Although optical disks are a technology of the recent past, they are still in circulation in modern times. 4K blu-ray disks are the prime example of it. 4K blu-rays are today’s best option for the commercial distribution of physical media. They make for an exquisite video and audio experience just by sitting at your home.
Unlike CDs, DVDs, or normal blu-ray disks, 4K blu-rays are better when it comes to quality and performance.
So, 4K blu-rays can be more costly than normal blu-rays.
From this guide, you can learn all about the things that make 4K blu-rays so expensive to buy. A comprehensible explanation of the reasons for their high price is presented here.
Why Are 4K Blu-Ray Disks So Expensive?
4K blu-rays are better than normal blu-ray disks in every comparable aspect. The technology used by 4K blu-ray disks is more complex than that of any other disk. So, for these reasons, 4K blu-rays come with quite a hefty price tag in the market.
4K blu-ray disks are better than any other disks because they can store better quality audio and video, and they have higher image resolution, more storage, and amazing durability.
Moreover, 4K blu-ray disks have other advantages and also high production costs
The reasons why 4K blu-ray disks are priced so high are specifically explained here. If you check them out, you can know about everything that makes these disks so high in price.
These are the reasons why 4K blu-ray disks are so expensive:
1. Higher Quality Of Video
While watching a movie, the thing that matters the most to the viewer is the quality of the video.
People get a lot of satisfaction when their viewing experience is enhanced by the exquisite ultra HD picture quality of 4K blu-rays. The high 3840 x 2160 resolution of image produces clear video even when you are watching a movie on the largest of screens.
The high quality of the video is the main motivation for people to watch movies from 4K blu-ray disks. Moreover, it is also the reason why 4K blu-rays are so costly.
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2. Better Sound
Sound quality goes hand-in-hand with video quality when it comes to watching a movie. Even if you have high picture quality, your viewing experience might be ruined if you find out that the audio is subpar. This does not happen in the case of 4K blu-rays.
Sound signals are stored in their original sizes on 4K blu-rays since there is enough available storage space. This eliminates the need to compress the audio.
For this, 4K blu-ray viewers will enjoy clear sound which will take their experience to the next level but before they can experience this, viewers will have to spend a substantial amount to buy a 4K blu-ray disk of their favorite movie.
3. High Manufacturing Cost
Another major cause of the high price of 4K blu-rays is the high cost of production.
4K blu-rays are made of materials that cost a lot and use blue laser technology to play movies. So, producing them is quite a financial load for any manufacturer. That is why, when you buy a 4K blu-ray movie or documentary film, you have to spend a significant amount of money.
4. Limited Production
4K blu-rays are not as mass-produced as other normal blu-rays, CDs, or DVDs. A limited number of 4k blu-ray versions of releases are produced and sold to the public. So, people buy have to pay a high price to buy 4K blu-rays since they are limited items.
Although 4K blu-rays are seeing declining popularity, a lot of people still buy them. Since there is also a limited number of customers, the 4K blu-rays have a higher price floor.
5. Price Of 4K Blu-Ray Player
Having a 4K blu-ray disk is not enough. If you want to watch a 4K blu-ray movie, you will also need to invest in a 4K blu-ray player. These players provide you with mesmerizing audio and video experience but they are also of higher prices than ordinary players.
So, you will have to spend some extra cash on a player to watch 4K blu-ray disks.
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6. Owning The Disk Media
When you are purchasing a 4K blu-ray disk, you are basically purchasing the rights to own that copy of the media. If you were to rent a DVD, then you’d have to pay a lower price to watch one of the latest releases.
In the case of 4K blu-rays, you will own the media that you buy and can view it at any time you want. For this, you will have to spend a higher amount of money than you would to rent a DVD.
7. More Storage Space For High-Quality Content
4K blu-rays have pristine picture quality thanks to the large storage space within them. Because of this, they are able to store media of very high resolution. For this, images do not appear to be cracked even if you watch your 4K blu-ray movie on a 60-inch TV.
Since they use more complex technology to store larger data, 4K blu-rays cost a lot more than other disks.
8. Better Durability
Traditional CDs and DVDs are prone to scratches on their surfaces. As a result, the data on those disks get corrupted. It causes the movie on those disks to hang when you are watching it. This is not the case with 4K blu-ray disks.
4K blu-rays are made of durable material and have scratch-resistant surfaces. Their surfaces are not so easily scratched.
Moreover, 4K video players also tend to last longer than normal players.
This durability of 4K blu-rays has an immense effect on the price of the disks. You will have to pay some extra cash for the strong quality of the 4K blu-ray disks if you want to purchase them.
9. Extra Media Content
If you buy a 4K blu-ray movie, chances are high that you will be getting extra content related to that movie included in your purchase. If there are any documentaries or interviews with the actors/actresses, it is more likely to be included in your 4K blu-ray disk.
The extra content is unique and would be quite hard to acquire otherwise.
There is a price to be paid for such unique and otherwise inaccessible content. This takes the price of 4K blu-rays to a higher range. These disks are mostly collector’s items, and the additional content is one of the main incentives to buy them.
10. Latest Releases Are Distributed In 4K Blu-Rays
The latest movies are only available in theaters and as physical media when released. You won’t be able to watch the latest movies on streaming services. For this, 4K blu-rays are in demand when a new movie comes out. People who want to enjoy the newest movies in the comfort of their home have the incentive to buy 4K blu-rays.
So, right after a movie’s release, 4K blu-ray producers set a high price for their disks. After some time of release, the prices start coming down.
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Are 4K Blu-Rays Better Than 4K Streaming Services?
A lot of people may ask why you should get 4K blu-rays when there are streaming services that also provide the 4K experience at a lower price. You can consider several aspects besides the price, like picture quality on big screens, sound, and watching the latest releases.
A brief comparison between 4K blu-rays and 4K streaming services is presented in this section so that you can go through them and decide for yourself which is better.
Here is the comparison between 4K blu-rays and streaming services:
- Price: Streaming services are comparatively less expensive than 4K blu-rays. With the price of a 4k blu-ray movie, you can get yourself a monthly subscription to any streaming service that has unlimited options for viewing. In this aspect, a streaming service seems to be the better choice.
- Video quality: Streaming services have varying video quality. It deteriorates if you have a poor internet connection. In that case, you would have to watch your movie at 720p or 1080p resolution. On the other hand, 4K blu-rays have impeccable and unchanging video quality that will give the best viewing experience.
- Audio quality: Similar to video quality, the sound quality on streaming services also isn’t as great as that in 4K blu-rays. The sound in 4K blu-rays uses Dolby Atmos technology and is played through dedicated 4K players that immerse you into a different world. With the proper sound system, you can have the theater experience in the comfort of your home.
- Watching latest releases: The newest movies are not usually made available for viewing immediately after release. If you want to watch a movie right after it is released, you can opt to get a 4K blu-ray disk and watch it at home on your 4K player.
- Reliability: Streaming services are unavailable if you do not have an internet connection but 4K blu-rays do not require any internet connection to play. In case you do not have access to an internet connection for whatever reason, 4K blu-ray is the way to go.
- Device compatibility: Streaming services are available for viewing on any computer, tablet, or mobile device. In contrast, 4K blu-rays require a player for viewing and also a 4K screen for the maximum viewing experience.
Going over these viewpoints, it can be concluded that if you want the ease of access and low price, you should go for a streaming service subscription.
Otherwise, if you want the ultimate viewing experience with phenomenal picture quality, you should definitely get 4K blu-rays to turn your home into a cinema theater.
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Conclusion
Theaters these days get way too crowded when a new movie gets released and are filled with borderline inconsiderate people making a lot of noise, blocking views, etc.
Nobody wants to be annoyed when they go to watch a new movie. That is why a lot of people prefer watching a movie at home rather than going to the theater. If you are one of those people, then 4k blu-ray is your best option to bring that theater experience to your home.
When you are purchasing a 4k blu-ray film, you may wonder why they are priced so high. You will know all about it after you go through the reasons for it from this guide.
