A high-capacity optical disc for HD movies that fits on the same size disc platter as a DVD. In 2008, Blu-ray became the bona fide successor to the DVD for high-definition content, although DVDs will be made for many years into the future.
Announced in 2002 by Sony, Hitachi, Philips and other vendors, the Blu-ray technology uses a blue-violet laser that reads pits a third the size of a DVD on tracks that are packed much tighter together. Blu-ray supports the more advanced H.264 and VC-1 video encoding algorithms (codecs) as well as MPEG-2, which is used for DVD. It also supports 1080p, the highest HDTV resolution. See H.264 and VC-1.
The first Blu-ray recorders, which also play CDs and DVDs, were introduced in Japan in 2003. A Blu-ray drive was one of the primary new features of Sony's PlayStation 3 video game console, introduced in 2006 (see PS3).
Blu-ray Is Built for Interactive Content
Blu-ray supports the Java programming language for adding menus and user interaction to movies and games. Every Blu-ray player includes a Java interpreter that executes Java programs (see Java Virtual Machine).
Blu-ray 1.1 and Blu-ray 2.0 (BD-Live)
Blu-ray features are cataloged in "profiles," with Blu-ray Profile 1.0 being the first feature set for discs and players. Profile 1.1 added picture-in-picture capability, and players include a second audio and video codec and 256MB of non-volatile memory. Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) accesses the Internet for bonus content, and players have 1GB of non-volatile memory. Players with older profiles play all Blu-ray discs, but do not support the extra features.
BD-ROM, BD-R and BD-RE
Like CD and DVD media, there are read-only, write-once and rewritable options. Used for HD movies, BD-ROMs (Blu-ray Disc-ROMs) are pre-recorded discs that cannot be changed. BD-R (Blu-ray Disc-Recordable) media can be "burned" once by the user, and BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc-RErecordable) disks can be rewritten over and over.
Blu-ray Hybrids
Hybrid Blu-ray disks are BD-ROMs that store a movie in Blu-ray on one side and standard DVD on the other. In late 2006, Warner Home Video announced a hybrid disc that held Blu-ray and HD DVD on one side and DVD on the other. In 2007, LG introduced the Super Blu, the first dual-format player, supporting both Blu-ray and HD DVD media. However, in early 2008, HD DVD was discontinued, leaving Blu-ray as the winner in the HD format battle. See HD DVD, DVD and DTV.
Announced in 2002 by Sony, Hitachi, Philips and other vendors, the Blu-ray technology uses a blue-violet laser that reads pits a third the size of a DVD on tracks that are packed much tighter together. Blu-ray supports the more advanced H.264 and VC-1 video encoding algorithms (codecs) as well as MPEG-2, which is used for DVD. It also supports 1080p, the highest HDTV resolution. See H.264 and VC-1.
The first Blu-ray recorders, which also play CDs and DVDs, were introduced in Japan in 2003. A Blu-ray drive was one of the primary new features of Sony's PlayStation 3 video game console, introduced in 2006 (see PS3).
Blu-ray Is Built for Interactive Content
Blu-ray supports the Java programming language for adding menus and user interaction to movies and games. Every Blu-ray player includes a Java interpreter that executes Java programs (see Java Virtual Machine).
Blu-ray 1.1 and Blu-ray 2.0 (BD-Live)
Blu-ray features are cataloged in "profiles," with Blu-ray Profile 1.0 being the first feature set for discs and players. Profile 1.1 added picture-in-picture capability, and players include a second audio and video codec and 256MB of non-volatile memory. Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) accesses the Internet for bonus content, and players have 1GB of non-volatile memory. Players with older profiles play all Blu-ray discs, but do not support the extra features.
BD-ROM, BD-R and BD-RE
Like CD and DVD media, there are read-only, write-once and rewritable options. Used for HD movies, BD-ROMs (Blu-ray Disc-ROMs) are pre-recorded discs that cannot be changed. BD-R (Blu-ray Disc-Recordable) media can be "burned" once by the user, and BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc-RErecordable) disks can be rewritten over and over.
Blu-ray Hybrids
Hybrid Blu-ray disks are BD-ROMs that store a movie in Blu-ray on one side and standard DVD on the other. In late 2006, Warner Home Video announced a hybrid disc that held Blu-ray and HD DVD on one side and DVD on the other. In 2007, LG introduced the Super Blu, the first dual-format player, supporting both Blu-ray and HD DVD media. However, in early 2008, HD DVD was discontinued, leaving Blu-ray as the winner in the HD format battle. See HD DVD, DVD and DTV.
FULL-SIZE BLU-RAY DISK (120 mm) CAPACITIES
SINGLE SIDED DOUBLE SIDED
HD HD
Layers Storage Hours Storage Hours
Single 25GB 4.5 50GB 9
Dual 50GB 9
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- New MacBooks and MacBook Pros: $800 and Mini-DVI (updated)
- More details are emerging on the new MacBooks, due to be announced on Tuesday. Inquisitr received word that price lists provided to some Apple retailers in the United States include an SKU for an $800 notebook computer – a first for the Cupertino company. Apple retail...
- Blog posts 2008-10-09
- syngo fastView (exe)
- syngo fastView is a standalone viewer for DICOM images provided on DICOM exchange media. It can be used on any Windows PC. Its operating concept is based on the easy-to-use syngo philosophy; Learn one - know all. syngo fastView can be used to view [IN] Dicom images on / from...
- Software downloads 2008-10-09
- Asus announces quad-core gaming laptop (again)
- There are now several quad-core mobile workstations for work, but Asus is laying claim to the first quad-core laptop designed purely for play. This week it announced that the G71 "Republic of Gamers," a 17-inch gaming laptop, now offers Intel's new 2.53GHz Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9300....
- Blog posts 2008-10-08
- Forrester fuels the SAP maintenance price hike debate
- The last few days I've been exchanging email with R 'Ray' Wang, VP and principal analyst at Forrester about the kerfuffle over SAP's unilateral decision to apply a price hike to its maintenance and support fees. Ray specializes in the enterprise market and has special experience of SAP going back...
- Blog posts 2008-10-07
- Samsung HT-X710T
- We recently looked at the HT-TZ512T from Samsung, a solid home theater-in-a-box that focuses on DVD playback and offers wireless rear surround sound. The TZ512 also offers a few additional audio inputs as well as compatibility with various digital file formats. The HT-X710T, reviewed here, keeps most of...
- Product reviews 2008-10-06
- Test drive: First checkpoint-friendly computer bag
- Back in August TSA issued new guidelines for travelers with notebook computers that would, for the first time, allow passengers to keep them in their bags while passing through the x-ray scanner. The TSA implemented its checkpoint-friendly bag policy on 16 August 2008 and to qualify as...
- Blog posts 2008-10-06
- Hollywood to kids: Pay up for preschool movies
- Hollywood to kids: Pay up for preschool moviesThe States next?So when it does come to the States?Talk about trying to get blood from a turnip...This is nuts. Simply nuts. They bought your dvd..that should be the end of it. License per year to show it? They...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-06
- Sony AW series: The best laptop display?
- With expansive 16:9 displays and Blu-ray drives, the new crop of desktop replacements with 18.4-inch displays are geared toward mobile entertainment. Though its design is nothing special, the Sony VAIO AW series stands out from this group, according to reviews at PCMag.com and LaptopMag.com, thanks to its high-quality, LED-backlit 1,920-by-1,080...
- Blog posts 2008-10-06
- Polk Audio RM95
- Polk Audio engineers and designers are hip to the fact that everybody wants the smallest possible speakers. Big displays and small speakers are where it's at, and Polk's RM95 home theater five pack comes with four tiny satellites and a very compact center speaker for $600. You add your choice...
- Product reviews 2008-10-03
- Vudu offers new format to stream 1080p HD movies to its BX100 player
- As I mentioned in my post yesterday about Netflix, one of the obstacles video-streaming services are going to have to overcome is the quality of the files they're sending to big HDTVs. Apple has recently introduced 720p HD files on iTunes to download to its Apple TV device, but lesser-known...
- Blog posts 2008-10-03
- Mobile Edge ScanFast Backpack - notebook carrying backpack
- Frequent travelers rejoiced when, earlier this year, the TSA issued guidelines for the construction of a bag that would let you zip through security without removing your laptop. The official guidelines suggest a butterfly, trifold, or sleeve-style case that keeps your laptop separate from other travel detritus so that a...
- Product reviews 2008-10-03
- Slimming down the bloated iTunes 8 installer
- Slimming down the bloated iTunes 8 installerPerformance?Let alone the installer size, does anyone else out there have kind of mediocre performance with iTunes in Windows Vista? I've had a number of times where it just seems to come up black, or respond slowly, or syncing just slows my PC to...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-03
- Apple wins royalty rate showdown
- Apple wins royalty rate showdownhigher Rate?the Real price for a song should about 25 cents (this will make it more competive agains "free") but guess the RIAA's members just want more money no matter what. that is why the RIAA must be shutdown as it is the most anti-consumer criminal...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-03
- Fans to build own radio as Slacker takes on iPod
- Is it an iPod? Is it an old-fashioned transistor radio? These are the questions the Slacker portable digital music player will have to answer when it hits U.S. stores this month. NEW YORK--Is it an iPod? Is it an old-fashioned transistor radio? These are the questions the Slacker portable...
- News items 2008-10-02
- Panasonic DMP-BD55
- Blu-ray has almost gotten its act together. After putting the stake in the heart of HD DVD, prospective buyers have had to deal with confusing Blu-ray profiles, varying audio-decoding capabilities, and standalone players with prices above $500. As we head into the 2008 holiday season, however, we're finally starting to...
- Product reviews 2008-10-01
- Agresso's answer to ERP addiction
- Earlier today I took a briefing from Agresso. Up front I'll say that I have something of a soft spot for this company. Some years back I did some very early formative work on what is now their BLINC Businesses Living In Change schtik and was...
- Blog posts 2008-10-01
- Studio, Real trade lawsuits over RealDVD
- Studio, Real trade lawsuits over RealDVDI don't get itRealDVD does what a number of other programs do, but with a nicer GUI.It doesn't do Blu-ray.My Sony notebook came with software to download, copy DVD's.But Sony is one of the companies suing RealNetwork.Should Sony Entertainment sue Sony Electronics ?"our right to...
- Discussion threads 2008-10-01
- Sony VAIO TT Blu-ray ultraportable reviewed
- Sony VAIO TT Blu-ray ultraportable reviewedWhy on earthwould you put a blu-ray player in an ultraportable?Unless all your home movies are on blu-ray, I suppose.It's a Sony? Not interested.Blu-ray? Not interested. Sony service and support? Not interested. Sony gold-plated prices on tin-plated hardware? Not interested.I honestly don't know how Sony...
- Discussion threads 2008-09-30
- Sony VAIO TT Blu-ray ultraportable reviewed
- Turns out you can build a pretty good laptop for more than four grand. LaptopMag.com has the first full review of the new Sony TT series ultraportable, and it doesn't disappoint. The latest low-voltage Core 2 Duo processor, a Blu-ray drive, dual 128GB SSDs and six-hour-plus battery life in...
- Blog posts 2008-09-30
- First reviews of Toshiba Qosmio with SpursEngine
- More than three months after Toshiba launched its first desktop replacement that makes use of the Cell processor in Japan, the Toshiba Qosmio G55-Q802 has reached U.S. shores and received its first hands-on reviews from PCMag.com and ComputerShopper.com. The Qosmio G55 series is part of a new...
- Blog posts 2008-09-30
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
