Here are answers to some basic questions regarding Blu-ray and Blu-ray Players. These questions and answers might give you a better understanding of what Blu-ray is all about. Find out more in the Blu-ray and Blu-ray Player FAQs.
What is Blu-Ray?
Blu-ray or Blu-ray disc is an optical disc storage medium. It was developed to be used for recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD). Its physical appearance is the same as a DVD or CD. You can tell the difference between the discs by locating the Blu-ray Logo.
What do I need to watch Blu-ray Disc Movies?
You require the following:
- HDTV (recommended 1080p)
- HDMI cable (provides the best picture quality), Many players will have option video connections such as S-Video, Component Video Outputs and Composite Video Outputs
- Blu-ray Disc Player (You can not play Blu-ray Discs on a DVD Player)
- Blu-ray Disc Movies
Do you need an Internet connection?
No. An internet connection is not required. It is only needed for some extra features such as updating Firmware, downloading new extras, watching recent movie trailers, web browsing, home network, Online Streaming etc.
Who was involved in creating Blu-ray?
The Blu-ray Association (BRA) are members from the fields of motion pictures, consumer electronics and computer hardware. They created this disc format and are made up of more than 180 member companies. Some of the board of Directors are: Apple Computer, Inc., Dell Inc.,
Hewlett Packard Company, LG Electronics Inc., Pioneer Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Sharp Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros. Entertainment
Are Blu-ray Players backwards compatible with DVD?
Most manufacturers make Blu-ray Players that can read CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray. All new Blu-ray Players will up-scale standard DVDs to near High Definition levels (1080p).
How Does DVD Up-scaling Compare to actual Blu-ray Discs?
Up-scaling your DVDs will make them look better than the ever did before. However, when compared to Blu-ray, the pictures will seem flatter and softer. They will not be as crisp or sharp as Blu-ray images.
What is a 3D Blu-ray DVD Player?
A 3D Blu-ray Disc Player is a player capable of playing back 3D Blu-ray Discs as well as standard 2D Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. A 3D Blu-ray Disc Player can produce two 1080p signals for each eye at the same time. A 3D TV and 3D glasses are also needed to view 3D images.
How much content or data can be stored on a Blu-ray disc?
This is one of the stronger features of the Blu-ray format. It has five times more storage capacity than DVDs. It can hold 25GB (single layer) and 50 GB (dual layer).
The Discs are also future proof when dealing with storing data. Meaning it has support for a multi-layers disc. This will allow the storage volume to be increased to 100-200GB (25GB/layer) by adding extra layers to the discs. (100/128 GB - BDXL)
How much video can actually be on one Blu-ray disc?
On a Dual Layer Disc over 9 hours of high-definition (HD) video on a 50GB disc.
Over 22 hours of standard-definition (SD) video on a 50GB disc.
What video codecs can be supported by Blu-ray?
Blu-ray Disc Players support the following video codec's:
MPEG-2, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, SMPTE VC-1
Be aware, it will be up to the film studios to choose their video codec for their film releases.
What audio codecs does Blu-ray support?
Linear PCM (LPCM) - Has up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio. (This format is required in all Blu-ray Players.)
Dolby Digital (DD) - This is the format found on DVDs, Supports 5.1-channel surround sound. (This format is required in all Blu-ray Disc Players.)
DTS Digital Surround - Another audio format used by DVDs, Capable of 5.1-channel surround sound. (This format is required in all Blu-ray Players.)
Dolby Digital Plus - An enhancement of Dolby Digital, Supports 7.1-channel surround sound. (This format is not required in all Blu-ray Disc Players.)
Dolby TrueHD - This is a "lossless" compression codec. Capable of encoding 8 channels of audio. (This format is not needed in all Blu-ray Players.)
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio - Similar to Dolby Digital Plus, it is an enhancement over DTS, Capable of 7.1-channel surround sound. (This format is not needed in all Blu-ray Players.)
DTS-HD Master Audio - A "lossless" audio codec similar to Dolby Digital TrueHD. Capable of encoding 8 channels of audio. (This format is not needed in all Blu-ray Disc Players.)
Be aware, it will be up to the movie studios to choose their audio codec for their movie releases.
What does a Blu-ray Disc Players cost?
Prices vary from manufacture and player. Blu-ray products range from entry level players to hi-end players. The first production of Blu-ray Disc Players had very high costs, but now you can see a steady drop in prices for almost every entry level and mid-range players. You can get a good quality Blu-ray Player for around $100 to $250.
BDP-S185 Short Overview: Great Inexpensive Sony Blu-ray Disc Player
BDP-S185 is an entry-level, budget Blu-ray player from Sony. It is missing some features, but still has great image quality and online streaming. Get the details in this brief review of the BDP-S185 Blu-ray player.
3 Types Of Blu-ray Disc Players
The three types of Blu-ray players: Entry-level, Mid-Level and High-end. Find out about the Blu-ray features are offered and if each type has the same high quality HD picture?
BD640 Short Review - LG Wi-Fi Blu-ray DVD Player
LG BD640 Blu-ray Player Review - One of the best entry-level Blu-ray DVD players, with Wi-Fi, USB playback and online streaming services.
