Blu-ray Disk Technology

Blu-ray (not Blue-ray) also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is the name of a next-generation optical disc format jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers (including Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson). The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. 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 will offer consumers an unprecedented HD experience

Hitachi developing 100GB and 200GB Blu-Ray discs...

 

 

At Ceatec 2007 in Tokyo, Hitachi showcased experimental 4 layered Blu-Ray discs which can hold upto 100GB of data. The company is working on signal quality stabilization in addition to changing the lens focus so it can read and write data on 4 layers. Hitachi is also researching 8 layer Blu-Ray media which can hold upto 200GB of data but with 8 layers the reflected laser from the disc decreases which weakens the signal. However by boosting the signal the data on the disc can be accessed.

 Panasonic has developed a royal purple laser system for Blu-Ray which supports 8X speed. A company spokesman said that the 10,000 RPM speed limits the development to 12X speeds.