Introduction-Technology

Blu-ray Discs are the same size and shape as current DVDs Discs are the same thickness but Blu-ray

Discs have a thinner protective layer Blu-ray Discs can transfer data and video

at 3 times the rate of a DVD Blu-ray Discs also hold more data than

DVDs and HD-DVDs

Introduction-Technology

Blu-ray players/recorders use a blue laser to read/write Blu-ray Discs This laser has a smaller wavelength than the red

laser used for DVDs Blu-ray players/recorders have a numerical

aperture value higher than DVD or HD-DVD These players focus the laser onto a smaller area,

allowing more data to be stored in the same amount of space

Blu-ray players can be designed to be back compatible with DVDs

Evolution

Development was caused by the demand of more storage per area

Nichia discovers blue laser (gallium nitrite) that lasts for more than 10,000 hrs (min. lifetime to be manufactured)

Research by Blu-ray Disc Association: consortium led by nine top companies Sony, Phillips, Sharp, Hitachi, Samsung, etc.

Single, double, and quad-layer discs

Benefits

Shorter wavelength of the blue-violet laser allows for a higher storage capacity 5x more storage than DVD

High quality audio and High Definition video High reading and recording speeds

3x faster than DVD Interactivity

Live updates of movies, games, etc., through the player’s access of the internet

Production cost is lower than DVDs’ Strong protective layer makes it less vulnerable to

scratches Blu-ray player is backwards compatible with CDs

and DVDs.

Criticism

Expensive for the consumer Market price is presently high Consumer must purchase a Blu-Ray player Consumer must have HDTV to experience

Blu-ray to its full potential Digital Rights Management limits

content usage

Opinion

• Blu-Ray Offers Greater Storage than DVDs or HD-DVDS (50/30/8.5gb)

• Offers Full 1080p High-Definition• Greater Interactivity• Blu-Ray is utilized by the Next-Gen Video

Game Console, the PS3• Blu-Ray Has Support of Most of the Major

Movie Studios and Consumer Electronic Companies

Opinion

• The Only High Definition Disk of the Future• It is a new product and has not yet been

perfected• It is more expensive than today’s standards• If you have the money, we recommend this

product for its innovation, quality and unrivaled support

• However, more advanced users or privateers may not like the DRM features

Works Cited

Blu-ray.com <http://www.blu-ray.com/>

Blu-ray Disc. (2006). In High Definition: A-Z Guide to Personal Technology. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. August 27 , 2008.

<http://www.credoreference.com/entry/6611078>

Butler, Richard. “Blue lasers.” Chemistry and Industry, March 4, 2002 p9