Sony ends production of Blu-ray Disc, recordable MiniDisc, and MiniDV media

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

End of Sony Optical/Legacy Media Production

  • Posters see this as “end of an era” for consumer writable Blu-ray, MiniDisc, and MiniDV media.
  • Some are surprised MiniDisc blanks were still being manufactured until recently.
  • One comment notes Sony had at least one remaining disc plant, with other big disc manufacturers restructuring or selling off plants.

How to Read / “Digitize” MiniDV and Similar Media

  • Multiple people clarify Blu‑ray, MiniDisc, and MiniDV are already digital; the issue is copying to modern storage.
  • Common MiniDV approach:
    • Use a compatible camcorder with DV/FireWire output.
    • Capture in real time via a FireWire interface on an older PC or MacBook Pro, often via iMovie or a video editor.
    • Modern Macs can sometimes be used with chained FireWire→Thunderbolt adapters.
  • Lack of a simple MiniDV‑to‑USB/Thunderbolt reader frustrates some; the need for legacy hardware is a barrier.
  • For Blu‑ray, people suggest ripping via a BD drive and software such as MakeMKV; DVDs similarly via cheap external drives.

Is Blu‑ray as a Format Ending?

  • Confusion over whether Sony is ending all Blu‑ray disc production or only recordable media.
  • Some read the Japanese announcement as broader; others cite sources saying pressed movie discs and third‑party blanks will continue.
  • Consensus: writable Sony media is clearly being wound down; long‑term availability from all manufacturers is uncertain.

Streaming vs Physical: Quality & Experience

  • Many emphasize Blu‑ray’s much higher bitrates, especially for audio, and complain that streaming allocates too few bits to sound.
  • Some note dramatic visual and audio differences between quality discs and low‑bitrate licensed streams, especially in dark scenes.
  • Others argue most viewers use TV speakers or tablets, so services optimize for that and accept audio compromises.
  • A subset continues to buy UHD Blu‑rays for best quality and extras; annoyance that some discs lack Dolby Vision present on streams.

Backups, Archival, and Alternatives

  • Writable Blu‑ray got mixed reviews as backup: cheap 25GB media but slow, unreliable high‑capacity discs, and questionable lifespan.
  • Several commenters have moved to LTO tape or hard drives for large, long‑term backups; tape media is cheap but drives are not.

Ownership, DRM, and Cultural Preservation

  • Widespread concern that as physical media declines, access will depend on streaming catalogs that drop titles or alter them.
  • Some highlight “bit rot” and disappearing titles as threats to preservation and see private ripping/hoarding and piracy as de facto archival.