Blu-ray format will be pushing the boundaries of current media substantially which allow you to enjoy a series of major advantages including:

• Capacity Building,
• High-Definition Video,
• Enhanced Interactivity,
• Enhanced Copy Protection, and
• Being Evidence for the future.

The most obvious benefit is the greater capacity. With a 25-50GB to store movies and game studios will be able to offer more in terms of additional features and gameplay. There are also many new DVD titles require 2 discs for added features whereas only one is needed for blu-ray which will lower prices for you.

High-Definition (HD) video playback is probably the most useful aspects of next-generation formats. As HD becomes mainstream, the ability to support the disk format is very important. Blu-ray offers space for each 2hrs/4hrs HD video (different coding will allow more and less) with space for interactive features are still available.

Enhanced interactivity features are a step forward compared to DVD. By combining the Java platform (called BD-J), blu-ray player can change dynamically interactive menus that can be updated via internet connection built into the player. These updates can include extra subtitles tracks and promotional features not available on purchases. This could effectively eliminate the ‘special editions’ studios tend to suggest the user to be able to download all the extra features they want, although not clear whether this will be free.

Enhanced copy protection is one aspect that will not notice you much, but it is very important. Blu-ray use different copy protection methods such as Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Advanced Access Content System (AACS). DRM method used on Blu-ray is called BD + which creates dynamically changing keys to protect the discs. This means that if the key is cracked only a portion of the disc is compromised. AACS could disable the player who is considered ‘bad’. ie if copied discs are used frequently, AACS could disable the player for the user and stop working even if bought by someone else. End of copy protection that can affect you is the Mandatory Managed Copy System (MMCS) which limits users to one set of copies of discs by making the user register ‘right’ to copy the disk.

Finally, blu-ray disc has been designed to be future proof. This means that by buying all new equipment is needed, you don’t need to upgrade in the near future (five years) as the development of next-generation formats.

This is just a picture of the benefits offered by Blu-ray. There are many smaller improvements but the benefits listed above is that it can affect everyone.