Introduction-Technology  Blu-ray Discs are the same size and shape as current DVDs  Discs are the same thickness but Blu-ray Discs have a thinner protective layer  Blu-ray Discs can transfer data and video at 3 times the rate of a DVD  Blu-ray Discs also hold more data than DVDs and HD-DVDs

Introduction-Technology  Blu-ray players/recorders use a blue laser to read/write Blu-ray Discs  This laser has a smaller wavelength than the red laser used for DVDs  Blu-ray players/recorders have a numerical aperture value higher than DVD or HD-DVD  These players focus the laser onto a smaller area, allowing more data to be stored in the same amount of space  Blu-ray players can be designed to be back compatible with DVDs

Evolution  Development was caused by the demand of more storage per area  Nichia discovers blue laser (gallium nitrite) that lasts for more than 10,000 hrs (min. lifetime to be manufactured)  Research by Blu-ray Disc Association: consortium led by nine top companies  Sony, Phillips, Sharp, Hitachi, Samsung, etc.  Single, double, and quad-layer discs

Benefits  Shorter wavelength of the blue-violet laser allows for a higher storage capacity  5x more storage than DVD  High quality audio and High Definition video  High reading and recording speeds  3x faster than DVD  Interactivity  Live updates of movies, games, etc., through the player’s access of the internet  Production cost is lower than DVDs’  Strong protective layer makes it less vulnerable to scratches  Blu-ray player is backwards compatible with CDs and DVDs.

Criticism  Expensive for the consumer  Market price is presently high  Consumer must purchase a Blu-Ray player  Consumer must have HDTV to experience Blu-ray to its full potential  Digital Rights Management limits content usage

Opinion Blu-Ray Offers Greater Storage than DVDs or HD- DVDS (50/30/8.5gb) Offers Full 1080p High-Definition Greater Interactivity Blu-Ray is utilized by the Next-Gen Video Game Console, the PS3 Blu-Ray Has Support of Most of the Major Movie Studios and Consumer Electronic Companies

Opinion The Only High Definition Disk of the Future It is a new product and has not yet been perfected It is more expensive than today’s standards If you have the money, we recommend this product for its innovation, quality and unrivaled support However, more advanced users or privateers may not like the DRM features

Works Cited Blu-ray.com Blu-ray Disc. (2006). In High Definition: A-Z Guide to Personal Technology. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. August 27, Butler, Richard. “Blue lasers.” Chemistry and Industry, March 4, 2002 p9