All articles tagged with #blu ray
Sony-backed Crunchyroll’s store update reportedly removes all physical books and drastically trims the Blu-ray lineup, prompting fan backlash and underscoring Sony’s shift toward digital distribution and the decline of disc-based media.
Ultra HD Blu-ray can devote far more data to video (up to 128 Mbps on 100GB discs) than streaming, which must adapt to network conditions and compress the signal, so Blu-ray generally preserves more detail; high‑bitrate streaming (e.g., 43–80 Mbps for Pure Stream) can narrow the gap, and local Plex Direct Play/Direct Stream can avoid recompression, but the key issue is how much picture information reaches your screen, not whether it comes from disc or the internet.
Sony's budget BDP-S1700U Blu-ray/DVD player ($114.99) upscales standard DVDs to near-1080p (not 4K) using Sony's Super Scaler with TRILUMINOS color, while delivering native 1080p on Blu-rays, plus USB playback and Ethernet for firmware updates—offering a simple, offline-friendly way to revive a physical media library as streaming costs rise.
Despite streaming's dominance, Blu-ray remains in demand in Japan, where Verbatim and I-O Data reaffirm plans to keep producing discs and players. Verbatim unveiled a Slimline UHD Blu-ray writer for 4K recording at CES 2025, while I-O Data released the BD Reco external drive with 6x write speed and a Microsoft Store app, continuing a push to support optical media as other manufacturers exit the market.
Sony rolled out PS3 firmware 4.93 (~200MB) with new features and security tweaks; it renews the Blu-ray encryption key, so disc playback won’t work until the update is installed, signaling continued support for older consoles amid anti-modder patches.
Sony released PS3 system software update 4.93, the annual patch that on the surface “improves system performance” but mainly updates Blu-ray encryption keys to keep discs working while blocking newer jailbreaking exploits; for unmodded PS3s this preserves access to a physical game library, but it also complicates ongoing modding work and illustrates the ongoing DRM cat‑and‑mouse around legacy hardware, raising questions about preserving old games versus restricting access to abandoned titles.
Paul Thomas Anderson's film 'One Battle After Another' is available for preorder on 4K and Blu-ray, with prices at $29.99 and $24.99 respectively, though the release date is still to be announced. Preordering ensures delivery as soon as it is available, despite the film's recent theatrical release and the lack of cover art or bonus features at this time.
Despite the dominance of streaming services, boutique Blu-ray labels are thriving by offering high-quality, curated, and collectible physical film experiences, driven by consumer nostalgia, superior restoration processes, and close filmmaker collaborations.
LG has decided to discontinue its Blu-ray players due to declining sales, as more consumers shift towards streaming services for media consumption. This move reflects a broader trend in the industry where physical media is becoming less popular, although some consumers still value owning physical copies of their favorite movies and music. While other companies like Sony and Panasonic continue to produce Blu-ray players, the market is shrinking, and the future of physical media remains uncertain.
Arcane Season 2 has premiered on Netflix, and fans can now purchase the Season 1 4K Blu-ray Limited Edition Steelbook at a discounted price of $35 on Amazon, down from $60. This edition includes exclusive character art of Jinx and three hours of special features. Arcane, set in the League of Legends universe, follows characters Vi and Jinx amidst the power struggles between Piltover and Zaun. Season 2 will be released in three acts, with the first act already available and subsequent acts releasing on November 16 and 23.
"Dune: Part Two," the sequel to Denis Villeneuve's "Dune," will be released digitally on April 16 and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on May 14. The film follows Paul Atreides as he gains power within the Fremen community to take down the evil Harkonnen rulers. The home video release will include special features on sandworms, vehicles, production and sound design, and the cast. With over $660 million at the global box office, a third "Dune" film is in early development.
Disney Home Entertainment is set to release four of its streaming series, including "Star Wars: Andor," "Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi," "Marvel Studios' Moon Knight," and "Marvel Studios' The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," on 4K UHD and Blu-ray on April 30. The releases will feature collectible packaging and include bonus content such as featurettes, documentaries, deleted scenes, and director's commentary. This move comes after Disney's decision to partner with Sony Pictures Entertainment for the manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of physical media.
Disney is shutting down its Disney Movie Club, a subscription service and online store for buying Blu-ray or DVDs of Disney films, following a new deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The closure will take effect on July 20th, and users have until May 20th to place their final orders. The move reflects the declining popularity of physical media, with many consumers turning to streaming services. Sony will take over Disney's physical media production, but it's uncertain what the new offering will look like and whether it will continue to offer the same titles.
Disney has decided to outsource its DVD and Blu-ray business to Sony Entertainment, following the trend of major studios sharing resources in the declining physical media space. The move reflects Disney's response to evolving consumer behavior and media consumption. While streaming has disrupted physical media, strategic decisions by streaming services and support from filmmakers could potentially lead to a resurgence of the format.
Disney has struck a licensing deal with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, allowing Sony to handle all DVD and Blu-ray releases for Disney titles. This move reflects the declining trend of physical disc sales in the streaming era, with Disney focusing on cost efficiencies and its streaming service Disney+. Sony, not a major player in the streaming wars, will market, sell, and distribute Disney releases on physical media in the U.S. and Canada, while the industry sees continued support for 4K Ultra DVD despite overall declining sales and rentals.