Blu-ray Disc Format
Q. What Blu-ray Disc formats are available for consumers?
A. As with CD and DVD, Blu-ray Disc media comes in pre-recorded, recordable and rewritable variants. The pre-recorded disc is called BD ROM, and usually contains movies or re-issued TV shows in High Definition format. The recordable disc is called BD R, and can be used for archival of huge amounts of data or video. The rewritable disc is called BD RE, and offers the same large capacity in a disc format that allows for repetitive usage.
Q. What is the capacity of a Blu-ray Disc?
A. All three Blu-ray Disc types come in two versions: single layer and double layer. A double layer disc may hold up to twice the amount of data or video compared to a single layer disc, and uses two independent layers placed on one side of the disc to store its information (refer to "Technical Info" on this web site for more information). A single-layer disc holds up to 25 gigabytes, while a double-layer disc holds up to 50 gigabytes of data, without the need to flip the disc.
Q. Can Blu-ray Disc products play DVD and CD?
A. Although this is not a requirement of the Blu-ray Disc format, it is very likely that all Blu-ray Disc products will play their DVD and CD counterpart formats. Compare this to the ability of today's DVD players to play CDs. Most companies have developed laser components and pickup units being able to read CD, DVD and BD, and the Blu-ray products currently on the market are compatible with DVD.
Q. Can Blu-ray Disc products record DVD and CD?
A. Implementation of DVD or CD recording capability is a manufacturer's option. Currently, some Blu-ray Disc video products allow you to record DVDs as well. It is expected that most Blu-ray Disc PC drives will support the recording of CD, DVD and BD.
Q. Can I play a Blu-ray Disc on my DVD player?
A. No. As DVD players use a red laser to read the information from a disc, they are not capable of reading the very fine pits of a Blu-ray Disc, which requires a blue laser. Furthermore, DVD-Video players lack the advanced technology to decode the High Definition picture from a Blu-ray Disc.
Blu-ray Disc for Video
Q. What is the quality of Blu-ray Disc video?
A. Blu-ray Disc offers HDTV video quality that far surpasses any other medium or broadcast format available today. With High Definition video with a resolution of up to 1920x1080 and up to a 54 Mbit/sec bandwidth (roughly double that of a normal HDTV broadcast), no other format can match Blu-ray Disc's video quality. Furthermore, due to the overwhelming capacity of a Blu-ray Disc, no tight compression algorithms that may alter the picture quality are required, as with other formats that offer less recording space.
Q. How much video will fit on a Blu-ray Disc?
A. As with DVD, this depends on the decisions on the usage of video bandwidth, the number of audio tracks and other criteria made by the author of the disc. Furthermore, the choice of the used codec also influences playback time. On average, a single-layer disc can hold a High Definition feature of 135 minutes using MPEG-2, with additional room for 2 hours of bonus material in standard definition quality. A double-layer disc even extends these numbers up to 3 hours in HD quality and 9 hours of SD bonus material. Using any of the advanced codecs, these numbers can even be significantly increased.
Q. Will a Blu-ray Disc player always offer recording functionality?
A. It is up to each individual manufacturer to decide what functionality a Blu-ray Disc device offers.
Q. Do I need a new (HD) TV to use Blu-ray Disc?
A. No. Pre-recorded Blu-ray Disc titles will play on any standard definition TV set, even if the video was encoded in High Definition. Likewise, a Blu-ray Disc recorder can also record standard definition video, for example from regular TV broadcasts or camcorders. A Blu-ray Disc can store around 10 hours of broadcast quality standard definition video on a single-layer disc, or around 20 hours on a dual-layer disc.
- What do you mean by “Beyond High Definition?”
A. For starters, Blu-ray disc delivers the best possible HD picture quality. It is the closest you can come to a true movie theater experience. Not only are we delivering true 1080p, but the bit rate is nearly double that of HD broadcast video. So in a sense, goes beyond high definition in terms of picture quality. Moreover, while Blu-ray is first and foremost about a theater-like home entertainment experience, it is also much more. It’s movies, it’s interactivity, it’s music, it’s games and it’s massive data storage for personal content such as photos, music files and home movies.
Blu-ray Disc for Data Storage
Q. How does the capacity of a Blu-ray Disc compare to other media?
A. A Blu-ray Disc can hold up to 50 gigabytes of data. This compares to about 10 recordable DVDs (or 5 double-layer DVDs), or around 70 recordable CDs. As a result, Blu-ray Disc is the ideal, cost-effective, removable storage medium for the storage of large amounts of data and video.
Q. What kind of data can be stored on a Blu-ray Disc?
A. Any form of data available on a PC can be stored to a Blu-ray Disc, including text documents, images, video and audio files. Using the appropriate software or operating support, a Blu-ray Disc can offer the functionality of a large removable hard disk drive.
Q. Can I record video to a Blu-ray Disc using a PC?
A. Yes. Using the appropriate software, you can edit standard or High Definition video (for example from a camcorder) and then record it to a Blu-ray Disc. When recorded in the Blu-ray Disc video format, the end result can be played in a Blu-ray Disc player connected to a TV.
Q& A Hot Topics
Regional Coding
• The Blu-ray Disc format includes Regional Playback Controls, which are codes used on discs to enable playback of content the disc on a regional basis. In other words, a disc coded for one region will only play back on players coded for the same region.
• Coding for Blu-ray Disc will be broken down into three regions.
• Region A includes the Americas, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
• Region B includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
• Region C includes Russia, India, China and the rest of the world. A map of the regions can be found on the BDA website at www.blu-raydisc.com.
Q. HD DVD reached the market first. Doesn’t this give them a huge advantage?
A. We don’t think so. Blu-ray products are now on the market, with more scheduled for release throughout the summer and fall.
One of the things we learned in our consumer research was that content would be a big issue for consumers in deciding on a format, and Blu-ray has a tremendous content advantage. We think it will be quite obvious to consumers which of the two formats will prevail, not only when they see the broader range of movies Blu-ray has to offer, but also the availability of music and games, and all the interactive capabilities we are referring to when we talk about Blu-ray going “Beyond High Definition.”
Blu-ray is supported by ten major CE companies, three major computer companies, six out of seven major Hollywood studios and the dominant gaming platform, Playstation. By Q4 of this year we expect you will see a decided Blu-ray advantage in terms of the number and breadth of available products.
BD-Java v. iHD
Q. Doesn’t Windows Vista’s presumed native support of iHD mean that HD DVD will work with Windows and Blu-ray, with BD-Java, will not?
A. As with DVD Video, Blu-ray titles will operate with BD Player applications on a computer, not as part of the native operating system. The player application will be responsible for running the Java application, not the OS. Therefore, any Blu-ray title should run on any PC that meets the system requirements of the player software.
Q. Microsoft says that BD-Java will be very expensive as compared with iHD ($3 to $6 vs. “little to nothing”). Isn’t this a significant cost advantage for HD DVD?
A. It’s premature to compare licensing costs that have not yet been announced. Sun recently confirmed that licensing costs for BD-J will not exceed 65 cents per device, and may in fact be less than this for many products. BD-Java will therefore represent a very modest cost that should be competitive with iHD.
Q. Are there elements of Blu-ray interactive that can only be built in Java, or can be “better built” in Java than in iHD?
A. That is exactly the question the BDA had to look at it when we compared the two technologies. Presumably, elements that we’ve shown could be built in iHD, but in our collective view, BD-J is the more mature of the two technologies. Because Java has broad programmer support and a proven track record on a variety of platforms, cell phones and cable and satellite set-top boxes for example, we believe it is the right engine to run the interactive capability for the next generation disc format.
Microsoft
Q. If Windows Vista only supports HD DVD, won’t this become a serious problem for Blu-ray?
A. No. As an example, Windows has never had native support for DVD Video playback, and yet this format has had no problem operating on Windows PC’s sold in recent years. Computer companies simply include player software applications, which is what we expect will happen with Blu-ray as well.
Q. Ballmer/Gates recently said that discs won’t be necessary soon, since consumers will be able to download HD content electronically. Does this mean that packaged media is doomed?
A. No. The Blu-ray Disc Association believes that most people prefer to buy content on optical discs. As an example, there is already a large array of SD content available in electronic form, including cable and satellite on-demand providers and online services like Movielink. Yet DVD has continued to be phenomenally successful as a sell-through format, indicating that ownership of a physical disc continues to have enormous appeal to consumers. Moreover, what Microsoft is talking about requires considerably more bandwidth than is currently available. Downloading several gigabytes of data on current broadband connections is a time consuming task and only 38% of the households in the US currently have broadband connectivity. As such, we think that high definition Blu-ray discs, with their highest quality HD content and interactive capability, will be around for a very long time.
Hybrid Disc
Q. HD DVD proponents say they have a hybrid disc that will allow DVD and HD DVD to be contained on one disc. Will the BD format also have a hybrid disc?
A. The BDA approved two hybrid disc types in the BD-ROM physical specifications. One is a Blu-ray and DVD combination disc, and the other is a Blu-ray and CD combination disc. Both are already in our specs and will be available for content providers to use when replicators begin to offer them. The Blu-ray hybrid approach will allow both SD and HD layers to be played from one side, thereby allowing use of a label and also helping to eliminate user confusion. So not only do we also have a hybrid solution, we think ours is the best solution for consumers.
BD-9
Q. What is the purpose of BD-9? Isn’t this contrary to the “bigger capacity is better” story that BDA is always talking about?
A. BD-9 is an optional way to allow content providers to release certain content that may not need the full 25 or 50 GB capacity of Blu-ray Disc. This might include short films, promotional material or other brief material. For traditional theatrical or episodic content, we believe the 25-50GB media is most appropriate.
Q. Is it true that BD-9 was added to the BD specifications only to get Warner to join?
A. BD-9 has actually been under development for quite a while. The BDA approved the specification in its October ’06 board of directors meeting.
Q. Does BD-9 provide a way to make a very inexpensive high def option for a traditional DVD player by simply adding BD-9 by itself?
A. BD-9 will be required for all Blu-ray playback devices, but will not be available for use on red laser-only players.
Copy Protection
Q. Will BD have mandatory managed copy?
A. The BDA fully intends to support mandatory managed copy in the Blu-ray format, since this is a key function of the AACS content protection selected by the BDA.
Q. Why didn’t the BDA announce this feature some time ago?
A. We did not initially call attention to managed copy because the AACS group has not yet delivered the compliance and robustness rules that are needed to implement this function, and we did not want to promote a feature that was not yet fully understood. MMC is a function of AACS that the BD format will support once the AACS group enables its use.
Q. Some say that BD+ content protection will disallow mandatory managed copy of BD content. Is this true?
A. No. BD+ will not affect our ability to support managed copy.
BD+
Q. In a nutshell, what does BD+ do?
A. BD+ can be thought of as an additional layer of content protection that can be used by content providers to thwart playback on only those devices that have hacks in place. We do not want to interfere with playback of innocent consumers’ content, so BD+ gives content providers a tool to disable playback of specific titles when hacks are detected at that moment.
Q. I’ve heard that BD+ requires a player to be connected to the Internet in order to get permission for playback. I’ve also heard that it can track a consumer’s viewing history and report it to studios. I’ve heard that BD+ can force a player to “self destruct”, and that it can be used by hackers to cause destructive behavior…etc.
A. These are rumors based on speculation and are not true.
Q. Can you be more specific as to how BD+ works?
A. The BD+ specifications are confidential, so we can’t share the details of how it works. But we would like to reassure you that BD+ should be completely transparent to users who are not attempting to hack the Blu-ray content protection system.
Analog outputs
• Analog outputs: Blu-ray Disc provides a way for content providers to allow analog HD output. The decision belongs to content providers (studios), not with the BDA. Please contact individual studios for their policies on this matter.
Content Management
• BD+ Does Not Interfere with AACS: AACS and BD+ are separate content protection layers and do not interfere with each other. When deployed by content owners, BD+ will be entirely transparent to end users if they are using legitimate players and content.
• Managed Copy: MC is a function of AACS that the BD format will support once the AACS group enables its use.
• Internet Connection is Not “Required”: No Internet connection is required to authorize playback of Blu-ray Discs.
Durability
Q. I’ve heard that Blu-ray is very delicate compared with DVD since it has used a cartridge in earlier products. This seems like a big disadvantage.
A. The Blu-ray disc abrasion specification provides for dramatically more durable discs than DVD. By using new hard coat technology from companies like TDK, Blu-ray discs are many times more scratch and fingerprint resistant than DVD. The result is a disc that will withstand rough handling in the real world, making Blu-ray the most “family friendly” format.
Replication Cost
Q. HD DVD seems to still have a significant advantage in terms of manufacturing cost, since existing DVD production lines can easily support HD DVD. What new evidence does the BDA have that Blu-ray will be cost-competitive?
A. I think the most compelling evidence that Blu-ray will be cost-competitive is the fact that seven of eight major Hollywood studios are going to release their content on Blu-ray Disc. I can’t give you hard numbers as disclosing exact cost data for either format implicates competitive issues for replicators in terms of process efficiencies, materials costs and the like. What I can tell you is that the studios planning to release content on Blu-ray (basically all of them) are comfortable that the cost of manufacturing is such that they will be able to price their movies at a point that will be attractive to their consumers. In addition, once such a large group of studios begin to place significant orders with their replicators, volumes should quickly increase and costs should drop accordingly. This is exactly what happened with DVD, and we expect it will happen again with Blu-ray Disc.
History and Association
Q. When was Blu-ray Disc introduced?
A. The Blu-ray Disc specification was officially announced in February 2002. Blu-ray Disc recorders were first launched in Japan in 2003.
Q. What does the name Blu-ray Disc mean?
A. The name Blu-ray Disc refers to the blue laser that is used to read from and record to a Blu-ray Disc. In comparison to a red laser, as used in DVD and CD, a blue laser allows for a much higher density and hence larger storage capacity. "Blu" is intentionally spelled without an "e" to allow for a distinctive registration of the trademark name.
Q. What is the correct abbreviation of Blu-ray Disc?
A. Blu-ray Disc can be shortened down to "BD".
Q. When was the Blu-ray Disc Association established?
A. The group of companies that develops the Blu-ray Disc format was initially called Blu-ray Disc Founders, and it was established in early 2002. In June 2004, the group was renamed to Blu-ray Disc Association to underline its intentions to welcome other companies to join the association.
Q. What companies support Blu-ray Disc?
A. Virtually all major consumer electronics companies plus the world's leading PC and blank media manufacturers support the Blu-ray Disc format. Currently, there are over 150 member companies.