Sony Blu-Ray Production To End?

I thought I’d confirm that Sony Entertainment is NOT ending the production of blu-rays.

Sony Storage Media Solutions Inc is ending “the production of all models of Blu-ray disc media, mini discs for recording, MD data for recording, and mini DV cassettes” in February 2025 according to their January 23rd, 2025 press release.

They had ended production of blank recordable CD-R and DVD-R on July 1st, 2024 in response to the drop in demand for optical discs, ending some of their BD-R production at their Tagaze, Japan manufacturing plant. And consumers now mostly backup their music and film on Cloud Storage services, external hard drives and solid state drives, because these offer more storage and have dropped in price in some countries.

Yes, LG had decided to no longer manufacture blu-ray players last month so people had believed Sony Entertainment had ended manufacturing Blu-rays in response to the popularity of streaming. But physical media remains popular in areas with little to no high speed access to the streaming services, which are getting more and more expensive and fail to provide access to all music and films.

I’m cancelling my Netflix subscription soon because of their price hike and I’m sure I wont be alone in looking for better options.

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Speaking of streaming services, you should note that a 5,000 PC Optimum point offer is available to individuals purchasing $50 Apple Gift Cards from participating Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores until January 31st, 2025. And Apple Music & Apple TV offers are available from PC Optimum.

January 26th, 2025 Comments Off on Sony Blu-Ray Production To End? Consumer Information Rob McIntyre

Events this Weekend & More

There will be no record conventions this weekend but Ottawa will be hosting two free events that might be of interest to some of this blog’s readers.

The first will be the two day, Winter Edition of Ottawa Comicon on the 25th and 26th of January at the EY Center:

There will be no guest speakers but plenty of exhibitions at this free event, which will be open from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. And note that the Uplands O-Train Station next to the venue will be open on Saturday, the 25th of January, so you will be able to use Lines 2 and 4 that day.

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Furthermore, the 613flea Market will be held at the Aberdeen Pavilion, also on Saturday the 25th of January, 2025, from 10am to 4pm. And you can use Bus Route 7 from the Carleton University Station to & from the venue:

This is a free event that occasionally has vendors that sell vinyl LPs/singles, DVDs/blu-rays and memorabilia, so it might be worth your while to pop on by. And remember to both stock up on cash and warm clothing, because it is cold!

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Now for some news for people in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec:

Steve’s Music will be moving into their new location, 280 St. Catherines Street, by February 1st, 2025. This store faces the former Ottawa Bus Terminal site and is next to Tannis Cash & Carry.

Also scheduled for February is the opening of the Boutique Musique web site; This is a cute little store in the scenic village of Wakefield, Quebec that sells vinyl LPs/singles, CDs and turntables.

January 22nd, 2025 Comments Off on Events this Weekend & More Consumer Information, Events Rob McIntyre

Two Events This Weekend

There will be two events, the first being a two day Fan event in Mississauga and the second being a pop up record and CD sale in Burlington:

CSC Fancon 2025 will be held on the 18th and 19th of January, 2025 in Halls 2 & 4 of the International Center in Mississauga, ON.

Admission information for this event can be found by clicking here. And this venue is located next to the Malton Go Station and Malton Via Rail Station, which is also serviced by Bus Route 505 on Brampton Transit (stop #4194) and Bus Route 30 on MiWay (stop #2902). The venue is also serviced by Routes 52B and 52D on the TTC from bus stop #4756, which is an 8 minute walk from the venue.

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The Burlington Pop Up Record Show will be held on Sunday, the 19th of January, 2025 at the Halton Naval Veteran’s Association from 10am to 3pm and admission is a donation to this association.

The nearest bus stops, #204 and #207, are serviced by Routes 3 and 6 on Burlington Transit.

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Sorry for the late post – I was sick. And please note that cash is preferred at these events.

January 16th, 2025 Comments Off on Two Events This Weekend Consumer Information, Events Rob McIntyre

Lions Vinyl Record Fair / St. John’s

The Lions Vinyl Record Fair will be hosted by the St John’s Lions Club in St. John’s, Newfoundland on Sunday the 12th of January, 2025 from 11AM to 4PM.

Admission is $2 cash at the door and the nearest bus stop is bus stop number 6186, which is serviced by Route 15 on Metrobus.

Please note that cash is preferred at these events.

January 8th, 2025 Comments Off on Lions Vinyl Record Fair / St. John’s Consumer Information, Events Rob McIntyre

Comic Conventions This Weekend

There will be two Comicon this weekend in Ontario, one of which will be in Peterborough and the other being in Aurora.

The Peterborough Comicon will occur on Saturday, January 4th 2025 from 10am to 3pm at The Venue.

Admission will be $5 or free for kids 12 and under. And the nearest bus stops to the venue are 1494 and 1537, which are serviced by multiple routes by Peterborough Transit.

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The Aurora Comicon will occur the following day, on Sunday the 5th of January, 2025, also from 10am to 3pm, at Aurora Legion.

Admission will be $5 or free for kids 12 or under. And the nearest bus stops are 1746 and 1758 on York Region Transit.

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Please note that cash is usually preferred at these events.

January 1st, 2025 Comments Off on Comic Conventions This Weekend Consumer Information, Events Rob McIntyre

The Last Events of the Year

There will be two comic book conventions and one record convention this weekend.

The first event will be the Oshawa Comicon on Friday the 27th of December, 2024, from 10am to 3pm at the Harmony Creek Community Center.

Admission will be $5 of free for kids 12 or under. And the nearest bus stops are 1138 and 1148, which are serviced by Route 410 and N1 on Durham Region Transit.

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The second event will be the Toronto Comic Book Show, also on the 27th but at Montecassino Hotel and Event Centre from noon to 5pm.

Admission is free and the venue itself is located within a 10 minute walk from the Downsview Park TTC Subway Station and Downsview Park Go Station. The nearest bus stops to the venue are 3138 and 7271, which are serviced by multiple routes by the TTC.

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The final event of the year will be the Woodstock Record And Music Collectibles Show, on Sunday, the 29th of December, 2024, in the Mutual/Market Buildings on the Woodstock Fairgrounds from 9:30am to 2:30pm.

Admission will be $5 and kids under 12 can get in for free if they’re with an adult. And the venue is serviced by multiple routes on Woodstock Transit.

Please note that the Woodstock Card, Comics, Coins and Pop Culture Collectibles Show may also be occurring at the same time at this venue.

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As usual, cash is preferred at these events, both for admission and for purchases from vendors. And don’t forget to check out the Boxing Week Deals at Amazon Canada and Winter Sale at Amazon.com.

December 25th, 2024 Comments Off on The Last Events of the Year Consumer Information, Events Rob McIntyre