Revolutionizing Record Collecting: Debunking the Negativity Surrounding Physical Media

The Real Value of Physical Media

Sony recently announced the end of its recordable Blu-ray production, MiniDiscs, and MiniDVs, but only in Japan. You might have seen the news, and you might have reacted with anxiety. We should stop being so negative about physical media. It’s true that sales of physical media are lower than they used to be, but tastes change, and new generations have different perspectives. What was great a decade ago might look outdated today.

What’s great about physical media is that it has staying power. Despite facing the might of streaming, physical media has persevered. It may not have the same influence as it once did, but it represents something that streaming can’t: a sense of impermanence and a sense of emotional connection. People will buy physical media if the quality is good enough.

Take 2024, for example. It was a great year for 4K Blu-ray releases. Sony continued its excellent work with catalogue releases, while Disney released streaming titles from its vault. 2025 looks promising too, with the Sean Connery Bond collection, the first Lethal Weapon film, and Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill and Jackie Brown on the horizon.

We should also acknowledge the releases of streaming titles on Blu-ray. Apple TV+ series like Ted Lasso, See, and Severance are now available on Blu-ray, along with older titles like For All Mankind. Succession is finally all on Blu-ray too.

So, let’s be positive about what we have. Instead of complaining, let’s celebrate the quality transfers and the titles that are available. With new releases and good quality, it’s arguably never been as good as this for physical media.