ZARI avails cheap CDs and DVDs to curb piracy

The Zimbabwe Association of Recording Industries (ZARI) has availed affordable CDs and DVDs on the market as it moves in to curb piracy. Purchased directly from the recording studios the cheaper CDs and DVDs will be priced from as little as US$1,50 for a CD and US$3 for a DVD.

Pirated music DVDs go for US$3 while CDs are selling for just US$1. Music lovers are now expected to pay not more than US$2 for a CD and US$4 for a DVD at all music shops and flea markets.The quality of the CDs and DVDs, however, still remains the same as the standard product with the only difference being packaging to cut costs.Zari president Engineer Emion Sibindi, said the arrangement of supplying both standard and low price CDs and DVDs gives a choice to music buyers. "For those who can afford it and would like to buy these products packaged in the usual international standard CD and DVD cases, the standard CDs and DVDs will continue to be available on the market at the same price as before" he said.

"What we are doing is simply supplying the market with high quality original CDs and DVDs but packaged in paper cases with only one side (front or back) of the original CD or DVD sleeve/inlay inside. "The printing on the surface of the CDs and DVDs remain the same as it is on the original standard CD or DVD," he said. The association comprises reputable recording studios such as Gramma Records, ZMC and Metro Studios. (Herald)