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[M807]Must Have Blu Ray

by John Richardson, Joh

New technology is now making it possible for viewers to record and store high definition programming onto DVDs. Blu-ray Disc is one method of recording HD content onto an optical disc. A blue-laser optical disc (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4) is used. Systems that use this technology will be able to play traditional DVDs, but the goal of Blu-ray is to create an image that's as close to the HD format as possible. The name Blu-ray comes from the blue laser that decodes and copies information to each disk. Blu-ray technology may very well revolutionize the world of high definition programming. The Blu-ray disc format offers greater potential for storage, usually 25 gigabytes, which exceeds that of a standard DVD (15 gigabytes). One single-layer Blu-ray disk can hold about four hours of high definition content. A two-layer disk can contain eight hours of HD content. Four- and eight-layer disks are now in the works. These disks would have storage capabilities of 100 and 200 gigabytes. The Blu-ray recording system utilizes a shorter wavelength for recording information than traditional CDs and DVDs, and this is part of what allows it to hold more content on a single disk.

Blu-ray has also influenced the computer industry, specifically in terms of data storage capability. A number of major companies have come out in support of Blu-ray, including Apple, Dell, Hitachi, Pioneer, and Sony. Hewlett Packard plans to market desktop computers and laptops that utilize Blu-ray technology. Sony has announced that it will introduce a Blu-ray component in PlayStation 3, which is expected to appear in November of this year. Microsoft has also said that it may add a Blu-ray component to its Xbox 360. Currently, Blu-ray is only available in Japan, but it will appear in the United States in May, in video games and a DVD system that recreates a high definition effect on a viewer's TV.

Many movie studios have Blu-ray films planned for future release. In 2005, Sony Pictures cornered the market on the first Blu-ray feature-length movie disk, which was none other than Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. Studios that support the technology include Walt Disney and Twentieth Century Fox.

Competing with Blu-ray in the area of HD storage is HD DVD. HD DVD disks have less storage capability, but they're cheaper to produce. Other big-name companies are showing their support for this option, including Microsoft, Intel and Toshiba, as well as Universal Studios. In what may be the smartest move, some companies are backing both types of technology, ensuring that their products support both Blu-ray and HD DVD. These companies include Samsung, Paramount and Warner Brothers.

Blu-ray is facing challenges from other competitors in the HD market: the Enhanced Versatile disk, the Digital Multilayer disk, and the Holographic Versatile disk are a few alternatives to Blu-ray. But at the moment, Blu-ray has a strong lead in the HD race. For more New Technology information check out: http://www.newtechnologytv.com.

Are you wondering if you should succumb to the Blu Ray technology, or just stick with your old DVD player? The answer depends on how big a movie buff you are, really. If you're the kind of person who watches movies every week or every couple weeks and loves that home theater, high-definition, surround-sound experience, then a Blu Ray disc player is in your near future. However, if you were reluctant to dispose of your old VCR, you prefer going out to the movies, or you consider yourself to be extremely frugal, then you might choose to enjoy a friend's Blu Ray movies instead.

There's no way to predict what will happen next and it's hard to resist the call to consumerism. One thing is for sure: Sony's Blu Ray has impressed the likes of Warner Brothers, Fox, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount and Disney studios enough to produce all upcoming high-definition releases in the new format.

Blu Ray (BR) is the new format developed for optimal recording, rewriting, playing and storing of high-definition video. The world first learned about the new technology with the release of Sony's PlayStation3 in November 2006. To make more advanced games, Sony needed a way to "fit in" more data. While the DVDs in your current collection hold 9 GB of information, the Blu Ray discs are able to hold 25-50 GB, making it five times more efficient!

Several days after the November 2006 release of PS3, Sony offered its first stand alone Blu Ray disc player for $300. Thanks to the new technology, the PlayStation was surpassing its rival, the Xbox360, by selling 13 million units. The Blu Ray 1.0 was your bare bones player, but it lacked ethernet ports and all of the functionality that the superior PS3 machines had.

Since November, all the Blu Ray players featuring 1.1-2.0 technology and are BD-Live enabled, meaning that you can link up to the internet to download movie trailers onto the rewritable portion of your Blu Ray disc and play interactive games, as well as receive firmware updates and exclusive downloads of additional bonus material.

The interactive nature of the Blu Ray format was a major selling feature for film studios because it allows them more creativity and personalized interaction. The developers are talking about further innovation with music discs and cell phone ring tones. So far, the best way to buy the Blu Ray technology is by purchasing a PlayStation3, which will allow you to do much more than just watch amazing high-definition movies. You'll also be able to listen to music, surf the web, store data and play video games (against the computer or another player on the console and online against multiple players). The machine starts at $399 and is the cheapest way to bring the new technology into your home.

If you were one of the unfortunate ones to purchase Toshiba or Microsoft's HD DVD players, then there is not much you can do at this point but cut your losses. The "buzz gift of 2007" is slowly being pushed out of the market in favor of Sony's new media. However, there are some people who suspect that more consumers will stay out of the turf war all together and will simply download new movies.

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Both John Richardson & Ivan J Finch are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

John Richardson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Entertainment Guide, Other Conditions and Information Technology. . John Richardson's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.

Ivan J Finch has sinced written about articles on various topics from Information Technology, Computers and The Internet and Information Technology. Get the information you need to make educated desicions about , or. Ivan J Finch's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.