Blu-Ray Player & Recorder Information

Got Blu-Ray Questions?

We've got answers! This first in a series of Blu-Ray lenses covers the basics of Blu-Ray technology.

New Table of Contents

Blu-Ray Basics
Blu-Ray Materials
Blu-Ray Differences
What do you think about Blu-Ray?
Blu-Ray Poll
Blu-Ray Movies from Amazon.com

Blu-Ray Basics

Blu-Ray (often misspelled Blue-Ray)is one of the successors to DVD technology for playing & recording multimedia like movies and video games.

Many of us were uncomfortable when movies on VHS began being phased out by the DVD. Yet we adjusted to this new technology without any problems. In fact, we came to really enjoy all of the features that DVDs offered over VHS. We didn't have to guess where to rewind or fast-forward the materials to. We also can watch the many bonus features in addition to the main movie. Well, DVDs now have some competition in the form of the Blu-Ray.

This is a type of high definition video so if you already have a TV set that high definition compatible you will have the very best possible picture available. In addition to being able to play the materials you can also copy information to blank Blu-Ray discs. They hold a great deal of information so you should have no problems at all storing the information you are interested in.

Blu-Ray Materials

You may have noticed quite a selection of Blu-Ray materials at your local stores. The common ones including Target and Wal-Mart already carry them for all of the new releases. Most video rental stores also carry the newest movies out on Blu-Ray. Since not everyone has this capability it can help ensure you get your hands on those new releases when they are offered.

If you don't think you will have to transform to Blu-Ray then you better think again. Many of the leaders in the areas of technology are going that direction. In addition, the major production companies including Disney, MGM, and Paramount are also looking at only releasing movies on Blu-Ray by 2010.

Blu-Ray Differences

Consumers may have no choice but to buy the Blu-Ray discs in the next year or two. They will begin phasing out DVD formats just like they did with the VHS movies that many of us still have lying around our homes collecting dust. Right now Blu-Ray disc movies are just a couple dollars more than a DVD. It is expected that they will drop in price as DVDs become obsolete.

Those of you that have had problems with scratches on DVDs before will be very happy to learn that this is virtually impossible with Blu-Ray discs. This is because they use a laser and they have a protective coating on them.

Customers of Netflix movie rental service will really appreciate the protective coating. Almost one third of the discs I rent from Netflix have some kind of problem with playback, most likely due to scratches. Netflix already has a sizable number of titles on Blu-Ray.