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Blu-ray,
also known as the Blu-ray Disc (BD), is the name of one of two next generation
optical disc formats (DVD). Blu-ray is being developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA),
The BDA is a group made up of the world's leading
consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers (including
Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips,
Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson).
The format was developed with two main
objectives.
1. Firstly to enable recording, rewriting and playback of
high-definition video (HD).
2. Secondly to allow much larger data storage. blu-ray format offer 5 times the storage capacity of the existing dvd format. It
can hold up to 25GB on a single layered disc and double that on a double layer disc. This extra capacity combined with the use of advanced video and audio codecs will offer consumers an previously unprecedented HD experience.
Existing
DVD
format optical disc technologies rely on
a red laser to read and write data, the new format uses a blue-violet laser
instead, which is were the name Blu-ray comes from. Despite the different type
of lasers used, unlike the change from video to DVD there are no compatibility
problems. Blu-ray products can easily be made backwards compatible with CDs and
DVDs with the use of a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical pickup unit. The real
benefit of using a blue-violet laser is that it has a shorter wavelength
than a red laser. Basically this enables the laser to be focused more
accurately, therefore it can read data from a smaller space and therefore you
can pack more data on a disc.
Blu-ray is
currently supported by more than 170 of the world's consumer
electronics, personal computer, recording media, video game and music companies.
The technology is also gaining support from the major film studios Warner,
Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM and
Lionsgate. They have already announced titles
for Blu-ray release The initial line-up is expected to consist of over 100
titles which will consist of a combination of old titles as well as new. Many
studios have announced that they will begin releasing new feature films on Blu-ray Disc on the same day as
the old style DVD.
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1. Blu-ray disc
contains more data than a HD-DVD. Therefore expect to see better quality video
and more features on a single disc.
2. 8 Major studios
have backed blu-ray, whereas only, at this time Warner, Paramount and Universal
have backed HD-DVD.
3. Manufacturers
support. The BDA is supported by 170 equipment manufacturers including Sony with
the next generation Playstation. Xbox360 is supporting HD-DVD.
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