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%Begin What Is Blu-ray? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Home Theater & Entertainment &gt; DVDs, DVRs & Videos 108 108 people found this article helpful <h1> What Is Blu-ray?</h1> <h2> How it fits into the home theater experience</h2> By Robert Silva Robert Silva Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998.
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%Begin What Is Blu-ray? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Home Theater & Entertainment > DVDs, DVRs & Videos 108 108 people found this article helpful

What Is Blu-ray?

How it fits into the home theater experience

By Robert Silva Robert Silva Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998.
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Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 22, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email DVDs, DVRs & Videos TV & Displays Audio DVDs, DVRs & Videos Blu-ray is one of two high-definition disc formats introduced to consumers in 2006.
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Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 22, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email DVDs, DVRs & Videos TV & Displays Audio DVDs, DVRs & Videos Blu-ray is one of two high-definition disc formats introduced to consumers in 2006.
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Andrew Wilson 3 minutes ago
Along with its rival, HD-DVD, Blu-ray expanded the depth, color, and detail of the images you see. W...
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Henry Schmidt 1 minutes ago
Here's a look at Blu-ray's history and where it stands today. Blu-ray Disc Association
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Along with its rival, HD-DVD, Blu-ray expanded the depth, color, and detail of the images you see. While HD-DVD was discontinued in 2008, Blu-ray and DVD are still in use.
Alexander Wang Member
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Along with its rival, HD-DVD, Blu-ray expanded the depth, color, and detail of the images you see. While HD-DVD was discontinued in 2008, Blu-ray and DVD are still in use.
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Here&#39;s a look at Blu-ray&#39;s history and where it stands today. Blu-ray Disc Association <h2> Blu-ray vs DVD </h2> DVD technology improved on previous formats, such as VHS and Laserdisc, in terms of the TV viewing and listening experience.
David Cohen Member
access_time 8 minutes ago
Here's a look at Blu-ray's history and where it stands today. Blu-ray Disc Association

Blu-ray vs DVD

DVD technology improved on previous formats, such as VHS and Laserdisc, in terms of the TV viewing and listening experience.
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Luna Park 3 minutes ago
Still, DVD isn't a high-definition format. Its limitations became noticeable as HDTV emerged, TV scr...
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Still, DVD isn't a high-definition format. Its limitations became noticeable as HDTV emerged, TV screen sizes increased, and video projectors became more common.
Isabella Johnson Member
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Still, DVD isn't a high-definition format. Its limitations became noticeable as HDTV emerged, TV screen sizes increased, and video projectors became more common.
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Alexander Wang 10 minutes ago
Blu-ray aimed to answer DVD's shortcomings. It allows you to see more depth, a wider range of co...
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Harper Kim 3 minutes ago
DVD uses red laser technology. The Blu-ray Disc format uses blue laser technology and sophisticated ...
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Blu-ray aimed to answer DVD&#39;s shortcomings. It allows you to see more depth, a wider range of color shades, and more image detail.
Sophia Chen Member
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Blu-ray aimed to answer DVD's shortcomings. It allows you to see more depth, a wider range of color shades, and more image detail.
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DVD uses red laser technology. The Blu-ray Disc format uses blue laser technology and sophisticated video compression to achieve high-definition video playback on a standard DVD-sized disc.
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DVD uses red laser technology. The Blu-ray Disc format uses blue laser technology and sophisticated video compression to achieve high-definition video playback on a standard DVD-sized disc.
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A blue laser light beam is narrower than a red laser. The blue laser focuses more precisely on a disc surface. Taking advantage of this, the pits on the disc where information is stored can be made smaller.
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A blue laser light beam is narrower than a red laser. The blue laser focuses more precisely on a disc surface. Taking advantage of this, the pits on the disc where information is stored can be made smaller.
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Sebastian Silva 16 minutes ago
This means more pits can be placed onto a Blu-ray disc than a DVD. Increasing the number of pits giv...
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Brandon Kumar 11 minutes ago
Blu-ray also provides more audio capacity than the DVD format. DVD supports Standard Dolby Digital a...
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This means more pits can be placed onto a Blu-ray disc than a DVD. Increasing the number of pits gives the disc more capacity, allowing for the storage of high-definition video.
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This means more pits can be placed onto a Blu-ray disc than a DVD. Increasing the number of pits gives the disc more capacity, allowing for the storage of high-definition video.
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Blu-ray also provides more audio capacity than the DVD format. DVD supports Standard Dolby Digital and DTS audio. Blu-ray supports these formats and more, with up to eight channels of uncompressed audio in addition to video content.
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Blu-ray also provides more audio capacity than the DVD format. DVD supports Standard Dolby Digital and DTS audio. Blu-ray supports these formats and more, with up to eight channels of uncompressed audio in addition to video content.
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Standard Dolby Digital and DTS audio are referred to as lossy audio formats because these formats are highly compressed to fit on a DVD. <h2> Blu-ray Disc Format Specifications </h2> Here&#39;s a look at the Blu-ray format&#39;s specifications. <h3> Storage Capacity </h3> Disc storage capacity for pre-recorded (BD-ROM) playback material: Single-layer: 25 GBDual-layer: 50 GB Disc storage capacity for recording: Single-layer: 25 GBDual-layer: 50 GB There are two types of recordable Blu-ray discs: BD-R (Blu-ray Disc Record Once) and BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc Re-writable).
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Standard Dolby Digital and DTS audio are referred to as lossy audio formats because these formats are highly compressed to fit on a DVD.

Blu-ray Disc Format Specifications

Here's a look at the Blu-ray format's specifications.

Storage Capacity

Disc storage capacity for pre-recorded (BD-ROM) playback material: Single-layer: 25 GBDual-layer: 50 GB Disc storage capacity for recording: Single-layer: 25 GBDual-layer: 50 GB There are two types of recordable Blu-ray discs: BD-R (Blu-ray Disc Record Once) and BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc Re-writable).
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Standalone consumer Blu-ray Disc recorders aren't available in the U.S.

Data Transfer Rate ...

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Julia Zhang 21 minutes ago

Video Specifications

Blu-ray is compatible with full MPEG2 encoding, MPEG4 AVC (also know...
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Standalone consumer Blu-ray Disc recorders aren&#39;t available in the U.S. <h3> Data Transfer Rate </h3> Blu-ray&#39;s data transfer rate is 36 to 48 Mbps on average, with capabilities up to 54 Mbps. This exceeds the 19.3 Mbps transfer rate approved for HDTV broadcasting.
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Standalone consumer Blu-ray Disc recorders aren't available in the U.S.

Data Transfer Rate

Blu-ray's data transfer rate is 36 to 48 Mbps on average, with capabilities up to 54 Mbps. This exceeds the 19.3 Mbps transfer rate approved for HDTV broadcasting.
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<h3> Video Specifications </h3> Blu-ray is compatible with full MPEG2 encoding, MPEG4 AVC (also known as H.264), and VC1 (based on the Microsoft Windows Media Video format). Video resolutions from 480i to 1080p (in either 2D or 3D) can be implemented at the content producer's discretion.
Zoe Mueller Member
access_time 52 minutes ago

Video Specifications

Blu-ray is compatible with full MPEG2 encoding, MPEG4 AVC (also known as H.264), and VC1 (based on the Microsoft Windows Media Video format). Video resolutions from 480i to 1080p (in either 2D or 3D) can be implemented at the content producer's discretion.
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Madison Singh 25 minutes ago

Audio Specifications

Only Dolby Digital, DTS, and uncompressed PCM are required on all pl...
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<h3> Audio Specifications </h3> Only Dolby Digital, DTS, and uncompressed PCM are required on all players. Other formats, including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio, are optional.
Alexander Wang Member
access_time 42 minutes ago

Audio Specifications

Only Dolby Digital, DTS, and uncompressed PCM are required on all players. Other formats, including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio, are optional.
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Sophie Martin 42 minutes ago
Most Blu-ray Disc players made since 2008 incorporate Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio onboard d...
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When players were first introduced, video output was allowed using composite, S-video, component, an...
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Most Blu-ray Disc players made since 2008 incorporate Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio onboard decoding, undecoded bitstream output, or both. In addition, most Blu-ray Disc players are compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround-sound audio encoding. <h3> Audio and Video Connectivity </h3> Blu-ray supports audio output from players with analog, digital optical, coaxial, and HDMI connectivity.
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Most Blu-ray Disc players made since 2008 incorporate Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio onboard decoding, undecoded bitstream output, or both. In addition, most Blu-ray Disc players are compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround-sound audio encoding.

Audio and Video Connectivity

Blu-ray supports audio output from players with analog, digital optical, coaxial, and HDMI connectivity.
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When players were first introduced, video output was allowed using composite, S-video, component, an...
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When players were first introduced, video output was allowed using composite, S-video, component, and HDMI. As of 2013, everything except HDMI was eliminated. To use any Blu-ray Disc player made since 2013, your TV must have an HDMI input to view video content.
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access_time 16 minutes ago
When players were first introduced, video output was allowed using composite, S-video, component, and HDMI. As of 2013, everything except HDMI was eliminated. To use any Blu-ray Disc player made since 2013, your TV must have an HDMI input to view video content.
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Internet and Network Connectivity

The Blu-ray format supports networking and internet cap...
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<h3> Internet and Network Connectivity </h3> The Blu-ray format supports networking and internet capabilities. Most players also have a built-in Wi-Fi connection option. Most Blu-ray Disc players provide internet streaming capabilities, such as access to Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, and Amazon Video.
William Brown Member
access_time 34 minutes ago

Internet and Network Connectivity

The Blu-ray format supports networking and internet capabilities. Most players also have a built-in Wi-Fi connection option. Most Blu-ray Disc players provide internet streaming capabilities, such as access to Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, and Amazon Video.
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<h3> Backward Compatibility Support </h3> The Blu-ray Disc format isn&#39;t compatible with previous formats, so you can&#39;t play a Blu-ray disc on a DVD or CD player. However, Blu-ray Disc players can play DVDs and CDs, and some play more disc and USB-based media file formats.
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access_time 72 minutes ago

Backward Compatibility Support

The Blu-ray Disc format isn't compatible with previous formats, so you can't play a Blu-ray disc on a DVD or CD player. However, Blu-ray Disc players can play DVDs and CDs, and some play more disc and USB-based media file formats.
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Mason Rodriguez 44 minutes ago

Ultra HD Blu-ray

In late 2015, the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc format was introduced. This form...
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You can't play an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc on a standard Blu-ray Disc player. However, Ultra HD Blu...
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<h2> Ultra HD Blu-ray </h2> In late 2015, the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc format was introduced. This format uses the same size discs as Blu-ray, except these disks fit more information and support 4K resolution playback (this isn't the same as 4K upscaling). Ultra HD Blu-ray offers other video enhancement capabilities, such as wide color gamut and HDR.
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access_time 95 minutes ago

Ultra HD Blu-ray

In late 2015, the Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc format was introduced. This format uses the same size discs as Blu-ray, except these disks fit more information and support 4K resolution playback (this isn't the same as 4K upscaling). Ultra HD Blu-ray offers other video enhancement capabilities, such as wide color gamut and HDR.
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You can't play an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc on a standard Blu-ray Disc player. However, Ultra HD Blu...
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Blu-ray and Ultra HD-Blu-ray can also be used with 4K Ultra HD TVs. Learn what you need to know befo...
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You can&#39;t play an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc on a standard Blu-ray Disc player. However, Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc players can play standard Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and CDs, and most can stream internet content.
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access_time 100 minutes ago
You can't play an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc on a standard Blu-ray Disc player. However, Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc players can play standard Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and CDs, and most can stream internet content.
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Ella Rodriguez 58 minutes ago
Blu-ray and Ultra HD-Blu-ray can also be used with 4K Ultra HD TVs. Learn what you need to know befo...
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FAQ How do I connect my Blu-ray player to my home theater system? How you connect a Blu-ray player t...
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Blu-ray and Ultra HD-Blu-ray can also be used with 4K Ultra HD TVs. Learn what you need to know before buying a Blu-ray player, what types of Blu-ray players are best, and how to set up a Blu-ray player.
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access_time 84 minutes ago
Blu-ray and Ultra HD-Blu-ray can also be used with 4K Ultra HD TVs. Learn what you need to know before buying a Blu-ray player, what types of Blu-ray players are best, and how to set up a Blu-ray player.
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FAQ How do I connect my Blu-ray player to my home theater system? How you connect a Blu-ray player to your home theater depends on whether your home theater receiver has HDMI connections that can access both audio and video signals.
Zoe Mueller Member
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FAQ How do I connect my Blu-ray player to my home theater system? How you connect a Blu-ray player to your home theater depends on whether your home theater receiver has HDMI connections that can access both audio and video signals.
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If the receiver only offers HDMI pass-through, you may need additional analog or digital audio conne...
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If the receiver only offers HDMI pass-through, you may need additional analog or digital audio connections.<br/> What is the Blu-ray region code for the USA? The Blu-ray region code for the USA is Region A, which includes all of North, South, and Central America. Before you buy a Blu-ray movie, make sure it supports your region.
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If the receiver only offers HDMI pass-through, you may need additional analog or digital audio connections.
What is the Blu-ray region code for the USA? The Blu-ray region code for the USA is Region A, which includes all of North, South, and Central America. Before you buy a Blu-ray movie, make sure it supports your region.
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How do you clean a Blu-ray disc? To clean a Blu-ray disc, take a soft, microfiber cloth and wet it with warm water. Gently wipe your disc, and then dry it thoroughly with another dry cloth.
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How do you clean a Blu-ray disc? To clean a Blu-ray disc, take a soft, microfiber cloth and wet it with warm water. Gently wipe your disc, and then dry it thoroughly with another dry cloth.
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As long as you&#39;re gentle and the disc is dry before use, there isn&#39;t much danger in damaging it. How do you play Blu-rays on PC? Your computer will need a Blu-ray drive or an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive to play Blu-ray discs.
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As long as you're gentle and the disc is dry before use, there isn't much danger in damaging it. How do you play Blu-rays on PC? Your computer will need a Blu-ray drive or an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive to play Blu-ray discs.
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With the proper hardware, you can install a program like VLC to open and play your Blu-ray discs on Windows. Was this page helpful?
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