The new Xbox Series X introduces a more affordable version without the 4K Blu-ray disc player: Could this mean the loss of another appeal for movie lovers?
Another blow for the 4K Blu-ray format.
The arrival of a more affordable model of the Xbox Series X without a disc drive raises concerns about the future of the 4K Blu-ray format and its accessibility. This new digital model, which is the most affordable in the range, is highly likely to become the preferred option for consumers. This means that fewer people will have the opportunity to discover that physical media offers superior quality compared to streaming platforms, which could limit the number of new users of the format.
The Xbox Series X – 1TB Digital Edition has been launched with a price of $450/£430, representing a savings of about $50/£50 compared to the standard model, which includes a disc drive. The new digital model lacks this unit, whereas the 'standard' model, while not the best 4K Blu-ray player in terms of pure quality, performs its function well.
As the Digital Edition is introduced at a lower price, it is likely to see significant discounts during events like Black Friday, incentivizing consumers to opt for this option instead of the disc model. This could ultimately harm the popularity of 4K Blu-ray.
Upon announcing its release in June, it was stated that the new models – which include the Xbox Series X Digital, the 1TB Xbox Series S, and the 2TB Xbox Series X Galaxy Edition – would join the current console lineup, implying that the disc model would remain available. However, the availability of a cheaper, disc-free model could affect the popularity of the model that does have a drive.
The PlayStation 5 also released a more affordable disc-free model and completely eliminated the disc drive in versions like the PS5 Slim and the new PS5 Pro. Microsoft’s trend appears to lean towards reducing the use of discs, although the future of the next generation of consoles remains uncertain. This situation represents another blow to 4K Blu-ray, as consoles serve as a gateway for new users to experience the format without having to invest in costly players.
Although optional disc drives are available for an additional cost for the PS5, this is primarily appealing to physical media enthusiasts and does not help capture the attention of casual buyers.
The ups and downs of the 4K Blu-ray format have been notable over the past year. Retailers like Disney and Best Buy have stopped selling these discs, although Sony has taken over distribution on behalf of Disney. Despite this situation, some distributors like Arrow Video and Criterion Collection have worked to keep the format afloat, recently finding an increase in the availability of 4K Blu-ray at two significant stores in the U.S. and an increase in sales at a major retailer in the UK.
The decision to move away from disc drives in the consoles from Microsoft and Sony comes at a critical moment for the 4K Blu-ray format, which has seen a resurgence in popularity without the need for a dedicated player. As the cost of streaming services continues to rise, console games could become the ideal channel for new 4K Blu-ray collectors to access their favorite movies.
We hope this trend does not signal the end of 4K Blu-ray on consoles, as that would seriously affect future interest in discs.