DVD Menu Design and Authorizing

IS DVD DEAD?

DVD (Digital Video Disc) is an option disc storage invented and developed by Phipps, Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba in the year 1995. Even though it has only been accessible to the world for only  18 years, its has left a great lasting effect on the evolvement of the technology formats.

A normal format of a DVD case/ packaging is simple. It would usually have a still image of the lead actors and supporting actors, which relate to the premise of the film. This image could either be taken from the movie or shot for the fabrication of the DVD. It will definitely have a title and a caption that, again compliments the narrative of the film.

An example of what the portrait of a DVD cover should look like is from one of my favourite comedic films: The Proposal.
The rear of the DVD is also shown there.
On the back you would find a short synopsis of what the film is about, exactly like you would find the blurb on the back of a book. It is that small piece of information that will make people rent or buy that DVD when reading it.
In order to persuade people further, it will most likely include reviews from magazines and newspapers and star ratings. At the bottom you can find a copyright infringement declaration. They will specify an age rating certificate to show exactly who it's appropriate for and the running time of the film.

The conventions of a DVD:

The feature menu on a DVD includes more information that the viewer might want. It will usual have a soundtrack playing in the background and moving images or animation from the film.
The menus may consist of:

• Play Movie: To play the full feature length of the film
• Scene Selections: This is so the viewers can choose the scenes they want to watch as opposed to sitting through the whole film waiting for 'their Part' to come on
• Deleted scenes: These are usually the scenes that could have been in the final film but had been decided against in the end for whatever reason. (I personally, like this options as it changes my whole prospective on a film and gives me the chance to see alternative endings.  
• Directors Notes: This is the least common of all the features. It is just a few words from the Director and/or Producers and actors to explain a little about the film, their inspiration behind it and what they aimed to achieve. 
• Outtakes/ Behind the Scenes:  This is a good way for the audience to see the making process of the film and the mess up made by the cast and crew. 

Most of the time the animation and still images can be found on the actually DVD CD instead of just having a blank DVD. I've put an example of this on the left. 

DVD VS EVOLUTION 

Over the years, as the media platform/formats have developed it prompts to ask the question; Is DVD dead? Or even dying? 

First came, the Video Cassett, then DVD's, now Blu-Ray....what is next? 

There are so many online media film co-operations currently running such as Netflex and Love Film that it makes streaming movies from anywhere around the world so easy, what's the point in using DVD's anymore? Some may argue that having a physical DVD is better as you may get a better quality film (HD) and the novelty of having a menu section is useful. However, major film and games stores are shutting down such as blockbuster making it harder to purchase a DVD should you ever want to. 

The Blu-Ray Disc seems like the DVD's only competitor as of yet and the market for it is vastly growing. With it only having been released in 2006 it has taken the world by storm. It has a 50 Gigabytes of memory available on it and it is ideally used for feature length films. The name Blu-Ray, refers to the Blue laser around the ring of the CD which is used to read the disc.  

Despite all that, people still tend to collect DVD's in the form of television show series box sets and film sequels which I think is still encouraging. 

In all, I do agree that DVD is dying in some way. I don't believe that it is still as highly valued as it once was. I, personally cannot remember the last time I physically watched a DVD, so I hope that's testimony enough to back up my points above.