Will The CD Be Dead?

Will the CD be dead?

 It looks that way now. But 5 years ago when this question was being asked, I said. The CD would probably decline in sales as people get more and more into downloading.

 That is happening now.

 But 5 years ago I also said that over time the CD could possibly be come a boutique item. Something designed for the hard core fan. It would be limited in its production (maybe even signed and numbered) and include special packaging, and that in time if enough artists did this, the CD could become a collectible that would create its own collectible market.

 This could create another group of consumers who would see the boutique CD as an investment item (something that might increase in value due to its limited run and scarcity).  

 This in turn would create more demand for product, which in turn could create a return of the CD as people would place more value on getting the physical product.

 You might even see people buying a copy of an indie artists limited run of 1,000 CDs as opposed to downloading it (legal or otherwise), Simply because in the back of their mind they are thinking "Hey you never what this might be worth 10 years from now, and I do want the music anyways".  

 Now whether or not this last part will play itself out is anyone's guess, Right now, we do see CDs from major labels where there is the standard and deluxe version (just like with DVDs). But they are hardly scarce. But a better example is Trent Reznor's recent "Ghosts Vol 1-1V release which came in all kinds of various editions including a limited $300. 00 deluxe edition that sold out. It is possible that in time there might be collectors willing to pay a lot more than $300.00 to get a copy of this version.

 I am not saying that this is what will happen, and I am not saying that I want to see CD's turned into a collectors market (there is downside to that that I wont get into here) but I think it's a possibility and that it could bring the CD back.....Of course it hasn't completely gone away yet, now has it?   :)