What is blu ray in a car. What is blu ray and how does it differ from the regular format, as well as what image quality it provides?
By now, various TV manufacturers have already presented quite a lot of demo clips in 4K resolution, which look spectacular on the screens of all ultra high definition (UHD) TVs and are absolutely breathtaking. But can we expect the same level of clarity for regular 4K films that weren't shot to deliberately highlight the high resolution of the panels? Not to mention that many films go through additional video processing after filming to “soften” them, giving them an image closer to the film original, unlike those crisp and very cleaned up promotional materials.
We weren't able to get Sony's new FMP-X1 media player loaded with UHD Hollywood movies, but were instead able to borrow a signal generator preloaded with clips from the 4K films After Earth and Total Recall. Of course, these sample clips don't correspond to actual full-length films and may not accurately represent most 4K movies on screen, but they give an idea of what we can expect.
After Earth
This is what the Earth looks like after our era on the screen of a Sony Bravia KD-65X9004 UHD TV. All screenshots (screenshots) were taken using a Canon EOS 600D DSLR camera equipped with an EF 23-105mm F4 L lens at ISO100. Please note that the images shown have only been cropped and resized compared to the original images. No additional processing was used.
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There are many small details that please the eye in this subject, especially in the dense vegetation.
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In this close-up you will be able to make out facial features such as the eyes, nose and mouth.
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Enjoy the hand-held display, which has been rendered with clearly recognizable text and graphics.
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There is no sign of jagged edges, also known as steps, despite the large number of diagonal and curved lines in this shot.
Remember all
For this film, we were able to compare the 4K and Blu-ray versions using the LG 65LA9700 and 55LM9600 TVs, respectively. Both TVs have similar LED backlighting systems, which should minimize any variations in terms of screen contrast.
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This scene depicts a sprawling cityscape that provides an excellent test of clarity between 4K and Blu-ray formats.
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Additionally, the difference in pixel size and density is obvious, with signs and jug-like objects also clearer in 4K.
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It's pretty much the same thing with the previously revealed close-up, except that 4K also appears a little sharper.
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We continued to look at the pixels now in this night scene, with many high contrast parts.
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4K again offers slightly better clarity, and jaggies can be seen at the bottom of the screen in the 1080p version.
Good, but could be better
Taking a closer look at these videos, you'll notice that the differences between 4K and Blu-Ray films are surprisingly minor. Apart from the slight improvement in sharpness and clarity, you're unlikely to recognize the video format on screen at first glance. Keep in mind that 4K is only four times the resolution of Blu-ray, while Blu-ray has six times the resolution of the DVD format.
However, future 4K movies, whether sourced from 4K Blu-ray discs or live TV, will likely offer more than just picture clarity. It is possible to move more smoothly with a frame rate of 60 Hz, supported by HDMI 2.0, and the colors will become richer in accordance with the color palette of the Rec. 2020.
Translation from HDTV Solutions.com
The cost of Blu-ray players has recently dropped significantly, moving them from the category of luxury products to the mass market sector. Today you can find models with a varied set of additional features at an affordable price for every buyer. This guide will help the buyer decide when choosing a Blu-ray player.
A little bit of history
For those who are not familiar with the history of Blu-ray players, a short historical excursion may be useful. The information received will really help in the process of choosing the player you need.
Blu-ray players are essentially the same DVD players, adapted to play larger discs and equipped with additional features. And the main feature of Blu-ray discs is the ability to record high-definition video on them.
Let's go back to the recent past, when TVs were thin and not flat, and their screen resolution was 480 lines, which is now called standard (SD). To watch films on such TVs, video studios recorded them on DVD discs in a resolution of 480 lines. This format suited everyone until the HDTV TVs that took over the market today appeared.
As an interim solution, manufacturers have equipped traditional DVD players with technology to upscale standard 480p video with the ability to display a video signal in 1080p resolution on the TV screen.
The presence of upscaling technology in traditional DVD players is considered by many to be the reason why many people do not buy Blu-ray players. (Although, I guess the main reason is their high cost).
I'm amazed at how well players can upscale 480p source material to high definition, allowing you to enjoy old collections on DVD. However, when performing upscaling, the player has a limited amount of video information, and calculates the missing information by filling the gaps in the image with increased quality and trying to create a picture as similar as possible to the original, but in high resolution.
But even the latest powerful video processors in the best players have limited capabilities for improving images from DVD discs. DVD resolution is not enough to create high-quality, high-definition images. To provide full high-definition images on an HDTV screen, disks capable of storing more data and players capable of reproducing them are required.
A single-sided DVD can hold up to 4.7 gigabytes (GB) of data, which is enough for standard-definition movies but not enough for 1080p high-definition features.
To increase the capacity of an optical disk, technology using a blue laser was developed. We managed to fit 25 GB of information onto a single-layer Blu-ray disc. Since that time, film studios began recording their films on Blu-ray discs in super resolution 1080p. High-definition video captures more detail, sharper images and better color reproduction, allowing your HDTV to perform at its best. Naturally, the image provided by Blu-ray discs is much better than that achieved by upscaling a standard DVD.
Blu-ray players appeared in 2006. And for some time there was a so-called war of formats. Toshiba and a number of other companies have developed and began producing HD DVD players that are incompatible with the regular DVD format. (Neither Blu-ray players nor DVDs could read HD DVDs.)
Toshiba capitulated in early 2008 and stopped developing HD DVD players. The end of the format war was the introduction of the first Blu-ray player Toshiba BDX2000.
Blu-ray specification
The stages of improvement in Blu-ray players in recent years are reflected in three specifications called profiles - Profile 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0.
Profile 1.0 provides Blu-ray disc playback and basic interactive functionality. Profile 1.1, also called BonusView, allows picture-in-picture display and secondary audio tracks from BonusView discs. All Blu-ray players manufactured after October 31, 2007 met at least profile 1.1. Several models of profile 1.1 are still being produced.
A little later, BD-Live or Profile 2.0 appeared, requiring players to have a port to connect to the Internet, from where content available for players with BD-Live technology can be downloaded. Let's figure out how BD-Live players work. Built-in hardware and software components allow them to access the Internet directly, without a computer. If wired Internet is available in your home, you can connect an Ethernet cable from the player to the router. (Some players have a wireless interface for connection).
If you then load a BD-Live compatible disc into the player, a menu containing a BD-Live option will appear on the TV screen. If you open it, the player will connect to the film studio's website and offer you additional materials. For example, for the first disc of Transformers, you can download video clips of interviews with the director and film troupe, and experiment with robots.
Not all Blu-ray Disc movies support BD-Live technology, but those that do offer a variety of extras. Many movies, especially Disney ones, allow you to connect to social networks, so you can chat with friends who are also watching the movie at the same time.
Some viewers aren't interested in BD-Live extras. If you just want to watch a movie without any extras, like on an old DVD player, do not connect your player to the Internet or even choose a player model that supports profile 1.1 (BonusView). Such players are also generally cheaper than models that support BD-Live. Thus, if you are not interested in BD-Live or do not have the ability to connect to the Internet, you can save a little by purchasing a player only with BonusView support.
When familiarizing yourself with various player models, you may come across the term “BD-Live Ready”. Typically, such models belong to profile 1.1, but have an Ethernet port and after replacing the firmware, the player can become compatible with BD-Live.
You should also know that in order to load BD-Live materials, the player must have at least 1 GB of memory. Some models have built-in memory, others like the Sharp BD-HP22U include 2GB of external memory as part of the purchase package. Other players have neither internal nor external memory and leave the solution to this problem to you.
Many people already have flash drives at home and can use them together with the player. In any case, if you plan to use the BD-Live function, make sure that the player has built-in memory; if not, check that the flash drive is included in the purchase.
Compatibility
As I already noted, most of the players sold today are equipped with a wide range of functionality and belong to the 2.0 profile. But let's start looking at players with profile 1.1. The main parameter of the player is compatibility. Almost all Blu-ray players can play DVDs and audio discs. As well as a variety of format options such as BD-R/RE, CD (CD-DA), CD-R/RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R and DVD-RW.
If you have no idea about the need to support any of these formats, you probably don't need to worry, because commercial movie and music discs typically don't use them. And if you have similar discs, you should check the player’s specifications for compatibility with this recording format.
USB port and SD card slot
Many manufacturers build a USB port or SD card slot into the player, which allows you to receive content from USB drives or SD cards.
The most frequently used function is playback of photos from flash drives. Some players only allow you to read photos in .jpeg format, others can play music and movies. If you are a fan of the DIVX video format, you may want to look for a player that supports this format. To do this, you will have to study the specifications of the players to find out what files they support. I can imagine the need to view photos and videos from flash drives, but I don’t see the point in listening to music through the TV, for two reasons. First, not all TVs have a function to turn off the screen when listening to music. This will cause your TV to consume additional electricity. And perhaps more importantly, the audio quality of most TVs is not good enough.
However, if you pass the sound from the player through an audio/video receiver to a separate speaker system, this will be a much better solution. Which is akin to another opportunity that is near and dear to many audiophiles who love their analog audio/video receivers.
Analog 7.1 audio outputs
Most inexpensive Blu-ray players only have analog stereo audio output. Therefore, most users take a digital audio signal from the player either via an HDMI cable or from the SPDIF digital output. And this is a perfect solution.
But there are analogue audio purists who choose a Blu-ray player with 7.1 audio outputs, which are found on some high-end players like the Pioneer BDP-320. Typically, you pay an additional price for this feature. And if there is no need for it, you can find similar less expensive models with only a stereo output.
Network connection
If, having purchased a profile 2.0 player, you want to use the BD-Live functions, you will have to connect it to the network, which will require certain skills.
If you, like me, have a router with network access, but located in another room, you will have to lay a special network cable from there and connect it to your Blu-ray player.
Another option could be a wireless connection. Players such as the Sony BDP-560 have a built-in wireless interface. Others, like the Samsung BD-P3600, can use a separate wireless adapter included in the kit. Other users will have to find and buy a compatible wireless adapter.
The next step will require you to perform a software connection procedure to the network, which can vary significantly depending on the equipment used and the method of accessing the network.
Streaming Content
All the previous steps can be an ordeal, but once the player is connected to your home network, all your efforts will be rewarded with the variety of materials now available to play. One of the invaluable advantages is the ability to directly play files from your computer or media server that are now received via your home network. But not all players support this feature. In the reference literature for players, you need to look at the ability to connect with DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) devices.
I don't like much of the BD-Live footage I've seen, but I can appreciate how many movie fans would like to see more behind-the-scenes clips and experiment with the interactive features.
I'm more interested in Internet content providers. For example, the LG BD370 player supports connection to Netflix, CinemaNow and YouTube from the main menu. When the player is connected to the Internet, you can use it to watch movies and videos received in streaming format on your TV screen.
I love watching movies, and I'm intoxicated by the ability to instantly download over 17,000 movies from Netflix. If you're a monthly Netflix subscriber, this streaming service is free for you. Other player manufacturers partner with providers like Amazon Video on Demand, whose service is different from Netflix. On Amazon, you either buy the material or pay for the display. For an additional fee, Amazon offers a selection of more than 40,000 items.
With any of these providers, you could watch movies and videos from the comfort of your home, all day long.
Recently, streaming video from the Internet and devices offering access to it have been developing like an avalanche. The number of TV models that have the ability to directly connect to the Internet is increasing. A variety of devices and set-top boxes are appearing that provide streaming content from the Internet.
If you plan to receive streaming video from the Internet in good quality, you need a fairly fast and stable connection to your Internet provider, ideally about 10 megabits per second. I know some sites offer a low speed stream of around 2.5 megabits per second. But if someone in your home watches movies on this connection at the same time as you, the quality of the movie may deteriorate. At least try to have 5 megabits per second. To summarize, I want to say that you will be even more satisfied with a super high-speed connection.
Design
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As for the color range of the cases, you can find matte black, glossy black and gray, sometimes with a silver finish. I know designers who struggle with every curve and detail they're not sure about, but most Blu-ray players look the same. And after they often began to be hidden on shelves, their appearance probably does not matter much when choosing a purchase.
Fine adjustment controls
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I'm guessing that if you feel the need to make adjustments, you turn to the TV first, not the player. If you are a fan of player settings, then, as I have seen, the OPPO BDP-83 has one of the most advanced sets of controls.
Energy consumption
You might think that you don't need to worry about the power consumption of a device as small as a Blu-ray player. And you are wrong, many have a habit of sucking extra electricity.
For example, I recently dealt with the Sony BDP-S560 player. Measured disc playback power consumption ranged between 17.3 and 17.5 watts, which is average for such players. 17 watts is a small energy consumption, especially if you use the player three to four times a week.
But there is one trap here. The BDP-S560 has a Quick Start mode that reduces boot time when the player is turned on. And it increases electricity consumption. If you enable the Quick Start mode, then when the player is switched to standby mode, the measured power readings do not fall below 7.8 - 8 watts. And if you disable the Quick Start mode in the system settings menu, then when the player is turned off, the power consumption drops to almost zero. Do you need the player to run the electric meter for 160 hours a week?
This is one of the reasons why I don't pay attention to how quickly the player loads the disc. For me, the minor time savings with Quick Start enabled does not matter given the constant power consumption.
Reliability
Of course, you should expect your player to handle any content from purchased discs flawlessly. (I will not dwell on the expectations of good playback of the disc that Uncle Vasya burned on his computer). You have to understand that if you save $25 on a new movie release, you can't expect a perfect showing.
It's a reality that some high-end Blu-ray players stumble on certain content. To be fair, usually the problem areas are associated with special shooting modes and these are where many players tend to stumble. I still think that half of this problem is a flaw in the software part.
The Blu-ray format is still going through growing pains. Manufacturers are exploring new technologies and algorithms for processing and presenting content. Occasionally problems arise. Fortunately, most manufacturers responsibly release firmware updates for their players. And I always repeat, the first time you set up your player, make sure you are using the latest version of the software.
I don't want to discourage you from buying a Blu-ray player and enjoying high-definition video and high-quality sound. I just want to make you aware of possible disadvantages. I recommend that when purchasing a player, whether it's $500 or less than $100, you give it a good test run with a few of your favorite movies in both standard and high definition.
Characteristics
I left the talk about characteristics near the end of this guide, but I realized that it was too hot a topic to unceremoniously skip over. But it is also too large and varied to be adequately covered in a few paragraphs.
Let me start with a general statement. When playing discs, the quality of audio and video output from the player will be excellent, even if the image is obtained by upscaling standard definition video.
If you're a critical videophile, I couldn't be more clear about the differences in player performance here. And I believe we will quickly reach a common understanding that the quality of your HDTV and audio system are more important factors in getting good picture and sound.
Price
And finally the guide about the cost of purchase. I've already heard about $80 Blu-ray players coming out. In this regard, I can say that “you will get what you paid for” and I am not ready to discuss the benefits of such a purchase.
I know that when the first Blu-ray players appeared, manufacturers could inflate the cost by $300 - $400. Now Blu-ray players are quickly becoming common consumer goods, as are standard definition models - DVD players. This does not mean that all models are the same. You definitely have a choice in features and price. And I assure you, you can find excellent quality models for under $200 and even under $150 during the New Year sales.
Control questions
As a summary of the manual, there are security questions that you should consider before purchasing a player.
- You want the player to play rare DVD or CD formats such as BD-R/RE, CD (CD-DA), CD-R/RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R and DVD-RW. Then check the player specification and make sure it supports the required formats.
- Do you need to play photos, music and video files via a USB port or from SD cards? Many players have such capabilities. However, some allow you to play only photos, without music and videos.
- You need 7.1 analog audio outputs. If you are going to buy such a player, know that not everyone uses this sound reproduction option, because players with support for this function are usually more expensive.
- Are you planning to connect your Blu-ray player to the Internet and home network? If not, you can get by with a player that only supports the 1.1 profile if you see one at an attractive price.
- Are you planning to connect to the Internet via a wired or wireless interface? Wireless is more convenient and enjoyable, but players with wireless interface support are usually more expensive.
- Do you want to have Internet access to providers such as Netflix or YouTube? Not all Profile 2.0 players provide the required connection; the list of available providers varies from model to model.
I constantly hear in conversations: Blu-ray movies, bluray music and how good are they, but I really don't understand what they are? So my question is simple, What is Blu-ray?
History of Blu-Ray
Development Blu-Ray starts in 2000, the format was officially opened in June 2006, relying on large companies like Sony, Samsung, Sharp, Thomson, Hitachi, Matsushita, Pioneer, Philips, Mistubishi And LG Electronics . This format was developed to enable recording, dubbing and playback of high definition video ( HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. While existing optical disc technologies such as DVD, DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM use a red laser to read and write data, the new format uses a blue-violet laser, hence the name Blu-Ray.
The blue-violet laser (405 nm) has a shorter wavelength than the red laser (650 nm). This allows more data to fit more compactly on a disc, even if it is the same size as a CD/DVD.
This format is also widely supported by major film studios as a successor to today's DVD format. Seven of the eight largest film industry giants have already announced the release of their film epics on Blu-Ray, including Fox, Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate, Warner, Disney and MGM . The first films to be released on Blu-Ray consist of more than 100 titles, including the latest hits as well as such classics as Batman Begins,Daredevil,Fantastic Four,Fifth Element,Hero,glacial period,Kill Bill,Deadly weapon,Mission Impossible,Pirates of the Caribbean,Robocop And Matrix.
In early 2008, there was a format war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. This meant that manufacturers were divided on what type of disc to produce. Fortunately for everyone except those who already bought an HD-DVD player, the problem was solved when Toshiba pulled HD-DVDs from the market. Now there was only one format for the production of equipment and disks - this Blu-Ray.
We believe that Blu-Ray Disc remains the best choice in this format war, and the safest solution for consumers. This is exactly how we see it. Simply put: we say Go Big Blue!
Benefits of Blu-Ray
By purchasing Blu-ray you also get the opportunity to listen to music with a new sound format lossless multichannel Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio- which is an improved surround sound standard (5.1 - 7.1). Blu-Ray discs are intended to replace the DVD format in the long term, with storage capacity currently as high as 50GB, but could soon reach 200GB! Blu-Ray discs have many advantages over regular DVDs. It can store 5 times more information than a regular DVD. Up to 25 GB on a single layer and 50 GB on a double layer. Has high definition video 1920*1080p and high sound quality (LPCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio).
What is HD-DVD?
HD-DVD is short for High-Definition/Density Digital Versatile Disc. This is an optical disc format used for storing high definition video. Toshiba, a multinational manufacturing company leading the infrastructure, consumer products and electronics industries, has developed HD-DVD.
What to buy HD-DVD and Blu-Ray?
Both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray discs were designed to compete with the already existing DVD format. First, a single-layer HD-DVD can store 15 GB of data, while a single-layer Blu-Ray disc can store 25 GB of data. Secondly, the maximum data transfer rate of HD-Dvd is 36.5 Mbps, and Blu-ray is 53.9 Mbps. The wavelength of the laser used to record on both HD-Dvd and Blu-ray discs is 405 nanometers. The numerical aperture of the lens that is used to focus the laser beam onto the disc is different for HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs. For HD-DVD it is 0.65 nanometers, and for Blu-ray discs it is 0.85 nanometers. HD-DVD frame rates are 25-30 frames per second, while Blu-ray discs are 24 frames per second. Although HD-DVD and Blu-Rray technologies appear similar, they exhibit some key differences.
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
Designed Hitachi Ltd., Panasonic Corporation, Philips Consumer Electronics International, B.V., Silicon Image, Inc., Sony Corporation, Thomson S.A. And Toshiba Corporation High-Definition Multimedia interface multimedia interface ( HDMI) is the global standard for connecting HD components and bridging the gap between CE and PC products. The HDMI specification combines uncompressed high-definition video and multi-channel digital audio data into a single digital interface to provide crystal-clear digital quality through a single cable. For consumers, using a single cable greatly simplifies home theater installations and eliminates the clutter of wires, home theater and system components. Most importantly, HDMI provides significant advantages over analog A/V connectivity interfaces, including the ability to transmit uncompressed digital video and audio content. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports 8-channel audio, 192 kHz uncompressed and all currently available compressed audio formats. To date, more than 900 consumer electronics and PC manufacturers worldwide have adopted the HDMI standard.
What is the difference between HDMI different versions.
HDMI 1.0 combines a digital video signal (standard or high definition) with a resolution of up to 1080p in component format (Y/Pb/Pr) and a two-channel audio signal via a single cable, for example, between a DVD player and a TV.
HDMI 1.1 This version adds the ability to transmit not only video and two-channel audio over one cable, but also the ability to transmit Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-Audio surround signals, as well as up to 7.1 channels of LPCM audio.
HDMI 1.2 This version of HDMI provides the ability to transmit SACD signals from the player to the receiver.
HDMI 1.3 This version includes improvements to both audio and video. With the advent of Blu-ray and HD-DVD, the ability to transmit digital streams has been added for new high-resolution audio formats: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, as well as video streams with an expanded color palette up to 48 bits.
HDMI v1.4 And HDMI v1.4a in particular, it adds 3 new features:
1-Higher resolution.
2-Fully supports 3D while 1.3 only supports 3D at 1080i.
3-Ethernet communication channel allows you to broadcast data that was previously transmitted only over a local computer network.
Sound formats (High Definition)
Dolby Digital is a staple of DVD and 5.1 surround sound transmission. This format has an average bitrate of 640 Kbps, which is approximately CD quality. Dolby Digital has a 2.0, 4.0, 5.1 and 6.1 variant known as Dolby Digital EX.
DTS- Digital Theater Systems is an "alternative" format to DVD. DTS is also a music format, providing surround sound at high bit rates, averaging 1.5 Mbps, and higher fidelity than Dolby Digital. DTS began as a theatrical format on "LaserDisc" in the late 1990s. DTS is still a favorite format among home theater enthusiasts. DTS offers a 7.1 variant known as DTS-ES.
Dolby TrueHD- one of the two main lossless audio formats on Blu-ray. Supports up to 24-bit bit depth and up to 96 kHz sampling rates for up to eight channels (7.1), with higher sampling rates (192 kHz) available for soundtracks with fewer audio channels. Maximum bitrate 18 Mbit/s.
DTS-HD Master Audio- more widely used than Dolby TrueHD. Supports up to 24-bit bit depth and up to 96 kHz sampling rates for up to eight channels (7.1), with higher sampling rates (192 kHz) available for soundtracks with fewer audio channels. Maximum bitrate 24.5 Mbit/s.
Dolby Digital Plus rarely used on Blu-ray. This is the compressed audio bitrate. Provides significantly better quality than Dolby Digital. Maximum bitrate at peak 6 Mbit/s.
LPCM- is an uncompressed audio format, it can have up to 8 channels of audio at 48 kHz or a sampling rate of 96 kHz and 16, 20 or 24 bits. Maximum bitrate at peak 6 Mbit/s.
The era of CDs is gradually fading into oblivion and becoming history. The latest technological breakthroughs of yesteryear have been Blu-ray discs. What it is and how it works will be discussed in this article.
A little history
The technology is based on the use of a new type of laser for reading. It is blue in color, hence the name Blu-ray, translated as “blue ray”. This new laser can not only read, but also write data onto denser layers, allowing more information to be contained in the same area.
Blu-ray technology was officially introduced in 2002. But not all companies decided to join the new standard. For example, Toshiba and NEC announced the creation of their own format - HD DVD.
Over time, both technologies developed in parallel. However, Blu-ray still won in the end.
Blu-ray Specifications
A single-layer disc can hold up to 25 GB, a double-layer disc can hold up to 50 GB, a triple-layer disc can hold up to 100 GB, and a quad-layer disc can hold up to 128 GB. In 2008, Pioneer announced 20-layer disks that can store up to 500 GB of information.
In everyday life, discs of the BD-R, BD-RE standard with one-time and multiple rewrites are most often used.
Disc coating
Many people probably know that on Blu-ray media the data layer is located very close to the edge. This fact greatly influenced the durability of the disks, since any scratch or crack could damage it. In 2004, a new polymer coating appeared that could reliably protect data on Blu-ray discs.
Technologies and standards
As Blu-ray evolved, many standards and related technologies changed. The old reading and writing standards were replaced with new ones.
BD-LIVE
This technology was developed by Sony. With its help, interactivity was brought to Blu-ray. It is now possible to access certain content - for example, additional materials for a movie or games. To do this, you had to go to a certain page on the Internet.
LTH-Type
This approach has simplified and reduced the cost of producing Blu-ray discs. The idea is to use the same materials as when creating regular CDs. However, it is worth considering that not all Blu-ray players can play them correctly. But the creators have solved this problem too - you just need to update the firmware of your device.
Despite the fact that this type of disc has significantly simplified and made the technology cheaper, there are still some disadvantages - the recording speed has decreased slightly.
BD DL
One of the important stages in the development of Blu-ray. The technology made it possible to increase the amount of space available for recording to 50 GB.
BDXL
The use of 3- and 4-layer disks made it possible to increase the volume up to 128 GB. It is worth saying that ordinary Blu-ray players of the BD standard cannot read BDXL, while there is backward compatibility.
3D Blu-ray
With the advent of 3D technology, it became necessary to somehow organize this approach in relation to Blu-ray. This is how the Blu-ray 3D standard appeared, which is backward compatible. At the heart of the technology is a method of compressing both video sequences for each eye, which allows efficient use of disk space without loss of quality.
Programs for Blu-ray
There is a large amount of software for playing the Blu-ray standard. They can be viewed without the physical presence of a Blu-ray player, for example on a Windows computer.
Cyberlink PowerDVD 12
This program combines a DVD and Blu-ray player, a music player, and a tool for storing a multimedia library. Available in several different versions depending on capabilities. It has a functional, but at the same time simple and intuitive interface. Can reproduce data from computer hard drives or directly from media. A bit demanding on system resources.
Corel WinDVD Pro 11
Quite a popular program for watching videos in different formats. It has the ability to play Blu-ray 3D, DVD and many other formats known today. The program can convert a two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional one. It does not have the most intuitive and user-friendly interface, which takes some getting used to. When purchasing the boxed version of the program, the user will receive 3D glasses as a reward.
TotalMedia Theater 5
Like other programs, it is capable of playing a wide range of different video and audio formats. Including Blu-ray with 3D support. Can convert two-dimensional videos and pictures into 3D. The program uses SimHD technology, which can improve the quality of the played video by absorbing noise.
KMPlayer
A good omnivorous multimedia player. Capable of playing a large list of formats. Reads DVDs and Blu-ray. The graphical interface and especially the settings are a bit confusing, so you need to get used to the controls to work properly.
Hardware players
An article about what Blu-ray is would be incomplete without mentioning devices that can play Blu-ray discs directly. Here's a short overview of them.
Samsung BD-J5500
A simple and affordable player for playing Blu-ray discs. Has access to the Internet via Smart TV, has a wide range of supported Blu-ray formats, and is able to read other multimedia files.
The outputs are an HDMI port, as well as a separate coaxial port for audio. There are also USB and Ethernet ports.
As users note in their reviews, the device is very compact, reproduces all declared formats without any problems, and has excellent quality.
Among the negative responses, one can highlight the absence of any indication on the device body. However, some people liked it on the contrary, since nothing shines in the eyes and does not distract from viewing.
LG BP450
A bright representative of the budget segment of Blu-ray players. The output signal resolution can vary from 720 to 1080. HDTV technology is used for scaling. There is Internet access via Smart TV. The device supports all known Blu-ray standard formats. You can control the player using HDMI.
Judging by the reviews left by users, the device represents a good price/quality ratio.
Sony BDP-S5500
Inexpensive option from a well-known brand. Screen resolution up to 1080 is supported and Internet access is available. All known Blu-ray formats can be played on this device. In addition to the standard USB and Ethernet ports, you can use Wi-Fi.
Users gave the gadget a good reception and noted that the quality is high despite the low price. In particular, many liked the convenient control panel, automatic noise reduction system, clear sound, support for all known video and audio formats.
Panasonic DMP-BDT460
The price for this device can reach up to 10 thousand rubles. But the device’s hardware is also slightly better than its analogues above.
In particular, the player can play video in 4K format. Has Internet access via Smart TV. In addition, it makes it possible to read data from external drives. For connection there are two HDMI outputs and one for transmitting an audio channel.
To connect external devices there are USB and Ethernet ports, as well as a built-in Wi-Fi module.
Users rated this device in their reviews. They noted the high quality of playback, 3D support, and smooth images in dynamic scenes. However, there were also those who noted a slightly noisy drive, the inability to play some formats from external media, and rare “slowdowns” during operation.
Pioneer BDP-LX88
One of the leading manufacturers of many players has introduced many different functions and technologies into this model.
It's worth starting with high resolution playback - 4K. Inside there are many built-in decoders capable of working with a wide variety of audio and video formats. Therefore, the list of supported files and standards is simply huge - the producers took care of their potential viewers.
The outputs include two HDMI, two stereo audio outputs, one audio optical and one audio coaxial. There are two USB ports for reading from flash drives, and Ethernet for connecting the Internet via cable. DLNA support will allow you to play media files remotely from other devices.
User ratings are mostly positive. The quality of video and sound playback is ideal. There are no slowdowns or freezes. However, the price may seem high for some, and this is not surprising - the cost of the device starts from 55 thousand rubles.
T+A K8
The cost of this model is slightly less than a million rubles - 833,000. This is due to the fact that the device is simply packed with the most modern technologies and, in addition, acts as a receiver, and not just a player.
Image scaling occurs using HDTV. Naturally, the device has support for Smart TV. Resolution can reach up to 1080 pixels. The player is “omnivorous”, that is, it is able to read all known media formats and disc standards.
The output options are HDMI, 7.1 type audio output, coaxial audio output and headphone jack. There is also an audio input. Two USB ports allow you to connect external media and play data from them. The DLNA function will help you play data from other devices wirelessly.
Additional features include the presence of FM radio.
As for reviews, there are quite a few of them, apparently, as well as the owners of this model. But those rare ones that are available on the network note the excellent performance of the body and components of the device. All elements are made of high-quality plastic, the controls are intuitive and functional. The sound and video quality is excellent. During playback and operation of the device, no “brakes” or freezes are observed. True, many are confused by the really high price.
Conclusion
The article examined Blu-ray technology in detail: what it is, how it works and what players exist. Despite the fact that at one time it was progressive and breakthrough, now, with the advent of various large-capacity drives on the market, interest in Blu-ray is fading.
Perhaps enthusiasts and collectors in the future will remember Blu-ray and what it is, but people of the new generation will most likely find themselves immediately in the era of solid media and storage drives.
Which raised a lot of questions and debates.
As part of this material, I want to provide answers to the most popular questions, or rather, the myths that surround this new optical disk technology.
I hope this material will help everyone who wants to clarify the situation for themselves and decide whether to use Blu-Ray now or wait.
So, let's begin!
Myth 1: “Blu-Ray is expensive!”
The most common belief.
Yes, it is understandable that, for example, a regular DVD-R disc costs a couple of tens of rubles, and a BD-R disc costs a hundred. 
But let's start from the price per gigabyte!
It would be fair, wouldn't it?
One DVD-R disc holds 4.7GB of information (to be precise, 4.481GB) and costs an average of 17-20 rubles.
I mean now - only QUALITY discs. It is clear that you can find a blank DVD-R for a price of 5 rubles, but these are “non-name” products that we are not even talking about. But let's get back to the calculations...
One BD-R disc holds 25 GB of information, which is exactly 5 times more than a simple DVD-R can hold.
Now let's multiply the cost of one DVD-R by 5: 20*5=100. 100 rubles (give or take) costs 5 high-quality DVD-R discs.
But that’s exactly how much a BD-R disc costs on average! Maybe a couple of tens of rubles more expensive, but this is rare. This is understandable; price increases may be observed in some stores.
Well, even if you buy a BD-R disc for 130-140 rubles, you can consider that you paid extra for a nice bonus: you don’t need to split your files into 4.7 GB pieces (as is the case with DVD), and you just abandoned them on one disk.
This can be an invaluable advantage, for example, when it comes to recording a home photo archive to disk, right?
Myth busted: Blu-Ray discs are no more expensive than regular DVDs!
You can check it yourself. Look at the cost of disks in online stores, look for the price ranges that I indicated.
I, in turn, will provide a couple of links to prove the above price calculations.
Myth 2: “Why Blu-Ray if you have USB hard drives?”
Of course, it would be very incorrect to compare these two completely different classes of information storage devices, but you and I, so be it, will do it. 
Arguments in favor of HDD:
- “Profitable: high capacity and low price”
- “Data storage reliability”
- “Ability to overwrite”
Now let's look at them all in turn.
"Profitable." Again, let's look at our cost per gigabyte. A regular 500 GB hard drive costs an average of 2800-3000 rubles.
A rewritable BD-RE disc costs about 120 rubles: http://meg.ru/shop/UID_4379.html.
We multiply 120 rubles by 20 disks (20 BD-REs of 25GB each is 500GB) and we get 2400 rubles.
It turns out even cheaper! 😉
"Reliable." This is absolutely not true. Take and throw a regular optical disc from the table onto the floor. After that, take and insert this optical disc into your computer. You can guarantee 1001% that it will be read perfectly. 
What happens if you drop a hard drive?
And this fact cannot be ignored: no one has yet canceled accidents. And this accident can cost all the data, which is also important if we are talking about storing valuable data.
Now I am not trying to take several facts out of context and veiledly mix them up. I just want to show that EACH of these devices has its disadvantages.
An optical disc must be handled with care to avoid scratches - this is true. But you need to be no less careful with the HDD so as not to “knock” it accidentally, not to overheat, connect/disconnect it correctly, etc.
The list of pros/cons goes on. And in principle, they all equalize each other.
"Possibility of overwriting." A BD-RE disc can be rewritten almost 1000 times.
I once conducted an experiment with DVDs (their number of permissible rewrite cycles is the same). I bought myself a new DVD-RW disc and “swore” to use only it until it stops being overwritten.
The disk has been used very intensively, countless gigabytes have gone through it, but it still writes and reads perfectly well!
Conclusion: 1000 cycles is a lot. Really a lot.
Myth 3: “Blu-Ray is still a new technology, and BD discs are not yet high quality”
Oddly enough, this myth also has no basis.
Firstly, Blu-Ray technology itself has been around for more than 5 years.
Secondly, this has nothing to do with the quality of the discs.
High-quality BD discs are produced by such well-known companies as: TDK, Verbatim, SONY, Panasonic, PHILIPS.
Myth 4: “You need a special program to burn Blu-Ray discs”
This is absolutely not true. BD discs can be burned with the same programs that are designed to work with DVDs: Nero, Ashampoo, etc. Many of them are completely free.
I recommend a wonderful multifunctional program with a wide range of capabilities, and also absolutely free: Ashampoo Burning Studio Free.
Myth 5: “You need to carefully select discs for your Blu-Ray drive due to compatibility issues”
Also a statement that has no basis. Yes, sometimes there are cases of incompatibility with certain blanks (mostly with “non-branded” blanks).
Guaranteed protection from this is simple: always buy only branded discs. Always remember that when you buy an unknown, cheapest disk, you are buying LOW-QUALITY media for your valuable information.
Myth 6: “Blu-Ray will soon disappear from the market”
Absolutely untrue.
Yes, not so long ago there was a time when we could all watch the confrontation between two standards: HD DVD and Blu-Ray. However, after a short “battle” it became clear that Blu-Ray is a more promising, convenient, simple and relatively cheap technology.
We can safely say that the era of war is long behind us. Today we have an absolute winner - Blu-Ray, which for the next couple of decades, at least, will not leave the market.
Myth 7: “Blu-Ray today is cheap consumer goods”
The fact that prices for Blu-Ray drives and discs have dropped significantly today does not mean that they are of low quality.
Be careful when choosing a drive: today it is quite possible to buy an excellent drive (the same Pioneer or ASUS) for $100, and it will burn discs excellently.
Epilogue
Well, we have looked at the most pressing and pressing questions about Blu-Ray that users can encounter.
I hope this material was useful to you and helped you clarify a lot of new things for yourself.
If not, ask questions in the comments! 🙂
