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Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc ® (BD), is the name of a next-generation optical disc format developed by the Blu-ray Disc ® Association (BDA). Supported by more than 170 of the world's leading personal computer and media manufacturers, video game and music companies, major movie studios and consumer electronics manufacturers, the introduction of this new technology will be lead by Samsung with the introduction of the BD-P1000 –
The industry’s first Blu-ray player to hit the Australian market.
Developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of High-Definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data, Blu-ray is set to become the new standard in digital home entertainment in the Australian loungeroom.
While current optical disc technologies such as DVD, DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM rely on a red laser to read and write data, Blu-ray uses a blue-violet laser to deliver content in high-definition. Utilising a shorter wavelength than a red laser, the blue-violet laser of the Blu-ray format makes it possible to focus the laser spot with even greater precision. Due to this shorter wavelength, data can be packed more tightly and stored in less space, making it possible to fit more than six times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs. With discs the same size as a conventional CD/DVD, this extra capacity, combined with the use of advanced video and audio codecs, offers consumers an unprecedented HD experience.
The Future of Digital Home Entertainment
With Samsung’s BD-P1000 leading the charge, Blu-ray is expected to replace traditional DVD players in the future due to the increased demand for HD capable entertainment technologies. As more consumers enjoy big-screen high-definition television, the standard definition formats of conventional DVDs are ultimately disappointing in comparison. Blu-ray is true high-definition offering greater clarity, quality and resolution of images for a more enjoyable and ultimately satisfying movie experience.
Blu-ray recorders combined with hard drives offer a very flexible alternative for those that want to record HDTV. While HD-DVRs already allow consumers to record HDTV, the amount of HDTV programming that can be recorded and archived is limited by the size of the hard drive. In the not-too-distant future, Samsung will offer Blu-ray recorders that solve this problem by allowing consumers to record their videos to Blu-ray Discs, freeing up valuable and limited hard drive space. The Blu-ray recorders will also offer many compelling new features, previously not possible with a traditional VCR:
- Random access - instantly jump to any place on the disc
- Searching - quickly browse and preview recorded programs in real-time
- Create playlists - change the order of recorded programs and edit recorded video
- Simultaneous recording and playback of video (enables Time slip/Chasing playback)
- Automatically find an empty space to avoid recording over programs
- Improved picture - ability to record high-definition television (HDTV)
- Improved sound - ability to record surround sound (Dolby Digital, DTS, etc)
While a Blu-ray Disc is the preferred viewing method of choice for content, the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) expects every Blu-ray Disc device will be backward compatible with DVDs. Today’s Blu-ray players are equipped to read and write traditional CDs and DVDs, with Blu-ray Discs using a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical head. In fact, the Samsung BD-P1000 will support up-scaling of DVDs to 1080p/1080i, ensuring the consumer’s existing DVD collection will be maximized for the best quality viewing experience possible.
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