Is the DVD Dead? (Sue)

Is the DVD Dead?

A digital video disc also known as a DVD is a media platform used to store large amounts of data usually films or a television series. A DVD allows the audience to sit comfortably and have full control over what they are consuming for example they can pause, fast forward, rewind etc.

Like other platforms DVD’s have usual conventions. These include a main menu, a play button which usually comes up as soon as the DVD is put in although some may have advertisements at the start advertising other films or tv shows of a similar target audience.  Other features include short clips from behind the scenes, outtakes, subtitles and the option to change the language.

Since 1995 DVD’S have become popular all across the world and a large percentage of households are likely to own a DVD player and DVD’S. Now in the time of Internet, on demand features, Netflix, love film and many other streaming sites the question is ‘Is the DVD dead?’ I believe the answer is yes!

Not only can you get nearly all the conventions when watching a film or show online but you are able to watch it anywhere on any device such as a laptop, tablet or phone where as a DVD is physical and you need a player to watch it. Although some people may disagree as many people may enjoy owning their own physical copy of a film they love and could watch over and over again.

DVD’S are slowly dying as many people including myself are realising that it is much easier to watch films online issues such as prices are a problem on a site such as Netflix which is £5.99 a month you are able to watch as many films as you want as many times as you want whereas a DVD could cost up to £20 and even more if it's a television box set, so why pay that much when you can watch more for so much less? Another issue is storage space owning physical DVD’s means you needs space for them a shelf for example on Netflix all your films/shows are stored electronically so you can go back to it anytime.

Aside from all the above there are some disadvantages of not having a DVD one of the main ones is that the internet signal is not always reliable and no one wants to watch a film if it keeps buffering all the time. Watching a good with the members of your family is something many of us enjoy but this can be very difficult if you do not have a way of watching Netflix or another streaming site on your telly as everyone will need to be crowded around a device which can be small and difficult for everyone to watch comfortably.

Although the excitement of buying and owning a DVD of a film or television series that you love is great I still believe that the DVD is slowly dying and becoming less of a household essential.