Blu-ray Disc

Blu-ray Disc

The Blu-ray Disc (BD) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was designed to supersede the DVD format, and is capable of storing several hours of high-definition video (HDTV 720p and 1080p). The main application of Blu-ray Discs is as a medium for video material such as feature films and for the physical distribution of video games for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.

History

The Blu-ray Disc was developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association, a group representing makers of consumer electronics, computer hardware, and motion pictures. The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting, and playback of high-definition video, as well as storing large amounts of data. The name "Blu-ray" refers to the blue laser used to read the disc, which allows for greater data density compared to the red laser used for DVDs.

Technical Specifications

Blu-ray Discs are available in several storage capacities:

• Single-layer: 25 GB
• Dual-layer: 50 GB
• Triple-layer: 100 GB (BDXL)
• Quad-layer: 128 GB (BDXL)

The format supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (1080p) and a frame rate of 24 frames per second, which is the standard for most films. Blu-ray Discs use a 405 nm blue laser to read and write data, which allows for a tighter focus and more data to be stored on the disc.

Video and Audio

Blu-ray Discs support a variety of video codecs, including MPEG-2, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, and VC-1. Audio codecs supported include Dolby Digital, DTS, and Linear PCM. The format also supports high-definition audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Copy Protection

Blu-ray Discs use a digital rights management (DRM) system called Advanced Access Content System (AACS) to prevent unauthorized copying. AACS is a standard for content distribution and digital rights management that was developed by a consortium that includes Disney, Intel, Microsoft, Panasonic, Warner Bros., and others.

Adoption and Market Impact

The Blu-ray Disc format was officially released on June 20, 2006. It faced competition from the HD DVD format, which was developed by Toshiba and supported by companies such as Microsoft and Intel. However, Blu-ray ultimately became the dominant format after major studios such as Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures decided to release their films exclusively on Blu-ray.

Future of Blu-ray

With the rise of streaming services and digital downloads, the demand for physical media has declined. However, Blu-ray Discs continue to be popular among collectors and enthusiasts who value the high-quality video and audio that the format provides. The introduction of Ultra HD Blu-ray, which supports 4K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR), has extended the lifespan of the format.

See Also

• DVD
• Ultra HD Blu-ray
• Digital rights management
• Optical disc

References

• "Blu-ray Disc Association." [1]
• "Advanced Access Content System." [2]

External Links

• Blu-ray.com
• Blu-ray Disc Association