Blu Ray vs. DVD: What is the Difference?
82The arrival of HDTV in the late 1990s caused great excitement for the discerning viewers, who like to watch movies with better image details and in clearer resolution. HDTV enabled the viewer to get an unequalled picture quality; great surround sound with 5.1 channels of digital audio output and a matchless wide screen viewing experience. The viewers lapped up the HDTV technology, but there was a slight shortcoming: HDTV was only available in “broadcasting format”, and there was no facility of “playback”. In simpler words, you could enjoy HDTV only through your broadcaster. If you wanted to record a program, or play back a movie, then it was back to the older formats, i.e., VCD or DVD. Therefore, there was a demand for a similar, HDTV quality pictures and sound which could be used to record and playback just like the conventional DVDs.
The consumer electronics industry was quick to understand this demand, and some of the heavyweights like Sony, Philips, Samsung, Apple, Dell and LG joined forces to develop a technology for this purpose. The conventional DVD works this way: the data is stored on a disc, and the reader “reads” this data by using a red laser. The scientists hit upon a simple solution: use a violet-blue laser instead of the red laser! Why? Because the violet-blue (or blue) laser has a much shorter wavelength (405 nm) than that of the red laser (650 nm). ( An nm is a billionth part of a metre). Therefore, the blue laser can be focused with a much greater precision on a particular spot on a disc. This means that more data can be packed on the same disc, and the blue laser will read it correctly. Thus, the blue ray disc was born! Later, as the name “blue ray” was considered to be too generic, the technology was rechristened as “Blu Ray”. The consortium of manufacturers that developed this technology came to be known as the Blu Ray Disc Association, or simply BDA. The blu ray disc is also called BD in short.
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The Hangover (Unrated Edition) [Blu-ray]
Price: $15.99
List Price: $35.99 |
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Inglourious Basterds (2-Disc Special Edition) [Blu-ray]
Price: $19.99
List Price: $39.98 |
How is Blu Ray different from DVD?
A blu ray disc, or a BD is different from DVD in many respects. The main points of difference are:
1) The disc reader for a DVD uses the red laser, while the reader for a BD uses a violet-blue laser.
2) The storage capacity of a standard DVD is 4 GB, whereas the storage capacity for a standard BD is 25 GB. A double-layered BD has, well, twice the storage capacity, that is, 50 GB.
3) More storage capacity means more playback time. On a BD, you can store about 24 hours of standard-definition (SD) or about 9 hours of high definition (HD) video.
4) A BD can playback a resolution of 1920x1080p, while a conventional DVD can play back at a resolution of 640x480p. This means that the picture quality and resolution is way better in case of blu ray disc.
5) The blu ray disc offers a much higher level of interactivity. The menu structure is more advanced in case of a BD, and is available even during the playback.
6) Blu ray discs are more durable, since they are hard coated using a special technology. This means more protection from dirt, dust and the absolutely irritating scratches!
7) Last, but definitely not the least, is that the current blu ray players are backward compatible. This means that once you purchase a new blu ray player, you can always play back your collection of DVD on the same player. (No, you cannot play a blu ray disc on you current DVD player). So, if your DVD player has become redundant, there is still hope for your prized DVD collection. That is, indeed, some consolation!
In addition, the blu ray discs also offer some other benefits. It is available in various formats like read only (BD-ROM), recordable (BD-R) and rewritable format (BD-RW). A blu ray user can create play lists, re-arrange and edit the programs recorded on the BD, and search for empty spaces on the disc, so as to avoid recording over an existing program. Also, BDs offer a bit rate which is five times that of DVDs and up to 32 streams of audio. Translated from Geek Speak to plain English, this means that you can enjoy a much, much higher quality (and quantity) of video and audio playback on a blu ray disc as compared to a DVD!
What is HD-DVD?
Well, this hub is not about HD-DVD, it is about blu ray! Nevertheless, no discussion about blu ray can be complete without mentioning HD-DVD. So, what exactly is HD-DVD? While the blu ray technology was being developed by the Blu Ray Disc Association (BDA), a parallel platform was being developed independently. This was called HD-DVD, developed by Toshiba and NEC and based on the same violet-blue laser. In the beginning, this led to a sort of “format war” between the blu ray and the HD-DVD. Later, the blu ray surged ahead, largely because it had the support of the overwhelming majority of the industry. Eventually, in February 2008, Toshiba officially announced that it will stop the production and further marketing of HD-DVD players. In fact, the Toshiba HD-DVD player is the only HD-DVD player manufactured ever!
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Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray Disc Player, Black
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $199.95 |
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Sony BDP-S360 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player
Price: Too low to display
List Price: $199.99 |
Future of Blu Ray:
Well, the future is already here! Almost all the new movie releases are also being done in the blu ray format. It is expected that with the rapid popularization of the blu ray and the industry support, demand will increase. This will lead to more production, and as a result, lower costs for the consumer. Blu ray is set to rule the roost for at least a few years to come. The manufacturers of the blu ray players are also sweetening the deal for the new customers by making these players backward compatible, i.e., you can play your collection of DVDs on the blu ray player. There is already a range of blu ray players available from a host of manufacturers. Bring one that suits your purpose and pocket, sit back and enjoy your movies!
Blu Ray vs. DVD: What is the Difference? in the News
- Oh Gee, Blu-ray and DVD Flipper Discs Seems Like Fantabulous Idea [Terrible Ideas]Gizmodo1 second ago
Blu-ray's latest bit of brilliance is the Flipper: a disc that's plain ol' DVD on one side, and Blu-ray on the other, like bolting a cassette tape on the back of a CD. Amazing. The first movies...
- Michael Jackson's This Is It Coming To DVD, Blu-Ray and PSP Loaded With ExtrasantiMUSIC51 minutes ago
Sony has announced the details for the DVD, Blu-Ray and PSP release of Michael Jackson's This is It
- China market: China Hualu launches new Blu-ray Disc playerDigi Times1 second ago
China Hualu Group, a state-run maker of optical storage, recording and playback products in China, recently launched its new Blu-ray Disc (BD) player, the HMC9502, for sale bundled with 30 BD-disc movies, mainly China-produced, at a recommended retail price of 3,999 yuan (US$586).
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Comments
Thanks for answering my request. It definitely answered all my questions also. I'm also especially happy that I would still be able to play my DVDs on a Blu-Ray player.
Watching a bluray movie is fantastic I have a ps3 and plasma TV all with hdmi
with a Yamaha hdmi amp nothing beats the sound and the picture you get when you have the right equipmeant to en chance a blu ray movie it sure beats watching normal DVDs great hub .
Hi Tom,
Thanks for visting this hub and your comments.
Hi Uninvited Writer,
You are always welcome. I enjoyed writing this hub. I am glad this hub could help you.
Great work Sidd. You made it very simple. Thx for sharing.
Thanks. Well explained. :)
Well done great story have you also seen your sex symbol status on my story http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Sexiest-Men-On-Hub-Pag
Hi Anjali, Quicksand,
Thanks for visiting the hub and commenting.
Very good and clear explanation of this new technology anybody reading this should have a very good idea of the differences between the old DVD and the new Blue Ray alternative.
Hi BrianS,
Thanks for visiting and commenting. I am glad I could answer some of your questions.
Sidd- I had no idea Blue-Ray was THAT different. And versatile too. I obviously needed this information - I just recently tossed out my cassette tapes! I don't mind being slow with technology though, by the time I catch up with it- the prices have become lower on the "hot" newer items. Today's technology and electronics amazes me. Thanks for putting this info out for Hubpages.
Hi Real Tomato,
Great to have you here!
I am also rather slow on gadgets and technology, for almost the same reason as yours. By the time I purchase something, it may not be top of the line, yet it is definitely cheaper and affordable.
i want to know more about blu ray disc regrading how it works, advantages, disadvantages and data reading internally


















Tom Jose says:
10 months ago
Great Posting..I always wondered what the real difference was. This answered all my questions! Thank you!