Disc Technology
Disc technology has come a long way in recent years with the introduction of Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs. The introduction of these high definition discs has seen the producers of these products in a war to win the market share in much the same way that Beta and VHS fought for market share in the 1980 when videos first hit the consumer market.
Blu-ray Discs currently enjoy an advantage with latest gaming console, 'Playstation 3,'incorporating Blu-ray Disc technology. The Blu-ray Disc got its name from the blue-violet laser which is used to read and write on this type of disc.
Interesting clip on how CD and DVDs are made:
Blu-ray
Similar to the High Definition DVD, the Blue Ray Disc offers its users far greater storage space (25 gigabytes, GB) than your normal DVD (4.7 GB). The HD DVD cans store 15 GB of data.
Blu-ray Discs also have a region code with Australia grouped alongside Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa and New Zealand. It is interesting to note on the map below that the leading Blu-ray manufacturers (Japan, Korea, Malaysia) have been bracketed with the U.S. to ensure the early releases of U.S. content to those markets.
However, this may pave the way for HD DVDs to gain more than their market share in another big market, Europe.
Blu-ray Discs seem to be winning the war at the moment. One of the key comments for the HD DVD side fo the argument is that the majority of Blu-ray Discs released prior to 2007 have been released onto the market in the 25 GB single layer format. All HD DVD movies have been released in the 30 GB dual layer format.
That's a valid point if you want to have an argument about which product holds sway pre 2007. Movie companies such as Sony, Disney, and Fox are all using the Blu-ray disc while Warner releases movies in both formats.
The price of Blu-ray Discs has also fallen recently and they are now competitive with HD DVDs.
Blu ray news
Lunchtime Deal: Star Wars Blu-Ray Set $88
Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:44:03 +1000
The Star Wars Blu Ray set may have made changes that some fans aren’t happy with (even if some of the sounds are true-blue Aussie ones ). But if you’ve ...
Sound of Music: 45th anniversary release
Tue, 03 May 2011 15:54:18 +1000
The Sound of Music is a classic five time Academy Award winning film that is loved by millions worldwide. Two Murrays catch up with Nicholas Hammond who played Friedrich in ...
AC/DC Black Ice tour DVD out Black Friday
Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:11:00 +1000
AC/DC will release a live DVD documenting their 2009 Black Ice World Tour on the fitting date of Black Friday, May 13. The 20-month tour trekked 108 cities in over ...
IFA: Sony touts 3D, partnerships
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:04:00 +1000
At the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin on Wednesday, Sony touted its 3D capabilities, announcing 3D updates for the PS3 and Blu Ray players, introducing a prototype 3D Vaio ...
Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:35:02 +1000
The ever-popular Mad Men Series 3 is available on DVD and Blu Ray from tomorrow.
3D Blu ray arrives on the PC thanks to NVIDIA
Tue, 25 May 2010 16:26:02 +1000
NVIDIA's 3D Vision now supports 3D Blu-ray through a driver update. Unfortunately the most common 3D Vision monitor isn't supported.
Amazon offers its Amazon Prime members Groundhog Day 15th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray for $9.99 plus $2.49 for shipping. (Non-members can spend $25 or more to qualify for free shipping; otherwise, shipping costs $2.98.) That's the lowest total price we could find by $5.
Amazon again offers its Amazon Prime members Terminator 2: Judgment Day Skynet Edition on Blu-ray Disc for $5.49 with free shipping. (Non-members can spend $25 or more to qualify for free shipping; otherwise, shipping costs $2.98.) That's tied with our mention from three weeks ago and the lowest total price we could find now by $3.
Amazon offers its Amazon Prime members Doctor Zhivago 45th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray Disc (pictured) for $9.49 with free shipping. (Non-members can spend $25 or more to qualify for free shipping; otherwise, shipping costs $2.98.) That's the lowest total price we could find by $18. This 3-disc version includes a book and CD soundtrack. (Note: This has an estimated ship time of 9 to 12 days.)
Amazon offers its Amazon Prime members the Forrest Gump Sapphire Series on Blu-ray Disc for $9.99 with free shipping. (Non-members can spend $25 or more to qualify for free shipping; otherwise, shipping costs $2.98.) That's $2 under our August mention and the lowest total price we could find by $3. Sapphire series Blu-ray discs purportedly include extensive, never-before-seen special features.
Amazon offers its Amazon Prime members the V for Vendetta / Watchmen / Constantine Triple Feature on Blu-ray Disc for $14.99 with free shipping. (Best Buy charges the same, with sales tax added in more locations.) That's $2 under our mention from three weeks ago and the lowest total price we could find by $3. (Non-members can spend $25 or more to qualify for free shipping; otherwise it adds $2.98.)