Been dealing so much lately with digital distribution versus physical CD sales and all the arguments on both side of the issue. Everyone seems to feel differently about it all. So here are my (a music industry new media marketing company guy’s) digital distribution preferences:
For music, I still prefer buying a CD, ripping it, putting the CD on the shelf to slowly collect dust, and listening to the music through many outlets via my Powerbook. Airport Express, Tivo To Go, a decent set of internal speakers, and more… I occasionally buy music via iTunes, but I am too much a collector (CDs, vinyl, cool swag) to not have something physical for most artists I buy. And I actually do look through my CDs quite often. So many good liner notes and pictures.
I, however, am a significantly bigger music fan (and collector) than most people out there. I think that digital download services (combined with some fantastic and innovative audio/video hardware) can convert a very high percentage of the music buying population. The industry just simply needs to address a few main issues, such as customer service, price increases, etc…
However, I do love audiobooks via iTunes, and I am quite interested in the new TV show and music video selections. I have bought a few music videos – great nostalgic stuff, and it’s worth $1.99 instead of having to go through the (often illegal) trouble of IRC, VideoPimp, Limewire, etc… If it even exists out there. Good stuff.
I am still not sure about movies. Having the DVD gives you both options, as it is so quick and easy to make a very high quality video file on my G5. However, I am just not buying a lot of DVDs lately. I want to own the movie, but not all the cases, have to go to the store to buy them, etc. I like the idea of retail video on demand.
