Blu-ray Disc (BD), sometimes called "Blu-ray," is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the standard DVD format. Its main uses are for storing high-definition video, PlayStation 3 video games, and other data, with up to 25 GB per single layered, and 50 GB per dual layered disc. The disc has the same physical dimensions as standard DVDs and CDs.The name Blu-ray Disc derives from the blue-violet laser used to read the disc. While a standard DVD uses a 650 nanometer red laser, Blu-ray uses a shorter wavelength, a 405 nm blue-violet laser, and allows for almost six times more data storage than a DVD.
During the format war over high-definition optical discs, Blu-ray competed with the HD DVD format. Toshiba, the main company supporting HD DVD, ceded in February 2008, and the format war ended in July 2009, Toshiba announced plans to put out its own Blu-ray Disc device by the end of 2009.
Blu-ray Disc was developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association, a group representing makers of consumer electronics, computer hardware, and motion pictures. As of June 2009, more than 1,500 Blu-ray disc titles are available in Australia, with 2,500 in Japan, 1,500 in the United Kingdom, and 2,500 in the United States and Canada.
Like most persons around the world, I am the proud owner of a decent home theater device that plays a lot of formats and also DVDs. Like most persons around the world, I acquired the device some time ago without considering that I should perhaps wait and get a better one with Blu-ray disc playing capabilities. And now you regret not having enough money to get one. However, you will, but until then, you need to think about future investments, such as buying Blu-ray hi-def and DVD “flipper” discs.
You are curious what “flipper” discs are? Well, “flipper” discs are dual-format discs that feature both the Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD versions of a movie. These new “flippers” will be introduced by Universal Studios Home Entertainment on January 19, 2010 and the first movies to be burned onto this type of optical disc will be The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. I would rather have had them start it off with Lord of The Rings but I guess that will do, right?
“Universal's flipper discs are the perfect way for consumers to future-proof their collections while still enjoying their favorite movies on all their existing DVD players,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. “The flipper disc offers an easy way for viewers to convert to Blu-ray now or at any time in the future, confident in the fact [that] they will be able to experience their home entertainment purchases in the highest quality picture and sound when they do.”
Wonderful, don't you think? Now, you will be able to enjoy the action packed adventures of our brainless (I mean, the dude has no memory, ergo the “brainless” part) hero in full DVD splendor and when you scrape up enough money to get a Blu-ray drive you can watch it again in even higher definition. Though I don't know why you would, I for one saw it once and never felt the need to see it again.