Blu-ray Disc (or BD, for short) is the name of the newest optical disc format. The format was developed to make recording, writing and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data, possible at home. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. This extra capacity combined with the use of advanced video and audio codecs and an HD television will offer consumers an unprecedented HD experience. Current optical disc technologies such as DVD, DVD-R/RW, and DVD-RAM rely on a standard red laser to read and write data, the new format uses a blue-violet laser, hence the name Blu-ray. Despite the difference in the type of lasers used to read and write information, Blu-ray players have been produced to be backwards compatible with CDs and DVDs through the use of a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical pickup unit which has become the standard (as opposed to an additional feature) in the majority of commercial home Blu-ray players.

The biggest benefit of using a blue laser is that it has a shorter wavelength than a red laser, which makes it possible to focus the laser spot with even greater accuracy and precision. This allows data to be packed more tightly and stored in less space, so it's possible to fit more data on the disc even though it's the same size as a standard CD/DVD. This (together with the change of numerical aperture to 0.85) is what enables Blu-ray Discs to hold 25GB/50GB of information. Surprisingly, this expanded storage ability is capable of being expanded even further, as there are already a few manufacturers who have pushed the storage capacity upwards to almost 500GB on a single disc (this is capable by expanding the amount of layers in the disc itself - 500GB would require 20 or more layers).

If you've never watched a movie on a Blu-ray disc, the immediate difference in picture quality is outstanding. Every aspect of the picture is improved across the board - colors are more vibrant, the images are smoother and the detail is up to five times richer than any DVD can provide. With a frame rate of nearly 30 frames per second and an expanded resolution, 1920x1080 lines, even the smallest of details will become very visible. But it's not only the picture that improves; Blu-ray discs are capable of high definition, lossless audio formats. If you're curious to see the differences for yourself, an easy way to experience the disparity is available on YouTube. There are many videos that have been uploaded for viewing that show the differences in picture quality side-by-side, however, the best way to see the contrast is by simply taking a trip to your local big-box electronics dealer where the staff will be happy to oblige you by showing you the differences on identical monitors.

Recordable optical discs such as DVD-R and DVD-RW have thrived as the go-to source for backing up movies and storing information, this dominance has been enabled particularly through home computers since a DVD read/write drive is now standard on desktops and laptops. Blu-ray recordable discs are available for those who have a Blu-ray read/write drive as part of their computer, although this capability has not reached the commonplace levels of home DVD-R/RW use yet, it is gaining traction. Recordable optical media storage using DVD-R/RW's tops out at 8.5GB using a dual layer DVD. Using recordable Blu-ray would increase the storage capability tenfold. This would reduce the amount of actual discs you'd have to keep stored or filed - another plus feature of Blu-ray.

Blu-ray is currently supported by about 200 of the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer, recording media, video game, film and music companies. With the support and marketing resources from the biggest studios in Hollywood, Blu-ray has slowly taken over the home market as the go-to choice for home movie viewing in relatively short time. DVD’s are still, of course, being bought and sold alongside Blu-ray discs and Blu-ray disc players are capable of playing DVD’s, making the transition to Blu-ray much more palatable for consumers. Instead of staring down the possibility of having to replace an entire library of movies, you could purchase a Blu-ray player today and all of your existing DVD’s would still be playable. One benefit to having Blu-ray players being capable of backwards compatibility is the simple fact that your dvd's will be "upscaled" or "upconverted", that is, the picture quality will improve and your old dvd's will look new! It should be stressed that your DVD’s, while playable in your new Blu-ray player, will not be upgraded visually to the level of a film viewed on an actual Blu-ray disc.