【Deborah Sullavan Archives】

There's nothing worse than a video format war,Deborah Sullavan Archives and yet that's exactly what happens every time.

As history has shown, one video format eventually wins. VHS beat Betamax. DVDs overtook VHS. Blu-rays succeeded DVDs by defeating HD-DVD. This time around, TV makers and content providers are pushing HDR (High Dynamic Range) videos, which display a wider range of colors with increased brightness and greater contrast.

Though HDR video content is still in its infancy, the two major competing HDR formats (HDR10 and Dolby Vision) haven't exactly helped standardize things.

Enter, LG's new UP970 4K Blu-ray player.

SEE ALSO: 10 tech trends that will rule CES 2017

The UP970 is billed as the first 4K Blu-ray player to support both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It's reminiscent of the early optical disc players that supported both Blu-ray and HD-DVD before Blu-ray ultimately became the HD standard.

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But, you're probably wondering, why should anyone buy a new Blu-ray player when video streaming has all but killed physical media?

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

That's a good question. While it's true that some video streaming services like Netflix are adding more 4K content (and in HDR) every month, the reality is it'll still be some time before 4K HDR video streaming becomes the norm.

Optical discs, while not as popular as they once where, also provide a superior audio and visual experience. With four times the resolution to push and twice the amount of colors from HDR to process, 4K HDR video content requires a great deal of data, which is easier to read off an optical disc as opposed to pushed over the air.

No doubt, LG's UP970 4K Blu-ray player is aimed at audio and videophiles who want to have the best video experience at home.

LG hasn't announced pricing, but like all new format media players, expect it to cost a pretty penny.

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Topics CES

• Social Good
• Digital Culture
• Science
• Entertainment
• Deals
• Tech
• Shopping
• Games

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• SpaceX's Starlink will provide free satellite internet to families in Texas school district
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