Even with well over a decade of existence, DVDs still remain the source of some confusion for the average home electronics consumer. Within only three years of their debut a challenge arose to threaten the format's very survival, and it was only recently that history replayed itself with a somewhat similar situation, what with the introduction of competing successor formats like Blue-Ray Disc and HD-DVD. Third in a series that shall review many things DVD, this article will review one of these competing formats, Blue-Ray.
Blue-Ray DVD, or Blue-Ray Disc, is a next-generation optical disc technology developed by a consortium of industry leaders from computer heavy-weights like Apple and Dell to consumer electronics giants such as Sony, Samsung, and Philips. Blue-Ray Disc was invented to provide for high-definition recording, rewriting, and playback of video at a resolution of 720p to 1080i/p. Blue-Ray Discs can store up to 25GB on a single layer, or double that on dual-layered discs, which is some five and ten times the capacity of a standard DVD, respectively. The addition of advanced audio and video codecs help to ensure better, more intelligent processing of signals.
The format was christened "Blue-Ray" because of the blue-violet laser employed in reading and writing data; traditional optical disc technologies from CDs to DVDs±RW use red lasers with longer wavelengths instead. The shorter wavelength of Blue-Ray makes it possible to focus the laser with much greater precision, making possible the engraving of even smaller pits on the surface of the disc. More tightly packed data means increased storage capacity, with Pioneer coming up with an astounding 400GB disc!
However, Blue-Ray products are easily rendered backwards-compatible through the use of a combination pickup unit. The format is also supported by about two hundred of the world's leading technology and entertainment companies. It is now the only available successor to today's standard DVD format, after Toshiba conceded defeat and finally withdrew support for its competing HD-DVD format. Toshiba had been the biggest promoter of HD-DVD, but its hand had been forced by the earlier withdrawal of support by industry titans like Warner Brothers, Netflix, and Wal-Mart. With the defection of so many movers and shakers of the industry, the DVD format wars were thankfully rather short-lived, lasting no more than around two years at most. Ironically, the first HD-DVD discs to become available in the United States were released by Warner Brothers just a month after they formally announced the end of their support for HD-DVD.
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Article by Paul Wise. When it comes down to Blank DVDs Paul recommends Tapes.com for more Blank Media info.
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