History

• In 1992, Shuji Nakamura, a professor at the College of Engineering and University of California, Santa Barbara, created the blue laser diode. Sony and Pioneer showed prototypes at the 2000 Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies trade show in Japan. In 2002, the Blu-ray Disc Founders launched the Blu-ray project. The BDF was made up of manufacturers of consumer electronics, computer hardware and media products, including Apple, Panasonic, Pioneer and Sony.
  
  In 2004, the BDF changed its name to Blu-ray Disc Association and completed the disc's physical specifications. The BDA develops Blu-ray disc technology and establishes format standards. Following the BD release in 2006, Professor Nakamura was awarded the Millennium Technology Prize for his work.
  
  

The Process

• Optical disc technologies rely on lasers to read and write data. The Blu-ray format relies on a blue-violet laser with a shorter wavelength of 405 nm; in contrast, the DVD format relies on a red laser with a longer wavelength of 650 nm. With this shorter wavelength, Blu-ray technology focuses the laser spot more precisely to store more data on less space on the BD.
  
  

Data Storage Applications

• For mass data storage, Blu-ray offers up to 25 GB on a single-layer disc and 50 GB on a dual-layer disc. This high capacity helps accommodate increasing demand for audio, video and photo data storage requirements. This new format also allows media products to be backwards-compatible with a BD/DVD/CD-compatible optical pickup unit. For example, you can view a DVD inserted in a Blu-ray disc drive.
  
  Blu-ray technology allows transferring data between devices, an advantage in digital asset management. According to the BDA, this application allows high capacity with a low cost per GB. For professional applications, such as medical archives and catalogs, these discs with large amounts of data can physically go to another secure location for backup.
  
  

Audio and Visual Applications

• Blu-ray technology allows high definition television recording of digital broadcasts from HDTV sets. A 50 GB disc can store more than nine hours of HD video. A BD stores an HD video in the best possible quality, and allows space to include bonus features, menus and graphics. In contrast to the DVD format, the Blu-ray application allows an Internet connection to unlock extra materials for more interaction in home entertainment.
  
  For high definition camcorder archiving, Blu-ray technology can convert an HD video or home movie for recording on a long-lasting BD. This format allows random access to different parts of the recording like a traditional DVD. Without the disadvantage of tape wear, the BD stores more safely for archival purposes.