Blu-Ray - Everything about the "Blue Wonder"
Article update: 30.09.2009/XNUMX/XNUMX
At the beginning of 2002 it was just a vision. A vision of a new medium that the DVD should be far superior. The name Blu-Ray derives from the more correct Blu(e)-Ray because it literally means "blue ray of light", referring to the purple used Laser (405 nm). The deviation from the correct spelling aims to favor registration of the expression as a trademark.
The "Blu-Ray Disc Founders", a group of companies from the entertainment electronics and computer industry, developed the Blu-Ray format in 2002. In 2004 they renamed themselves the "Blu-Ray Disc Association" (BDA) in order to be able to include other companies in their group.
Contents
The competition fight
From 2005, two optical media entered the fierce competition. Since the beginning of 2008, more precisely since Toshiba's short-term press conference on February 19.02.2008th, XNUMX, the successor to the DVD has been decided, it's the Blu-Ray!
At the press conference mentioned above, Toshiba decided not toDVD-Player, – to no longer design, manufacture or market recorder and PC drives.
Why did the HD-DVD disappear from the market so quickly?
In January 2008, one of the largest Hollywood film studios, "Warner Bros.", finally decided to only sell future feature films in high-resolution quality on Blu-ray discs. It was thus clear that the vast majority of all US feature films were not on the HD-DVD would appear. About a month later, the next headline came: Huge video stores, such as B. Netflix, as well as the world's largest retail chain, Wal-Mart, announced that they would be removing HD DVDs completely from their range in the short term.
For some consumers, these reports created mixed moods: Some are happy that the format dispute has finally been ended by the industry itself, or have already bought a Blu-Ray player beforehand. For the rest of the consumers (about a million according to Toshiba) who have purchased an HD DVD player, their only consolation is that Toshiba offers full support and service for these products.
What speaks for and against Blu-Ray?
In contrast to DVD, Blu-Ray offers a much higher storage capacity, which makes it e.g. B. feature films allows image and Ton reproduce in high resolution. 50 gigabytes (possibly 66,8 GB in the future) are available for this, with positive results: the video signal can be processed with a Full-HD-Resolution of 1.920 x 1.080 pixels and a bandwidth of 36 MBit/s. Of course, you can also put your personal music on a Blu-Ray Disc MP3-accommodate the collection, which may well be over 10.000 songs. If you look at the values of the DVD (720 x 576 pixels, 4,7 GB storage capacity in singleLayer and a bandwidth of 10 Mbit/s), you can immediately see the huge difference. Furthermore, the new Phase-Change technology enable twice the data transfer rate of 72 Mbit/s when writing instead of the originally specified 36 Mbit/s. This high data transfer rate ensures that the data on Blu-Ray media is read around four times faster than on a DVD with the same rotation speed. Drives for use in players are operated at this speed, but currently there are already 6x drives (216 Mbit/s).
Thanks to the high storage capacity, new sound formats have been specially developed for high-resolution material, which guarantee a loss-free original sound. To call them by name: Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio (more on this in HiFi-Knowledge).
Other new functions would include picture-in-picture, Internet connection or better, interactive menus, the application layer under the name BD J is known. There is also the option of switching the Blu-Ray player as the control center between the computer and television via Plug&Play, so that you can conveniently view your old photos or videos in clear menus using the remote control.
The only real disadvantage of Blu-Ray is that if you want to enjoy high-resolution material, you need a new flat-screen TV with at least one in addition to a Blu-Ray feature film and player HDMI- Input must be equipped in order to be able to play the copy-protected films. (Shopper flat screen TV)
The same applies to the PC: In addition to a monitor that has an HDMI or DVI-Connection has the encryption system HDCP mastered, its display should measure at least 24 inches. You also need a graphics card with HDCP support.
What prices should I expect?
Since the Blu-Ray devices and media are still relatively new to the market, the prices are correspondingly higher than those of DVD players or films.
Blu-ray entry-level devices are available from around 160 euros (as of September 2009). However, as with any other device, you can far exceed this price range. Top devices can easily exceed the 1000 euro limit!
However, a player for Blu-ray media that is often very underestimated is the PlayStation 3. It can already be found in almost 300.000 German households and is actually only intended as a games console for children. But due to the enormous number of users, Sony is constantly expanding its PlayStation 3 with new functions via firmware updates, so it is also able to play Blu-Ray films. However, it also has two small disadvantages: the power consumption is in the high range at 200 watts and the device has a volume of 2,0 Sona hard to ignore.
Blu-ray films are already available for new releases in a price segment between 20 and 28 euros. Older films, e.g. before 2008, are already available for 10 - 15 euros. If you compare this with a price for DVDs for new releases, which is between 15 and 20 euros, the difference is not too big.
Which medium should I buy in the near future: DVD or Blu-Ray?
One can tend to say: Blu-Ray! Statistically, there are currently a good 100.000 DVDs compared to 700 Blu-Ray films (as of March 2008), but the advantages (image and sound) of Blu-Ray discs are obvious.
Furthermore, all Blu-Ray players are backward compatible. Thus, you can easily play DVDs on your Blu-ray player. The newer device will play them in the "old" DVD resolution (PAL/Standard Definition) on your flat screen TV (upscaling). The material can meanwhile up to 1080 be scaled up. Of course, a DVD scaled out from 576p to 1080i (ie the electronics of the player adds the missing lines) does not come close to the quality of a Blu-Ray, but there are also some "bad" Blu-Rays, e.g. B. older films that can hardly be extrapolated technically, where the quality can be equated with a DVD.
However, if you already have the right hardware at home, feel free to reach for the Blu-Ray media, which justify the extra charge with the additional features and qualities.
Does Blu-Ray have copy protection?
The answer is "yes", even several!
AACS (Advanced Access Content System), the Region Code and BD + are the three types of Copy protection on a Blu-ray medium.
But as with any copy protection, these three are already half cracked.
Constantly updated hacker tools for AACS are already circulating on the Internet. This software can play Blu-ray movies e.g. B. easily rip to the hard drive - illegal!
Even with that region code this software almost always manages; this is exactly the same as with the DVD. It is intended to prevent films purchased in the USA from being played back on European players.
The following regional codes exist:
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A/1: America, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia
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B/2: Europe, Greenland, French Overseas Territories, Middle East, Africa, Oceania
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C/3: India, Nepal, China, Russia, Central and South Asia.
The third copy protection, BD+, was cracked in November 2008. However, it only ensures that the films cannot be recoded into another video format. But that only "disturbs" as long as BD blanks are still so expensive that Blu-Ray copies are not profitable - but should a flood of piracy start in this case, similar to the DVD, the manufacturers will agree Back doors left open: Under certain circumstances, players on which pirated copies are running can then be blocked on the new Blu-Ray media via the Internet or special “blacklists” with – impermissible – devices. If and when this variant will ever be used is unclear, so far it has not been. If you did it anyway, the image of the Blu-Ray would be badly damaged.
What are the minimum requirements that my playback device must meet?
The Blu-Ray specifications contain requirements for playback devices that are summarized in so-called profiles.
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Profile 1.0: Original profile when Blu-Ray was introduced. Secondary audio and video decoders are optional, as is local storage and network connectivity
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Profile 1.1: Newer profile with necessary secondary audio and video decoders for picture-in-picture, at least 256 MiB of local disk space required
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Profile 2.0: Latest profile (May 2008). Requires at least two secondary decoders, 1 GiB of local storage for updates and content, and internet connectivity
Which film studios release their HD films on Blu-ray?
These studios include 20th Century Fox, Constantin Film, Magmafilm, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Paramount, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros.
What about Blu-Ray blanks for the PC?
Blu-ray discs come in three varieties:
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As a read-only disc (BD-ROM, comparable to DVD-ROM)
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As a rewritable disc (BD+/- RW, comparable to DVD +/- RW)
The price for this (as of September 2009):
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BD-R 25GB: around 2 euros
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BD-R 50GB: around 7 euros
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BD-RE 25 GB: about 6 euros
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BD-RE 50GB: around 15 euros
Pure Blu-Ray reading drives are already available for just under 70 euros. Blu-ray burners cost upwards of 180 euros and can probably also write to CDs and DVDs in all cases.
Compact overview of the Blu-Ray
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Type: Optical storage medium
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Storage capacity: 25 GB single layer, 50 GB double layer
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Reading speed: 1x@36 Mbit/s
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Intended use: data storage, medium for high-resolution material
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Developer: Blu-Ray Disc Association (2002)
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Reading method: CLV
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laser wavelength: 405nm
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number Aperture: 0,85
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Lens Pitch: 0,14mm to 0,50mm
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Thickness: 1,2 mm
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Layer thickness: 0,1mm single layer / 0,075mm double layer
Blu-Ray News Ticker
February 2009
Four years after the basic version 0.9 of the AACS copy protection, the responsible License Administration (AACS LA) presented the final version of the copy protection. This includes an important change. At the insistence of the film industry, the "analogue hole" will be plugged, which can be used for analogue copies of a Blu-Ray disc or similar, e.g. with the Hauppauge HD-PVR program. In plain language, this means that Blu-Ray players that come onto the market after January 01.01.2014st, 2011 may no longer have an analogue video output. As early as XNUMX, no analog image output should be over HDTV more done. Players newly manufactured at that time can then only play Blu-Ray videos downscaled to 480i or 576i. For devices that are already on the market, a production and sales period should apply until December 31.12.2011, XNUMX, according to the specification.
September 2009
At the IFA 2009, Panasonic presented two Blu-Ray hard disk recorders, the DMR-BS850 and the DMR-BS750. In addition to a hard drive from 250 GB upwards, both devices also have a twinTuner for satellite reception, which enables the simultaneous recording of two (HD) TV programs. The recording can then be burned from the hard drive to an optical storage medium at 43 times the speed. For Pay TV two CI slots are available. video films (AVCHD, MPEG2) and photos (JPEG) can be played back via the SD card slot and copied to the hard drive or a Blu-Ray disc / DVD. This content and also MP3 pieces of music can also be transferred via the USB port. About the network stand next to BD-Live YouTube, Google Picasa and the ARD Tagesschau offer are also available via Viera Cast. There is also a jukebox function CD-Import, the integrated Gracenote database provides title information.
November 2009
Beginning December 4, 2009, all newly manufactured Blu-ray Discs must support the Managed Copy feature, which allows legal copies to be made. This is provided by the final provisions of the Blu-ray content protection AACS, which will come into force in December.
The Blu-ray player connects online via a link on the Blu-ray disc with an authentication server of the respective provider or the AACS-LA (Advanced Access Content System License Administrator). This checks whether and under what circumstances a copy of the Blu-Ray disc is permitted. It is also possible that this is only possible for a fee. The studios have not yet given any specific details on this topic. For the time being, nothing will change for the consumer, since corresponding Blu-ray players are not yet available or have been announced. However, unlike the content providers, the hardware manufacturers are currently not obliged to integrate the system into their devices. Due to the lack of suitable playback devices, the AACS-LA has already released content providers from the obligation to advertise the function on their Blu-ray discs and specifically indicate this by labeling the sleeves until March 31, 2010. The first authentication servers are also not expected until the first half of 2010.
December 2009
On December 17, 2009, the BDA first announced the definition of the official specifications for a Blu-ray disc in 3D format. The images for the left and right eye should be in 1080p be played back. Since the full 3D standard is only supported with HDMI version 1.4, users with HDMI 1.3 components have to live with a lower image resolution. In any case, there is no need to worry about a capacity problem. With its 50 GB, the Blu-Ray offers enough space for a complete film in 3D as well as HD soundtracks and bonus materials, although the two Full HD images mean that a higher data volume is achieved for each eye. Of course, the chip installed in the Blu-Ray player has to support 3D in addition to the significantly increased computing power, ie older BD players also play 3D BDs, but without the actual 3D enjoyment. The first 3D-capable players have already been presented by Panasonic and Samsung. A firmware update is planned for PlayStation 3 owners so that 3D BDs can also be played back here. However, there is a hardware limitation here, because the PS3 is only equipped with an HDMI 1.3 interface. For 3D playback on Blu-Ray discs, the H-264 videoCodec come into use. When using MPEG4-MVC, separate images are saved for the left and right eye, plus 3D graphical menus and 3D subtitles.
January 2010
According to reports in the Japanese trade journal "Nikkei", the two global corporations Sony and Panasonic are working together to increase the storage capacity of the Blu-Ray. For example, an incredible 25 GB should fit on a disc instead of 33,4 GB per data layer, which would mean with double-layer Blu-Rays that the total capacity could increase to a whopping 66,8 GB. Previously known problems with such amounts of data were therefore solved by a newly developed technology with the abbreviation i-MLSE (Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation). This is a rating index that can correctly rate the quality of these Blu-Ray discs. The process should be compatible with the conventional laser optics used in Blu-ray players. The “Nikkei” report left it open whether players currently in circulation can be upgraded. The higher storage capacity would in many cases make it possible to dispense with the costly and time-consuming production of dual-layer media, since all content would be accommodated on a single data layer, it said. Sony and Panasonic intend to apply for the technology to be included in the official specifications of the Blu-Ray Disc Association (BDA) in the near future so that the Blu-Ray with the increased storage capacity can go on sale. Since Sony is one of the most important members of the BDA, the chances of i-MLSE entering the Blu-ray standard in the near future should be good.
July 2010
The BDAA has started licensing the new BDXL formats! BDXL is an extension of the Blu-ray format that allows three- and four-layer discs with 100 and 128 GB. Specifications are available for both BD-Rs that can be written once and BD-REs that can be written many times. The new discs allow transfer rates of 2X and 4X (corresponds to 18 MB/s) and support the file systems UDF 2.5 and 2.6. The BDXL should primarily be used for professional archive systems, in the medical field and for broadcast systems. In the consumer sector, later use in HD recorders would be conceivable, but only – according to the BDA press release – in markets where Blu-ray recorders have already established themselves. In other words: BDXL will at best come onto the market for private customers in Japan. New recorders, players and drives are required to write to and play back BDXLs. However, these should at least be backwards compatible with the old Blu-ray discs.