Months after exiting the recordable Blu-ray market, the company has announced its first new Blu-ray player in over five years. The UBP-X700/K, set to launch in Japan before mid-year is a revised version of the long-running UBP-X700, with a few key differences—and the timing of this release is raising eyebrows.

The move follows growing speculation that physical media is fading, with streaming reigning supreme. Some saw Sony’s earlier decision as a death knell for Blu-ray, but this latest release suggests otherwise. While Sony has pulled back in some areas, its continued investment in UHD Blu-ray players signals that the format is far from dead.

Though physical media has ceded ground to streaming, the UHD Blu-ray format remains a favourite among collectors and enthusiasts. While it lacks the mainstream dominance of DVDs in the early 2000s, boutique labels, limited-edition releases, and growing awareness of streaming’s quality limitations have kept demand alive.

The UBP-X700/K retains much of what made its predecessor popular among budget-conscious home cinema fans, including support for Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, Dolby Atmos, and DTS: X. However, it removes all network connectivity—no built-in streaming services, Wi-Fi, Spotify Connect, or screen mirroring. An Ethernet port suggests firmware updates may be possible, but Sony hasn’t confirmed any networking functionality.

This shift reflects a broader trend: with smart TVs and dedicated streaming devices dominating digital content consumption, standalone Blu-ray players focus purely on high-quality disc playback.

Curiously, the Japanese launch price of the UBP-X700/K is reported to be 25% higher than the original model’s street price. Whether this increase extends to other markets remains to be seen, but with Sony now one of the last major players in the consumer Blu-ray hardware space, a premium price tag may be inevitable.

Why Blu-ray Still Beats Streaming

While streaming services dominate content delivery, physical media still offers the best picture and sound quality. Even top-tier 4K streaming platforms like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+ rely on high compression, resulting in lower bitrates, reduced colour accuracy, and lost detail.

By comparison, UHD Blu-ray discs support bitrates exceeding 100 Mbps, significantly outperforming streaming’s typical 25 Mbps limit. This difference becomes most noticeable during fast-paced action scenes or complex visual effects, where streaming compression can introduce pixelation, macro blocking, and banding artifacts.

Audio quality also suffers. At the same time, Netflix and Disney+ offer Dolby Atmos, their lossy compression sacrifices finer details. On the other hand, UHD Blu-ray delivers uncompressed Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks, preserving every nuance, from subtle atmospheric effects to powerful bass impacts.

Beyond superior playback quality, owning a Blu-ray offers a tangible experience. Collector’s editions, original cover art, booklets, and exclusive bonus content make physical media a curated, permanent asset—unlike streaming, where content can disappear due to licensing changes. Much like vinyl records, Blu-ray carries an appeal that extends beyond pure functionality.

Sony’s refreshed player suggests Blu-ray isn’t dead yet. While streaming dominates mainstream consumption, physical media thrives among enthusiasts who value uncompressed quality and actual ownership. The UBP-X700/K may not offer streaming bells and whistles, but it’s a welcome addition to the market for those invested in the format.

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