Blu-ray History

Blu-ray History

In the 1980s the CD was first introduced to the world, and represented a big jump from old tapes. There was a big enhancement in audio quality, and its 650 MB storage capacity was also a big jump in data storage. The CD was ideal for audio and some data applications, but in the 1990s came demand for a new product offering bigger storage. These needs pushed the development of the DVD and the 10 x increase in capacity. This enabled a high quality video distribution and recording facility. The DVD also offered backwards compatibility so old CDs were not obsolete.

Today the advent of HD TV and video requires a new answer. The new answer has arrived in the form of Blu-ray Disc, the only format offering such a dramatic increase in storage capacity with its 25 to 50 GB discs. This made possible the sharing and recording of HD video.

What is Blu-ray Disc?
Following the long war between Sony and Toshiba for the new generation of optical disc format, Sony’s Blu-ray Disc won the race in February 2008. Blu-Ray Disc enables the ultimate HD experience.

The name Blu-ray comes from the Blu-ray laser beam which reads and writes the data from the new Blu-ray discs. The laser beam is blue instead of red. The blue laser is at the heart of Blu-ray technology. The name comes from Blue as in the laser colour, and Ray as in optical ray.
The Blu-ray format was created to enable Blu-ray recording, Blu-ray rewriting and Blu-ray playback of HD video, and data storage. Blu-ray discs offer more storage capacity than DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer Blu-ray disc and 50GB on a dual-layer Blu-ray disc.

HD film and television offers unequalled picture and sound quality and a large increase in the sale of HD TVs shows the users’ wish to move to the better visual experience. Companies such as the BBC already have some projects created for HD transmission.

The high storage capacity which Blu-ray presents, enables consumers to be able to record, view and store HD images using a Blu-ray player in their PC or laptop, or watch a Blu-ray film on their standalone Blu-ray player at home.

Games companies

The integrated Blu-ray player in the PS3 has aided in the launch of Blu-ray. In the first 6 months following their release Sony sold 1.3 million PS3 consoles in Europe alone.

Other Blu-ray users:

Recently, Blu-ray has been implemented in central government and police departments. Blu-ray is the new generation of HD technology. From best quality HD video to cutting edge computer and gaming applications, Blu-ray disc means you can watch HD movies, have the best ever gaming experience, and get better storage capacity. The most significant step ever in the development of media is Blu-ray.