Sony ceases production of last 4K Blu-ray player in Japan

Sony has officially stopped the production and shipment of its final standalone 4K UHD Blu-ray player, the UBP-X700/K, in the Japanese market. According to Sony’s official Japanese website, the model is now listed as out of stock with no successor announced.

This move leaves the PlayStation 5 (disc version) as the only remaining device from Sony capable of playing 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs in Japan. However, enthusiasts note that the PS5 lacks certain high-end features found in dedicated players, such as Dolby Vision support for disc playback and dedicated dual HDMI outputs for audio/video separation.

The discontinuation reflects a broader trend in the physical media market, which saw global sales drop by over 20% in 2024. While mass-market demand for discs has declined in favor of streaming services, 4K UHD Blu-ray remains a niche market for audiophiles and cinephiles seeking high bit-rate video and lossless audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.