What's Blu-ray?
Blu-ray disk is an optical storage medium built to replace the DVD format. Boasting 5 times the resolution of DVD, this is the video format of the future and a Blu-Ray player is an indispensable accompaniment to any modern HDTV. The picture, sound and interactive enhancements that Blu-Ray brings is electrifying. The Blu-ray multi media format allows for the audio and video to be stored with higher definition than on DVD.
The disk is the very same size as DVDs and CDs and DVD playback is standard on all Blu-ray players so you do not need to replace your present DVD film collection. Many top end players even provide access to online video services as well as support for the 3D Blu-Ray standard. At the moment, the price of Blu-ray Discs is typically around double that of DVDs and contain 25GB per layer, with twin/dual layer discs (50GB) being the standard for feature-length videos. Triple-layer discs (100GB) and quadruple layer (128GB) for BD-XL re-writer drives.
HD Formats
HDTV come in 2 main formats 1080i and 1080p. The four-digit number tells you how many horizontal lines make up the picture, and the letter shows how it's broadcast. The ' i ' means the picture is 'interlaced ' and sent in 2 sequences, one after another, and then meshed together. Nearly all HD broadcasts are in 1080i. But most hi-def DVD players use the 1080p format where the picture is sent in a single sequence making the picture sharper than 1080i (but the difference is not exactly noticeable).
You cannot view Blu-ray in high definition glory without an HDTV. Most new HD-ready sets can process a 1080p signal and will work fine with Blu-ray players (TVs with an 'HD-ready 1080p ' brand simply have a higher display resolution which isn't a guarantee of a better picture). It's unfortunate that many older HD-ready sets cannot do justice to the Blu-ray standard of playback and it isn't rare to see a slight juddering effect on these older televisions.
The HD Upscaling Myth
Some companies claim if you playback a standard (non HD) DVD in your Blu-ray player when connected through HDMI the picture will be 'up-scaled ' or improved to give a pseudo HD effect. Unhappily this is just hype by advertisers and many pros and purists will make it clear that there's really no identifiable improvement.
What are the advantages over HD-DVD?
Even though both Blu-ray and HD-DVD are similar in various ways, there are a number of significant differences between them. As well as capacity, Blu-ray has a larger information transmission rate for video and audio (54Mbps vs 36.55Mbps). The greater storage capacity and information transfers for Blu-ray enables picture studios to release their films with higher quality video and sound quality than the HD-DVD format. As far as content is concerned, Blu-ray has gained in depth support from the leading movie studios as a successor to DVD format (so you actually won't be able of get your films in other formats) and selecting the format with the best availability of content reduces risk.
The Blu-ray format has additionally broad approval from the world's major electronics, computer and media producers, along with Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Pioneer, Sharp, JVC, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, TDK, Thomson, LG, Apple, HP and Dell. Blu-ray is also supported in the latest-generation PlayStation 3 (PS3) console. This implies that you'll have an incredible choice of players and hardware. HD-DVD format has noticeably less supporters, so the quantity of content and hardware will be exceedingly limited. Toshiba was the only company providing a stand-alone HD-DVD player and have now finally made a decision to pull back from the battle and stop producing Hi-D units (so Blu-ray has definitely won the day).
Why should I upgrade?
The straightforward answer is for HDTV. If you've ever seen Hi-D (HD) video on an HDTV, then you know how incredibly fine the image is and how bright the colors are. Blu-ray player reviews will rave about the way that HD delivers a bigger amount of detail compared to standard-definition (SD). The problem with today's DVDs, is they don't have the essential storage capacity to satisfy the prerequisites of HD. That is where Blu-ray comes in, it offers up to 50GB of capacity and allows playback, recording and rewriting in HD resolutions including 1080p. The format also supports high definition audio codecs and lossless audio.
In addition to the better audio and video quality, the higher capacity also means there is extra space for additonal content and individual features. This mixed with the new BD-J interactiveness layer adopted as part of Blu-ray can carry the menus, pictures and unique options to an. Entire new level. For example, it's feasible for you to bring up the menu system as an overlay without stopping the film. It is also possible to have the director on the screen explaining the filming of a scene at the same time as the movie in the background. The advanced interaction with the networking capabilities of Blu-ray will also permit content manufacturers to support new inventive options by making available extra content for download through the Net along with being in a position to watch live event broadcasts.
With the bigger HD video and sound quality in addition to the advanced interactiveness and networking options, Blu-ray represents a massive jump ahead and can supply a great HD viewing experience.
Blu-ray disk is an optical storage medium built to replace the DVD format. Boasting 5 times the resolution of DVD, this is the video format of the future and a Blu-Ray player is an indispensable accompaniment to any modern HDTV. The picture, sound and interactive enhancements that Blu-Ray brings is electrifying. The Blu-ray multi media format allows for the audio and video to be stored with higher definition than on DVD.
The disk is the very same size as DVDs and CDs and DVD playback is standard on all Blu-ray players so you do not need to replace your present DVD film collection. Many top end players even provide access to online video services as well as support for the 3D Blu-Ray standard. At the moment, the price of Blu-ray Discs is typically around double that of DVDs and contain 25GB per layer, with twin/dual layer discs (50GB) being the standard for feature-length videos. Triple-layer discs (100GB) and quadruple layer (128GB) for BD-XL re-writer drives.
HD Formats
HDTV come in 2 main formats 1080i and 1080p. The four-digit number tells you how many horizontal lines make up the picture, and the letter shows how it's broadcast. The ' i ' means the picture is 'interlaced ' and sent in 2 sequences, one after another, and then meshed together. Nearly all HD broadcasts are in 1080i. But most hi-def DVD players use the 1080p format where the picture is sent in a single sequence making the picture sharper than 1080i (but the difference is not exactly noticeable).
You cannot view Blu-ray in high definition glory without an HDTV. Most new HD-ready sets can process a 1080p signal and will work fine with Blu-ray players (TVs with an 'HD-ready 1080p ' brand simply have a higher display resolution which isn't a guarantee of a better picture). It's unfortunate that many older HD-ready sets cannot do justice to the Blu-ray standard of playback and it isn't rare to see a slight juddering effect on these older televisions.
The HD Upscaling Myth
Some companies claim if you playback a standard (non HD) DVD in your Blu-ray player when connected through HDMI the picture will be 'up-scaled ' or improved to give a pseudo HD effect. Unhappily this is just hype by advertisers and many pros and purists will make it clear that there's really no identifiable improvement.
What are the advantages over HD-DVD?
Even though both Blu-ray and HD-DVD are similar in various ways, there are a number of significant differences between them. As well as capacity, Blu-ray has a larger information transmission rate for video and audio (54Mbps vs 36.55Mbps). The greater storage capacity and information transfers for Blu-ray enables picture studios to release their films with higher quality video and sound quality than the HD-DVD format. As far as content is concerned, Blu-ray has gained in depth support from the leading movie studios as a successor to DVD format (so you actually won't be able of get your films in other formats) and selecting the format with the best availability of content reduces risk.
The Blu-ray format has additionally broad approval from the world's major electronics, computer and media producers, along with Sony, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Pioneer, Sharp, JVC, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, TDK, Thomson, LG, Apple, HP and Dell. Blu-ray is also supported in the latest-generation PlayStation 3 (PS3) console. This implies that you'll have an incredible choice of players and hardware. HD-DVD format has noticeably less supporters, so the quantity of content and hardware will be exceedingly limited. Toshiba was the only company providing a stand-alone HD-DVD player and have now finally made a decision to pull back from the battle and stop producing Hi-D units (so Blu-ray has definitely won the day).
Why should I upgrade?
The straightforward answer is for HDTV. If you've ever seen Hi-D (HD) video on an HDTV, then you know how incredibly fine the image is and how bright the colors are. Blu-ray player reviews will rave about the way that HD delivers a bigger amount of detail compared to standard-definition (SD). The problem with today's DVDs, is they don't have the essential storage capacity to satisfy the prerequisites of HD. That is where Blu-ray comes in, it offers up to 50GB of capacity and allows playback, recording and rewriting in HD resolutions including 1080p. The format also supports high definition audio codecs and lossless audio.
In addition to the better audio and video quality, the higher capacity also means there is extra space for additonal content and individual features. This mixed with the new BD-J interactiveness layer adopted as part of Blu-ray can carry the menus, pictures and unique options to an. Entire new level. For example, it's feasible for you to bring up the menu system as an overlay without stopping the film. It is also possible to have the director on the screen explaining the filming of a scene at the same time as the movie in the background. The advanced interaction with the networking capabilities of Blu-ray will also permit content manufacturers to support new inventive options by making available extra content for download through the Net along with being in a position to watch live event broadcasts.
With the bigger HD video and sound quality in addition to the advanced interactiveness and networking options, Blu-ray represents a massive jump ahead and can supply a great HD viewing experience.
About the Author:
Kenny Smith is the creator and editor of ReviewGizmo which aims to help in finding the best value for your hard-earned cash with a big number of product reviews from experts and users personal experiences as well as finding you the lowest prices available.
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