Music DVDs The Answer To Piracy?

Maybe music DVDs are the answer to stopping people from downloading illegally?

It seems that artists are adding an extra disc, or some extra goodies to entice a buyer to their particular product. It may be more expensive on their part, but for completists and fans looking to get some more for their money. This could be a good solution.

Pendulum released a live CD/DVD earlier this year, which illegal music downloaders could download the CD, but downloading video too, is altogether more time-consuming for them. I've just bought myself the Prodigy's special edition CD, which follows this exact little idea. They didn't release the album all that long ago, but they've re-released it with an extra disc of remixed version from the biggest names in drum 'n' bass and dubstep. Tailoring their music to a new target audience, I would easily put myself in the second generation of Prodigy fans, following their recent soaring back to the top of the electronic music game. This matters not, what matters is that they are moving forward, picking up fans from everywhere they can. On top of the extra CD is a DVD with their latest music videos and some live videos. Milking every little piece they can to create as much content as possible for their listeners.

Some artists release an out and out DVD, a high quality release of a live show. These are quite often expensive and although top quality and amazingly mixed, the future might be these CD/DVD combinations. Muse did it after their Wembley show, Green Day did it after their Milton Keynes show and these soar straight to the top of the sales charts.

Another idea is that it splits up the time between an artists CD releases. No one wants to drop out of the spotlight. So they're bringing out album after album quickly, bringing out a live CD means that they're throwing another CD out without having to write new material. Artists like Franz Ferdinand disappear for a good couple of years before coming back, bringing out a new album, doing the tour circuit and going again. Other artists like Bloc Party have seemingly been constantly on the tour circuit and bringing out album after album the past few years. Before taking a much needed break.

I may have gone off my original point, but something to be mentioned nonetheless. Now, enough procrastinatin'. Back to work I go.