James, Why the head scratching? Are you as confused about those predictions as I am? Or maybe I am more scared than confused.
If CDs are replaced with download-only options I fear for my music collection. Maybe I am just too old-'school but I don't want to fuss with downloading even directly to my music server. I also want the physical disk for archiving.
But my main concern is how the heck do I download hires affordably. I tried downloading the free VMPS music (thank you VMPS) from this year's T.H.E. Show. It was taking forever on my DSL hook up. I wrote down how long it was taking and how much longer it was going to take but I can't find the slip of paper. Anyway, it was many hours. I pulled the plug on the project.
DSL speeds are too slow for hires. At least for my tastes. Cable in my hood is pushing packages--Video, telephone, internet. It is an expensive package. I don't want cable TV and I don't need the phone service. There is just no economical way to get cable internet. I am not sure I am alone in this. I don't want to turn this thread into a debate but I really wonder about the accuracy of the predictions that CDs will become extinct. If they do then MP3 will reign because of the shorter download time and existing familiarity.
I do not mean to disparage any members who are enjoying hires via downloading. I am happy they are enjoying the music. I agree hires can be much better (depends on the original source) than CDs. That is not my argument. My argument is people willing
and able to do that are in the minority.
Except for MP3s, I do not think it is the consumers who are pushing the download market into mainstream. I think it is the retailers looking for a way to maximize profits by eliminating the physical media. It may not be pure evil on their part. It may just be wishful thinking. It may just be the reality that the sheer quantity of physical media is problematic and digital delivery is easier to manage on their end. It is one way to make all CDs available to anyone anywhere. I get that. It is much like those who have loaded their music server and boxed up their CDs. That would include me. The problem is to accomplish that it requires everyone to have high speed internet access. That puts a hole in the anyone anywhere theory.
Hi Folks,
I think we have to consider where the market is going in the next few years. Most of my sources tell me that software based delivery systems like CD and DVD are going to be replaced in large part by streaming (both low res and hi res methods) and optionally stored accordingly on hard-drives. 
james
