Blu-ray is the next generation of high-density optical disc that allows the storage of digital media, including high-definition (HD) video. Jointly developed by a group of retailers (including Apple, HP, Dell), the Blu-Ray Disc Association (BDA) and media manufacturers to enable recording, rewriting and playback of HD videos and for storing vast amounts of data beneficial for corporations.

The name Blu-ray is derived from the blue-violet laser that is used to read and write onto this type of disc. Due to its shorter wavelengths (405mm) the blu-ray disc can hold considerably more data, this laser has much greater precision, thus allowing it to pack the data more tightly and therefore, store more data into less space than a standard DVD disc.

A single layer blu-ray disc can store up to 25GB, which is over 25 times more than a DVD single layer disc which can only hold 4.7GB. A dual layer blu-ray disc is able to hold up to 50GB (9 hours of HD video, 23 hours of standard-definition video), almost 6 times the size of a dual layer DVD disc which can only hold 8.5GB.

Now with its special 'Durabis' polymer coating blu-ray discs offer substantial scratch resistance. This coating allows the user to clean safely using only a tissue, and varying manufacturers will offer additional protection using their own hard-coat technologies.

Blu-ray is currently supported by over 180 of the world's leading consumer electronic, computers, media, video game and music companies. The blu-ray disc has support from the major movie companies and we will soon see movies being released on blu-ray technology.

Features:

Blu-ray Recordable (BD-R)

• 50GB capacity, 10.6 x larger than a standard DVD disc
• Dual layer, single side
• 2 x speed recording (72Mbit per second)
• Durabis2 coating protects disc surface from scratches etc.
• More than 4 hours HDRV recording time
• Inorganic recording layer material for long lasting quality

• 25GB capacity, 5.3 x larger than DVD. 50GB dual layer
• 2 x speed recording (72Mbit per second)
• Durabis2 coating protects disc surface from scratches etc.
• More than 2 hours of recording time of HDTV footage
• High rewritability with 10,000 times rewriting supported