Blu-ray, generally known as BD or blue-ray discs, is a next-generation optical disc that has been developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association. The group is composed of leading consumer electronics giants, computer and media manufacturers, like Philips, Samsung, Sony, sharp, HP, Hitachi and Panasonic, to cite a couple. The blue ray dvd recorder format enables recording, re-writing and playback of hi-def video ( HD ). One major advantage that the technology has over standard DVDs is that it allows for more storage potential. It can hold up to 25GB on a single layered disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. The technology also incorporates complicated video and audio codes for the ultimate high definition viewing experience. The name Blu-ray is used as the format uses a blue-violet laser, instead of a red laser as in the case of conventional DVDs.
Another major advantage with Blu-ray format lies in the fact that the whole technology is backwards compatible. You can now play your old CDs and DVDs through a BD/DVD/CD compatible unit. The blue-violet laser has a shorter wavelength than a red laser, which enables it to concentrate on a disc area with greater precision. The data is also packed on the surface of a disc more firmly. This explains the disc’s capability to store more data, even though it is of the same size as a conventional CD. Blu-ray discs have a maximum capacity of 25GB and dual-layer discs can hold up to 50GB – enough for 4 hours of HDTV. Like HD-DVD, Blue laser discs don’t need a caddy and the players and recorders will be in a position to play current DVD discs. Codecs supported by Blu-ray include the H.264 MPEG-4 codec that may form part of Apple’s QuickTime seven, and the Windows Media 9 based VC-1.
Now that the twin layer Blu-ray disc writers have hit the market, it has definitely heated up the war between Blu ray and DVD writers, and every time you go shopping for electronic devices you will without doubt be suggested to buy one of these 2 types of products. Actually, to the general public, owning twin layer Blu-ray disc writers would represent a major shift up in technology and with Blu-ray discs offering a lot more storage, there is every reason why folk would buy them and thus the requirement will also arise for them to possess twin layer Blu-ray disc writers.
A key reason to consider investing in a Blu-ray player or recorder is to take advantage of its high definition capacities. What good is that 50-inch HD plasma television if you cannot enjoy your pictures in all their HD glory? Major flick studios support Blu-ray technology with many now releasing movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. You will not have to toss your DVD collection either as Blu-ray players are backwards-compatible with DVDs. Also you aren’t needed to be concerned about your giant DVD collection as a Blue-Ray player is capable to run your DVDs too. Thus you are free from the responsibility of getting all your DVDs interpreted to Blue-ray version.
