What are blue ray discs? What is Blu-Ray

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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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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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.

The most modern types of discs today are Blu-ray and DVD. What are their features?

Blu-ray Facts

Blu-ray is one of the newest technologies for recording digital information on plastic discs using a so-called blue laser beam with a wavelength of 405 nm. This standard was developed in 2006 and soon began to actively spread on the market.

The word Blue is present in the name of the technology in a slightly different form - Blu, since the development company - Blu-ray Disc Association - did not have the legal opportunity to register the phrase blue ray as a trademark.

The shorter laser wavelength of Blu-ray compared to other disc formats allows digital data to be recorded onto the media using a narrow track - within 0.32 microns. This makes it possible to place data more densely on the disk. As a result, a larger volume of files is written to the media. Thus, a single-layer Blu-ray disc can hold 25 GB of data.

In this case, the total number of layers on the corresponding media can reach several dozen. Thus, a Blu-ray disc can theoretically store hundreds of GB of information. But among the most popular types of media today are single-layer with a capacity of 25 GB, as well as double-layer, on which you can record 50 GB of information.

The indicated parameters correspond to standard discs with a diameter of 12 cm. But there are also Blu-ray media of a reduced size - 8 cm. The capacity of their single-layer modifications is 7.8 GB, double-layer - 15.6 GB.

Disposable Blu-ray media is called BD-R. There are also rewritable modifications of discs - BD-RE and BD-RE DL.

One more advantage of Blu-ray technology can be noted - the very high speed of reading files from disks - more than 400 Mbit/s. In turn, the recording speed on Blu-ray media can reach similar values ​​and even exceed them when the drive is rotated by a factor of 12X or more.

In practice, using Blu-ray discs, you can ensure stable playback of video data in a resolution of about 1920 by 1080 pixels with a bitrate within 40 Mbit/s with full support for the capabilities of codecs such as MPEG-4 AVC.

DVD facts

DVD standard historically predates Blu-ray technology. It was developed in 1996. DVD drives use a red laser with a wavelength of 650 nm. Therefore, the DVD format is objectively inferior to Blu-ray in terms of ensuring recording density on the medium. The laser track width on DVDs is more than twice that of the Blu-ray standard - 0.74 microns. On a single-layer DVD of the classic size - 12 cm - you can store up to 4.7 GB of information, on a double-layer - 8.5. A mini DVD (8 cm in diameter) holds 1.4 GB of data in a single-layer version, as well as 2.8 GB in a double-layer version.

DVD read and write speeds are about 1.32 Mbps based on a 1X drive rotation ratio. Most of the corresponding devices installed on modern PCs can produce an indicator of about 10-12X. But there are also faster modifications of DVD drives that can rotate at a rate of 20X or higher.

In practice, using DVDs, you can ensure stable playback of a video stream in a resolution of about 720 by 480 pixels with a bitrate of 9.8 Mbit/s with full support for codecs such as MPEG-2.

Comparison

The main difference between Blu-ray and DVD is the reduced laser wavelength. As a result, the newer data recording standard has other advantages: high speed of writing, reading data, and the ability to place a larger volume of files on the disk.

Having determined what the difference is between Blu-ray and DVD, we will record the corresponding conclusions in the table.

Blu-ray (blue ray) Disc (BD) is an optical disc format used for high-density recording, dubbing and playback and storage of large amounts of digital data, including high-definition video, currently replacing the DVD format.

This format was developed by the BDA (Blu-ray Disc Association) consortium together with a group of leading more than 180 consumer electronics companies, personal computers and media producers from around the world.

The name Blu-ray comes from the underlying technology, which uses a blue-violet laser to read and write data and is a combination of "Blue" (blue-violet laser) and "Ray" (optical beam).

The format offers capacity:
- single layer Blu-ray Disc (BD) can store 23.3 GB (25 GB),
- dual-layer disk can hold 46.6 GB (50 GB),
- a three-layer disk can hold 100 GB,
- four-layer disk can hold 128 GB,
- 16- and 20-layer disks of 400 and 500 GB were also demonstrated.

Like regular CDs and DVDs, Blu-Ray provides a wide range of formats, including ROM/R/RW.

The following Blu-ray formats are supported:
- BD-ROM - read-only for HD movies, games, software, etc.,
- BD-R - recordable format for HD video recording and storage of computer data,
- BD-RE - rewritable format for HD video recording and computer data storage,
- BD/DVD is a hybrid format that combines Blu-ray and DVD on one disc, so that it can be played in both Blu-ray players and DVD players.

Blu-ray uses the Universal Disk Format (UDF) 2.50 or 2.60 file system.

According to the Blu-ray Disc specification, 1x speed is defined as 36 Mbit.

Blu-Ray supports the following video codecs:
- MPEG-2 - extension for HD, for playing DVDs and recording HDTV,
- MPEG-4 AVC, also known as H.264 (High Profile and Main Profile),
- SMPTE VC-1 - standard Windows-based Microsoft Media Video (WMV) technology.

Blu-Ray also supports audio codecs:
- Linear PCM (LPCM) - up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio,
- Dolby Digital (DD) - format used for DVD, 5.1 channel surround sound,
- Dolby Digital Plus (DD+) - expansion of Dolby Digital, 7.1 channel surround sound,
- Dolby TrueHD - lossless encoding of up to 8 audio channels,
- DTS Digital Surround - format used for DVD, 5.1 channel surround sound,
- DTS-HD High Resolution Audio - expansion of DTS, 7.1-channel surround sound,
- DTS-HD Master Audio - lossless encoding of up to 8 audio channels.

Blu-ray Discs have a hard coating for protection that makes the disc more resistant to scratches and fingerprints than DVDs.
Blu-ray also has a new error correction system that is more reliable and efficient than that of DVDs.

Part of the Blu-ray format is the Managed Copy (MMC) feature, which allows consumers to make legal copies of their Blu-ray movies that can be streamed over their home network.

As with any new technology in the first generation of products, while Blu-ray carries a high price due to low production volumes, once Blu-ray components are mass produced, prices are expected to fall.

Answers on questions

BIOS and UEFI What is... System (motherboards) Computer monitors CD, DVD,
Blu-ray discs Mouse, keyboard BP - Power supplies Storage devices - hard drives Random access memory (RAM) Computer Audio MFPs and printers Miscellaneous issues Video cards

We have repeatedly heard mentions of Blu-ray technologies, without having an exact idea about the structure and general characteristics of this phenomenon. Why has this format become so widely popular, and what exactly makes it so good that it's worth abandoning the usual DVDs? Let's figure it out.

What is Blu-ray?

Blu-ray (BR) technology is a type of optical media (disc) format used to store high-definition video and audio files. To fully understand the essence of this technology, you should understand the main nuances:

1. The discs received this name for a reason.

The literal translation of the name “Blu-ray” is blue ray (from the English “Blueray”). This is due to the way such media is read. For CDs and DVDs, red or infrared radiation is used to obtain information from them. But the blue-violet laser has a shorter wavelength, which makes it possible to significantly increase the focus and “examine” those parts of the disk that the red beam was not able to see.

1. All characteristics have improved significantly.

Due to the ability to place more information on a disc of the same physical size as a DVD, Full-HD resolution was achieved. These are films that have impressive clarity, overall quality of the video stream and even sound.

With HDTV and a good sound system, it is possible to take the effect of watching movies to a new level:

• the quality of details on the screen has improved greatly;
• previously blurred background objects have clear outlines;
• the sound has become indistinguishable from the real thing: interference and low quality are a thing of the past;
• the number of FPS (frames per second) was increased from 24 to 60.

With such image quality and video smoothness, Blu-ray instantly became a leader and has no analogues. Even high-quality satellite television is not able to provide content of this level.

1. The disk capacity has increased.

Due to the ability to read previously inaccessible sections of information, a BR disc can store 5 times more data than a DVD and 8 times more if the disc is double-layered.

With all these indicators, the full picture opens up: Blu-ray technology allows you to get the highest quality image and sound in all existing parameters. However, the use of BR technology does not always lead to exclusively benefits.

Advantages and disadvantages

Any thing in our world has its pros and cons, and Blu-ray is no exception. To the list of doubts advantages includes:

• accessibility to posting a large amount of information (up to 4 hours of high-definition video);
• amazing quality of video and audio streams;
• more reliable and accurate reading of information;
• additional interactive features;
• backward compatibility (for Blu-ray players);
• use of modern coding algorithms (increases not only the quality, but also the speed of access to information);
• picture-in-picture function.

These and other advantages of the technology in question are described in this video.

However, there are also some minuses related to this format:

1. Price.

The key disadvantage of Blu-ray technology is its cost in the market. The discs themselves do not differ much in price (compared to HD-DVDs), but BR players are completely the opposite. Due to the fact that you can’t watch Blu-Ray discs on a regular DVD player, manufacturers put very serious price tags on BR players.

1. Number of films.

This technology appeared relatively recently, so although many films are created in Blu-ray quality, their number is still significantly less than in the usual HD-DVD format.

1. Loading time.

Depending on the type of menu (the more complex, the longer), loading a BR disk can take up to 90 seconds. Movies with a simple menu load on average in 20 seconds. But this is still a significant minus and the need to dutifully wait for the allotted time in order to switch to the required time period in the film.

1. Lack of backward compatibility.

Blu-ray players can play movies recorded on DVDs and CDs without any problems. But you will never be able to watch a movie in Blu-ray quality on a standard DVD player. The way such a player reads information is simply not suitable for this format.

Therefore, it is not enough to buy a disc - you also need a BR player, and the prices for it, let’s not forget, are quite significant.

Features of Blu-ray technology

Despite the identical external components of BR and DVD discs, they have quite a big difference in their characteristics.

What is the difference:

1. Blu– ray discs are much more reliable.

They are made of more durable plastic, increasing scratch resistance several times.

1. Large capacity.

Thanks to the use of a blue beam for reading information instead of red, the volume of disks has increased. A single-layer BR disk allows you to store 25 GB of data, a double-layer - 50 GB, then 100 GB and 128 GB, respectively.

In 2008, Pioneer announced 20-layer Blu-ray media. According to the staff, this is equivalent to 500 GB of free recording space, which is an impressive value.

1. KVK function.

The key innovation of Blu-ray discs is the ability to view video in picture-in-picture format. Moreover, it is possible to record a High Definition Television (HDTV) program in real time while viewing the contents of the disc itself. And if the BR player has access to the Internet, you can download subtitles, additional audio tracks and perform other actions without interrupting the movie.

1. Total quality.

Since there are no analogues to Blu-ray recording, the highest resolution video from other sources will be recorded onto the disc without any loss of quality.

1. Editing entries.

BR technology allows you to change, edit and rearrange information recorded on disk in real time. DVDs can only dream of this. This feature also allows you to create separate playlists.

1. 3D-technology.

Movies in Blu-ray quality may have a 3D effect. This was made possible due to the large amount of space for data recording. Of course, this does not compare to the cinema, but this is the first “real” home 3D, and not a game with red-green filters (3D Anaglyph).

These features of BR discs are not available for DVD media. This is what makes Blu-ray technology so valuable and opens up many avenues for future changes and improvements. Even taking into account the disadvantages associated with the cost of players, etc., this technology has received worldwide recognition and continues to develop rapidly.

In contact with

Good afternoon, dear readers of my blog! If we already know each other, then you know that I am a sociable and sympathetic person, I have many acquaintances, relatives and friends with whom I often spend time and help them in choosing equipment. Usually in everyday life my knowledge is required spontaneously.

For example, not long ago I met a classmate whom I had not seen for several years. He invited me to his dacha, where his parents live. While having a pleasant tea, the elderly people remembered that somewhere they had a disk with a recording of our school concert. I was happy to feel nostalgic about my former youth, but it didn’t work out - the device was either demagnetized or glitched, and I couldn’t play the video. As it turned out, none of those present knew about blu ray - I’ll tell you what it is in more detail now, but this particular format could help save valuable memories.

What is it and what is it eaten with?

The advent of DVDs marked a new era in digital technology. VHS film cassettes have been replaced by compact, reliable round media. And the consumer was immediately notified that the format war was over. But that was not the case, progress does not stand still and now they are offering us a new high-tech device.

So, what is blu ray? In simple layman's terms, it is an optical medium on which information is written using a blue (blue-violet) ray, as opposed to infrared in the case of DVD.

The name comes from the English phrase blue ray - blue/blue ray. But since this phrase is often used in everyday life, it could not be patented and turned into a brand, as something not unique. In order to have copyright on this development, the inventors of the new format took away the last letter from the word “blue”, creating a new trademark “blue ray disc”.

The first prototypes of such a medium appeared relatively recently, at the end of the last century - more precisely, in October 2000 - and entered the market a little more than 10 years ago, in 2006, competing with the HD DVD format.

Some scientific statistics

The easiest way to explain to the average person what the Blu-ray format is is by comparing it with DVD discs.

• The first thing that comes to mind is that blu ray is more spacious. If a single-layer DVD recorded using a red ray can store about 5 GB in its memory, then a Blu-ray with the same diameter can store five times more.
• Both formats come in the same size – 120 mm. But using a shorter blue beam helps compress the track pitch from 0.74 µm to 0.32 µm, packing more information into the same area.
• Given the same thickness of DVD and Blu-Ray discs, the protective layer of the latter is 0.5 mm thinner.
• Blu-ray has a hard Durabis coating, DVD does not. This protective layer protects the surface of discs from scratches, making them insensitive even to dry paper napkins, while they can irreparably damage DVD format media.
• Blu Ray format is capable of transferring data (for example, text files, photos) at speeds of up to 36 Megabits per second, while DVD cannot exceed the traffic limit of 11 Mbits/s. What can we say about video and audio downloaded to a Blu-ray disc at 54 Mbit/s.
• Consumers, when asking what blu ray quality is, don’t really delve into it and think that it’s just a disc with more memory. There would be no great discovery in this if the advantage was only in capacity. In fact, blue ray is a fundamentally new video quality. It is not without reason that many Hollywood film companies - Worner Bros. set an example - have abandoned other formats and are releasing their films exclusively on blu ray. You don’t need to be a professional to understand that a resolution of 1920x1080 and a bitrate - the degree of compression of the stream - 40 Mbit/s are much more functional than 720/480 and 9.8 Mbit/s, respectively. The last indicator is especially important, since the higher the bitrate, the better the picture.

Naturally, I did not present all this information in detail either to my classmate, or, especially, to his parents. Even I, a person who communicates with technology every day, cannot understand all the intricacies of the format. What is needed here is a professional with a narrower profile and a higher level. Ordinary consumers - in the best sense of the word - need to understand only two things: Blu-ray is high quality video and larger data storage than classic DVDs.

Competition with HD DVD

I hope I have clearly explained to you what blu ray is and how this format differs from previous generation media, which use red and infrared (CD) rays for recording. However, HD DVD discs competed with it for quite a long time; even Warner Brothers switched to Blu-ray only in 2008, and then, partly in order to stop the format war.

What are the similarities and differences between these types of media?

In principle, both formats are capable of providing high quality audio and video playback. But personally, I would note the longer service life of Blu-ray media, if only because of the hard protective coating. The advantage of HD DVD is that its playback does not require the invention of new types of players - due to the same “blanks”, old DVD players can be converted to this format. True, such a technology cannot produce the quality of 4k digital cinema, which Hollywood film studios have already appreciated.

What to play on?

The advantages of the blu ray format are obvious to professionals, but not to every average person. The fact is that the fundamentally new technology BD-Live (Blu-ray Disc - Live), invented to expand the functionality of the media, requires a completely new type of player for playback.

So, what is a Blu-ray player? In short, it is a device for reading the appropriate type of media, capable of providing additional options.

There are three types of similar players:

I want to tell you more about the latest models. Players with BD-Live function can connect to the Internet without the mediation of a computer or laptop. These players can be connected to the World Wide Web either via a cable or via WI-FI.

To download or watch movies online, you must insert media of a compatible format into the drive. After this, you can use the option of sharing via social networks or download official versions of trailers, videos and clips through the film studio’s websites.

On the Blu-ray player version 1.1 you can play DVD R/RW, CD R/RW, BD-R/RE and some others formats. But players with the 2.0 specification may not read these discs, so check this option before purchasing.

Modern technologies allow you to change the player's firmware, making it compatible with many formats. But such changes must be made by an experienced professional, otherwise there is a risk that the player will lose some of its functions.

In conclusion, I will say that not every consumer needs a player with BD-Live functionality. For example, I am quite pleased with Profile 1.0. Expect it soon, see you soon!

Thank you for your attention! Sincerely, Rostislav Kuzmin.