Blu ray()

• Introduction• Why it is named BLU-RAY ?.• Manufacturers• Details• Working• Software Supported• Application• Advantages and dis-advantages• Conclusion

It is the name of a next-generation optical disc format jointly developed by the Blu -ray Disc Association (BDA).

The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data.

The name Blu-ray is derived from the underlying technology, which utilizes a blue-violet laser to read and write data. The name is a combination of "Blue" (blue-violet laser) and "Ray" (optical ray).

The Blu-ray Disc format was developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of leading consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers, with more than 180 member companies from all over the world. The Board of Directors currently consists of:

Apple Computer, Inc.Dell Inc.Hewlett Packard CompanyHitachi, Ltd.LG Electronics Inc.Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Mitsubishi Electric CorporationPioneer CorporationRoyal Philips ElectronicsSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Sharp CorporationSony Corporation

• A single-layer Blu-ray disc, can hold up to 27 GB of data -- that's more than two hours of high-definition video or about 13 hours of standard video.

• A double-layer Blu-ray disc can store up to 50 GB, enough to hold about 4.5 hours of high-definition video or more than 20 hours of standard video.

• The Blu-ray disc overcomes DVD-reading issues by placing the data on top of a 1.1-mm-thick polycarbonate layer. Having the data on top prevents birefringence and therefore prevents readability problems. And, with the recording layer sitting closer to the objective lens of the reading mechanism, the problem of disc tilt is virtually eliminated. Because the data is closer to the surface, a hard coating is placed on the outside of the disc to protect it from scratches and fingerprints.

VIDEO CODECS

• MPEG-2 - enhanced for HD, also used for playback of DVDs and HDTV recordings.

• MPEG-4 AVC - part of the MPEG-4 standard also known as H.264 (High Profile and Main Profile).

• SMPTE VC-1 - standard based on Microsoft's Windows Media Video (WMV) technology.

AUDIO CODECS

• Dolby Digital (DD) - format used for DVDs also known as AC3, offers 5.1-channel surround sound.

• Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) - extension of DD, offers increased bitrates and 7.1-channel surround sound.

• Dolby True HD - extension of MLP Lossless, offers lossless encoding of up to 8 channels of audio.

• DTS Digital Surround - format used for DVDs, offers 5.1-channel surround sound.

• DTS-HD - extension of DTS, offers increased bitrates and up to 8 channels of audio

• Many of the famous movie studios are releasing there their movies on BLU-RAY DVD.

• As it provides greater storage capacity, so more amount of data can be stored in more protective manner as compared to convectional DVD.

• Sony is releasing games DVDs in BLU-RAY format for their home video game consoles.

• It gives a high storage capacity.

• It can be used to store about 4.5 hours of high definition video

• It provides better data protection.

• It can be burned while reading it.

• CompatibilityBlu-Ray DVD are not compatible with CD-DVD ROMs available these days

• It is quiet expensive

• It is the best optical media available these days

• Can be used for high data storage

• But has a compatibility problem