What is a Blu-Ray Disc (BD)?
Blu-ray is a next-generation optical disc format, featuring a significant increase in storage capacity facilitating support for high definition (HD) video and audio. Blu-ray derives its name from the blue-violet laser used to read the disc and offers superior connectivity and advanced interactivity over it's competitor HD-DVD.
(What are the Benefits of High Definition (HD)?)
The introduction of high definition compatible technologies allows for full support of 720p, 1080i and 1080p HD video and establishes 7.1 audio mastering with the lossless DTS HD and Dolby TrueHD audio formats.
High definition video and audio offer an increase in clarity as less compression is required to store the data on the high capacity next-generation formats. To take advantage of HD video you will require a HD compatible television, and similarly a HD decoder for the lossless audio formats.
Will Blu-Ray and HD-DVD make DVDs obsolete?
The good news is that blu-ray HD is backwards compatible, meaning that your current DVD library won't be made obselete. Additionally, as with any emerging technology, there will be a significant conversion period as consumers, manufacturers and retailers slowly adopt the new formats - DVD will be around for a long while yet!
How do I Play BDs?
A Blu-ray player will be required to view BDs. Blu-ray players will feature backwards support for DVD but will not be compatible with it's competitor HD-DVD.
Which Format Do I Choose?
The HD format war is reminiscent of the VHS vs Beta struggle a couple decades ago, and it is quite likely that only one technology will come out victorious. As both formats are still in their infancy, and with significant backers on either side, it is still too early to determine a successor to DVD.
All Blu-ray Discs are encoded. Region Codes for Blu-ray discs are shown on the DVD Cover.
Region A encoded Blu-ray discs will not play in Australian Blu-ray/PS3 Players.
Blu-ray Discs encode Region A are playable in all US. Blu-ra/PS3 Players.
