[Discussion] Farewell to LG Blu-ray Players: Embracing the Digital Shift

[Uncrowned Guard]

LG Concludes Production of Blu-ray Players Amid Shifting Consumer Interests

In an ongoing trend against physical media, technology manufacturing giant LG Electronics Inc. has ceased production of its remaining Blu-ray devices. The announcement does not herald the end of Blu-rays, as there's still a growing interest in certain classes.

FlatpanelsHD, a Danish news outlet for consumer electronics, reported on Wednesday that LG has no plans to manufacture more Blu-ray players. LG's most recent models, UBK90 and UBK80, which hit the markets in 2018, have already faded out from LG’s official webstore. The devices are still in circulation among third-party retailers, but will not be restocked by LG once they sell out. Presently, attempts to access LG's "Blu-ray & DVD players" webpage redirect visitors to the company's 4K television displays.

LG's Blu-ray Bid and The Industry Perspective

In dialogue with LG Korea, FlatpanelsHD received no concrete assurance of a permanent withdrawal from the Blu-ray player production economy. However, the Korean multinational company does not see another update for its Blu-ray player products in the visible future—particularly considering they have remained untouched since 2018.

The diminished enthusiasm for Blu-ray players extends beyond LG alone, sweeping the wider tech industry, including Panasonic, Sony, and Oppo, also not having released a new player since 2018. Samsung has ceased its Blu-ray player production since 2019, while gaming consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X no longer include obligatory disc readers.

This transition speaks to a wider digital evolution, indicated by Blu-ray sales peaking at 884,000 units sold in 2017 according to the US Consumer Technology Association’s 2020 data. The face of consumer video distribution has dramatically changed in a relatively short timeframe, with stores like Best Buy ceasing the sale of Blu-rays and DVDs, and rental services like Redbox shuttering their businesses.

Physical Media Persistence Amid Digital Transformation

This monumental shift in preference toward digital content does not disregard the retention of physical media among audiences. Intricacies of digital media such as price surges, dynamic content availability, and deletion of purchases—owing to licensing understandings—have instigated users to hold on to their hard copies. Assembling streaming features, interoperability with new specifications including 4K and HDR, and continuous internet uptime have sparked nostalgia for simpler times when physical media was prevalent.

For movies and television series lovers, DVDs and Blu-ray discs present unalterable content that remains the same over time. Albeit being on a downturn, the US Blu-ray and DVD market accumulated a hefty $1.34 billion for the year ending March 2023, according to market research group Circana. There are pockets of growth within the sector, with The Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) reporting strong demand for collectible disc formats (Super jewel cases) and a 16% growth in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog sales.

With LG's exit, options for a new Blu-ray player dwindle. However, brands like Panasonic and Sony continue to offer their long-standing models on the market. For those cherishing the perks of physical media, the discontinuation of LG Blu-ray players marks not an end, but a change of guard in the world of physical media.

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