Blu-ray Disc (or BD) is a high-density optical disc, which allows for large amounts of data to be stored on a single disc. A violet-blue laser, from which the name Blu-ray Disc derives, makes it possible to store nearly six times the amount of data of a regular DVD (digital video disc). A single layer Blu-ray Disc holds up to 25 GB (gigabytes) of any type of data while a dual layer Blu-ray Disc can hold up to 50 GB. The laser uses a shorter wavelength (405nm) than that used for standard DVD (650nm).

Blu-ray Disc was developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association, represented by leading companies in consumer electronics, motion picture production and computer hardware. The founding companies include Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, LG, Hitachi, Samsung and Sharp. Companies such as Apple, Dell, Twentieth Century Fox, Walt Disney and Hewlett Packard have since then taken an active part in backing the Blu-ray Disc format.

Currently, Blu-ray Disc is used for storage of data, high-definition video and PlayStation 3 video games.

In order to play Blu-ray Discs you need a Blu-ray Disc player, a Blu-ray Disc drive or a PlayStation 3 video game console. Most Blu-ray Disc players are backwards compatible and will play both CD and DVD video and audio content. Some players may also play SACDs.

The video resolution of a Blu-ray video is 1920x1080 pixels (also known as 1080p), compared to regular DVDs with a video resolution of 720x480 pixels. In order to take advantage of the Blu-ray Disc format, an HDTV is required.

Requirements

To play a Blu-ray Disc movie you need, as a minimum:
- A Blu-ray Disc player
- An HDTV (with component (Y/Pb/Pr), HDMI or DVI input)

Suggested components:
- An HDTV with 1080p resolution
- HDMI cable for optimal video and audio quality
- Home theatre surround system with 5.1 channels (1 centre, 2 front, 2 back and 1 subwoofer) (via optical digital cable or HDMI cable)

Region codes

Blu-ray movies are encoded with region codes, comparable to DVD region codes. These restrictions are made to allow for motion picture studios to control Blu-ray Disc release dates, content and prices. Some Blu-ray movies, however, are region free and can be played on all Blu-ray Disc players worldwide.

There are three Blu-ray regions worldwide. At AxelMusic, we carry two of the three regions (A and B) and have divided the Blu-ray movies into six region categories which you can see belox to the left. To the right you can see where to find information about the region on the product page.

Certain Blu-ray movies do not have region code information printed on the cover and is unavailable from the distributor before release. We do our best to update all Blu-ray titles when we obtain information on the region. Unless information is available from our supplier before release, all titles are given the region code appropriate to release country. For example, all American and Canadian Blu-ray Disc titles are given Region A and Australian Blu-ray Disc titles are given Region B unless otherwise is confirmed from an official source.

Click here for a complete list of our Blu-ray Disc titles.

Firmware updates

Blu-ray players have the ability to be updated with firmware upgrades. These updates are required for interactive features and possible playback of new movies.

If you are experiencing problems playing a Blu-ray disc, make sure you have the latest firmware installed for your player. Updates are available on the manufacturer’s website as a download or through your Blu-ray player when connected to the Internet with an Ethernet cable.

PlayStation 3 software/firmware upgrades have the newest Blu-ray firmware embedded in the updates.

Blu-ray Disc features

Storage capacity

Blu-ray Discs have a storage capacity of up to 50 GB. A single layer Blu-ray Disc holds 25 GB while a dual layer Blu-ray Disc holds 50 GB storage.

Protective coating

Blu-ray Discs offer enhanced durability as they make use of a hard-coat protective layer that makes Blu-ray Disc resistant to scratches, dust and fingerprints – all of which cause disc to skip during playback, show large pixels errors, freeze or not play at all.

Video

All Blu-ray movies have a 1080p resolution (1920 pixels by 1080 pixels) and are presented in widescreen (16x9 screen ratio). Blu-ray Disc players are able to output at the highest resolution of your HDTV (720p, 1080i or 1080p), and upscale extra features-content, which most often is regular DVD resolution (420p).

Supported video codes: MPEG-4 AVC, VC-1 and MPEG-2

Audio

While most Blu-ray movies offer high quality surround sound in 5.1 channels, many Blu-ray movies now include optional surrounds features such as DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD and 7.1+ channel surround. As with video, extra features are usually not available in surround sound.

Supported audio codes: Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution, Linear PCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Special Features

The storage capacity of a Blu-ray Disc let studios put more additional content on discs than regular DVDs such as behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentaries, artwork, making-of featurettes, HD trailers and more.

Advanced menu system

Thanks to the integration of a special version of Java (BD-J), Blu-ray movies have interactive seamless menus. Unlike standard DVDs that use pre-rendered MPEG segments, Blu-ray movies have high quality menus that can be accessed during playback.
Certain Blu-ray movies also feature interactive content when playing back the movie, such as behind-the-scenes-featurettes or additional commentary while watching the movie.

Subtitles

Blu-ray Disc players can read the disc without interrupting the video and audio stream (unlike standard DVDs), which allows for selection of font type, font size and color of the subtitle as well as location on the screen. Subtitles can even be animated to some extend along with scrolling and fading.

Packaging

Blu-ray movies come in a new packaging, which is smaller than the standard DVD packaging. The smaller covers along with increased storage capacity, means that everything usually fits onto one disc. This gives you a lower shipping cost than for the same movie on standard DVD.

FAQ

Do I need an HDTV to watch Blu-ray movies?

Yes, as a minimum you need an HDTV with 720p or 1080p resolution as well as component, HDMI or DVI input to watch Blu-ray movies.

Can I play standard DVDs on my Blu-ray Disc player?

Yes, DVDs are playable on Blu-ray Disc players. As DVD movies have a lower resolution than Blu-ray movies, most Blu-ray Disc players are able to upscale the DVD to 720p or 1080i (interlaced) resolution. Upscaling means that the Blu-ray Disc player will create new lines of pixels by copying the surrounding pixels to match the resolution of your TV. DVD movies will not be presented in full HD resolution.

Are all Blu-ray Disc titles in widescreen?

Blu-ray movies are presented in original theatrical aspects. Most movies are shown in widescreen aspect ratio (16x9), which will fill up the entire screen of your HDTV. You may experience that some movies have black bars at the top and bottom of your screen, which is normal. Most extra material on Blu-ray Discs is presented in full screen aspect ratio (4x3) and will have black bars on the sides.

When I watch the extra material it looks blurry. Why?

Most extra material is standard DVD resolution (420p), which means the video is upscaled to match the resolution of your HDTV.

I bought a Blu-ray movie on your site, but I cannot play it. Why?

Some Blu-ray Discs are region locked. Make sure you have a Blu-ray Disc player which is region free or capable of playing the region which the Blu-ray movie is encoded in. You can read more about regions above.

I have the right region, but the disc still does not play back properly! Why?

You may need the latest firmware to play the disc. Check the manufacturer’s website on how to download and install the latest firmware on your Blu-ray player.

Will my PlayStation 3 play Blu-ray movies?

Yes, the PlayStation 3 also works as a Blu-ray Disc player. It is, however, region locked.

Article #1041

 

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