Blu ray brings HD to your home

Blu ray, which is also known as a Blu ray disc, is an optical storage disc that was designed to store high definition video as well as other data with a capacity of 25 GB per single layered unit and 50 GB per dual layered disc. The name comes from the laser which is used to read the disc, which is blue-violet in color. You may find this disc referred to as blu ray DVD or HD Blu ray DVD which is incorrect, since DVD players and Blu ray players use completely different lasers to read the information off of their respective optical storage units.

This format was designed to provide an inexpensive medium to offer high definition video directly to the home user since DVDs only support standard definition and do not have the storage capacity required for HD. The advantage of blu ray over DVDs is that these optical storage units provide an unparalleled viewing experience, since high definition video provides an incredibly sharp picture and amazingly vivid colors. It’s as if you are there yourself.

Blu ray not only offers the necessary storage space, it also enables recording and rewriting of high definition in all resolutions. You also get high definition audio formats. The large storage capacity allows for additional content and special features alongside the movie. Such features are being able to bring up your menu as an overlay, with your blu ray movie playing in the background.

All this offers a completely innovative viewing experience and a lot more interactivity since, due to the networking features of blu ray players, you will be able to download extras, update content via the web and even watch live broadcasts of special events.

The first blu ray disc player was available to consumers in June 2006, with the first blu ray movies being released on June 20th of the same year. Since then, over 2500 titles have been made available in the United States and Canada, 1500 in the United Kingdom, 1000 in Australia and 2500 in Japan.

Some of the most popular units are from Sony and Panasonic. Sony has integrated blu ray technology into its PlayStation 3 120 GB which means that you have a lot of storage capacity for games as well as the option to watch blu ray movies on your unit.

The blu ray Panasonic offers a dedicated player that includes an SD Memory card slot and a USB slot, making it easier to view and share digital still images as well as video recorded with an HD camcorder.

Another highly appreciated unit is the Samsung blu ray player, model BD-P1600 1080p, which offers new online features such as Netflix, Pandora and BD-Live. This unit is popular because it is small, quiet and good value for a blu ray.

If you decide to purchase a blu ray disc player then you can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $2,000. Of course, if you are a true movie aficionado then you can go all out and splurge $5,000 on the blu ray disc tower that can house 30 blu ray discs.

If you want to bring your home movie viewing to a new level then you definitely should opt for a blu ray player. The added advantage of being able to rent and purchase movies and watch them, all through a single unit, is nothing to ignore. Why go to a movie theatre when you have your own at home?