CDs on the way out, but no one's sure when

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The end for compact discs is near, analysts say, but there is debate over just when the end will come, a U.S. tech Web site reports.

Some analysts of the music business have predicted the end of CD manufacturing by the end of 2012 as digital downloads continue to dominate world music sales, TGDaily.com reported.

However, a report by Rolling Stone titled "Is the CD Era Finally Over?" gives CDs more time before the format could potentially be retired. 



"Bottom line? I'm going to say [CDs have] three years -- Walmart might squeeze five years out of it," a source quoted by Rolling Stone said.

"Anyone still betting their future on the CD aspect of the business is toast," another source told the magazine.

However, Rolling Stone feels the CD won't be done right away as music fans still want something physical they can hold and hang on to.

But that's no guarantee of the CD's survival: Vinyl records have been enjoying something of a comeback in recent years because users don't want a format forced onto them, TGDaily said.