Blu Ray is one of the new high definition video disc formats. The name comes from the color of the disc, a blue-ish color that is used to read and write data. More data can be stored on these types of discs than a conventional DVD. A single Blu Ray disc can hold up to 25 GB of information as opposed to its DVD counterpart holding close to 4.7 GB of information. There are single layer and double layer formats at the moment, as well as third party discs in readable and re-recordable formats.

Generally, about nine hours of HD video can be stored on a double layer Blu Ray disc. Twenty-three hours of SD video can be stored as well on the same version of the disc. This allows for longer features, bonus materials and other data can be stored to enhance the buyer's experience with DVDs, TV shows and other box sets released in the future. As different types of Blu Ray discs are released, the potential for storage is limitless.

There are four different types of Blu Ray players as of 2007. Version 1.0 is the basic profile. It is default on all current Blu Ray players and only need a minimum of 64 KB of data storage. Some version 1.0 players can have their firmware upgraded. After November 2007, these particular profiles will be scrapped and will not be able to play newer Blu Ray discs. Version 1.1 adds picture-in-picture capabilities, audio commentary playback and upgraded storage up to 256 MB. This type of firmware will be required as of the end of October 2007 for all players and products new to the market. Version 2.0, know as BD Live, adds network functions and increases storage to one GB. Playstation 3s are expected to use this profile in conjunction with its Blu Ray capabilities. Version 3.0 is an audio-only profile but not required for playback or decoding features, yet.

Is scratching an issue?

Since Blu Ray discs record information close to the surface, many early discs were easily scuffed and destroyed by simply touching the surface. Now, all Blu Ray discs are coated to ensure this does not occur as frequently. Replication methods created and employed by Sony, Panasonic and other retailers help ensure the safety of discs as they are distributed worldwide. There is no way to repair a Blu Ray disc once it is scratched, although several techniques have been developed online but when used, only further the damage by destroying the different layers of information encoded on the surface of the disc itself.

For BD-Rom players, including those used in Playstation 3s, video content can be played back in MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 format. This allows some players to play both Blu Ray and DVD formats. Originally, Blu Ray discs only supported playback in the MPEG-2 format. As far as audio goes, BD-Rom players support Dolby Digital AC-3 and DTS up to 7.1 channels. Eventually, these players will be developed into computer-added components replacing the common DVD-Rom as a standard.

Blu Ray is supported in three main regions: A1, B2 and C3. A1 includes North America, South America, most of Central America and parts of Asia. B2 includes Europe, the Middle East and the South Pacific. C3 includes China, Russia, parts of south Asia and India.

Backwards compatibility

Sony requests that manufacturers make their Blu Ray players backwards compatible for the current DVD standard. Samsung, Panasonic, Philips and other companies have produced various types of Blu Ray players that live up to the backward standard as well as adds CD and DVD recording properties. Each company has released different types of Blu Ray players whereas Sony leads the market only because they have been out on the shelves longer.

HD DVD is the other HD standard when it comes to this new type of DVD technology. While Sony created and has developed Blu Ray; Microsoft, Intel and Toshiba have backed the HD DVD format. HD DVD has a lower disc capacity but this has showed to mean very little in the actual competition between the two discs. Most Blu Ray titles have been released a single layer format which is the same type of format its rival's capacity entails.

At the moment, Columbia Pictures, MGM, Lionsgate, Disney and 20th Century Fox support the Blu Ray format. Universal Studios supports the HD format exclusively. Other studios, such as Warner Bros., DreamWorks and New Line support both formats at the moment.

When it comes down to it, only time will tell who will win the format war. Both Blu Ray and HD DVD discs have their own pros and cons, and the more movies released on each format will yield the winner. Some like the audio of HD DVD better, like myself, whereas others prefer the video quality of Blu Ray players. Take the time to investigate both types of formats, go to a consumer electronics store and watch demos, and get familiar with both discs before you jump into spending the money on creating a new DVD collection as we take the next step into the DVD field.