs & blue-rays. Family Video in the U.S. rents the most DVDS, Blue rays and game in the U.S. They are open more & more stores is the U.S. No, I don't work there but that my only place in town that I can rent DVDS beside the library. I think more people are moving back to renting dvds/blue-rays because it cheaper to rent then pay online company more, plus expanded cable is getting more expensive to have in the U.S. It is also the only place you can use "cash" to rent. No "Credit/debit Card" number is required to be stored to rent from them.
I also buy dvds from Amazon as well. I don't see that going away anytime soon. I don't want to have to buy another dvd player for a different format for my tvs. I am a little old fashion.
However, if we get a holodeck at a cheap price, then we can become part of the story. Yes, I know it is fiction but I think it would be neat. In that case, dvd, blue-ray would be history :)
I thought they dropped DVD support from the Windows 8 Media Player and charged for WMC is because of Hollywood media rights? Yes?
I was reading an article the other day that Amazon and iTunes are loosing market share to streaming because people would rather rent than buy. Net streaming radio is certainly on the rise. I think since people can pick a genre that they will be satisfied with that instead of money and time spent on a music collection.
BTW, I see they killed off the iPod. LOL! They said they couldn't get parts for it anymore?!! OMG! What Apple puts out sometimes. What a crock! How about it's seen it's day and lost to their own iPhone and or other smart phones?!
With movies it's a matter of "Time release". If Hollywood had their way they'd want everyone to see it right away spending $10/12/15 + $popcorn & pop$ at a theater. I think the next ones that get it is to buy or rent the disk when released. There's one or two rental places left in our town of 25k population. For $10/mo one can get unlimited movies with I think to include 2 new releases? My fiancé does this because she lives a few blocks away from a store, but once we move in together she won't. Too far away. I think the streamers like Netflix are next in line? Netflix at $8/mo is a great deal to me.
I think optical will die off to flash once it gets reasonably priced as Mystere stated. Movie on a thumb drive to plug into home theater system or DVRs, which most people have. Ultimately streaming would be best, but it's really up to Hollywood, broadband speed and/or cost, and availability.
I don't buy DVDs, now that I can buy Blu-Rays. On a reasonable size TV the quality difference is huge. Similarly with streaming, to get the Blu-Ray quality you need a lot of bandwidth and not many places have it. So for now there is no alternative to Blu-Ray. Whether or not Windows can play them makes no difference to me, I never watch movies on my computer.
As for the cost, buying a new release on Blu-Ray is cheaper than a visit to the multiplex for two. If you wait, prices drop down fast.
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