Sponsor's Message

However, it appears that some in the movie industry are still not satisfied with the revenues being generated so they're trying to revive a bad idea that should have stayed dead after it floundered the first time.

I refer of course, to the self-destructing DVD; a disc that remains readable for only a matter of hours or days once the packaging in which it arrives is opened.

In theory, this sounds like a great alternative to rental discs for all concerned.

No need to return the disc, no worries about having to check returned discs for damage, and good repeat sales for movie studios.

The only downside, that nobody seems to be publicly talking about, is that disposable DVDs would probably result in increased levels of piracy.

Those promoting these disposable discs acknowledge that they can be copied using existing DVD ripping software -- and I can see the potential for a new way of stocking your video library...

Instead of spending $40 on a proper DVD, less ethical souls might just pay $5 for a disposable disc and rip it within a few hours of opening.

Now have your say Got something to say about today's column, or want to see what others think?  Visit The Forums While you're here, why not visit the Aardvark Hall of Shame and perhaps make your own nomination.

Of course this differs little from simply renting and ripping -- so maybe things won't change at all - except that those who rent do so in the full expectation that they'll only be "borrowing" the discs concerned.

I have a feeling that some people will believe that since they've actually bought a disc, they should have some right to keep a copy of its contents long after the original has dissolved.

Whatever the result, I still think that self-destructing discs are a lame idea and I doubt we'll ever see them for one very good reason -- the internet will overtake them.

Within a few short years, most of us will have fast enough internet connections that we'll be able to download movies for viewing on our TV sets.

The video on demand and video download options will simply make the self-destructing DVD redundant.

I predict big changes to all our broadcasting and communications mediums over the next 4-5 years -- to the extent that it will change the way we deliver entertainment quite significantly.

What's more, the copyright holders will help drive this change because they know that digital broadcasting and electronically delivered content is far more easily protected than physical discs and existing analog broadcasts.

Once strong DRM is incorporated in all our consumer electronics, the days of recording TV programmes to create your own video library will be just a distant memory and I predict that the actual cost of entertainment content will rise significantly.

And for all those suggesting that it's impossible to really protect music from DRM because you can simply use a patch-cable to record the resulting analog signal that all audio systems must reconstitute -- well yes you're right.

However, the same is not true of video -- unless you're prepared to video-tape the display of a TV set somewhere and put up with dramatically reduced quality as a result.

Are you looking forward to having your right to record controlled by our new entertainment media overlords?

Have your say on today's column

If you feel that this is a good thing and/or you hold a "geniune affection" for yours truly -- then you are welcome to gift me some money using the buttons provided. In gifting this money you accept that no goods, service or other consideration is offered, provided, accepted or anticipated in return. Just click on the button to gift whatever you can afford. NOTE: PayPal bills in US dollars so don't accidentally gift more than what you were intending :-)

Contacting Aardvark
I'm always happy to hear from readers, whether they're delivering brickbats, bouquets or news tip-offs. If you'd like to contact me directly, please this form. If you're happy for me to republish your comments then please be sure and select For Publication.

Other media organisations seeking more information or republication rights are also invited to contact me.

Just add a couple of lines of JavaScript to your pages and you can get a free summary of Aardvark's daily commentary -- automatically updated each and every week-day.

Aardvark also makes a summary of this daily column available via XML using the RSS format. More details can be found here.

Contact me if you decide to use either of these feeds and have any problems.

Linking Policy
Want to link to this site? Check out Aardvark's Linking Policy.

Did you tell someone else about Aardvark today? If not then do it now!