Dec 12, 2024, 5:15 PM
Dec 12, 2024, 5:15 PM

LG officially ends Blu-ray player production amid industry decline

Highlights
  • LG Electronics has officially stopped manufacturing its last two UHD Blu-ray players, UBK80 and UBK90, introduced in 2018.
  • Both models played various formats including UHD 4K discs, CDs, DVDs, and supported Dolby Vision.
  • The decline in demand for physical media is highlighted by various companies exiting the market for Blu-ray players.
Story

In December 2023, LG Electronics, a major player in the electronics market, officially announced that it will cease production of its UHD Blu-ray players, the UBK80 and UBK90. These models, launched in 2018, were noted for their capabilities to play standard Blu-ray, UHD 4K, DVDs, CDs, and 3D Blu-ray discs. The UBK90 stood out as it supported Dolby Vision format, a feature that is not widely available in other disc players, including popular game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Despite a resurgence in interest for physical media, largely due to issues with streaming services and content availability, LG's decision indicates a significant shift in consumer behavior towards digital formats. However, LG was not alone in this trend. Major companies such as Samsung exited the Blu-ray player market in 2019, and Sony is reportedly reducing its disc player production as well. This broader move away from physical media has been further emphasized by retailers like Best Buy halting the sale of DVDs and Blu-rays, and Netflix discontinuing its DVD rental service in 2023. As of now, only a few companies, including Sony and Panasonic, continue to manufacture Blu-ray players, making them the last notable holdouts in the industry. The decline of Blu-ray players could represent a larger trend in electronics, reflecting the preferences of a consumer base that increasingly favors streaming and digital content over physical media formats. LG's exit from the market may mean the end of an era for Blu-ray players, as the landscape of home entertainment continues to evolve towards a predominantly digital future. This transition highlights the ongoing challenges faced by physical media in an age where accessibility and convenience reign supreme.

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