There’s a fundamental shift afoot when it comes to the physical media market. Most of us likely felt the tectonic plates quaking beneath our metaphorical feet the moment Sony announced a firm cutoff for physical PlayStation games production. It was a tragic day for avid physical games enthusiasts. We all know that the video games industry has been headed for a totally digital future. But the announcement made by Sony still caught many of us by surprise. It also brought the reality of the market’s prioritization of physical media (or lack thereof) into a clearer view. While video games might be starting the process of disappearing from shelves, the Klaxon call from Sony is hardly a signal that other media, including movies and music, will be Thanos-snapped into oblivion anytime soon.
Even still, collectors are likely to feel a stronger sense of urgency to locate video games and movies they desire to grace their shelves. Some wish to feel the security of true ownership, while others just appreciate having something tangible to represent their hobby and collection. Then there are the real aficionados that prefer to run a 4K movie natively at peak performance over streaming the feature and potentially compromising sound and visual clarity. Whatever the reason might be, there is still a demand for physical media that retailers, distributors, third-party sellers, and even your local thrift stores are willing to fulfill. However, collecting physical media is a tad more abusive on our wallets and bank accounts than it used to be just two decades ago. So, there are some things to keep in mind when hunting for that classic video game or an out-of-print copy of Airheads on Blu-ray.
Blu-ray and DVD technology
Trivia challenge
From spinning discs to high-definition glory — how much do you really know about Blu-ray and DVD?
HistoryHardwareFormatsCapacityStandards
In what year was the DVD format officially launched for consumer use?
That’s right! DVD was officially launched in Japan in November 1996, before rolling out to North America in 1997. The format was developed by a consortium of major electronics companies including Sony, Panasonic, and Philips.
Not quite — DVD launched in Japan in November 1996. It then made its way to North American markets in 1997, quickly displacing VHS as the dominant home video format over the following years.
What colour laser does a standard Blu-ray player use to read discs?
Correct! Blu-ray players use a blue-violet laser with a wavelength of 405nm. This shorter wavelength compared to the red laser used in DVDs allows data to be packed much more densely on the disc surface.
The answer is blue-violet, with a wavelength of 405nm. This is actually what gives Blu-ray its name. The shorter wavelength compared to the red laser in DVDs is what enables the significantly higher storage capacity.
What is the storage capacity of a standard single-layer Blu-ray disc?
Spot on! A single-layer Blu-ray disc holds 25GB of data. Dual-layer discs double that to 50GB, while newer BDXL triple-layer discs can hold up to 100GB, making them ideal for 4K Ultra HD content.
The correct answer is 25GB for a single-layer Blu-ray disc. Dual-layer discs hold 50GB, which is why most feature films are released on dual-layer media to accommodate high-bitrate video and lossless audio tracks.
Which format did Blu-ray defeat in the high-definition disc format war of the mid-2000s?
Exactly right! Blu-ray defeated HD DVD in a format war that concluded in early 2008. The turning point came when Warner Bros. announced it would exclusively support Blu-ray, prompting Toshiba to discontinue HD DVD shortly after.
The correct answer is HD DVD, backed primarily by Toshiba and Microsoft. The format war ended in February 2008 when Toshiba officially discontinued HD DVD after Warner Bros. threw its exclusive support behind Blu-ray.
What is the maximum video resolution supported by a standard Blu-ray disc (not Ultra HD)?
That’s correct! Standard Blu-ray supports up to 1080p (Full HD) resolution at up to 60 frames per second. It was a massive leap over DVD’s 480p standard definition, and helped drive widespread adoption of HD televisions.
Standard Blu-ray tops out at 1080p Full HD resolution. This was a significant upgrade over DVD’s 480p and helped establish the format as the premium home video choice — until 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray arrived to raise the bar again.
Which company originally developed the DVD format alongside JVC, Sony, and others?
Correct! Philips was one of the founding members of the DVD Consortium alongside Sony, Panasonic, Hitachi, JVC, and others. Philips had already co-developed the CD format with Sony, so its involvement in DVD was a natural progression.
The answer is Philips, which co-developed the DVD standard alongside Sony, Panasonic, JVC, and Hitachi among others. Philips had significant experience in optical disc technology, having previously co-invented the CD with Sony back in the early 1980s.
What laser wavelength does a standard DVD player use to read discs?
Well done! DVD players use a red laser with a wavelength of 650nm. This is shorter than the 780nm infrared laser used in CD players, allowing DVDs to store more data, but longer than Blu-ray’s 405nm laser which enables even denser storage.
DVD players use a 650nm red laser. For comparison, CD players use a 780nm infrared laser, while Blu-ray uses a 405nm blue-violet laser. The progression to shorter wavelengths is what has driven increases in optical disc storage capacity over the decades.
What does the acronym ‘BD-ROM’ stand for in Blu-ray terminology?
Correct! BD-ROM stands for Blu-ray Disc Read-Only Memory. It is the standard format used for commercially pressed Blu-ray movies and games, as opposed to BD-R (recordable) or BD-RE (rewritable) formats used for home recording.
BD-ROM stands for Blu-ray Disc Read-Only Memory. This is the pre-pressed, non-recordable format you find on commercial movie and game releases. The Blu-ray family also includes BD-R for write-once recording and BD-RE for rewritable discs.
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Not every 4K upgrade is necessary
Work smart, not hard
It’s only natural to assume that a 4K upgrade or version of a movie might be the way to go. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, classic movies receive an anniversary treatment with a re-release in physical formats. But you should really consider what the best use of your hard-earned dollars might be. Some 4K editions don’t actually include any meaningful visual or audio improvements over their Blu-ray counterparts. Read the fine print. Or rather, look up the latest and greatest Blu-ray releases at Blu-ray.com.
This site often includes the nitty-gritty specifications that you care about most, including HDR, resolution, aspect ratio, packaging and, most importantly, consumer reviews. These are the hardcore fans that will highlight the best and worst components of each release. You never know, the cheaper Blu-ray option might be the route, at times.
The second-hand market could be a gold mine
There’s always a thrill finding a diamond in the rough
Don’t fear the second-hand market. Used and pre-owned media can be a fine method for saving a few dollars and a chance for some rare finds. Americans love a good garage sale. Never pass up the opportunity to scour the tables and bins at a garage sale for media. I’ve acquired PS2, N64, and SNES games as well as older Blu-rays and DVDs for stellar prices at garage sales in the past. Thrift stores are also a potential hunting ground for physical media collectors. But if you prefer to stay online, check out your local Facebook marketplace to see if there is anything in your area. Ebay is also a solid option, though, sellers tend to inflate prices on that platform, especially when it comes to retro media.
Of course, some are wary of the second-hand market simply because of the possibility of acquiring bad or damaged goods. That’s why you have to know what to look for. Scan the surfaces of the discs that you want to purchase. Make sure they’re clean and scratch free. If you’re buying cartridges or other non-disc formats, scan the ports for apparent damages. Sometimes, you’ll have to take a risk if the price is right. If you’re using online platforms like Facebook Market or Ebay, always use protected methods of payment like PayPal. Actually, pay for the items through Ebay so that if the item is not as described, it can be disputed.
Keep an eye out for boutique releases
These companies have collectors in mind
If you’re willing to drop some extra coin, there are businesses that have collectors in mind for this sort of thing. When it comes to movies, boutique outlets such as Arrow, Criterion, Shout Factory, and more will bring you Blu-ray and 4K collections of classics with unique art or packaging. Sometimes these releases also come with additional features on-disc. These companies know what collectors like and are doing the good work of keeping physical media alive.
If you’re a video game collector, Limited Run Games, Super Rare Games, Strictly Limited Games, and even Atari are all producing physical games for classic and modern hardware. Many times, they include collector’s editions that come with steelbooks, sleeves, collectibles, apparel, and other types of goodies. You’ll need to keep an eye on these storefronts, however. Their print runs are either limited or are pre-orders contained within a specific window. So, watch for announcements from these companies and set reminders. Because once they’re gone, they’re gone.
A word to the wise
Enjoy collecting
As a fan of physical media, it’s important to actually enjoy the hobby. Display your collections with pride. Actually, watch the movies you collect or play the games you find. And don’t forget an important rule I’ve learned well into my adulthood: don’t conflate collecting with accumulating. There is a difference. There’s no point in buying a movie or a game simply because you found a deal. Stick to buying the items you truly desire. It’s easy to fall down a collecting rabbit hole. Your hard-earned money should be invested in media that you enjoy. So, get out there, find some gems, and, most importantly, have fun doing it.
