I’m not a “CD-hater”. I just am not all enamored of them as everyone was just because “it’s the latest”, as they are now obsessed with every gadget available on what was supposed to be just a phone. It adds no real value.
So maybe “lies” was strong, but as in the case of “unbreakable” and unshakable, it’s hogwash.
CDs:
-DO scratch, and scratch readily. Especially since it’s not convenient to put them back in those horrid cases (see comment).
-have to be handled gingerly. Thumb in hole, fingers on sides - and don’t just plop it down. And watch those fingers - they will be sliced sometime.
-are NOT easily used in cars - you can’t take them out of any cases easily, without scratching it or slicing your finger. You cannot simply toss them aside while driving and expect them to stay intact, as it were, after years of usage (probably not months, either). You have to fit them in a tiny slot while driving.
-”jewel” cases - ggrrrr. Too narrow to read the end. From a brand-new wrapper to the CD inside the case, things are about impossible to get off and out. What is with those stupid box-width sticker-clamps impossible to remove when purchased? Most of the time sticker pieces are still there when you finally rip open the case. And it’s not fun trying to pop out the CD while grabbing it “properly”. Sometimes it’s damned pain, others don’t work well at all and fall out. Again - try this while driving.
-electronics necessary to “keep it from” skipping (really, just memory playback) on the road and when walking; not a “problem” but it adds to cost of machine - and doesn’t work in really rocky rides.
The bit of sound quality you get out of it (mostly in the treble range, ending up somewhat tinny as it ignores the bass) isn’t really worth the trouble, not to mention price.
If I remember more I’ll let you know. These are off the top of my head.
Yes, they do scratch. Better players can correct for a degree of scratching without audible errors. They can also be resurfaced for a couple of bucks to make them like new again.
-are NOT easily used in cars - you can’t take them out of any cases easily, without scratching it or slicing your finger. You cannot simply toss them aside while driving and expect them to stay intact, as it were, after years of usage (probably not months, either). You have to fit them in a tiny slot while driving.
This depends on the driver/operator. I don't have any problem getting CDs out of their jewel boxes while driving, and I can hit the loading slot every time. :-)
-”jewel” cases - ggrrrr. Too narrow to read the end. From a brand-new wrapper to the CD inside the case, things are about impossible to get off and out. What is with those stupid box-width sticker-clamps impossible to remove when purchased? Most of the time sticker pieces are still there when you finally rip open the case. And it’s not fun trying to pop out the CD while grabbing it “properly”. Sometimes it’s damned pain, others don’t work well at all and fall out. Again - try this while driving.
The stickers can be a pain, but it's nothing to do with CD technology. It's theft-deterrent packaging, courtesy of our noble media giants. Videos and many other products are just as annoying to work with.
I prefer keeping the CDs in my car in some other kind of organizer rather than the jewel boxes, most of the time.
-electronics necessary to “keep it from” skipping (really, just memory playback) on the road and when walking; not a “problem” but it adds to cost of machine - and doesn’t work in really rocky rides.
I don't see this as a problem, personally. I've been quite impressed with the rough ride some CD players can take without skipping. Again, it depends.
The bit of sound quality you get out of it (mostly in the treble range, ending up somewhat tinny as it ignores the bass) isn’t really worth the trouble, not to mention price.
I have to disagree with you here. The sound quality is as good as it gets. There are newer, surround-sound DVD-A goodies and so forth, but a CD can still reproduce everything the human ear can hear, bass and treble. The improvement over previous recording technologies was revolutionary, not just a "bit".
No, they aren't bullet-proof, but I don't feel like CDs were over-sold either.
For most people and for general use, CDs are pretty good. They will never, and can never, exceed what a high-end turntable would offer in terms of sheer sound quality, but that is a narrow interest segment. It is like comparing McDonalds to Ruth's Chris, or a Chevy Cobalt to a Mercedes 500SL.
From a practical use standpoint, my biggest "nit" is not their audio use, but their use as a file medium for computer systems. Here, there is no forgiveness, and an "approximation" over a scratch does you no good. That's where your own nit about the jewel cases, the delicate handling, and the associated space comes into play.