DualDisc: Can added content help curb piracy?

While some of the labels plod along with their tiresome copyright lawsuits, bludgeoning a fraction of a percent of the public, others are taking a more proactive approach. There are a few out there that think it might be possible to sell more product at the retail level by adding more value. The DualDisc is one product that may be a solution. It has the standard fare on the CD side, but turn it over and you have a DVD that can be played in a home entertainment set. This side will contain the same material, but it's in 5.1 surround sound and it offers maybe 20 minutes of video. With this technique, which only adds about 1 or 2 dollars to the cost of a traditional CD, you can learn a bit more about the artist.

At a time the music business is still suing illegal file-sharers, who the industry says are costing it sales, the major music labels are hoping the DualDisc format will give them a multimedia carrot that can be used along with the legal stick. Because DualDisc albums have additional content but sell in most stores for only a dollar or two more than traditional CDs, they are marketed as a better value. . "They're trying to find some way to add value to the physical product," David Card of Jupiter Research said. . The industry also would like to add some convenience.

The only problem with this DualDisc process is that since you have two discs fused back to back, they are a bit thicker than a normal CD. There have been cases where people with older slot loading players had enough trouble that they returned the disc. However, this does not seem to be a significant cause for return as the rates are low. You can read the whole story here. If anyone has purchased one of these disc's and would like to share their impressions of the value, feel free to do so, we would like to hear your thoughts!

Source: International Herald Tribune