It's been 24 years since the introduction of the audio CD back in 1982.  Since then, it has reigned supreme as the preferred physical format for music (and in more recent years, for computer software), but sales have finally started to drop.  A combination of competing distribution methods, and a drop in consumer interest in recently released titles has brought record companies such as Warner Music Group back to the drawing board to figure out what the next step is in the consumer music market.  In the physical space of course.

The Wall Street Journal today has a piece detailing the next step in physical formats and content in the music world.  DVD albums.  Essentially "Super CDs", DVD albums would contain the audio tracks, pre-ripped versions of the tracks for users to copy down to their PC and later burn to a CD, video extras, song remixes, ring tones, photos and more.   Rumor has it that the digital tracks would be provided by Apple Computer, who already has a large library of digitized music through its iTunes Music Store.

Questions remain however over the success of the new format.  No prices have been announced, except to say that consumers should expect prices to be higher than current standard CDs to cover the cost of the extras.  Additionally, these new discs will not be playable in standard CD players.  Consumers will ahve to copy the digital tracks to their computer and then burn CDs if they want to listen to their music in the car, on a discman, or anywhere that doesn't have a DVD player available.  Also, there's no word right now on Digital Rights Management restrictions that would limit how users could archive or format-shift their music.