Posted to Video Components Articles 2009-05-03
Blu-ray explained.
Blu-Ray is the latest disc-based audio, video and data storage format available on the market. It is characterized by larger storage capacities, designed to deal with the challenge of storing large amounts of high-definition data on a disc. It is slated to be the successor to the DVD technology currently in use.
Blu-Ray is capable of storing 25GB of data on a single layer disc and 50GB on a dual layer disk. This translates to about 9 hours of high definition video per disc. The technology used in Blu-Ray devices is backwards compatible, so playing DVD's and regular CD's should pose no difficulties for consumers.
The name of the technology and its ability to store greater amounts of data than other forms of CD and DVD storage are a result of the type of laser used to burn and read the discs. For a regular DVD or CD, a red laser is used for reading and writing. Blu-rays, predictably, use a blue laser. The shorter wavelength of blue light allows more data to be written over a given area, greatly expanding the storage space available on a disc.
Blu-ray devices are currently offered by all the major electronics companies. As DVD replaced CD, it is likely that Blu-ray will overtake the market within the next few years. Blu-ray discs can be burned in much the same fashion as are CD and DVD discs, making them a viable storage medium for PC data.
Blu-ray works hand in hand with HDTV technology. The highest resolution currently available for HD is 1080p. Media recorded in this format is generally too large to be accommodated on a DVD. Thus, for those who have already upgraded to HDTV or are planning to do so in the near future, upgrading to a Blu-ray player at the same time makes good sense.
Blu-ray film releases, due to the disc's greater storage capacity, are likely to have far more features than what is currently offered by DVDs, another reason for movie buffs to consider upgrading sooner, rather than later. There is far more room for deleted scenes, menus and interactive content and more on a Blu-ray disc than on a DVD. Combined with the higher resolution video capability, this technology is likely to catch on very fast.
Like their DVD predecessors, Blu-ray discs are slated to be available in various formats. BD-ROMs will be used for movies and games and will not be recordable. BD-R will be the recordable format and BD-RE will allow users to record and over write materials already contained on Blu-ray discs. Like any technology, Blu-ray commands a higher price than other options at present but will most certainly be less expensive in the future.
Sony BDPS550
: Blu-ray Disc Player with Bonus View and BD-Live Ready
Sony BDPS350
: Blu-ray Disc Player with Bonus View and BD-Live Ready
Samsung BDP1500
: 1080p Blu-ray Disc DVD player
Denon DVD1800BD
: Blu-ray Disc DVD/CD Player
Pioneer BDP-51FD
: BonusView Blu-ray Disc Player
Pioneer BDP-95FD
: Elite Blu-ray Disc Player with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
Samsung BD-P2550
: Full HD 1080p resolution Blu-Ray player
