What is "blue-ray?" and how is it different from DVD?

Answer 1

Blu-ray is a new DVD format. Rather than using the current red lasers, blu-ray uses (you guessed it) blue lasers, which are smaller in diameter. This means you can pack more data onto a DVD disc (because the lasers are smaller, so the data points can be closer together).

Blu-ray players are compatible with all of your old DVDs.

Answer 2

Blue-ray is the technology developed by Sony to have High Definition on DVDs. Normal DVD movies are not in High definition.

Toshiba created a different technology called HD-DVD which like Blue-ray is High definition movies on DVD.

The two technologies are currently out there, but not all movies are being put on Blue-ray, nor are they being put on HD-Dvd because the two technologies are not compatible with each other.

A HD-dvd player can't play a Blue-Ray DVD and visa versa.

So until someone decides which will be "THE" High definition medium it's hard to say which one should buy. If you buy Blue-Ray but later all the movies eventually only get put on HD-DVD then you'll be in same boat as people way back when that bought a Beta-Max video tape player rather than VHS.

Answer 3

Blue ray is ONE of the new DVD formats that will record HDTV. Rather pricy. There are currently 2 new 'formats' for HDTV DVD's... I would wait until the format is 'standardized'. It is like the old BETA, VHS wars.. A big waste of money at this point.

Answer 4

Normal DVDs use infra-red to store information and can only hold so little. Blue-ray uses ultra-violet and can hold much more information. So its alot more high quality. Ultra-violet can give off harmful radiation but all BR dvd players have adequate safety measures so its safe.