The video that I decided to watch to complete Module 4’s discussion post was Minority Report. Because I have a Netflix account and can instantly access movies through my Nintendo Wii, I first searched Netflix to attempt to find the movie. However, they did not offer it, so I had to go to my nearest video store, Video Warehouse. I can’t remember the last time that I’ve been in a video store since Netflix and Redbox became popular… It felt very inconvenient to have to actually leave my house to go to a video store to pick up a DVD when I’ve gotten so used to instantly accessing movies through Netflix. Furthermore, it now appears to be more costly to rent movies from a video store, as DVDs are $3.99 for a few nights. However, with Netflix, I pay $7.99 monthly to instantly access movies via my Wii, laptop, iPhone, or iPad.
The current competition between DVDs and video on demand (VOD) is an example of red queens. Based on its definition, red queens occur when there is competition between two technologies, and in the process, all other competitors are left behind. In the video, Thornburg supports this by saying “If you see two technologies shooting up while the others are falling to the side, you may be looking at a red queen” (Laureate Education, 2009). Because of the convenience, cost, and ease of use of VOD longer have the value or support that they once had. No longer do users have to have a physical DVD to watch a movie when they can simply access it via their Internet service and with a paid subscription to a VOD subscriber such as Netflix. And the technology that has become completely obsolete, or left behind is the VHS.
Overall, it would be safe to say that VOD enhances users’ ability to access movies because the access is now instant as opposed to having to physically drive to a store to rent or buy a movie. Furthermore, the same quality and features that they’d receive if the movie was available on DVD would be available to them via VOD. Next, no longer do users have to worry about their DVDs getting scratched or cracked; nor will they need to maintain a huge DVD collection. Because of the success of VOD, I think that DVDs will soon become obsolete as their sales drop, just as VHSs became obsolete at the rise of DVDs.
· This article listed some advantages and disadvantages of VODs: http://www.indvdrentals.com/dvd-movie-rental-by-mail.php
References:
DVD movie rental by mail vs. video on demand. (2012). Retrieved August 7, 2012 from http://www.indvdrentals.com/dvd-movie-rental-by-mail.php
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009b). Emerging and future technology: Red Queens. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that you were able to find a video store to rent a movie! We used to have two Blockbuster's right down the street from each other, and now I couldn't even tell you where the nearest video store is because we don't have them in our town any more. I chose to watch the movie Paycheck, and fortunately it was available on Netflix and I watched it through my XBOX. I agree with you that the competition between renting DVDs and VOD could be explained by Red Queens. I also think that the use of Netflix will eventually obsolete Redbox. Although, my husband informed me that Verizon is about to begin offering VOD streaming of Redbox movies.The idea of leaving home to find and rent a movie is sure to be an idea of the past in the near future.