LG discontinues all UHD Blu-ray and Blu-ray players

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Torgon

People swear by their Oppos and such, yet are the first to complain their player can’t play their newest movie. They pay big money and have all the bells and whistles, but have issues playing disc.

I think anyone will complain if their discs won't play.

I have owned my Oppo 93 since January 2012 and I still use it today; it has never given me any trouble in all of that time.

I bought my Oppo 203 in November 2017 and it has also been a completely reliable player. I have no complaints with either of my Oppos; not a single one.

If needed, Oppo still offers flat rate repair service ($129) for their players a full six years after they stopped production. I know of no other company that supports their products, especially discontinued ones, this well and for this long. Their customer service is unrivalled.

Let's see what kind of support LG offers for their disc player customers even two years from now. If it proves to be anything like Samsung after they stopped making their disc players, there will be no support offered whatsoever.

As for "big money" the Oppo 203 cost $550 when I bought it, which is comparable to the list price of a Panasonic DP-UB820. These are not the cheapest players, but they are not even close to the price of the more expensive ($1000+) makes and models. As for their "bells and whistles" I really like and use many of them.

Originally Posted by BluIsGold

But aside from the video game systems and computers, we're basically stuck with Sony, Panasonic, and an overpriced Oppo, as far as store availability in the States goes. I could be overlooking something, but that's what I've seen.

It is not fair to compare the price of long discontinued players, such as Oppo, to that of players still in production. Oppo prices are high because they retain their appeal six years later; they are a popular, but "OOP" product.

Other brands still being made include Tascam, Reavon, and Magnetar. Price range $699-$2999.

[Jay H.]

I've said it before: I'll buy discs (and players, when necessary) until they aren't available any more. Right now, discs are still manufactured, and both of my Sony region-free players work the way they are supposed to. I know there will probably be a time when physical media no longer exists. I definitely know there will be a time when I don't exist. Nothing lasts forever.

Instead of worrying that it all could end soon, appreciate that it's here right now.

[LexInHD]

Last night, I went into the local Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, which are all across from one another, and all the LG disc players were gone, replaced with Panasonic models.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

It's too much of a niche product to be successful. The good news is that Panasonic released a new budget model 4K player recently so they are still in the game.

I wish Panasonic would stop making DVD players and the two models of 2K Blu-ray players and start making only 4K Blu-ray players.

I believe I saw the new Panasonic DP-UB450P-K at Walmart a while ago. That new model appears to have been released on May 15th 2024. That model has HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR which makes it the cheapest 4K Blu-ray player with both of those features. Plus 12-volt DC input for RV vehicle or home. RJ45 ethernet jack is only 100Mbps. 2 HDMI outputs and coaxial digital. No analog audio outputs. While BD-LIVE is supported no internal 1GB of storage, requires 1GB or larger USB stick to be plugged in the front of player for BD-LIVE. Panasonic needed one of these cheaper 4K Blu-ray players under $200.

https://shop.panasonic.com/products/...y-player-ub450

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

What possible difference would it make for LG to wait three more weeks before issuing this announcement?

In the 20th Century it was common for companies to wait until the first or second week of January to announce negative news about products going out of production. Very odd to do this during the holiday season in December.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by danny24

When Sony and Panasonic stop making 4K UHD and Blu-ray players feel free to press the panic button. However I think that is where we are headed sadly. Eventually people that want a newer 4K disc player will have to buy a premium one online (example Magnetar, Reavon, etc) or a new or used one second hand. It's inevitable.

Might not happen. But before that happens I would like to see both Sony and Panasonic stop making DVD players and 2K Blu-ray players and make 100% 4K Blu-ray players (models low priced, medium priced, and high priced). Getting tired of seeing store shelfs with Sony and Panasonic DVD players and 2K Blu-ray players when 99% of the TV’s sold by Walmart are 4K models. Also, 4K Blu-ray players connect to any display with a HDMI input and also playback DVD discs and 2K Blu-ray discs.

People buying 4K OLED displays from LG are not going to be buying a 480i LG DVD player, they will instead be streaming at 4K with lossy audio.

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Might not happen. But before that happens I would like to see both Sony and Panasonic stop making DVD players and 2K Blu-ray players and make 100% 4K Blu-ray players (models low priced, medium priced, and high priced). Getting tired of seeing store shelfs with Sony and Panasonic DVD players and 2K Blu-ray players when 99% of the TV’s sold by Walmart are 4K models. Also, 4K Blu-ray players connect to any display with a HDMI input and also playback DVD discs and 2K Blu-ray discs.

People buying 4K OLED displays from LG are not going to be buying a 480i LG DVD player, they will instead be streaming at 4K with lossy audio.

DVD is still the format king and consumer education is low. I frequently visit used media shops in my area and you wouldn't believe the number of times I still hear "What is Blu-ray?" or "Will this play in my DVD player?".

The only way they could stop making DVD players is if they tech got so cheap where a 4K player can just do everything and is $50 like a DVD player. I don't think we'll ever get there.

The ultimate failure of the format was companies like Sony and all of the shareholders not properly educating the consumer on why they need the player and not pushing 4K and Blu-ray but instead continuing to flood the market with DVDs.

The conspiracy part of me says they didn't want it to be successful. They saw the digital future coming and they've always treated discs as a dying format that's only there for old people and collectors. It was profitable but it wasn't the future and they weren't going to spend money to educate the mainstream on why they needed discs in high quality.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

In the 20th Century it was common for companies to wait until the first or second week of January to announce negative news about products going out of production. Very odd to do this during the holiday season in December.

Even if that was true, and I do not know that it is, it still does not make any difference whether LG made this announcement now or next month. The result is the same, regardless.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

DVD is still the format king and consumer education is low. I frequently visit used media shops in my area and you wouldn't believe the number of times I still hear "What is Blu-ray?" or "Will this play in my DVD player?".

Had they kept the term "DVD" in the name somehow maybe there would have been less confusion?

The now defunct name "HD DVD" was probably a lot easier for people to understand that this device still played plain old DVDs. Maybe the name progression for each new format should have been something like DVD to HD DVD to 4K DVD?

As you said, I, too, still find people that do not know that a blu-ray player will play DVDs. If DVD players were to exit the marketplace, I would not bet on these people buying a 4K blu-ray player instead. They would probably just give up and turn entirely to streaming.

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Had they kept the term "DVD" in the name somehow maybe there would have been less confusion?

The now defunct name "HD DVD" was probably a lot easier for people to understand that this device still played plain old DVDs. Maybe the name progression for each new format should have been something like DVD to HD DVD to 4K DVD?

As you said, I, too, still find people that do not know that a blu-ray player will play DVDs. If DVD players were to exit the marketplace, I would not bet on these people buying a 4K blu-ray player instead. They would probably just give up and turn entirely to streaming.

Yep. They would just give up or stick with their DVDs. Another comment I hear all of the time at the shops is "Do you even have a DVD player anymore?".

Most mainstream consumers have moved away from discs all together which is why there isn't a enough market for LG to continue making players.

The same thing has happened to music. Almost everyone just streams their music on Spotify or Apple Music and then you have the diehards that collect vinyl.

One area where vinyl has a one up on movies though is a record player can be made by anyone. It's simple motors, gears and pullies. Disc players unfortunately require a lot of moving parts, lasers, lenses, etc. and all of those parts are dwindling.

I'm not doom and gloom yet. It's just the reality of a niche product. I'm just glad that most of my favorite movies have a Blu-ray release and nearly all of my absolute favorites have UHDs now. Players going away is my biggest concern but at least you should always be able to find a PS5 or Xbox.

I've already decided too if the situation gets dire, I'm just going to buy a bunch of hard drives and convert all of my movies to digital. It will take forever but I've already done that with my music.

[Cortiz]

Originally Posted by Torgon

I laugh (not literally) at the people who have problems with their disc and players. People swear by their Oppos and such, yet are the first to complain their player can’t play their newest movie. They pay big money and have all the bells and whistles, but have issues playing disc. My LG doesn’t bat an eye; it just plays. I love my cheap LG.

I have owned 2 Oppo 203 for years now and never had any issues with them. They are still rock solid and still the best (all around) 4K player ever made IMO. Those machines were way ahead of time.

[deatheats]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

I've already decided too if the situation gets dire, I'm just going to buy a bunch of hard drives and convert all of my movies to digital. It will take forever but I've already done that with my music.

Yup… Same plan here. My music I ended up doing twice, once for MP3, and then later on FLAC. If the Panasonic players stop being produced I’ll startup “operation riptide”. Hopefully 30-40TB drives are available by then.

[Comicfan]

My BD drive is LG and I've had it since 2010.It still plays great. That's what I pretty much watch all my physical media on and why I haven't upgraded to 4K.Yes,I can buy a 4K player but I wouldn't be able to watch any disks in the place I'm most comfortable and prefer to watch movies/shows.

i love my LG BD drive.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Let's see what kind of support LG offers for their disc player customers even two years from now.

LG REP: Hi, you say your LG player stopped working?
Joe: Yes
LG REP: OK we have a list of local recycle centers for you available.

[Telemachus]

I don't think there will be any problem not having access to a UHD drive on PC, ever. Because you can just flash a standard BD drive to read your UHDs.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

It's not good news for the format but it is the reality of it. I've said for years outside of things like cars and food, the market for pretty much everything can only withstand 1-2 main players (think Coke/Pepsi) and then sometimes a 3rd wheel if they do something a little different.

Kmart couldn't survive in a world of Target and Walmart. They are the Coke and Pepsi.

Take that logic to physical media which is already a niche product now, there is no room for a 3rd brand. One can be successful (Panasonic) and there's enough profit for 2nd brand (Sony). You can have a brand like Magnetar that caters to the boutique crowd and they can survive by having inflated prices.

If Panasonic pulled out, that's when I'd signal the alarm. When you have the #1 seller pull out, then the format is dead. We'd still have players thanks to Playstations and Xbox but that's when you'd start to see the discs dry up outside of a few boutique labels that can stay in business catering to diehard collectors.

Sadly that may be true now but decades ago we had tons of brands all seemingly doing well in electronics. There were TVs and VCRs by Sharp, Magnavox, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Toshiba, Goldstar, Sylvania, Sanyo, RCA, JVC, Philips, Zenith, Hitachi, and the list goes on and on.

[Frank@Chicago]

Originally Posted by Frank@Chicago

I'm more or less happy with my LG UBKM9 4K/DV/3D player. It's good match for my LG OLED.

I like that it automatically defaults to DV, so I don't have to squint at packaging to look for DV.

I'm not having any problems, but decided to order another one off Amazon today.

It's refurbished, but that might mean 'clearanced', since the guy had almost 20.

Just a follow-up...my refurbished LG player arrived from Amazon ($108).

My unit was spotless, but not 'new' (as expected). Included HDMI cable was Samsung.

Connected to my WiFi, updated firmware (219->220) and tested DVD, BD, and 4K disc.

Everything works & I now have peace of mind w/ backup modern player that does everything.

I have a variety of other devices that can play discs, but PS5 and Xbox Series don't do 3D.

The Amazon reseller has another batch of units to sell, but the price is now $114.

[bc4dvd]

My UBK90 was a Goodwill find about a year ago. Had the power cable and no remote. No price sticker, so when I brought it up to the register, the girl said, "How's $1?" I'd pay $1 for a brick, so I brought it home. It's been my go-to ever since. The remote off of eBay cost me 10 times as much.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by bc4dvd

My UBK90 was a Goodwill find about a year ago. Had the power cable and no remote. No price sticker, so when I brought it up to the register, the girl said, "How's $1?" I'd pay $1 for a brick, so I brought it home. It's been my go-to ever since. The remote off of eBay cost me 10 times as much.

Nice and what a steal at that price. I do thrift from time to time like once or twice a week. I have not run across that many 4K UHD players. I found an LG 4K UHD player for $9.99, bought it. Sony X700 for $9.99, bought it. than a Sony X1100ES which has a major problem when you try to play a BD it shuts off. $24.99, bought it. So 3 UHD players at thrift. The LG and Sony X700 work fine.

People used to donate BD players like crazy but lately I have seen less and less of them. Maybe people are holding onto them now.

I mainly go there to check out the movie selection and if I find a nice disc player that's a bonus. To many resellers scoping these places out now have kind of ruined the fun of it.

[JohnForbes]

I'm not sure if this is the best thread to ask my question, but here goes...

I purchased an LG Ultra HD player UBK90 some years back. It was working fine for years, but a few months ago, I started having issues ejecting the discs. The remote wouldn't eject it, then the eject button on the unit itself didn't do it either. It seemed stuck. It would take several minutes before the disc would eventually eject (I usually have to go to the unit itself and lift it. I'm not sure what magical combination would finally get the drawer to open).

I'm wondering if it's time to buy another unit (maybe Sony UBP-X700U or Panasonic DP-UBB820-K?) if the issue of ejecting discs persists. Has anyone else had a similar problem with their UBK90s?