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What will become of my beloved CDs?

I have nearly 2000 CDs (DVDA, SACD, etc) and am very fond of them, or at least the music that is on them. However, it seems that music distribution is going to someday soon be totally on-line through downloads (True? When?). So, when most all of the music on my CDs is available in higher-quality on-line downloads (with artwork, I'm sure), what will become of my CDs? Will they be the shiny-silver equivalent to 8-Track tapes? Or, will they become a novelty and collectable? Should I seel them ASAP?? Any economists here???
bday0000

Showing 6 responses by dweller

dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
The way things are going, the music biz will soon cut off any media that is bit-accesible. You and I are sitting on virtual master tapes! And as upsampling, etc. becomes more refined (and it will) your collection will only become more valuable (and better sounding). I'd not worry.
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
@elizabeth - Your scenario reminds me of the SETI organization and their search for extra terrestrial radio signals. If a civilization is a million years ahead of you, MAYBE they use a communication protocol you don’t understand (compare analog radio to digital - ever dial a fax machine by mistake? Does the sound it makes make any sense?).
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
@geoffkait - I've got about twenty HD-DVDs if you're interested...
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
@geoffkait - Not DVD-A, HD-DVD. You know, the video format that lost to BluRay? I bet on it, bought a player from Amazon, then Wal-Mart decided to stock only BluRay. Case closed...
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
@glupson - If you're buying a new player, for the long term, make sure to purchase a spare laser mechanism or two.
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
@glupson - A new Laser mechanism will be in the $50-$100 range (just don't buy an Esoteric drive -you're talking real money with these). With average use (2-3 hours a day), a Laser will last 10 years or so. The problem is, they may not be available in ten years.
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