Blu-ray technology is a storage medium for video, audio and data. As with any technological innovation, it will eventually be replaced by the next big thing. The next generation of video storage is likely to be called "4K". 4K UHDTVs have four times more pixels than full HDTVs and offer a much better resolution.

Are they getting rid of Blu-ray?

Best Buy will stop selling Blu-rays, DVDs in 2024: 'The way we watch movies and TV shows is much different today' It's going to get a little bit harder to get your hands on a physical copy of your favorite movie.

Will Blu-ray players be discontinued?

According to Forbes, Samsung is discontinuing the production of new 4K Blu-ray players in the USA. And at least in 2019 the company will not introduce any new devices worldwide. Existing players will at least continue to be sold off.

Are Blu-rays still worth buying?

Blu-rays deliver the best picture and sound experience.

For example, Netflix maxes out at 17Mbps, while Apple TV+ maxes out at around 41 Mbps. The very best Blu-rays, the 4K Ultra HD versions, can deliver a 4K picture with maximum video bitrate of 128 Mbps.

How long do Blu-rays last?

Long Term Storage Media Needed

When stored properly (away from heat, humidity, UV rays), tapes can last 30 – 50 years. According to the Canadian Conservation Institute, which publishes a paper on media longevity, BD-R discs are expected to last between 5 and 20 years, depending on the material they are made out of.

Be Prepared! DVD & Blu-Ray: The Return of Physical Media

Are DVDs and Blu-rays dying?

Amid the ascent of streaming video, sales of DVDs and Blu-Ray discs have been shrinking for years. U.S. physical media revenue in the first half of 2023 dropped 28%, to $754 million, compared with $1.05 billion in the year-earlier period, according to data from trade association DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group.

What's next after Blu-ray?

What is the next technology after Blu-ray? Unfortunately, UHD Blu-ray is probably the last physical disc format - which means streaming is what will be used for the foreseeable future. There are rumors of a couple of disc formats being developed - but nothing formal.

Is 4K really better than Blu-ray?

In short, they're the next generation of high-definition Blu-ray discs. 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs have a maximum video bitrate of 128 Mbps, compared to 'just' 40 Mbps on standard Blu-ray. That's more than three times the data rate, and it makes a difference with high dynamic range (HDR) 4K Ultra HD content.

Is it better to buy Blu-ray or digital?

Uncompressed quality: Physical media like Blu-ray discs offer superior image and sound quality compared to digital streaming.

Do DVDs last longer than Blu-rays?

Blu-ray discs are intended to last longer than DVDs (typically more than 20 years compared with about 10 years for DVDs).

Why did Blu-ray fail?

First, the product had bad timing. Blu-ray launched in 2006, offering higher quality video and audio than DVDs; then, in 2007, Netflix launched its initial online streaming service. Online streaming was the way of the future, and Blu-ray's demise was only a matter of time. Insufficient marketing also played a role.

Are DVD going to be discontinued?

Starting in 2024, Best Buy will be ditching the sale of physical DVDs both in-store and online, as streaming services have rendered physical media more and more obsolete. The new sales strategy was first reported on by The Digital Bits and then confirmed by Best Buy in statements to different media outlets.

Is Best Buy discontinuing Blu-rays?

Best Buy customers looking to purchase DVDs or Blu-ray discs will have to find another retailer after the 2023 holiday season. Starting in 2024, sales of hard copies of movies and TV shows by the consumer electronics seller will cease, according to Variety and The Digital Bits.

Why do Blu-rays still exist?

Reasons some consumers prefer Blu-rays to streaming include higher video quality, the tactile nature of owning a film physically, elaborate packaging, bonus features, and the desire to own or watch films that are not available in streaming services' libraries.

Why do people still use Blu-ray?

One of the most significant advantages of Blu-ray is its increased disc capacity. Blu-ray discs can hold much more data than DVDs, allowing for stunning high-definition video playback at up to 1080p resolution. This means you can enjoy movies, TV shows, and other content with unparalleled clarity and detail.

Why buy Blu-ray over DVD?

A DVD will only be able to store about 4.7 GB of data, which equals about two hours of a movie. A Blu-ray can hold about 25 GB of data, which allows for more high-definition information. It can hold about 13 hours of standard definition information or about two hours of high-definition information.

Is Netflix 4K as good as Blu-ray?

Effectively, it means more detail. 4K resolution and HDR are available on both streaming networks and 4K Blu-ray players. But there is a difference between the two. There's literally no way you can compare a 4K Netflix stream and a comparable Blu-ray and say the latter is six times as good.

Why did Blu-ray never replace DVD?

There are a few reasons why Blu-ray technology never really took off. Firstly, the cost of Blu-ray players and discs was always quite high, so many people stuck with DVDs instead. Secondly, streaming services like Netflix became very popular, so people didn't need to buy or rent physical discs anymore.

Why do I still buy DVDs?

Yes, streaming platforms offer a wide selection of movies, but they almost always use heavy compression to save bandwidth. The result? A much lower-quality viewing experience. On the other hand, DVDs deliver an uncompressed, high-quality image and sound, providing the viewer with an authentic cinematic experience.

Can the human eye see 8K resolution?

Can the human eye even see 8K? Technically yes it can, but the difference will be very subtle at best. As we've explained many times with 4K TVs, there's a point of diminishing returns when it comes to resolution.

Is 4K noticeable over Blu-ray?

HDR technology

Blu-ray discs generally aren't equipped with HDR, but 4K discs are. With HDR technology, 4K videos surpass Blu-ray in the definition, contrast, brightness, and color that viewers see. Definition and texture is very impressive, especially when viewed on a large screen.

Do old Blu-ray players play 4K?

You need an Ultra HD Blu-ray player to play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. If you put an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in your current (non-Ultra HD) Blu-ray player, it won't work. It's an important distinction, and even this early we can see a lot of potential for frustrated users wondering why they can't watch their new movies.

Will there be 8K Blu-ray discs?

In fact, back in 2019 the executive director of the 8K Association, Chris Chinnock, cast doubt on the possibility of 8K Blu-rays ever happening. Four years ago, he said that the chances of an 8K physical format were "a low probability" as the Blu-ray Association decided against moving forward with 8K Blu-rays.

Who was Blu-ray competitor?

HD DVD competed primarily with Blu-ray Disc. Both formats were designed as successors to DVD, capable of higher quality video and audio playback, and of greater capacity when used to store video, audio, and computer data.

Is anything better than Blu-ray?

Most Blu-ray discs have a resolution of 1920x1080. The resolution of 4K UHD is twice that of Blu-ray, which generally provides a better watching experience. 4K resolution offers greater clarity and more details, making the experience of watching a 4K movie DVD closer to what you would see in a theater.