Magnetar Audio is supporting physical media by enabling concert fans and movie buffs to reconnect with their Blu-ray disc collections through the introduction of two new, high-performance Blu-ray disc players: the UPD800 and UPD900 disc players.

Filling a void in the marketplace, Magnetar Blu-ray disc players serve two distinct markets—those who already have a significant investment in Blu-ray disc media collections—and those who appreciate the clarity, sharpness, and realism Blu-ray disc content can provide as part of their high-end home entertainment systems.

The company boasts with the introduction of the Magnetar UPD800 and more advanced UPD900, collectors can pull their collections out of storage to enjoy the quality of physical media content.

“Physical media [still] resonates strongly with consumers and the market is growing exponentially,” says Raphael Tabutin CEO, Let’s Get Physical Distribution.

UPD800 and UPD900 Blu-ray Disc Players Follow in the Footsteps of Turntables

Citing a story from The Hollywood Reporter, Let’s Get Physical Media Distribution states the physical media market is worth an estimated $2 billion, and increasingly, the story suggests, studios and filmmakers are releasing next-generation physical media for home consumption. 

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The company goes on to assert that private collections of Blu-ray Discs are also quite sizeable.

“We estimate the average Blu-ray Disc collector owns at least 1,000 titles,” notes Tabutin. “This growing niche market needs Blu-ray Disc players to not only replace those that no longer function but also to support the growing high-res audio and video community. Our UPD800 and UPD900 players have been designed and engineered specifically to fulfill the needs of those who appreciate how Blu-ray Discs deliver vivid images and brilliant sound combined with the ease of controlling what one watches when one wants to watch it.”

Pointing out the similarities between the Blu-ray disc market and the analog audio vinyl format, Let’s Get Physical Media Distribution says that despite the popularity of streaming media over the past few years, vinyl records have experienced a surge in popularity over the past several years. Magnetar foresees similar consumer interest increasing for Blu-ray discs.

“Advancements in Blu-ray Disc players came to a halt as streaming media gained ground,” comments Tabutin. “Players quickly became antiquated, and many brands exited the category. Still, just like vinyl, Blu-ray discs have a loyal following and their owners want nothing more than to spin them again, albeit with better quality.” 

Many, according to the distributor also attribute a renewed appreciation of physical media to Disney movies that families continue to collect and the wide range of artists that are releasing new music on not only streaming platforms but also vinyl, Blu-ray disc, DVD, and CD.

Underscoring the parallels the Blu-ray disc format shares with vinyl, Let’s Get Physical Media alludes to a report from Gear News that says that over 40 million vinyl records were sold in 2022 and that the trend continued with more than 2 million units sold per week in December of 2023 with Taylor Swift driving vinyl sales.

“Streaming media providers choose what you should be watching and own the content. It’s the opposite with Blu-ray-Disc-based-entertainment. The content you buy is yours to enjoy whenever, however, you want to. It’s a much simpler approach, which is a very attractive proposition to many people,” suggests Tabutin.

Additional Features of UPD800 and UPD900

The distributor says the Magnetar UPD800 and UPD900 Blu-ray disc players combine nostalgia and greater control over the entertainment experience, with an array of state-of-the-art features. The UPD800 and UPD900 models produce sharp, vibrant images and immersive audio from both old and new Blu-ray disc releases, as well as DVDs, 4K UHD discs, and media files. SACD players will soon join the lineup.  

Magnetar Blu-ray Disc players feature advanced imaging decoding and processing technologies, including 4K upscaling of low-resolution media; 4K Ultra HD and HDR support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The players support surround sound and immersive audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The inclusion of premium digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are said to enhance audio playback. IP and RS-232 drivers support professional integrators and their ability to integrate the players into a variety of third-party control systems, including Crestron, Control4, and others.

“From the moment the Magnetar player was unboxed, we were struck by its build quality and straightforward, yet elegant design. Set-up and control are easy via a simple, intuitive GUI, and the 4K output of on our 155-inch demo screen is outstanding,” says John Grevan, CEO of Home Theater Sales, Inc., of Flossmoor, Ill. “The versatility of the available audio outputs accommodates the most demanding systems. The Magnetar player is destined to take the crown as king of multi-format media players.” 

Founded in late 2022 by Raphael Tabutin, an AV enthusiast with 20 years of experience in Home theater installation and consulting, Let’s Get Physical Distribution, Inc. offers a portfolio of products beyond Magnetar (Blu-ray Disc Players) that includes Reavon Blu-ray disc players, R-volution media players), and Bridgee cables.

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