What Is Blu-ray?

Blu-ray is one of two high-definition disc formats introduced to consumers in 2006. Along with its rival, HD-DVD, Blu-ray expanded the depth, color, and detail of the images you see. While HD-DVD was discontinued in 2008, Blu-ray and DVD are still in use. Here's a look at Blu-ray's history and where it stands today.

Blu-ray vs. DVD

DVD technology improved on previous formats, such as VHS and Laserdisc, in terms of the TV viewing and listening experience. Still, DVD isn't a high-definition format. Its limitations became noticeable as HDTV emerged, TV screen sizes increased, and video projectors became more common.

Blu-ray aimed to answer DVD's shortcomings. It allows you to see more depth, a wider range of color shades, and more image detail.

DVD uses red laser technology. The Blu-ray Disc format uses blue laser technology and sophisticated video compression to achieve high-definition video playback on a standard DVD-sized disc.

A blue laser light beam is narrower than a red laser. The blue laser focuses more precisely on a disc surface. Taking advantage of this, the pits on the disc where information is stored can be made smaller. This means more pits can be placed onto a Blu-ray disc than a DVD. Increasing the number of pits gives the disc more capacity, allowing for the storage of high-definition video.

Blu-ray also provides more audio capacity than the DVD format. DVD supports Standard Dolby Digital and DTS audio. Blu-ray supports these formats and more, with up to eight channels of uncompressed audio in addition to video content.

Blu-ray Disc Format Specifications

Here's a look at the Blu-ray format's specifications.

Storage Capacity

Disc storage capacity for pre-recorded (BD-ROM) playback material:

• Single-layer: 25 GB
• Dual-layer: 50 GB

Disc storage capacity for recording:

• Single-layer: 25 GB
• Dual-layer: 50 GB

Data Transfer Rate

Blu-ray's data transfer rate is 36 to 48 Mbps on average, with capabilities up to 54 Mbps. This exceeds the 19.3 Mbps transfer rate approved for HDTV broadcasting.

Video Specifications

Blu-ray is compatible with full MPEG2 encoding, MPEG4 AVC (also known as H.264), and VC1 (based on the Microsoft Windows Media Video format). Video resolutions from 480i to 1080p (in either 2D or 3D) can be implemented at the content producer's discretion.

Audio Specifications

Only Dolby Digital, DTS, and uncompressed PCM are required on all players. Other formats, including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio, are optional.

Most Blu-ray Disc players made since 2008 incorporate Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio onboard decoding, undecoded bitstream output, or both. In addition, most Blu-ray Disc players are compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround-sound audio encoding.

Audio and Video Connectivity

Blu-ray supports audio output from players with analog, digital optical, coaxial, and HDMI connectivity. When players were first introduced, video output was allowed using composite, S-video, component, and HDMI.

As of 2013, everything except HDMI was eliminated. To use any Blu-ray Disc player made since 2013, your TV must have an HDMI input to view video content.

Internet and Network Connectivity

The Blu-ray format supports networking and internet capabilities. Most players also have a built-in Wi-Fi connection option. Most Blu-ray Disc players provide internet streaming capabilities, such as access to Netflix, Fandango at Home, Hulu, and Amazon Video.

Backward Compatibility Support

The Blu-ray Disc format isn't compatible with previous formats, so you can't play a Blu-ray disc on a DVD or CD player. However, Blu-ray Disc players can play DVDs and CDs, and some play more disc and USB-based media file formats.

Ultra HD Blu-ray

In late 2015, the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc format was introduced. This format uses the same size discs as Blu-ray, except these disks fit more information and support 4K resolution playback (this isn't the same as 4K upscaling). Ultra HD Blu-ray offers other video enhancement capabilities, such as wide color gamut and HDR.

You can't play an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc on a standard Blu-ray Disc player. However, Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc players can play standard Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and CDs, and most can stream internet content.