Rocketing DVD sales indicate demise of the video
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.DVD players have become the fastest-selling new entertainment hardware, eclipsing the phenomenal rise of compact discs and video recorders.
DVD players have become the fastest-selling new entertainment hardware, eclipsing the phenomenal rise of compact discs and video recorders.
Almost three million have been sold in Britain in the past three years, a level CD and video players took twice as long to achieve.
Sales of DVD players, whose images have a cinema-like quality, are expected to double again next year, with recordable players introduced this autumn also expected to make a showing despite costing £1,000.
DVDs – digital versatile discs – were introduced to Britain in 1998, but took off as a consumer entertainment product this year, when two million players have been sold and the price halved to about £180. Today they can be bought in supermarkets for £100.
The typical owner is male, single and subscribes to film channels. A quarter of wide-screen television owners also have a DVD player. A growing number use devices called "hacks" to make their machines play discs from abroad – meaning they can get discs from America shortly after films are released in Britain.
"You can't sell people something that they don't want," said Chris Jenkins, the editor of Total DVD magazine. "The DVD is basically offering the equivalent of the cinema experience in your own home. The VHS video recorder is 20 years old and looking pretty lame."
But Lavinia Carey, the director general of the British Video Association, said the video recorder still had plenty of life left in it. "Yes, three million DVD players were sold – but four million VHS players got sold too," she said.
Ninety per cent of households have a video recorder. By contrast, one in 10 households has a DVD player.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments