physical media
Stored on objects
Physical media refers to tangible formats for storing and distributing content—vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, video game cartridges.
The term gained currency as digital downloads and streaming became dominant, distinguishing objects you can hold from files you access online: I still prefer physical media for movies I really love.
Collectors value physical media for ownership, artwork, and independence from platform availability.
- vinylSynthetic resin plastic
- cassetteMagnetic audio cartridge
- video tapeMagnetic film recording medium
- tape deckMagnetic audio playback device
- CDOptical data disc
DVD · Blu-ray · VHS · tape · disc · record · album · sleeve · dust jacket · liner notes · jewel case · cartridge · floppy · film · reel · tangible · collectible · limited edition
- mediatelevision, news, broadcasting, video, radio station
- dying industriesprint newspapers, landlines, payphones, cassette tapes, VCRs
- Video Distributionstreaming, Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, DVDs
- media formatsMP3, mp3, DVD, MP4, Blu-ray
- film watching methodsstreaming, theater, cinema, DVD, Blu-ray
- video formatsVHS, Betamax, Betacam, S-VHS, VHS-C
physical mediastreaming
Real-time digital delivery
digital distribution · digital media · streaming services · digital downloads · digital streaming
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