CDs are Officially Over

[Hack&Lube]

http://www.tgdaily.com/games-and-ent...fficially-over

The public hasn't really been into music CDs for quite some time, but now it's reportedly official. Yes, major record labels will finally cease production of CDs next year.

This definitely doesn't feel like any big news flash, and like any lingering death, it's not surprising when it finally comes.

As SideLine reports, what's left of the major labels will abandon CDs for good by the end of 2012.

As expected, they will shift to downloads and streaming exclusively, which is where music has been moving along anyways.

I know I haven't personally bought a music CD in a music store since about 2002 and the last actual music CD I bought was from a busker on the street to support him.

[Cheese]

Well...another technology bites the dust only to live on in second hand record stores.
So far I've watched 8 tracks, albums, 45s, cassettes and now Cds bite the dust. I wonder what technology will make the download file disappear? Stream straight to the brain?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Well...another technology bites the dust only to live on in second hand record stores.
So far I've watched 8 tracks, albums, 45s, cassettes and now Cds bite the dust. I wonder what technology will make the download file disappear? Stream straight to the brain?

Streaming to your jaw bone implant that carries the vibrations to your inner ear.

[SebC]

I always figured they should make digital downloads hella cheap and sell CDs as "collectables", but I guess vinyls fill the role I saw for CDs.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Well...another technology bites the dust only to live on in second hand record stores.
So far I've watched 8 tracks, albums, 45s, cassettes and now Cds bite the dust. I wonder what technology will make the download file disappear? Stream straight to the brain?

With services like Spotify, Grooveshark & Rdio gaining ground (unlimited subscription streaming) the idea of "owning" music is really on it's way out. Much like Netflix is doing for movies & TV shows.

As some one who spent my teenage years meticulously curating my CD collection it's been a bit of a hard switch to make. Sure the access to music has never been better, and I'm loving that I can check out a new album without committing to it in any real way. But I've still got a box of CD's in storage that I just can't part with. 95% of them, save for a few really obscure punk bands are available on things like Rdio, but I just can't find the motivation to toss em out.

Eh hopefully hipster kids will start wearing them as hats in 20 years or something and I can ebay em, but for now they just collect dust.

tl;dr: Get off my lawn, how come things cost more than they used to, etc. /old man rant

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I don't buy a lot of CDs but I'm going to miss having the physical package with me. The day comics and books go all digital is going to be a sad one.

Wonder if the fairly strong vinyl market is going to stay around for a while. Seems like it has built a nice little niche.

[KTrain]

@jaydorn: I picked up one of these a few years back so I could bring my CD collection out of the boxes in the basement. I recycled all the cases and kept the insert and disc. It's much more compact and accessible.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...9e2f66e1c0en02

[Barnet Flame]

I liked the idea of buying CDs rather than downloading music as it meant I had a copy of whatever I bought that was easily transferable onto anything I bought.

However, since I got Spotify a couple of years back, I don't buy music at all.

[Lobotroth]

I bought some records the other day and really enjoyed just searching through all the stacks to try and find something that tickled my fancy. It's just not the same on a computer although I do appreciate the speed and availabilty of it. I like to have a tangible object that I can hold in my hands.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by KTrain

@jaydorn: I picked up one of these a few years back so I could bring my CD collection out of the boxes in the basement. I recycled all the cases and kept the insert and disc. It's much more compact and accessible.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...9e2f66e1c0en02

I've got everything ripped to my iPhone now anyways. I've gone fully digital, and I honestly can't think of a reason to put on a CD, but still, just can't part with that box.

[Ashartus]

I hope if this is true that non-lossy formats become more readily available; I'd hate to be limited to poor quality iTunes or mp3 versions.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

I hope if this is true that non-lossy formats become more readily available; I'd hate to be limited to poor quality iTunes or mp3 versions.

This is my biggest concern. I want LOSSLESS.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by SebC

I always figured they should make digital downloads hella cheap and sell CDs as "collectables", but I guess vinyls fill the role I saw for CDs.

Both Vinyl and CD's will live on in the audiophile world, I probably spend several hundred a month on either CD's or albums, don't own any form of mp3 player (nor have ever used one) in fact CD's and cd players will probably become the next hipster item to own and boast about.

[The Goon]

I used to take such pride in my CD (and cassette) displays and stands - now they're all relegated to the basement.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Well...another technology bites the dust only to live on in second hand record stores.
So far I've watched 8 tracks, albums, 45s, cassettes and now Cds bite the dust. I wonder what technology will make the download file disappear? Stream straight to the brain?

Well to be fair you also got to witness the invention of radio in the first place!

I figured the OP would be lamenting the loss of CDs because they're better than the current formats for some reason....

[Mike F]

So, what's the last CD everyone bought?

Mine was Pearl Jam back in 2006.

[metallicat]

There were still a few bands that I would buy a physical CD for, because I like having their full collection.

[Itse]

I doubt that article based on anything. In fact, it doesn't even claim to be based on facts, just on another article by another webzine which also doesn't even attempt to explain how it came about these "news".

As to the year when digital releases will become the primary format, I think they just pulled it out of a hat. It's a pretty easy guess, it's going to happen within the next three years, no doubt. CD's obviously have been on the decline, but I doubt there will be any radical change, just more of the same decline. Recorded music is already mostly free, what we're paying for is the service that brings it to us, kind of like getting a cable deal. (Actually I predict cable TV will be a streaming service in the same style as Spotify in a decade at the latest, barring some total upheaval in economics or technology. More likely it'll take 3-5 years.)

Major labels have already cut down on releases significantly, essentially outsourcing recording and selling recorded music to minor or "independent" labels, while the major labels concentrate on the rest. Or to put it more exactly, pop-music is returning to what is normal for most other genres: you're selling the artist in various formats, mostly live performances but also merchandising and various projects, and recorded music is just a part of it all. Music business is changing in ways that are much more profound than just another technological step.

As another sidenote, most people consider vinyl to have "died" ages ago, but funnily enough there's still new vinyls coming out regurarly. It's a format among formats. The CD will be there too. A lot of people are just used to it.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by Mike F

So, what's the last CD everyone bought?

Mine was Pearl Jam back in 2006.

Kool Moe Dee - Funke, Funke Wisdom (1991)

[You Need a Thneed]

Vinyl still exists, because technically it is the highest quality audio format that has been available (widely available at least).

With hard drive storage as cheap as it is now, can we download 24 bit 96 kHz 5.1 channel lossless audio, at the very least?