The slow fade of CDs and DVDs: A reflection on the loss of physical media
Once cherished as personal collections and markers of identity, physical media is now fading into nostalgia, replaced by the ease of digital access. But as we embrace streaming’s convenience, are we also losing something irreplaceable?
CDs and DVDs were more than just tangible items; they represented cultural identity, personal preference, and ownership. Purchasing a new CD, opening the case, and listening to the music while reading the liner notes was a rite of passage.
Analysing DVD covers while browsing the aisles of a video store was like going on a carefully planned treasure hunt, where each one could lead to a new realm. These formats were expressions of who we were and how we interacted with music and films, not just content.
Yet, digital streaming and downloads are pushing CDs and DVDs more into the past these days. The emergence of services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Netflix has changed how we obtain and use media. Empty shelves and stacks of old discs are the only remnants of the near-complete extinction of physical media.
Although streaming makes life easier and gives us access to huge multimedia libraries, it also makes us wonder what has been lost. Have we given up the tactile joys of physical copy ownership for the ease of unrestricted access?
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The history of CDs and DVDs is one of both cultural change and technological advancement. With their better sound quality and portability than vinyl albums and cassettes, CDs transformed the music industry at the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s. They became more than just a format because of their digital clarity, stylish cases, and album artwork; they became a declaration of individual preference.
When DVDs were available in the late 1990s, they offered better video quality along with extra features like director's commentary and deleted sequences. In a manner that VHS could not, DVDs brought movies into the house and transformed the living room into a customised movie theatre.
However, CDs and DVDs started to lose their appeal as fast as they gained popularity. The emergence of broadband internet, which increased the accessibility and convenience of digital technology, was the primary driver of this fall. Instant access to millions of songs, films, and TV series was made possible by services like Netflix and Spotify, which eliminated the need to leave the house or deal with physical clutter.
With just a mouse click, the traditionally time-consuming process of gathering, purchasing, and arranging actual discs became instantaneous.
The ease offered by streaming services was unmatched. Physical ownership was no longer necessary thanks to a monthly subscription that gave access to enormous content libraries. We could carry whole libraries in our pockets thanks to digital storage; there would be no need for shelves crammed with CDs or DVDs.
The idea of "ownership" changed. These days, we can access content saved in the cloud rather than holding a real object. A different type of media consumption has been spurred by this change. We used to invest in our own collections, but now we have to pay to access other people's collections.
However, we've lost something significant as a result of the move to digital access. The emotional bond that was formerly created by physical media has virtually vanished. Having a CD or DVD meant more than just having content; it meant building a personal collection that reflected our values and identities.
Every movie or CD represented a material aspect of cultural identity. We could show off our collections, give them away to friends, or go back to them whenever we wanted. However, this impression of permanence is absent from digital content. Movies and tracks are constantly changing on streaming services. We lose our connection to a service if a piece of material is removed.
Another change in the way we interact with media is highlighted by this transience. A sense of value was traditionally derived from physical ownership. A CD or DVD was something you could hold, show off, and distribute with pride. In contrast, digital access views content as disposable.
Our music and movie libraries are no longer treasured, and we no longer manage tangible collections. The convenience of a constantly shifting digital line, which provides countless options but little emotional connection, is what we rely on instead.
Digital streaming has become the norm due to convenience, but it has also made media consumption more transactional. An item that remains with you is a piece of history, such as a CD or DVD. However, streaming frequently results in short-lived content. The personal attachment we formerly had to a service van vanishes when its title is taken away. Unlike before, we no longer have complete control over our media.
The decline is also due to practical reasons. Legal streaming services have mostly replaced the piracy that once hampered CD and DVD sales. By offering inexpensive, legal access to enormous material libraries, services like Netflix, Spotify, and Apple Music have rendered piracy obsolete. As streaming has become more popular, tangible media has become less relevant, further alienating CDs and DVDs from popular culture.
In spite of this, tangible media still has a niche market. Because of their warmth and the ritual of listening to an album, vinyl records have seen a rebirth among music enthusiasts. Vinyl is a cultural statement as well as a representation of music.
The demand for DVD and Blu-ray collectors is also still high, particularly among moviegoers who like the extra features, artwork, and collector's editions that streaming cannot provide. When you get a limited-edition Blu-ray, for instance, you're not only enjoying a film; you're also helping to preserve a piece of film history.
Physical releases still have a distinct role in the video game industry. Collectors continue to be very interested in limited-edition game releases, which are frequently accompanied by exclusive products like art books and posters.
Owning a tangible copy of a game, replete with souvenirs, improves the experience and creates a stronger bond with the material for many players. Even while physical media isn't as prevalent as it once was, it still has cultural value.
Even while streaming has transformed how people consume media, the cultural value of tangible copies has not entirely been displaced. Limited-edition video games, vinyl records, and Blu-rays all have emotional significance. They stand for a link to the culture, the art, and the community that produced it, in addition to just representing material. Media has become more accessible in the digital age, but it has also become more transient.
Physical media used to have cultural value, but as we keep embracing digital convenience, we run the risk of losing it. While the demise of CDs and DVDs signifies the end of an era, it also serves as an indicator of what has been lost.
More than just a material property, owning a physical copy represented our identity and bond with the work of art we cherished. We need to consider what kind of media experience we would like to see in the future as we enter the digital era.
Zaziratul Zannat is a humanitarian aid practitioner in a non-profit international organisation based in South Asia.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
