Blu-ray is an advanced, high-definition optical disc that can store much more data than standard DVDs. A single-layer disc Blu-ray disc can store about 25 gigabytes of data: five times the amount of a standard single layer DVD. Double-layer Blu-ray disc can store twice the amount that the single-layer discs, and about eight times the amount of a standard DVD dual layer. A standard DVD has enough space for a two-hour film, not high definition, as well as some additional features. A Blu-ray allows enough space for 13 hours of standard video or two hours of high definition video. In addition, Blu-ray allows you to jump instantly from anywhere on the disk, record one show while watching another, edit and rearrange the images on the disk, and Internet access to download the subtitles and extras.
All DVDs and CDs store information as a series of grooves on the surface of the disc. The grooves are written in a spiral that winds from the center of the disc to the outer edge. On the one hand, the grooves are hollow, the other, they appear as bumps. To read the disc, a player throws a laser on the chaotic side of the disc. The bumps cause the laser to bounce back and record on a sensor.
Standard CD and DVD use a red laser to read information on a disk. Blu-ray compatible uses a blue laser. Blue light has a wavelength shorter than red light. This makes the laser itself more sensitive and can detect much smaller than grooves red laser can.
Because the blue laser can detect smaller grooves, information on a Blu-ray can be written much smaller than a standard disc. Therefore, a Blu-ray discs can hold much more information than a CD or a DVD standard, even if the discs are the same size.
The Blu-ray discs are constructed differently than standard discs. These differences in construction to eliminate some design flaws in the DVD standard. One of these faults is birefringence. In a standard DVD, the recorded data is secured between two layers of polycarbonate. The laser should shine through a layer of polycarbonate to access the data.
Sometimes, the polycarbonate can divide the laser into two beams rather than allow it to penetrate, which makes the player can not read the disc. The process of aligning the polycarbonate layers must be done with great precision to avoid birefringence. In addition, the laser beam can be distorted if the disc is not perfectly level in the drive, a condition known as disc tilt.
On a Blu-ray, the data are printed on the top of the polycarbonate layer. With the data above, the laser does not shine through polycarbonate read Itanda the problem of birefringence is eliminated. This simplifies the manufacturing process, and keeps the cost of Blu-ray down. In addition, the location of the data closer to the lens that reads the laser. This makes the disc tilt much less a problem.
Blu-ray stores more data, reads more clearly, and provides interactive features, you can not get on a standard DVD. There are not many disadvantages to Blu-ray, but there are few.
Blu-ray require different equipment to manufacture. Despite the ease of making these discs compared with standard DVD manufacturers have yet to invest in new machinery to manufacture them. This can give a slight advantage to competitor Blu-ray HD-DVD. HD-DVD is another type of high-definition DVD that can be manufactured using the same equipment used for standard DVDs. It stores less information, but it is also less expensive.
Blu-ray are not more expensive than standard discs, but Blu-ray tend to be much more expensive than HD-DVD. You can buy players that will play standard sizes with either HD-DVD or Blu-ray, but no player can play both HD-DVD and Blu-ray.
The HD-DVD and Blu-ray support major market, but neither one has yet to win an advantage over the other. As the format wars of centuries past, many consumers are reluctant to invest in expensive new players when they do not know if the format of their choice will survive. However, Blu-ray is a serious candidate, and he could win.
About the author
G Pearce works for http:www.magellanduplication.com based in Hampshire. For more information about Blu-Ray visit http:www.magellanduplication.comwhat-is-blu-ray.htm Technology