Blu Ray

The Blu-ray format was created to accommodate the high resolution (HD) video and audio formats that were becoming more and more common. The Blu-ray format was designed by a partnership of companies called the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA). This Association is comprised of world leaders in technology such as Apple, Mitsubishi, and Sony among many others.

Using a blue-violet laser (hence the name) that has a shorter wavelength then the red laser a DVD player uses, Blu-ray discs can typically hold 25-50GB of data (larger sizes are possible). This additional storage can provide cinema quality audio and video for the home and games that introduce much higher resolutions and fidelity.

The Blu-ray format has evolved over time and each enhancement has added functionality to the end user. Blu-ray movies now feature picture-in-picture technology and web enabled functionality to enhance the overall experience. Releases with these features are called BD-Live enabled and are commonplace within modern releases.

When the Blu-ray format was introduced an alternate format was also revealed as HD-DVD. After a lengthily format war Blu-ray eventually won due to overwhelming studio support and the fact that every PlayStation 3 is equipped with a Blu-ray drive.

by Michael Prince Are you a writer, passionate about this or any other topic? Join Blogcritics!

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “Blu Ray”

• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Blu-ray Announced, Along with Sony Streaming Offer

  
  blurayfreak.com — Authority: 118
  Much as they did with the release of Hancock last year, Sony are once again giving owners of their networked Bravia HDTVs or Blu-ray players the chance to rent a new movie online. The film in question is Cloudy with...
  1 hour ago

• LG BD-370 Network Blu-Ray Player + 3 Blu-Rays Discs - $148.87 Shipped

  
  DealBeeper.com — Authority: 140
  Amazon.com has LG BD-370 Network Blu-Ray Player + 3 Blu-Rays Discs for $148.87 with free shipping. SL500_AA280 .jpg"> SL500_AA280 .jpg"> SL500_AA280 .jpg" title=" "> SL500_AA280 .jpg">.jpg"> SL500_AA280 .jpg"> SL500_AA280 .jpg" width="50" border="0" alt="" />
  2 hours ago

• Dell’s Inspiron Zino HD now official in Ireland and UK

  
  Technology Pundit — Authority: 164
  The Irish may be a few hours ahead of us Yanks, but thats not stopping us from snooping on their web pages. Dells long-awaited Inspiron Zino HD has finally popped official over on the outfits IE portal, and considering that it even made a brief appearance on the US site over the weekend, were guessing its only a ...
  3 hours ago

• Buffalo BR-X816U2 8X Blu-ray External Burner

  
  Loopy Gadgets and consumer electronics — Authority: 487
  Buffalo introduces its new 8x External Blu-ray Burner, the Buffalo BR-X816U2. The device connects via USB and has the capability to burn BD, DVD as well as CD media. The Buffalo BR-X816U2 writes BD-R single layer and dual layer at up to 8X, BD-RW at 2X, and DVD+/-R at 16X. DVD-RAM and CD-R are burned at 8X and 48X ...
  4 hours ago

• Last Day: Disneys Up 4 disk combo pack (Blu-ray/DVD) - $19.99 (Reg. $45.99) + $10 Off 2nd Blu-ray Movie!

  
  Cheap Video Games — Authority: 588
  List Price: $45.99 Price: $19.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. You Save: $26.00 (57%) Buy the Up 4 disk combo pack with digital copy and DVD/Blu-ray for $19.99 (Reg. $45.99) and Get $10 Off a Second Blu-ray Disc over at Amazon! You must purchase both items together to receive the ...
  4 hours ago

• Vactor’s Blu-ray Bulletin for November 10, 2009

  
  Fused Film — Authority: 543
  November 10, 2009 Cars: Ultimate Cars Giftset (Walt Disney) Discovery Atlas: Complete Collection (Image) The Echo (Image) Elvis Costello: Spectacle - Season One (Music Distribution) The General (Kino) Godzilla (1998) (Sony) Heat (Warner) The Killers: Live from Royal Albert Hall (Mercury) ...
  5 hours ago

• Blu-ray Movie Releases for the Week of November 10, 2009

  
  Cheap Video Games — Authority: 588
  Blu-ray Movie Releases for the Week of November 10, 2009 Here is the full list: Up (4 Disc Combo Pack with Digital Copy and DVD) [Blu-ray] ~ Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger, and Christopher Plummer Monsters, Inc. (4-Disc Edition) [Blu-ray] ~ Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Bonnie Hunt Heat [Blu-ray] ~ ...
  5 hours ago

• Star Trek DVD and Blu-Ray Retail Exclusives

  
  Once Upon a Geek — Authority: 491
  Next Tuesday (November 17th), Paramount Home Entertainment will release STAR TREK on DVD & Blu-ray!!!  Hot dog!  I loved this movie and can’t wait for the release.  To capitalize on this release, several retailers are offering incentives for you to purchase your copy from their store (as opposed to their ...
  6 hours ago

• Blu-ray Steamroller

  
  VST Platinum Blog — Authority: 153
  To celebrate the 70th anniversary of PINOCCHIO, Disney is released the definitive Blu-ray edition of the beloved classic this past spring. This edition features a richer, more detailed version of the beloved classic and has a wealth of previously unreleased bonus material, hence the second disc. To be sure, the list ...
  6 hours ago

• Netflix The Right Choice

  
  VST Platinum Blog — Authority: 153
  There are many advantages and disadvantages to being a member of Netflix as with any other movie rental service. In my personal opinion, the advantages definitely over ride the disadvantages when it comes to Netflix. Being able to view more movies than I imagined is something I love about Netflix. So you may wonder ...
  7 hours ago

• $10 Off Disney Movie Up Blu-ray Combo Pack

  
  Uberi.com — Authority: 464
  Receive $10 Off Disney Movie Up Blu-ray Combo Pack with this Printable Coupon at any participating retailer.  Here is a screenshot for your reference.  The coupon is valid through 11/14.
  7 hours ago

• Things to Look Forward to: Nov 10th – 13th

  
  Pixelated Geek — Authority: 145
  This week is a very blu week, not in the sad way in the ray way!!! Yes this week marks 2 Pixar Movies hitting Blu Ray and just in time for the holidays. Don’t be down simply look UP…..okay bad joke. So Up is out along with Monster’s Inc. Also this week in terms of games we have Call of Duty: Modern Warfare ...
  8 hours ago

• 500 Days of Summer 2009 720p BluRay DTS x264 WiKi

  
  nikkypals.com — Authority: 149
  
  8 hours ago

• This Week On DVD and Blu-ray: November 10, 2009

  
  RopeofSilicon.com Movie News, Trailers, Reviews and More — Authority: 635
  DVD LINKS: DVD NEWS | RELEASE DATES | NEW DVDS | REVIEWS | RSS FEEDUpI just reviewed the Blu-ray version of this release and may I just say it is worth every penny. Pixar films look phenomenal in high-definition and the word "flawless" is by no means a stretch. Along with my review I have [...]
  8 hours ago

• Buffalo launches new external Blu-ray Drive

  
  HiTech Review — Authority: 513
  Buffalo Technology, a global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of storage, wireless networking and memory solutions, today announced the availability of its new external Blu-ray Drive (BD) – BR-X816U2. The new Buffalo BR-X816U2 is a perfect upgrade for users who want to use High Definition Blu-ray ...
  8 hours ago

• Blu-ray Capsule Review: Cars (Blu-ray Combo Pack Gift Set)

  
  RopeofSilicon.com Movie News, Trailers, Reviews and More — Authority: 635
  Cars (Blu-ray Combo Pack Gift Set)QUICK THOUGHTS: Often looked at as the lesser of the Pixar films (hardly an insult) and at almost two hours I can understand some of those complaints, but this isnt a terrible film by any means. I will, however, say that after defending it when I ranked the first ten [...]
  8 hours ago

• Buy an LG Blu-ray Player, Get 3 Blu-ray Movies for Free!

  
  usrbingeek's musings — Authority: 123
  For a limited time and while supplies last, Buy an LG Blu-ray Player, Get 3 Blu-ray Movies for Free at Amazon.com ! The LG BD 370 Network Blu-ray Disc Player with support for CinemaNow, Netflix, and YouTube is as low as $148.87 (up to 40% Off!) If you think you’re looking at a Blu-ray player, you may ...
  10 hours ago

• New Blu-ray Releases Nov. 10th, 2009: Full List

  
  Backseat Cuddler — Authority: 590
  Blu-ray is the new standard, DVD is on its way out and every week they are releasing many films on the relatively new format. Here’s the full list of Blu-ray movies out this week on November 10th, 2009.Cars: Ultimate Cars Giftset (Walt Disney)Discovery Atlas: Complete Collection (Image)The Echo (Image)Elvis ...
  10 hours ago

• Cinema Static’s Weekly DVD / Blu-ray Report for November 10th 2009

  
  Cinema Static — Authority: 110
  Hey it’s the second week into November and there’s some real cool DVD / Blu-ray releases coming out this Tuesday! (MY DVD PICK OF THE WEEK!) “ Star Wreck In The Pirkinning ,” the Finnish produced masterpiece spoof of Star Trek vs Babylon 5 finally gets a well deserved US DVD release.   Retitled: “ ...
  11 hours ago

• Out Today on DVD and Blu-ray 11/10/2009

  
  Big Shiny Robot! — Authority: 507
  The two biggest releases today are obviously Pixar films.  UP and Monsters, Inc. both came out on Blu-ray today. For those hemming and hawing about grabbing the giant four disc Blu-ray versions, quit it and just bite the bullet. Especially now that the four disc set of UP is on sale at Amazon for less than ...
  11 hours ago

Comments about Blu Ray