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| Product cycles, and new product developments | |||
| As an example, consider CDs. It
became evident some years ago that CDs were entering
their late maturity. Manufacturers needed to introduce a
new product or refine the existing one. Some manufacturers produced and marketed High-Definition CDs, or HDCDs. Used with modified CD players, HDCDs produce a slightly enhanced sound quality. HDCDs, however, did not catch on with consumers. A new type of disk called Enhanced CD was also recently introduced, but it is as yet too early to see whether this will grab a significant slice of the market or be enough to revitalise CD sales. Other manufacturers decided more radical action was required. They developed the DVD disc. DVDs can store around 12 times the data of ordinary CDs. This means they can play over ten hours of music. Additionally, DVD players can plug into TVs and play prerecorded movies and "videos". DVDs are in their introduction phase at the moment, and their manufacturers hope that they will replace both CDs VHS rental and sell-through movie titles. DVD may succeed, or it may not build sufficient momentum during its introduction phase. Digital Audio Tape (DAT) and DCC were designed as replacements for cassette tapes, now judged to be in the decline phase. They never really took off. DVD will face strong competition from Digital-VHS, a new-format recordable, high-quality video cassette tape. You can find our more details on the "CD Wars" on the web by starting at the following sites: Enhanced CD http://www.iliad.com/discmakers/askplus.htm HDCD DVD http://www1.usa1.com/~philk/dvd/dvd_links.html http://cybertheater.com/Tech_Archive/DVD_Specs/dvd_links.html In-depth coverage of all CD options, product enhancements, and replacements |
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