(A STEP TO NEXT (A STEP TO NEXT GENERATION)GENERATION)

What is Blu Ray?What is Blu Ray?

Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD) Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD) is the name of a next-generation optical is the name of a next-generation optical disc format. The format was developed disc format. The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers more than five times The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single-and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc.layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc.

Why the name Blu Why the name Blu Ray?Ray?

The name Blu-ray is derived from The name Blu-ray is derived from the underlying technology, which the underlying technology, which utilizes a blue-violet laser to read utilizes a blue-violet laser to read and write data. The name is a and write data. The name is a combination of "Blue" (blue-violet combination of "Blue" (blue-violet laser) and "Ray" (optical ray). laser) and "Ray" (optical ray).

How fast can you read/write How fast can you read/write data on a Blu-ray disc?data on a Blu-ray disc?

According to the Blu-ray Disc specification, 1x speed According to the Blu-ray Disc specification, 1x speed is defined as 36Mbps. However, as BD-ROM movies is defined as 36Mbps. However, as BD-ROM movies will require a 54Mbps data transfer rate the minimum will require a 54Mbps data transfer rate the minimum speed we're expecting to see is 2x (72Mbps). Blu-ray speed we're expecting to see is 2x (72Mbps). Blu-ray also has the potential for much higher speeds, as a also has the potential for much higher speeds, as a result of the larger numerical aperture (NA) adopted result of the larger numerical aperture (NA) adopted by Blu-ray Disc. The large NA value effectively means by Blu-ray Disc. The large NA value effectively means that Blu-ray will require less recording power and that Blu-ray will require less recording power and lower disc rotation speed than DVD and HD-DVD to lower disc rotation speed than DVD and HD-DVD to achieve the same data transfer rate. While the media achieve the same data transfer rate. While the media itself limited the recording speed in the past, the only itself limited the recording speed in the past, the only limiting factor for Blu-ray is the capacity of the limiting factor for Blu-ray is the capacity of the hardware. If we assume a maximum disc rotation hardware. If we assume a maximum disc rotation speed of 10,000 RPM, then 12x at the outer diameter speed of 10,000 RPM, then 12x at the outer diameter should be possible (about 400Mbps). This is why the should be possible (about 400Mbps). This is why the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) already has plans to Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) already has plans to raise the speed to 8x (288Mbps) or more in the raise the speed to 8x (288Mbps) or more in the future. future.

Why Blu instead of Blue?Why Blu instead of Blue? According to the Blu-ray Disc Association the According to the Blu-ray Disc Association the

spelling of "Blu-ray" is not a mistake, the spelling of "Blu-ray" is not a mistake, the character "e" was intentionally left out so the character "e" was intentionally left out so the term could be registered as a trademark. term could be registered as a trademark.

The correct full name is Blu-ray Disc, not Blu-ray The correct full name is Blu-ray Disc, not Blu-ray Disk (incorrect spelling) Disk (incorrect spelling)

The correct shortened name is Blu-ray, not Blu-The correct shortened name is Blu-ray, not Blu-Ray (incorrect capitalization) Ray (incorrect capitalization)

The correct abbreviation is BD, not BR or BRD The correct abbreviation is BD, not BR or BRD (wrong abbreviation) (wrong abbreviation)

Who developed Blu-ray?Who developed Blu-ray?

The Blu-ray Disc format was developed The Blu-ray Disc format was developed by the by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), (BDA), a group of leading consumer a group of leading consumer electronics, personal computer and electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers, with more than media manufacturers, with more than 170 member companies from all over 170 member companies from all over the world. the world.

The Board of Directors The Board of Directors currently consists of:currently consists of:

Apple ComputersApple Computers Dell IncDell Inc Hitachi LtdHitachi Ltd Sharp,Sony,Thomson CorporationsSharp,Sony,Thomson Corporations LG,Matsuhista,Mitsubishi ElectronicsLG,Matsuhista,Mitsubishi Electronics Twentieth Century Fox,Walt DisneyTwentieth Century Fox,Walt Disney pictures,Warner Bros.Entertainmentpictures,Warner Bros.Entertainment and others and others

What Blu-ray formats are What Blu-ray formats are planned?planned?

As with conventional CDs and DVDs, Blu-ray As with conventional CDs and DVDs, Blu-ray plans to provide a wide range of formats plans to provide a wide range of formats including ROM/R/RW. The following formats including ROM/R/RW. The following formats are part of the Blu-ray Disc specification: are part of the Blu-ray Disc specification:

BD-ROM - read-only format for distribution of BD-ROM - read-only format for distribution of HD movies, games, software, etc.HD movies, games, software, etc.BD-R - recordable format for HD video BD-R - recordable format for HD video recording and PC data storage.recording and PC data storage.BD-RE - rewritable format for HD video BD-RE - rewritable format for HD video recording and PC data storage.recording and PC data storage.

There's also plans for a BD/DVD hybrid format, There's also plans for a BD/DVD hybrid format, which combines Blu-ray and DVD on the same which combines Blu-ray and DVD on the same disc so that it can be played in both Blu-ray disc so that it can be played in both Blu-ray players and DVD players players and DVD players

video can you fit on a video can you fit on a How much data can you How much data can you

fit on a Blu-ray disc fit on a Blu-ray disc &How much Blu-ray &How much Blu-ray

disc? disc? A single-layer disc can hold 25GB.A single-layer disc can hold 25GB.A dual-layer disc can hold 50GB.A dual-layer disc can hold 50GB.

To ensure that the Blu-ray Disc format is easily To ensure that the Blu-ray Disc format is easily extendable (future-proof) it also includes extendable (future-proof) it also includes support for multi-layer discs, which should support for multi-layer discs, which should allow the storage capacity to be increased to allow the storage capacity to be increased to 100GB-200GB (25GB per layer) in the future 100GB-200GB (25GB per layer) in the future simply by adding more layers to the discs. simply by adding more layers to the discs.

Over 9 hours of high-definition (HD) video on Over 9 hours of high-definition (HD) video on a 50GB disc.a 50GB disc.About 23 hours of standard-definition (SD) About 23 hours of standard-definition (SD) video on a 50GB disc. video on a 50GB disc.

What video codecs will What video codecs will Blu-ray support? Blu-ray support?

Linear PCM (LPCM) - offers up to 8 channels of Linear PCM (LPCM) - offers up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio.uncompressed audio.Dolby Digital (DD) - format used for DVDs also Dolby Digital (DD) - format used for DVDs also known as AC3, offers 5.1-channel surround known as AC3, offers 5.1-channel surround sound.sound.Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) - extension of DD, Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) - extension of DD, offers increased bitrates and 7.1-channel offers increased bitrates and 7.1-channel surround sound.surround sound.Dolby TrueHD - extension of MLP Lossless, offers Dolby TrueHD - extension of MLP Lossless, offers lossless encoding of up to 8 channels of audio.lossless encoding of up to 8 channels of audio.DTS Digital Surround - format used for DVDs, DTS Digital Surround - format used for DVDs, offers 5.1-channel surround sound.offers 5.1-channel surround sound.DTS-HD - extension of DTS, offers increased DTS-HD - extension of DTS, offers increased bitrates and up to 8 channels of audio.bitrates and up to 8 channels of audio.

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When will I be able to buy Blu-When will I be able to buy Blu-ray products?ray products?

If you live in the US or Canada you can If you live in the US or Canada you can already find Blu-ray players from already find Blu-ray players from Panasonic and Samsung available in Panasonic and Samsung available in stores, as well as a growing selection of stores, as well as a growing selection of Blu-ray movies. We also expect to see Blu-ray movies. We also expect to see Blu-ray players from Sony, Philips and Blu-ray players from Sony, Philips and Pioneer introduced later this year. The Pioneer introduced later this year. The European launch is expected to follow European launch is expected to follow some time later this fall. some time later this fall.

Will Blu-ray replace DVDs?Will Blu-ray replace DVDs?

Yes, that's the expectation. The Blu-ray format has Yes, that's the expectation. The Blu-ray format has received broad support from the major movie studios received broad support from the major movie studios as a successor to today's DVD format. Seven of the as a successor to today's DVD format. Seven of the eight major movie studios have already announced eight major movie studios have already announced titles for Blu-ray, including Warner, Paramount, Fox, titles for Blu-ray, including Warner, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM and Lionsgate. The initial line-up Disney, Sony, MGM and Lionsgate. The initial line-up is expected to consist of over 100 titles and include is expected to consist of over 100 titles and include recent hits as well as classics such as recent hits as well as classics such as Batman Begins, Batman Begins, Desperado, Fantastic Four, Fifth Element, Hero, Ice Desperado, Fantastic Four, Fifth Element, Hero, Ice Age, Kill Bill, Lethal Weapon, Mission Impossible, Age, Kill Bill, Lethal Weapon, Mission Impossible, Ocean's Twelve, Pirates of the Caribbean, Reservoir Ocean's Twelve, Pirates of the Caribbean, Reservoir Dogs, Robocop, and The MatrixDogs, Robocop, and The Matrix. Many studios have . Many studios have also announced that they will begin releasing new also announced that they will begin releasing new feature films on Blu-ray Disc day-and-date with DVD, feature films on Blu-ray Disc day-and-date with DVD, as well as a continuous slate of catalog titles every as well as a continuous slate of catalog titles every month. month.

Why should we upgrade Why should we upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray? from DVD to Blu-ray?

The simple answer is HDTV. If you've ever seen The simple answer is HDTV. If you've ever seen high-definition (HD) video on an HDTV, then you high-definition (HD) video on an HDTV, then you know just how incredibly sharp the picture is and know just how incredibly sharp the picture is and how vivid the colors are. In fact, HD offers five times how vivid the colors are. In fact, HD offers five times the amount of detail compared to standard-definition the amount of detail compared to standard-definition (SD). The problem with today's DVDs is that they (SD). The problem with today's DVDs is that they only support SD and don't have the necessary only support SD and don't have the necessary storage capacity to satisfy the needs of HD. That's storage capacity to satisfy the needs of HD. That's where Blu-ray comes in, it offers up to 50GB of where Blu-ray comes in, it offers up to 50GB of storage capacity and enables playback, recording storage capacity and enables playback, recording and rewriting of HD in all of the HD resolutions and rewriting of HD in all of the HD resolutions including 1080p. The format also supports high-including 1080p. The format also supports high-definition audio formats and lossless audio. definition audio formats and lossless audio.

What is the difference between What is the difference between Blu-ray and DVD?Blu-ray and DVD?

ParametersParameters Blu-rayBlu-ray DVDDVD

Storage capacity Storage capacity 25GB (single-layer)25GB (single-layer)50GB (dual-layer) 50GB (dual-layer)

4.7GB (single-layer)4.7GB (single-layer)

8.5GB (dual-layer)8.5GB (dual-layer) Laser wavelength Laser wavelength 405nm (blue laser) 405nm (blue laser) 650nm (red laser) 650nm (red laser)

Numerical aperture Numerical aperture

(NA)(NA) 0.85 0.85 0.60 0.60

Disc diameterDisc diameter

Disc thicknessDisc thickness 120mm120mm1.2mm 1.2mm

120mm120mm1.2mm 1.2mm

Data transfer rate Data transfer rate (data)(data)Data transfer rate Data transfer rate (video/audio) (video/audio)

36.0Mbps (1x)36.0Mbps (1x)54.0Mbps (1.5x) 54.0Mbps (1.5x)

11.08Mbps (1x)11.08Mbps (1x)10.08Mbps (<1x) 10.08Mbps (<1x)

Video resolution Video resolution (max)(max)Video bit rate (max) Video bit rate (max)

1920×1080 (1080p)1920×1080 (1080p)40.0Mbps 40.0Mbps

720×480/720×576 720×480/720×576 (480i/576i)(480i/576i)9.8Mbps 9.8Mbps

Protection layerProtection layerHard coating Hard coating

0.1mm0.1mmYes Yes

0.6mm0.6mmNo No

What about Blu-ray for What about Blu-ray for PCs?PCs?

There are plans for BD-ROM (read-only), There are plans for BD-ROM (read-only), BD-R (recordable) and BD-RE (rewritable) BD-R (recordable) and BD-RE (rewritable) drives for PCs, and with the support of drives for PCs, and with the support of the worlds two largest PC manufacturers, the worlds two largest PC manufacturers, HP and Dell, it's very likely that the HP and Dell, it's very likely that the technology will be adopted as the next-technology will be adopted as the next-generation optical disc format for PC data generation optical disc format for PC data storage and replace technologies such as storage and replace technologies such as DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM. DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM.

What benefits does Blu-ray What benefits does Blu-ray offer compared to HD-DVD?offer compared to HD-DVD?

The first is capacity. Because Blu-ray utilizes a The first is capacity. Because Blu-ray utilizes a lens with a greater numerical aperture (NA) lens with a greater numerical aperture (NA) than HD-DVD, the laser spot can be focused than HD-DVD, the laser spot can be focused with greater precision to fit more data on the with greater precision to fit more data on the same size disc. This allows Blu-ray to hold same size disc. This allows Blu-ray to hold 25GB per layer , whereas HD-DVD can only 25GB per layer , whereas HD-DVD can only hold 15GB per layer hold 15GB per layer

The second is data transfer rate . Blu-ray has The second is data transfer rate . Blu-ray has adopted a higher data transfer rate for video adopted a higher data transfer rate for video and audio (54Mbps vs 36.55Mbps). The and audio (54Mbps vs 36.55Mbps). The greater capacity and data transfer rates for greater capacity and data transfer rates for Blu-ray will allow the movie studios to release Blu-ray will allow the movie studios to release their movies with higher quality video and their movies with higher quality video and audio than the HD-DVD formataudio than the HD-DVD format

Pictures of Blu Ray PlayersPictures of Blu Ray Players

LGLG

MitsubishMitsubish

PhilipsPhilips

ConclusionConclusion

Blu Ray is getting popularised day Blu Ray is getting popularised day by day because of its advantages by day because of its advantages over conventional CD and DVD.It is over conventional CD and DVD.It is sure that one day will come where sure that one day will come where there will be no foot prints of there will be no foot prints of CD,DVD.CD,DVD.