To DVD or not to DVD?

[Nooyawkah]

I have no desire to watch movies on the computer, but is much software expected to come out in DVD format in the near future? (I'm not even sure what exists today). I just finished a system with a 32X CD-RW plus a reliable 52X CD drive. Hindsight is 20-20 but should I have gone for a DVD instead of the CD?

[Tubothy]

Speaking from a retailers point of view, DVD-programmes will only really start to happen with games. Programmes such as WIndows and other such "office" related software, will - as far as i can see it - still remain on CD format, mainly because the only programmes with the need for such large space for their programmes are the gaming software.

Also, the use of a dvd for a programme, will more often than not require the dvdrom related to the programme to be in the drive at the same time. This is because the large amount of infomation stored on the DVD for the programme is too large to be stored on the normal hard-disk. Thus it wouldnt be feasible for a programe such as microsoft word to have to have the dvd in the drive to load it.

The transgression from cd to dvd i feel will be a very slow one as many programmes so far do not warrent the extra space that a dvd provides.

Basically if a manufacturer creates such a big game that requires a dvd then it will take longer to complete and thus it takes longer for a sequel to take on. At the end of the day its all about money

In short -
Large, short-term use programmes mainly games will start to drift to dvd
Smaller, longer-term, large usage programmes - such as microsoft office, will tend to stay on cd format.
If a game is small yet good then people will buy lots of sequels in a shorter time period - thus it will only warrent a cd format. Thus CDs will remanin the main format for at least the next 2yrs and by that time you'll probably have a new pc anyway


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[hiredgoonz]

They've tried the move to DVDs for games a couple of times now and I think you can still get some games on DVD, although the most recent one I specifically remember was Baldur's Gate, which was 5 cds or 1 dvd...

Like Tub already said, I don't it will be the standard for a while. I first remember hearing that you were going to need a DVD drive to play games 3 years ago and there has been little/no progress since then...

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