Japanese firm reverses Blu-ray drive exit after securing parts, but prices jump up to 51% and supplies are limited

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In brief: At a time when physical media seems to be going the way of the VCRs and dial-up modems, there is a bit of good news from Japan – with caveats. Japanese peripherals maker Buffalo has walked back its decision to stop selling Blu-ray drives after securing the additional components it needed. The less welcome news is that they will be up to 51% more expensive, which seems to be the norm these days, and manufacturing will end once the supply runs dry.

Buffalo announced in February that the three portable USB-connected Blu-ray drives it makes would be withdrawn from sale in July – the memorably named BRXLPT6U3E, BRXLPTV63B, and BRXLPTWOU3 series. It added that there would be no successor models.

While some companies have left the Blu-ray market because of falling demand, Buffalo's decision was later revealed to be a sadly familiar one: the memory crisis pushing up material prices.