Blu-ray

Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc or BD, is a digital optical disc data storage format that was created to replace DVDs. It was developed in 2005 and launched worldwide on June 20, 2006. Blu-ray discs have the capacity to store several hours of high-definition video, including HDTV 720p and 1080p. The primary use of Blu-ray is for video content, such as feature films, as well as for distributing video games for popular gaming consoles like PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. 
The name "Blu-ray" comes from the blue laser, which is actually a violet laser, used to read the disc. This blue laser allows for higher data storage density compared to the red laser used in DVDs.
Blu-ray discs have the same physical dimensions as DVDs and CDs, with a diameter of 12 centimeters (4+3⁄4 inches) and a thickness of 1.2 millimeters (1⁄16 inch). Conventional Blu-ray Discs, also known as "pre-BD-XL," have a storage capacity of 25 GB per layer, while dual-layer discs have become the industry standard for feature-length video discs, offering 50 GB of storage. For BD-XL re-writer drives, triple-layer discs with 100 GB capacity and quadruple-layer discs with 128 GB capacity are available.
In terms of video resolution, DVDs are limited to a maximum resolution of 480p (NTSC, 720 × 480 pixels) or 576p (PAL, 720 × 576 pixels). In contrast, the initial Blu-ray specification defined a maximum resolution of 1080p (1920 × 1080 pixels) at up to 24 progressive or 29.97 interlaced frames per second. Subsequent revisions to the specification allowed newer Blu-ray players to support videos with a resolution of 1440 × 1080 pixels. Ultra HD Blu-ray players further extended the maximum resolution to 4K (3840 × 2160 pixels) with progressive frame rates of up to 60 frames per second. It's worth noting that Japan has an exclusive 8K resolution (7680 × 4320 pixels) Blu-ray format. Videos with non-standard resolutions must use letterboxing to conform to a resolution supported by the Blu-ray specification. 
Apart from its hardware, the Blu-ray Disc format was created by the Blu-ray Disc Association, a consortium that represents manufacturers of consumer electronics, computer hardware, and motion pictures. In October 2000, Sony introduced the initial prototypes of Blu-ray Discs, and the first prototype player was made available in Japan in April 2003. The format underwent further development until its official global launch on June 20, 2006, sparking the high-definition optical disc format rivalry, pitting Blu-ray Disc against the HD DVD format. Toshiba, the primary supporter of HD DVD, conceded defeat in February 2008 and subsequently released its own Blu-ray Disc player in late 2009. According to Media Research, sales of high-definition software in the United States were initially slower than DVD software sales during the first two years. Blu-ray Disc faces competition from video on demand (VOD) and DVD. As of January 2016, 44% of U.S. broadband households owned a Blu-ray player.
== History ==
=== Early History ===
The DVD format's information density was initially constrained by the wavelength of the laser diodes in use. However, after a prolonged period of development, blue laser diodes operating at 405 nanometers were introduced for mass production. This advancement paved the way for a denser storage format capable of accommodating higher-definition media. In October 1998, prototype discs were created using diodes with a slightly longer wavelength of 407 nanometers. Sony embarked on two collaborative projects with Panasonic, Philips, and TDK to leverage these new diodes: UDO (Ultra Density Optical) and DVR Blue (in partnership with Pioneer), which eventually evolved into the Blu-ray Disc format (specifically, BD-RE). Despite their differences, the core technologies of these formats share similarities. Sony first showcased DVR Blue prototypes at the CEATEC exhibition in October 2000. The trademark for the "Blue Disc" logo was officially filed on February 9, 2001. Subsequently, on February 19, 2002, the project was formally announced as Blu-ray Disc, leading to the establishment of the Blu-ray Disc Founders by the original nine members.
The Sony BDZ-S77, a BD-RE recorder priced at US$3,800, became the first consumer device to hit stores on April 10, 2003. However, it was only available in Japan and there were no pre-recorded videos or movies released for this player. In order for movies to be released in this new format, Hollywood studios demanded that players have digital rights management (DRM) capabilities, and they wanted a more secure DRM system than the failed Content Scramble System (CSS) used on DVDs. On October 4, 2004, the Blu-ray Disc Founders officially changed their name to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), and 20th Century Fox joined the BDA's Board of Directors. The physical specifications for Blu-ray Discs were finalized in 2004. The data is stored on a recording layer beneath a 0.1 millimeter protective layer, which sits on top of a 1.1 millimeter substrate made of polycarbonate plastic. In April 2004, Sony also announced a version of Blu-ray Discs that used paper as the substrate, developed in collaboration with Toppan Printing, offering up to 25 GB of storage.
TDK made an announcement in January 2005 regarding the development of a polymer coating called "Durabis" for Blu-ray Discs. This coating was remarkable as it provided an ultra-hard yet thin layer, addressing the need for enhanced protection against scratching and damage in the consumer market. This was particularly important as Blu-ray Discs required a thinner layer due to the denser and higher-frequency blue laser technology compared to DVDs. Consequently, the use of cartridges for scratch protection became obsolete and was discontinued. The specifications for BD-ROM were ultimately completed in early 2006.
The AACS LA, established in 2004, has been working on creating a DRM platform for the secure distribution of movies to consumers. Despite facing delays in finalizing the AACS standard, an interim standard was released at the behest of key hardware manufacturers like Toshiba, Pioneer, and Samsung, omitting certain features like managed copy.
=== Launch and sales development ===
The Samsung BD-P1000, the first BD-ROM players, were shipped in mid-June 2006. However, HD DVD players had already entered the market a few months earlier. On June 20, 2006, the first Blu-ray Disc titles were released, including movies such as 50 First Dates, The Fifth Element, Hitch, House of Flying Daggers, Underworld: Evolution, xXx (all from Sony), and MGM's The Terminator. These initial releases utilized MPEG-2 video compression, the same method used for standard DVDs. It wasn't until September 2006 that the newer VC-1 and AVC formats were introduced for Blu-ray releases. In October 2006, movies utilizing 50 GB dual-layer discs were introduced. Finally, in May 2008, the first audio-only albums were released.
As of June 2008, more than 2,500 Blu-ray Disc titles were accessible in Australia and the United Kingdom, while there were 3,500 available in the United States and Canada. In Japan, over 3,300 titles had been launched by July 2010.
=== Competition from HD DVD ===
The DVD Forum, led by Toshiba, faced a division regarding the adoption of the more costly blue laser technology. In March 2002, a proposal was approved by the forum, with backing from Warner Bros. and other film studios, to compress high-definition video onto dual-layer standard DVD-9 discs. Despite this decision, the DVD Forum's Steering Committee revealed in April that they were moving forward with their own blue-laser high-definition video solution. Subsequently, in August, Toshiba and NEC introduced their rival standard, the Advanced Optical Disc. Eventually, this standard was embraced by the DVD Forum and rebranded as HD DVD the following year, after being rejected twice by DVD Forum members who were also part of the Blu-ray Disc Association—a situation that prompted initial investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Initially, HD DVD gained an advantage in the high-definition video market, while Blu-ray Disc sales struggled to capture a significant market share. The first Blu-ray Disc player was considered costly and plagued with technical issues, and the selection of available titles was limited.
The Sony PlayStation 3, featuring a Blu-ray Disc player for primary storage, played a key role in supporting Blu-ray technology. Sony executed a comprehensive and impactful marketing strategy for the format. In 2006, AVCHD camcorders were also launched. These recordings are compatible with many Blu-ray Disc players without the need for re-encoding, but they cannot be played on HD DVD players. By January 2007, Blu-ray Discs had surpassed HD DVDs in sales, and throughout the first three quarters of 2007, BD outsold HD DVD by a ratio of approximately two to one. At CES 2007, Warner proposed Total Hi Def—a hybrid disc featuring Blu-ray on one side and HD DVD on the other, although it never made it to market.
On June 28, 2007, the adoption of the BD+ anticopying system by Blu-ray Discs was cited by 20th Century Fox as a crucial factor in their choice to endorse the Blu-ray Disc format.
On January 4, 2008, just a day before CES 2008, Warner Bros., the sole major studio that was still releasing movies in both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc format, made an announcement that it would exclusively release movies in Blu-ray after May 2008. This decision also encompassed other studios under the Warner umbrella, including New Line Cinema and HBO. However, in Europe, HBO's distribution partner, the BBC, declared that it would continue to release products in both formats while closely monitoring market trends. As a result, this announcement triggered a series of reactions within the industry. Prominent American retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Circuit City, as well as Canadian chains like Future Shop, promptly removed HD DVD from their stores. Additionally, Woolworths, a major European retailer at the time, eliminated HD DVD from its inventory. Furthermore, major DVD rental companies Netflix and Blockbuster announced that they would no longer offer HD DVD for rental.
In light of these recent developments, Toshiba made an announcement on February 19, 2008, stating that it would cease the production of HD DVD devices. This decision paved the way for Blu-ray Disc to become the prevailing industry standard for high-density optical discs. Universal Studios, the sole major studio that had been supporting HD DVD since its inception, expressed their response shortly after Toshiba's announcement. They stated, "While Universal highly values the close partnership we have had with Toshiba, it is now time for us to shift our focus towards releasing new and catalog titles on Blu-ray Disc." Paramount Pictures, which had exclusively released movies in HD DVD format starting in late 2007, also declared their intention to begin releasing movies on Blu-ray Disc. Both studios unveiled their initial Blu-ray lineups in May 2008. Consequently, all major Hollywood studios lent their support to Blu-ray.
=== Ongoing development ===
==== 2005-2010 ====
==== 2011-present ====
=== Future scope and market trends ===
==== Beyond Blu-ray ====
==== Rise of boutique labels ====
== Physical media ==
=== Laser and optics ===
=== Hard-coating technology ===
=== Drive speeds ===
=== Media quality and data integrity ===
=== Packaging ===
=== Types ===
==== Mini Blu-Ray Disc ====
==== Blu-Ray Disc recordable ====
==== BD9 and BD5 ====
==== BDXL ====
==== IH-BD ====
== Data format standards ==
=== Filesystem ===
=== Application format ===
=== Media format ===
==== Container format ====
==== Codecs ====
===== Video =====
===== Audio =====
==== Bit rate ====
=== Java software interface ===
=== Player profiles ===
==== BD-Live ====
=== Region codes ===
=== Digital rights management ===
==== High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection ====
==== Advanced Access Content System ====
==== BD+ ====
==== BD-ROM Mark ====
=== Backward compatibility ===
== Variations ==
=== High Fidelity Pure Audio (BD-A) ===
=== AVCHD ===
=== AVCREC ===
=== Blu-ray 3D ===
=== Ultra-HD Blu-ray ===
== See also ==
Category:Disc format
Category:2006
Category:Companies founded in 2006
Category:Companies