Blu ray FAQ  

Q: What is Blu ray? 
A: Blu ray, also known as Blu ray disc (BD), is a next generation format developed to store and deliver High Definition (HD) video content and large amounts of data. 
 
Q: Why is it called Blu ray? 
A: The name Blu ray refers to the blue laser used to read the disc. A Blu ray drive uses a blue laser with a shorter wavelength than the red laser used for standard definition (SD) DVDs and CDs. 
 
Q: How much information can be put on a BD? 
A: A single layer Blu ray disc (BD) and can hold up to 25 GB (Gigabytes) of data or video, more than five times the amount of data a single layer DVD can store. A Blu ray dual layer (BD DL) disc and can hold up to 50 GB of data or video. 
 
Q: Is a Blu ray disc larger than a SD DVD? 
A: No. A BD is the same size and shape as SD DVDs and CDs. 
 
Q: How does a Blu ray disc store so much more information than a standard definition DVD? 
A: The shorter wavelength blue laser allows BD to utilize smaller pits and lands than are used on SD DVDs. Pits and lands are the method by which information is stored on an optical disc. The Blu ray disc stores these smaller pits and lands in a more compact manner, resulting in dramatically increased storage capacity over a DVD of the same physical dimensions. 
 
Q: Will my BD play on my old DVD player? 
A: No. You will need a Blu ray player to watch video stored on BD. 
 
Q: Will my SD DVDs play on a Blu ray player? 
A: Most will, however, there are currently no requirements for backwards compatibility. Please refer to your manufacturer and model specifications for more information. 
 
Q: Are there more features of Blu ray? 
Yes! They include: 

• Increased disc capacity allowing for HD video. 
• 6x the resolution of DVD with 7.1 channels of uncompressed audio. 
• New menu integration with increased interactivity and menu navigation over top of playing video. 
• Network/internet connectivity 
• Improved disc coating with increased resistance to scratches and smudges.