When deciding which DVD to view for our assignment in module four, I choose Minority report. To get the DVD I went to my library (I have two on the list, Minority Report and Total Recall). If I did not have it, I would have ordered it through Netflix (instant watch if it was available). My TV and BluRay player both have the capability to stream from Netflix so that would have been the most convenient method.
The current competition between DVDs and Video-On-Demand (VOD) fits Thornburg’s description of Red Queens whereas two competing entities are rapidly developing their product to maintain their market share (2008). DVDs have moved from the video store to the more convenient (and cheaper) online or at-the-market kiosk. VOD is increasing the title availability but still lags in the “new release” category often several weeks behind the other methods. Netflix actually offers both services putting them in the unique position of probable sustainability with either format prevailing.
As far as DVD and VOD as referenced to McLuhan’s tetrad (enhances, obsoletes, reverses, and retrieves) I think that VOD enhances availability and obsoletes the DVD. As VOD libraries improve and more people get connected, the idea of having to load a DVD and deal with the potential problem of disc damage and getting and returning them, will relegate DVDs to those people who want to have the enhanced content material.
Web Resources
- The Staying Power of the DVD vs. VOD
The current competition between DVDs and Video-On-Demand (VOD) fits Thornburg’s description of Red Queens whereas two competing entities are rapidly developing their product to maintain their market share (2008). DVDs have moved from the video store to the more convenient (and cheaper) online or at-the-market kiosk. VOD is increasing the title availability but still lags in the “new release” category often several weeks behind the other methods. Netflix actually offers both services putting them in the unique position of probable sustainability with either format prevailing.
As far as DVD and VOD as referenced to McLuhan’s tetrad (enhances, obsoletes, reverses, and retrieves) I think that VOD enhances availability and obsoletes the DVD. As VOD libraries improve and more people get connected, the idea of having to load a DVD and deal with the potential problem of disc damage and getting and returning them, will relegate DVDs to those people who want to have the enhanced content material.
Web Resources
- The Staying Power of the DVD vs. VOD
(This post is dated as it reffers to the now defunct Blockbuster Video store as an example, but still has relevance).
- Studios Giving Up on DVD, Pushing VOD Instead
Reference
Thornburg, D. (2008). Red Queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect lenses into emergent technologies. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
- Studios Giving Up on DVD, Pushing VOD Instead
Reference
Thornburg, D. (2008). Red Queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect lenses into emergent technologies. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI just added Hulu2 to my list of VOD services, I no longer subscribe to cable and I am saving 120.00 a month and watching all of the same shows that I used to watch. There are times that it would come in handy to have cable but never 120 bucks worth...have you thought about getting rid of cable and just relying on VOD? Also, my new favorite method to watch TV is via iPad, streaming from one of my VOD sites.
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteI think it is only a matter of time before cable, satellite, etc. will be obsolete.
With an internet connnection, you can watch streaming video, even live video. So why do we still have the others, I believe it is quality. HOwever, I think we are almost at a place where we can have the bandwidth to make HD a standard.