Why CDs and DVDs are gradually on their way out (VHS and audio cassette tape is already there)

(photo by nate steiner)

Media Services encourages you to share your audio and video recordings without burning to disc (CD or DVD) or recording to tape (like audio cassettes or VHS) whenever possible. Why?

• Sharing audio and video files online or using removable (often USB-connected) drives makes it easy to make virtually unlimited numbers of backup copies, often with just a few clicks of your mouse.
  
• CDs, DVDs and all forms of tapes can easily become scratched, worn out, lost or stolen. By contrast, a digital file can quickly and easily be backed up to multiple computers, external hard drives, network drives, or online backup services so that even if one copy is lost or deleted, you have multiple redundant copies, just in case.
• Sharing files online or with removable (reusable) drives is often more environmentally friendly, at least in terms of avoiding unnecessary waste. Think of how much space in landfills is taken up by old discs, tapes, cases, packaging, etc.
  
• There are a wealth of highly effective ways to post audio and video online (iTunes U, YouTube, etc.) and instantly share it with a world-wide audience.
• There are plenty of tools available for sending large files from one place to another, even files too big to email. My favorite method is to use the Public folder feature of Dropbox (free accounts available with 2GB storage; pay accounts have much more storage). Why wait for a CD or DVD to make it through the mail or pay for FedEx (which could still get lost or damaged) when you can send a file to someone miles away and he/she can download it within the hour? You can quickly verify that it was received and save money at the same time!
  
• Sharing and/or buying files online is where the trends are going. Digital download sites like the iTunes Store or Amazon's Mp3 Music Downloads are taking market share from CDs, DVDs and the like. Even Netflix, which built its business on DVDs-by-mail, is adding more and more instantly-available movies via internet.
  

Are there still times when physical media like CD, DVD or VHS are useful or even necessary? Absolutely. Despite all the advantages listed above, there will still be plenty of situations in which it is easier and/or cheaper (in terms of time spent, at least) to use good old pieces of plastic to share audio and video. But, I predict (knock on wood) that these formats will increasingly become anachronistic.