What is Blu-ray?
Blu-ray is the next generation of optical disc media formats. Primarily developed for the recording, rewriting and playing of high-definition video on a single disc, Blu-ray also boasts a variety of applications due to its high storage capacity of 25GB- 50GB. This includes gaming, software applications, personal recording and superior data archiving.
Why is it called "Blu-ray"?
The name "Blu-ray" comes from the violet-blue optical "ray," or laser, that Blu-ray technology relies on to write and read data. The "e" in "Blue" was dropped in the name so that the term could be registered as a trademark. The full name is "Blu-ray Disc."
What Blu-ray formats are planned?
Blu-ray formats will include BD-ROM, a read-only format for distribution of HD movies, games and software; BD-R, a recordable format for HD video recording and PC data storage; and BD-RE, a rewritable format for HD video recording and PC data storage.
How much data can you fit on a Blu-ray Disc?
Blu-ray Discs can hold between 25-50GB. A single Blu-ray Disc layer will hold up to 25 GB, and a Blu-ray Disc can presently hold up to two layers. However, to make Blu-ray Disc technology extendable in the future, it also includes support for multi-layer discs that would allow storage capacity to increase to 100GB-200GB by adding more layers to a disc.
How much video can you fit on a Blu-ray Disc?
On a 50GB disc, over 9 hours of high-definition (HD) video can be stored. In standard-definition (SD) video, a 50GB disc will hold up to 23 hours.
How quickly can you read/write Blu-ray Disc data?
The only limiting speed factor for Blu-ray data reading and writing is the capacity of the hardware. Since BD-ROM movies will require a 54Mbps dater transfer rate, we can expect a minimum speed of BD players to be 2x speed (72Mbps).
Do Blu-ray Discs require a cartridge?
No. Blu-ray Discs don’t require a cartridge as they rely on hard coating protection that makes them more resistant to scratches and fingerprints than DVDs, without changing their optical disc look or feel. Blu-ray Discs also feature a new error correction system that boasts being more robust and efficient than that of DVDs.
Does Blu-ray down-convert analog outputs?
Blu-ray Disc players will not down-convert the analog output signal unless a video contains an ICT (Image Constraint Token), which is an AACS copy-protection system spec. The feature is not part of the Blu-ray spec. The ICT feature, and its consequent down-conversion, will be determined by whether each movie studio decides to include the ‘feature’ in their movie release, or not. Any movies with the ICT will have to be labeled on the cover, making them easy for you to avoid.
Will all my CDs and DVDs become obsolete?
Blu-ray technology is backwards-compatible, which means that as long as you use a backwards-compatible Blu-ray Disc player, your CDs and DVDs can also be played. However, the direction technology is heading suggests that in time CDs and DVDs would be phased out by the superior and efficient capabilities of BDs.
Why should I upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray?
The primary reason to upgrade to Blu-ray is the sharp and exciting difference in picture of HD video on an HDTV. The visible detail in HD is five times that of SD (standard-definition), but the limited storage capacity of DVDs won’t meet the needs of High-Definition. Because Blu-ray offers up to 50GB of storage it enables for storage, recording, rewriting and playback of HD on a single disc.
Blu-ray Discs also offer the potential storage for interactive movie features, enhanced gaming possibilities, and advanced storage capabilities. As Blu-ray technology moves forward, more enhancements that only Blu-ray can support will emerge, making it clear that Blu-ray is an exciting and valuable leap forward in video experience, as well as in a variety of other applications.
Will Blu-ray replace VCRs?
High Definition Television programming is emerging as the next standard, and since VCRs don’t support recording HDTV, they will soon need to be replaced. Blu-ray recorders will allow you to record HDTV to Blu-ray Discs, and if combined with a hard drive will allow you to record and archive a lot of HDTV recordings. Across the board, the Blu-ray will replace VCRs with a variety of enhanced recording features.
Reprinted with permission of www.Blueraylive.com |