Coming soon: The Samsung Ultra HD Blu-ray player will be launched in early April.
With the arrival in April of the first UHD Blu-ray players and their compatible discs, 4K technology is about to move into the consumer market. Sony is staying away from this sector at the moment, preferring to launch its own 4K movie streaming service.
Now that 4K TVs have become more common and their prices have dropped over the past three or four years, American and European homes will be able to upgrade to Ultra HD (or UHD) from April when the first Blu-ray players will become available.
Very few brands are moving into the sector at the moment. The most accessible disc player will be sold by Samsung, for US$400 (RM1,555). Panasonic's player, which is already available in Japan, will also arrive at the beginning of April at a cost of US$800 (RM3,110). Americans will have the choice of a third player, made by Philips, which is the most compact and affordable (US$400/RM1,555).
Sony is waiting before taking the plunge
Sony will therefore be conspicuous by its absence. It is waiting to see whether the public adopts this new technology before it makes a move. According to recent rumours, Sony could catch up in the first quarter of 2017 with the launch of its new console, the PlayStation 4.5, which may include a 4K Blu-ray player for a price of US$400 (RM1,555) to US$500(RM1,950).
In the meantime, Sony will dip its toe in the water via its 4K movie streaming service, called Ultra. With a planned launch on April 4, in the US only, this new service will enable Sony Ultra HD TV owners to access a catalogue of movies in the new format. Only titles produced by Sony will be available at first. One other problem with this system, which will not offer rentals or SVOD, is its price. It will cost US$30 (RM115) per movie, which is as much as an Ultra HD Blu-Ray disc in its box.
Still not many movies available on Ultra HD Blu-ray discs
Sony is also absent from the first disc launches in this new format. Its first titles will become available online and in stores on May 25. It will not immediately be offering new movies, but rather feature films such as The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Salt, Hancock, Chappie and Pineapple Express.
Fox has been active in this sector for a few days with a catalogue that consists of just nine titles including Ridley Scott's The Martian, X-Men: Days of Future Past and The Maze Runner. The studio will gradually add to its offering. For example, The Revenant will be available in Ultra HD on July 1, and Deadpool and Joy will be launched in the new format on June 22 and May 4 respectively.
Warner will add to the content on April 20 with four major feature films: Mad Max: Fury Road, San Andreas, Pan and The Lego Movie.
Priced at US$30 (RM115), Ultra HD Blu-ray discs have a recognisable black strip at the top of their sleeve. — AFP Relaxnews
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