LG makes great home entertainment solutions, including smart TVs, projectors, soundbars, and not forgetting Blu-Ray players, that you may soon forget about. It’s been a while since LG released a new Blu-Ray player, and a report FlatpanelsHD The company, a major player in the Blu-ray market, indicates that it is moving away from physical media. If you’ve been eyeing an LG Blu-Ray player, now might be your last chance to pick one up.
The move signals a broader industry trend toward digital media. While Blu-Ray discs remain the popular format for movies, tech giants are increasingly preferring digital distribution. For example, Sony’s PS5 Pro now comes without a Blu-Ray drive, although it can be retrofitted if necessary, while the new version of the Xbox Series X has gone completely digital.
Affordable, high-speed Internet access makes digital media a great choice. Digital formats often come with slightly lower upfront costs and instant access. However, there is a hidden catch: ownership.
Platforms like Steam have made it clear that when a user buys a game on its platform, they don’t actually own it – they’re just licensing it, and it can be revoked at the company’s discretion. Similarly, streaming services like Netflix or Prime Video often remove content without notice, leaving subscribers with little recourse. In contrast, owning a movie on Blu-ray disc guarantees lifetime access.
Historically, we’ve seen similar moves from the music industry, where vinyl and CDs have been replaced by subscription-based streaming. Most consumer tech brands don’t want to sell you a product up front, instead, they’ll be happy to offer it at a discount and charge a recurring subscription.
As LG pulls out of the Blu-Ray market, it’s likely that other manufacturers will follow, leaving physical media enthusiasts with fewer options. For those who value tangible ownership, this may be the last call to invest in a Blu-Ray player before the format fades into obscurity.
Why should you buy our membership?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package