History of DVDs

DVDs are discs that can be used to store digital data optically. The invention of DVDs allowed for greater storage capabilities on an easier to use device. In addition to this, they are cheap to make, especially now. But there was a reason behind DVDs being invented besides making a storage piece that was better than its predecessors. One big problem that contributed to the creation of the DVD was the need for a universal compatibility that was lacking. For quite a while there were storage discs, but the problem was that the different types were not compatible so in the end, that is how DVDs come about. They were the compromise.

So before DVD there were multiple types of optical disks. There were CDs, Laser Discs, and Video CDs. The discs in question however were two of the newer ones, one being the Super Density disc
or SD and the other was the Multimedia Compact Disc or MMCD. SD was supported by Toshiba and several others, while MMCD was supported by Sony and Phillips. Both sides wanted their format to be the one that was most supported, and they were on the verge of a very big DISCagreement. Get it?.... Anyway, in order to settle the conflict without too much bloodshed, the warring factions agreed on making a truce with the intentions of merging and creating a new and better alternative, and thus, the DVD was born.

Soon after it was invented, the home entertainment folk replaced the now outdated VHS with the new and improved DVD. With the higher storage capacity and relatively low cost, you can imagine the popularity. Since DVDs had menus that went along with the content, interactive design professionals
were needed to create these. In addition to having a pretty nifty title sequence, movies on DVD also
need an equally nifty menu design. This created more jobs in addition to what was already created from the new distribution models.

So in the end, DVDs turned out to be all we ever wanted and more, even if we don’t really use them anymore. Not that they are not used at all, there are still plenty of people that enjoy taking it easy
at home while watching a nice movie on DVD. Now however, there is an option for a bit higher quality if one chooses you buy a blue-ray disk and has a compatible player. Many people however still buy the DVD option since it is cheaper and doesn’t require getting a new player. I am actually perhaps a bit surprised that nothing substantial has come to replace the DVD although in addition to blue-ray, there is also all of the videos and movies that are being stored digitally without a tangible object.