Blu-ray technology: why is it needed and what are its advantages? Choosing a Blu-Ray player: tips and tricks

Blu Ray and DVD are formats that allow you to store a certain amount of video material and other digital data. Each of them has its own characteristics - capacity, resolution level, clarity big picture. Each of the listed formats is used in devices that can play video.

General characteristics of DVD

DVD is a format that is recognized as international standard. It can contain a wide range of information. The name of this format stands for “digital multi-purpose disc”. It was developed in 1996.

DVD storage media has a dense working surface structure and allows you to place a large amount of information. Data is read from it using a laser beam.

DVD may contain video material good quality, music files, digital photos. Discs of this format reproduce studio-quality audio and video, unlike laser discs and videotapes.

On a regular single layer DVD You can store up to 4.7 GB, which is equal to two hours of a regular movie. A disc with two layers can hold up to 8.5 GB of video information.

Blu Ray Specifications

Blu Ray is a technology that uses a laser for recording and playback, the length of which is shorter than that of a DVD or CD, which allows increasing the density of data recorded on the medium. This recording standard digital information was developed in 2006.

Initially, disks made using this technology were designed in such a way that the data was too close to the surface, which made them too sensitive to mechanical damage. This problem was subsequently corrected using a new polymer coating. It was this that gave the disks additional protection not only from scratches, but also from dust.

If we talk about players based on this technology, then the most popular models include Samsung E360K and Sony SR550.

Blu Ray quality has a capacity of 25 GB on single-layer or 50 GB on dual-layer media. A dual-layer Blu Ray disc can store up to 9 hours of video. high resolution or around 11 p.m. usual quality.

Main differences between DVD and Blu Ray

DVD and Blu Ray technologies differ in many ways. These include:

• capacity, which was described above;
• laser beam wavelength: for DVD this figure will be 650 nm, for Blu Ray - 405 nm;
• hard coating: DVD media does not have it, modern Blu Ray does have it;
• data transfer rate (audio and video): for DVD the figure is 10.08 Mbps (<1x), у Blu Ray – 54 Mbps (1.5x);
• video resolution: on earlier DVD media it is not too high and is 720x480/720x576, on more modern Blu Ray media it is 1920x1080.

There are also common characteristics between the two described formats. These include the same standard media size (12 cm) and the use of laser technology to record data.

In terms of their characteristics, Blu Ray media wins, as they are more capacious and provide higher quality (details characteristic of HDTV, bright colors, sound effects without loss of quality) of reproduced video materials.

You can see the differences between videos shot in DVD and Blu Ray formats by watching this demo video:

What to choose: DVD or Blu Ray?

At the moment, the question of choosing between DVD and Blu Ray formats is not urgent, which is associated with the widespread use of compact media (flash drives) and storing information on portable devices.

But in 2004-2010 there were large-scale discussions on this issue. Many spoke out in favor of DVD, arguing their choice based on the “experience” of this medium. Another significant factor that swayed users towards DVD was the higher cost of Blu Ray discs and players.

When choosing a DVD or Blu Ray player, it is recommended to consider the following criteria:

• ability to read certain formats;
• playback quality;
• service features;
• price.

Currently, many users agree that both formats are already outdated - and this applies not only to the media, but also to the media devices that reproduce them. If you are faced with such a choice, then it is preferable to choose Blu Ray, since this technology provides high-quality video resolution and good playback.

DVD and Blu Ray are technologies for recording and playing audio and video materials. The first of them is outdated, the second is more modern and guarantees maximum audio and video quality. At the moment, most users find it more appropriate to use computers or tablets due to their versatility and the lack of the need to purchase or burn data to disks.

We have repeatedly heard mentions of Blu-ray technologies, without having an exact idea of ​​the structure and general characteristics of this phenomenon. Why has this format become so widely popular, and what exactly makes it so good that it's worth abandoning the usual DVDs? Let's figure it out.

What is Blu-ray?

Blu-ray (BR) technology is a type of optical media (disc) format used to store high-definition video and audio files. To fully understand the essence of this technology, you should understand the main nuances:

1. The discs received this name for a reason.

The literal translation of the name “Blu-ray” is blue ray (from the English “Blueray”). This is due to the way such media is read. For CDs and DVDs, red or infrared radiation is used to obtain information from them. But the blue-violet laser has a shorter wavelength, which makes it possible to significantly increase the focus and “examine” those parts of the disk that the red beam was not able to see.

1. All characteristics have improved significantly.

Due to the ability to place more information on a disc of the same physical size as a DVD, Full-HD resolution was achieved. These are films that have impressive clarity, overall quality of the video stream and even sound.

With an HDTV and a good sound system, it is possible to take the effect of watching movies to a new level:

• the quality of details on the screen has improved greatly;
• previously blurred background objects have clear outlines;
• the sound has become indistinguishable from the real thing: interference and low quality are a thing of the past;
• the number of FPS (frames per second) was increased from 24 to 60.

With such image quality and video smoothness, Blu-ray instantly became a leader and has no analogues. Even high-quality satellite television is not able to provide content of this level.

1. The disk capacity has increased.

Due to the ability to read previously inaccessible sections of information, a BR disc can store 5 times more data than a DVD and 8 times more if the disc is double-layered.

With all these indicators, the full picture opens up: Blu-ray technology allows you to get the highest quality image and sound in all existing parameters. However, the use of BR technology does not always lead to exclusively benefits.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Any thing in our world has its pros and cons, and Blu-ray is no exception. To the list of doubts advantages includes:

• accessibility to posting a large amount of information (up to 4 hours of high-definition video);
• amazing quality of video and audio streams;
• more reliable and accurate reading of information;
• additional interactive features;
• backward compatibility (for Blu-ray players);
• use of modern coding algorithms (increases not only the quality, but also the speed of access to information);
• picture-in-picture function.

These and other advantages of the technology in question are described in this video.

However, there are also some cons related to this format:

1. Price.

The key disadvantage of Blu-ray technology is its cost in the market. The discs themselves do not differ much in price (compared to HD-DVDs), but BR players are completely the opposite. Due to the fact that you can’t watch Blu-Ray discs on a regular DVD player, manufacturers put very serious price tags on BR players.

1. Number of films.

This technology appeared relatively recently, so although many films are created in Blu-ray quality, their number is still significantly less than in the usual HD-DVD format.

1. Loading time.

Depending on the type of menu (the more complex, the longer), loading a BR disk can take up to 90 seconds. Movies with a simple menu load on average in 20 seconds. But this is still a significant minus and the need to dutifully wait for the allotted time in order to switch to the required time period in the film.

1. Lack of backward compatibility.

Blu-ray players can play movies recorded on DVDs and CDs without any problems. But you will never be able to watch a movie in Blu-ray quality on a standard DVD player. The way such a player reads information is simply not suitable for this format.

Therefore, it is not enough to buy a disc - you also need a BR player, and the prices for it, let’s not forget, are very significant.

Features of Blu-ray technology

Despite the identical external components of BR and DVD discs, they have quite a big difference in their characteristics.

How do they differ:

1. Blu– ray discs are much more reliable.

They are made of more durable plastic, increasing scratch resistance several times.

1. Large capacity.

Thanks to the use of a blue beam for reading information instead of red, the volume of disks has increased. A single-layer BR disk allows you to store 25 GB of data, a double-layer - 50 GB, then 100 GB and 128 GB, respectively.

In 2008, Pioneer announced 20-layer Blu-ray media. According to the staff, this is equivalent to 500 GB of free recording space, which is an impressive value.

1. KVK function.

The key innovation of Blu-ray discs is the ability to view video in picture-in-picture format. Moreover, it is possible to record a High Definition Television (HDTV) program in real time while viewing the contents of the disc itself. And if the BR player has access to the Internet, you can download subtitles, additional audio tracks and perform other actions without interrupting the movie.

1. Total quality.

Since there are no analogues to Blu-ray recording, the highest resolution video from other sources will be recorded onto the disc without any loss of quality.

1. Editing entries.

BR technology allows you to change, edit and rearrange information recorded on disk in real time. DVDs can only dream of this. This feature also allows you to create separate playlists.

1. 3D-technology.

Movies in Blu-ray quality may have a 3D effect. This was made possible due to the large amount of space for data recording. Of course, this does not compare to the cinema, but this is the first “real” home 3D, and not a game with red-green filters (3D Anaglyph).

These features of BR discs are not available for DVD media. This is what makes Blu-ray technology so valuable and opens up many avenues for future changes and improvements. Even taking into account the disadvantages associated with the cost of players, etc., this technology has received worldwide recognition and continues to develop rapidly.

Not so long ago, as children, we listened to old-fashioned gramophone records with our mothers and fathers, and an oversized radio was the latest in fashion. Very little time passed, and audio cassettes appeared, then audio CDs and MP3 discs. Before we had time to really get used to household media players, smart TVs appeared that were capable of broadcasting video from flash drives and the Internet. One of the latest innovations that is rapidly gaining popularity is Blu-ray, and what is unique about this technology is what will be discussed in our article.

blue beam

This is exactly how the name of the latest development of the BDA (Blu-ray Disc Association) - a group of the world's leading developers of communications and electronics - is translated. What is Blu-ray? This is a new, latest generation format that was invented specifically to facilitate the process of playing, recording and dubbing high-resolution video files, as well as for the convenience of storing voluminous information. To make it clearer, let’s use the language of numbers and give some comparisons. To understand what Blu-ray is, imagine a DVD that holds more than five times the usual amount of information. Thanks to the new development, it can now store up to 25 GB (if it is single-layer) or up to 50 GB of data. And this is not to mention the fact that this technology is being improved and there is already support for multi-layering of such discs.

The Blu-ray format is based on a new standard, which involves reading data using a blue (violet, to be precise) laser, which is 405 nanometers. This explains the name, which is incomprehensible to many. For reading older CD-ROM discs, a wavelength of 780 nanometers is used, for newer DVDs - 650 nm. This reduction made it possible at one time to increase the capacity from 700 MB to 4.38 GB (twice as much on double-layer ones). Talking about what Blu-ray is, it is worth mentioning that this format allows you to write/read data at a speed of at least 36 Mbit/sec!

History of invention

Work on the new format began back in 2000. One of the first to start doing this was Sony Corporation. Initially, development followed two parallel directions: DVR Blue and UDO (short for Ultra Density Optical). Subsequently, the first technology was renamed “blue ray”, i.e. Blu-ray. In the same year, the first prototypes were released and at the CREATEC exhibition people first learned what Blu-ray is. The official announcement happened in 2002 and after that the BDA association was created, the purpose of which was to promote the new format. Toshiba Corporation decided not to join this alliance and, together with NEC, began to develop their own version of a super-capacious disk. Also in 2002, these companies announced Advanced Optical Disk, which was later renamed the HD DVD format.

The victory in this confrontation went to Blu-ray technology, and since then sales of discs of this type have been steadily gaining momentum. Outwardly, they look the same as regular DVDs. But which, thanks to the large capacity, can be recorded on them (especially if it is Blu-ray 3D), is so different from what we saw before that literally everyone who ever sees it, henceforth prefers to watch video only in this excellent format.

Translation from HDTV Solutions.com

The cost of Blu-ray players has recently dropped significantly, moving them from the category of luxury products to the mass market sector. Today you can find models with a varied set of additional features at an affordable price for every buyer. This guide will help the buyer decide when choosing a Blu-ray player.

A little bit of history
For those who are not familiar with the history of Blu-ray players, a short historical excursion may be useful. The information received will really help in the process of choosing the player you need.

Blu-ray players are essentially the same DVD players, adapted to play larger discs and equipped with additional features. And the main feature of Blu-ray discs is the ability to record high-definition video on them.

Let's go back to the recent past, when TVs were thin and not flat, and their screen resolution was 480 lines, which is now called standard (SD). To watch films on such TVs, video studios recorded them on DVD discs in a resolution of 480 lines. This format suited everyone until the HDTV TVs that took over the market today appeared.

As an interim solution, manufacturers have equipped traditional DVD players with technology to upscale standard 480p video with the ability to display a video signal in 1080p resolution on the TV screen.

The presence of upscaling technology in traditional DVD players is considered by many to be the reason why many people do not buy Blu-ray players. (Although, I guess the main reason is their high cost).

I'm amazed at how well players can upscale 480p source material to high definition, allowing you to enjoy old collections on DVD. However, when performing upscaling, the player has a limited amount of video information, and calculates the missing information by filling the gaps in the image with increased quality and trying to create a picture as similar as possible to the original, but in high resolution.

But even the latest powerful video processors in the best players have limited capabilities for improving images from DVD discs. DVD resolution is not enough to create high-quality, high-definition images. To provide full high-definition images on an HDTV screen, disks capable of storing more data and players capable of reproducing them are required.

A single-sided DVD can hold up to 4.7 gigabytes (GB) of data, which is enough for standard-definition movies but not enough for 1080p high-definition features.

To increase the capacity of an optical disk, technology using a blue laser was developed. We managed to fit 25 GB of information onto a single-layer Blu-ray disc. Since that time, film studios began recording their films on Blu-ray discs in super resolution 1080p. High-definition video captures more detail, sharper images and better color reproduction, allowing your HDTV to perform at its best. Naturally, the image provided by Blu-ray discs is much better than that achieved by upscaling a standard DVD.

Blu-ray players appeared in 2006. And for some time there was a so-called war of formats. Toshiba and a number of other companies have developed and began producing HD DVD players that are incompatible with the regular DVD format. (Neither Blu-ray players nor DVDs could read HD DVDs.)

Toshiba capitulated in early 2008 and stopped developing HD DVD players. The end of the format war was the introduction of the first Blu-ray player Toshiba BDX2000.

Blu-ray specification
The stages of improvement in Blu-ray players in recent years are reflected in three specifications called profiles - Profile 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0.

Profile 1.0 provides Blu-ray disc playback and basic interactive functionality. Profile 1.1, also called BonusView, allows picture-in-picture display and secondary audio tracks from BonusView discs. All Blu-ray players manufactured after October 31, 2007 met at least profile 1.1. Several models of profile 1.1 are still being produced.

A little later, BD-Live or Profile 2.0 appeared, requiring players to have a port to connect to the Internet, from where content available for players with BD-Live technology can be downloaded. Let's figure out how BD-Live players work. Built-in hardware and software components allow them to access the Internet directly, without a computer. If wired Internet is available in your home, you can connect an Ethernet cable from the player to the router. (Some players have a wireless interface for connection).

If you then load a BD-Live compatible disc into the player, a menu containing a BD-Live option will appear on the TV screen. If you open it, the player will connect to the film studio's website and offer you additional materials. For example, for the first disc of Transformers, you can download video clips of interviews with the director and film troupe, and experiment with robots.

Not all Blu-ray Disc movies support BD-Live technology, but those that do offer a variety of extras. Many movies, especially Disney ones, allow you to connect to social networks, so you can chat with friends who are also watching the movie at the same time.

Some viewers aren't interested in BD-Live extras. If you just want to watch a movie without any extras, like on an old DVD player, do not connect your player to the Internet or even choose a player model that supports profile 1.1 (BonusView). Such players are also generally cheaper than models that support BD-Live. Thus, if you are not interested in BD-Live or do not have the ability to connect to the Internet, you can save a little by purchasing a player only with BonusView support.

When familiarizing yourself with various player models, you may come across the term “BD-Live Ready”. Typically, such models belong to profile 1.1, but have an Ethernet port and after replacing the firmware, the player can become compatible with BD-Live.

You should also know that in order to load BD-Live materials, the player must have at least 1 GB of memory. Some models have built-in memory, others like the Sharp BD-HP22U include 2GB of external memory as part of the purchase package. Other players have neither internal nor external memory and leave the solution to this problem to you.

Many people already have flash drives at home and can use them together with the player. In any case, if you plan to use the BD-Live function, make sure that the player has built-in memory; if not, check that the flash drive is included in the purchase.

Compatibility
As I already noted, most of the players sold today are equipped with a wide range of functionality and belong to the 2.0 profile. But let's start looking at players with profile 1.1. The main parameter of the player is compatibility. Almost all Blu-ray players can play DVDs and audio discs. As well as a variety of format options such as BD-R/RE, CD (CD-DA), CD-R/RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R and DVD-RW.

If you have no idea about the need to support any of these formats, you probably don't need to worry, because commercial movie and music discs typically don't use them. And if you have similar discs, you should check the player’s specifications for compatibility with this recording format.

USB port and SD card slot
Many manufacturers build a USB port or SD card slot into the player, which allows you to receive content from USB drives or SD cards.

The most frequently used function is playback of photos from flash drives. Some players only allow you to read photos in .jpeg format, others can play music and movies. If you are a fan of the DIVX video format, you may want to look for a player that supports this format. To do this, you will have to study the specifications of the players to find out what files they support. I can imagine the need to view photos and videos from flash drives, but I don’t see the point in listening to music through the TV, for two reasons. First, not all TVs have a function to turn off the screen when listening to music. This will cause your TV to consume additional electricity. And perhaps more importantly, the audio quality of most TVs is not good enough.

However, if you pass the sound from the player through an audio/video receiver to a separate speaker system, this will be a much better solution. Which is akin to another opportunity that is near and dear to many audiophiles who love their analog audio/video receivers.

Analog 7.1 audio outputs
Most inexpensive Blu-ray players only have analog stereo audio output. Therefore, most users take a digital audio signal from the player either via an HDMI cable or from the SPDIF digital output. And this is a perfect solution.

But there are analog audio purists who choose a Blu-ray player with 7.1 audio outputs, which are found on some high-end players like the Pioneer BDP-320. Typically you pay an additional price for this feature. And if there is no need for it, you can find similar less expensive models only with a stereo output.

Network connection
If, having purchased a profile 2.0 player, you want to use the BD-Live functions, you will have to connect it to the network, which will require certain skills.

If you, like me, have a router with network access, but located in another room, you will have to lay a special network cable from there and connect it to your Blu-ray player.

Another option could be a wireless connection. Players such as the Sony BDP-560 have a built-in wireless interface. Others, like the Samsung BD-P3600, can use a separate wireless adapter included in the kit. Other users will have to find and buy a compatible wireless adapter.

The next step will require you to perform a software connection procedure to the network, which can vary significantly depending on the equipment used and the method of accessing the network.

Streaming Content
All the previous steps can be an ordeal, but once the player is connected to your home network, all your efforts will be rewarded with the variety of materials now available to play. One of the invaluable advantages is the ability to directly play files from your computer or media server that are now received via your home network. But not all players support this feature. In the reference literature for players, you need to look at the ability to connect with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) devices.

I don't like much of the BD-Live footage I've seen, but I can appreciate how many movie fans would like to see more behind-the-scenes clips and experiment with the interactive features.

I'm more interested in Internet content providers. For example, the LG BD370 player supports connection to Netflix, CinemaNow and YouTube from the main menu. When the player is connected to the Internet, you can use it to watch movies and videos received in streaming format on your TV screen.

I love watching movies, and I'm intoxicated by the ability to instantly download over 17,000 movies from Netflix. If you're a monthly Netflix subscriber, this streaming service is free for you. Other player manufacturers partner with providers like Amazon Video on Demand, whose service is different from Netflix. On Amazon, you either buy the material or pay for the display. For an additional fee, Amazon offers a selection of more than 40,000 items.

With any of these providers, you could watch movies and videos from the comfort of your home, all day long.

Recently, streaming video from the Internet and devices offering access to it have been developing like an avalanche. The number of TV models that have the ability to directly connect to the Internet is increasing. A variety of devices and set-top boxes are appearing that provide streaming content from the Internet.

If you plan to receive streaming video from the Internet in good quality, you need a fairly fast and stable connection to your Internet provider, ideally about 10 megabits per second. I know some sites offer a low speed stream of around 2.5 megabits per second. But if someone in your home watches movies on this connection at the same time as you, the quality of the movie may deteriorate. At least try to have 5 megabits per second. To summarize, I want to say that you will be even more satisfied with a super high-speed connection.

Design

As for the color range of the cases, you can find matte black, glossy black and gray, sometimes with a silver finish. I know designers who struggle with every curve and detail they're not sure about, but most Blu-ray players look the same. And after they often began to be hidden on shelves, their appearance probably does not matter much when choosing a purchase.

Fine adjustment controls

I'm guessing that if you feel the need to make adjustments, you turn to the TV first, not the player. If you are a fan of player settings, then, as I have seen, the OPPO BDP-83 has one of the most advanced sets of controls.

Energy consumption
You might think that you shouldn't worry about the power consumption of a device as small as a Blu-ray player. And you are wrong, many have a habit of sucking extra electricity.

For example, I recently dealt with the Sony BDP-S560 player. Measured disc playback power consumption ranged between 17.3 and 17.5 watts, which is average for such players. 17 watts is a small energy consumption, especially if you use the player three to four times a week.

But there is one trap here. The BDP-S560 has a Quick Start mode that reduces boot time when the player is turned on. And it increases electricity consumption. If you enable the Quick Start mode, then when the player is switched to standby mode, the measured power readings do not fall below 7.8 - 8 watts. And if you disable the Quick Start mode in the system settings menu, then when you turn off the player, the power consumption drops to almost zero. Do you need the player to run the electric meter for 160 hours a week?

This is one of the reasons why I don't pay attention to how quickly the player loads the disc. For me, the minor time savings with Quick Start enabled does not matter given the constant power consumption.

Reliability
Of course, you should expect your player to handle any content from purchased discs flawlessly. (I will not dwell on the expectations of good playback of the disc that Uncle Vasya burned on his computer). You have to understand that if you save $25 on a new movie release, you can't expect a perfect showing.

It's a reality that some high-end Blu-ray players stumble on certain content. To be fair, usually the problem areas are associated with special shooting modes and these are where many players tend to stumble. I still think that half of this problem is a flaw in the software part.

The Blu-ray format is still going through growing pains. Manufacturers are exploring new technologies and algorithms for processing and presenting content. Occasionally problems arise. Fortunately, most manufacturers responsibly release firmware updates for their players. And I always repeat, the first time you set up your player, make sure you are using the latest version of the software.

I don't want to discourage you from buying a Blu-ray player and enjoying high-definition video and high-quality sound. I just want to make you aware of possible disadvantages. I recommend that when purchasing a player, whether it's $500 or less than $100, you give it a good test run with a few of your favorite movies in both standard and high definition.

Characteristics
I left the discussion of characteristics near the end of this guide, but I realized that this is too hot a topic to unceremoniously skip over. But it is also too large and varied to be adequately covered in a few paragraphs.

Let me start with a general statement. When playing discs, the quality of audio and video output from the player will be excellent, even if the image is obtained by upscaling standard definition video.

If you're a critical videophile, I couldn't be more clear about the differences in player performance here. And I believe we will quickly reach a common understanding that the quality of your HDTV and audio system are more important factors in getting good picture and sound.

Price
And finally the guide about the cost of purchase. I've already heard about $80 Blu-ray players coming out. In this regard, I can say that “you will get what you paid for” and I am not ready to discuss the benefits of such a purchase.

I know that when the first Blu-ray players appeared, manufacturers could inflate the cost by $300 - $400. Now Blu-ray players are quickly becoming common consumer goods, as are standard definition models - DVD players. This does not mean that all models are the same. You definitely have a choice in features and price. And I assure you, you can find excellent quality models for under $200 and even under $150 during the New Year sales.

Security questions
As a summary of the manual, there are security questions that you should consider before purchasing a player.

• You want the player to play rare DVD or CD formats such as BD-R/RE, CD (CD-DA), CD-R/RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R and DVD-RW. Then check the player specification and make sure it supports the required formats.
• Do you need to play photos, music and video files via a USB port or from SD cards? Many players have such capabilities. However, some allow you to play only photos, without music and videos.
• You need 7.1 analog audio outputs. If you are going to buy such a player, know that not everyone uses this sound reproduction option, because players with support for this function are usually more expensive.
• Are you planning to connect your Blu-ray player to the Internet and home network? If not, you can get by with a player that only supports the 1.1 profile if you see one at an attractive price.
• Are you planning to connect to the Internet via a wired or wireless interface? Wireless is more convenient and enjoyable, but players with wireless interface support are usually more expensive.
• Do you want to have Internet access to providers such as Netflix or YouTube? Not all Profile 2.0 players provide the necessary connection; the list of available providers varies from model to model.

Blu-ray (blue ray) Disc (BD) is an optical disc format used for high-density recording, dubbing and playback and storage of large amounts of digital data, including high-definition video, currently replacing the DVD format.

This format was developed by the BDA (Blu-ray Disc Association) consortium together with a group of leading more than 180 consumer electronics companies, personal computers and media producers from around the world.

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

The format offers capacity:
- single layer Blu-ray Disc (BD) can store 23.3 GB (25 GB),
- dual-layer disk can hold 46.6 GB (50 GB),
- a three-layer disk can hold 100 GB,
- four-layer disk can hold 128 GB,
- 16- and 20-layer disks of 400 and 500 GB were also demonstrated.

Like regular CDs and DVDs, Blu-Ray provides a wide range of formats, including ROM/R/RW.

The following Blu-ray formats are supported:
- BD-ROM - read-only for HD movies, games, software, etc.,
- BD-R - recordable format for HD video recording and storage of computer data,
- BD-RE - rewritable format for HD video recording and computer data storage,
- BD/DVD is a hybrid format that combines Blu-ray and DVD on one disc, so that it can be played in both Blu-ray players and DVD players.

Blu-ray uses the Universal Disk Format (UDF) 2.50 or 2.60 file system.

According to the Blu-ray Disc specification, 1x speed is defined as 36 Mbit.

Blu-Ray supports the following video codecs:
- MPEG-2 - extension for HD, for playing DVDs and recording HDTV,
- MPEG-4 AVC, also known as H.264 (High Profile and Main Profile),
- SMPTE VC-1 - standard Windows-based Microsoft Media Video (WMV) technology.

Blu-Ray also supports audio codecs:
- Linear PCM (LPCM) - up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio,
- Dolby Digital (DD) - format used for DVD, 5.1 channel surround sound,
- Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) - expansion of Dolby Digital, 7.1 channel surround sound,
- Dolby TrueHD - lossless encoding of up to 8 audio channels,
- DTS Digital Surround - format used for DVD, 5.1 channel surround sound,
- DTS-HD High Resolution Audio - expansion of DTS, 7.1-channel surround sound,
- DTS-HD Master Audio - lossless encoding of up to 8 audio channels.

Blu-ray Discs have a hard coating for protection that makes the disc more resistant to scratches and fingerprints than DVDs.
Blu-ray also has a new error correction system that is more reliable and efficient than that of DVDs.

Part of the Blu-ray format is the Managed Copy (MMC) feature, which allows consumers to make legal copies of their Blu-ray movies that can be streamed over their home network.

As with any new technology in the first generation of products, while Blu-ray carries a high price due to low production volumes, once Blu-ray components are mass produced, prices are expected to fall.

Answers to questions

BIOS and UEFI What is... System (motherboards) Computer monitors CD, DVD,
Blu-ray discs Mouse, keyboard BP - Power supplies Storage devices - hard drives Random access memory (RAM) Computer Audio MFPs and printers Miscellaneous issues Video cards