Blu-ray discs: specifications and technologies

Once upon a time, owners of diskettes (these are such small square things that fit as much as 1.2 MB of information) had a CD-ROM drive that was a dream chapel, and even then there were legends about DVDs. Now you will not surprise anyone with DVDs, as they mostly prefer to store and move information on USB-drives and external drives, and record movies on Blu-ray.

Has anyone else heard about Blu-ray? Well, then we just have to conduct an educational program and share information that came to us, one can say, first hand. Verbatim , a manufacturer of storage media (including Blu-ray discs), prepared an exhaustive answer to the questions “What is IT and what is IT eating?”

Blue ray

Blu-ray is an optical storage medium. In appearance, it is no different from the usual “CD players” and “DVD players” - the same diameter is 12 cm and thickness is 1.2 mm, but its main difference is the amount of space for recording information. On a single-layer media fits 25 GB, and on dual-layer - 50 GB high-definition content High Definition (the one about which playback is now fashionable to write on TVs, monitors, media players, and which insanely "weighs").

But, as you know, disk space is never enough, and during 2011, 100 and 128 GB of Blu-ray discs can already be expected.

All standards only

The development of Blu-ray started by Sony and Philips and the first set of specifications was formed in 2004, but the Blu-ray recorder appeared only in 2006.

Blu-ray discs got their name from the blue ray, which is used to read and write BD discs.

The Blu-ray Disc Association association strictly controls the Blu-ray standard. The technical specifications complex includes physical specifications, format specifications, and media file system specifications. The Blu-ray Disc Association sets strict hardware standards, which helps ensure good compatibility between media, writing drives and players.

Specifications:

- blue-violet laser with a wavelength of 405 nm

- diameter 12 cm

- protective coating and other factors

- excellent error correction system

- use to write the file system UDF 2.5

- video codecs

- digital rights management

- copy protection and other

- spiral-road entry

What do we have for today?

To date, Blu-ray options such as BD-ROM are read-only, BD-R are write-once and BD-RE are rewritable are available for all the usual optical media formats. All options are made with a capacity of 25 and 50 GB.

Blu-ray ROM is a read-only version that is used to distribute movies, video clips, games or programs.

Blu- ray Recordable ( BD- R) - WORM (Write Once Read Many), i.e. can only be used for recording once. BD-R - the main product for Blu-ray devices with the ability to record and rewrite. Their main purpose - the preservation and dissemination of any data. Initially, an inorganic material such as metal-nitride, tellurium oxide or silicon-copper alloys was used for the BD-R recording layer. A common property of such materials is that their reflectivity and polarization change after recording from HIGH to LOW, and therefore this type of disc is known as HTL BD-R. Currently, some manufacturers continue to use these materials for single-layer discs of 25 GB, and for dual-layer versions of 50 GB. The production of BD-R HTL discs is carried out similarly to RW discs - using spraying. This is an expensive and uneconomical process, and the use of equipment for the production of DVD is limited due to the small number of spraying facilities that are used only for the production of a DVD-RW and CD-RW disc.

Blu- ray Re-Writable ( BD- RE) is a rewritable disc standard.

up to 1000 times These discs are also available in 25 GB and 50 GB versions, with a write speed of 2x.

BD-RE drives use phase change layers. These layers have long been known and have managed to establish themselves well in the production of DVD-RW and CD-RW. In Blu-ray technology, the existing materials with phase change were adapted to a new wavelength of a 405 nm laser. Mitsubishi / Verbatim employs the well-known SERL working layers based on eutectic semiconductor materials. SERL technology has already confirmed its durability and stability of parameters after multiple rewrites. Using SERL provides an excellent readout of information and allows you to dub a disc up to 1000 times. BD-RE is mainly used for recording temporary data, testing software, games, video and new hardware solutions. Blu-ray Re-Writable discs are very environmentally friendly and cost-effective due to repeated rewriting.

Today, Blu-ray computer recorders are more common in Europe than Blu-ray video recorders, which first appeared on the market in 2009. Almost all Blu-ray devices are also designed to read and write CDs and DVDs.

Blu-ray discs with Verbatim's AZO technology.

In the production of CD-R and DVD-R, AZO and phthalocyanine have proven themselves as working layers. These organic materials combine all the benefits of the inorganic working layer, including a cost-effective process. Mitsubishi / Verbatim , a leader in the field of organic materials, joined forces with Pioneer , a well-known equipment manufacturer, and in 2007 introduced BD-R based on an organic recording layer.

Layers in the form of solutions. The color of the solution depends on the required peak absorption range for the read / write laser diode of the respective carrier generation, for example, infrared 780 nm, red 660 nm and blue-violet 405 nm.

The Blu-ray Disc Association has approved the LTH Type standard, in which organic BD recording layers change their reflectivity and transparency from LOW to HIGH after recording. At the end of 2007, recording drives and video recorders with support for LTH Type media appeared. Their compatibility with Sony's Playstation 3 was implemented in March 2008 using a flashing version 2.20. At the end of 2008, LTH Type BD-R support became a prerequisite for new Blu-ray equipment.

Mitsubishi / Verbatim together with other companies are promoting the BD-R LTH Type to the market. Soon after the advent, the BD-R LTH carriers took up a significant share of the total sales in the BD-R market. Intensive tests have proven that for over 20 years this type of media and optical technology have provided high quality recording, compatibility between various devices and media, and safety for a long time sufficient for archival storage.

BD-R LTH media is available at a better price than HTL media, since:

1. The LTH Type carrier production process is simpler, moreover, it is more economical. The situation is similar to the production of DVD, where DVD-RW discs are always more expensive than DVD-R.

2. Much of the "waste" in the production of LTH Type discs can be recycled - it is profitable and more environmentally friendly.

In the production of LTH Type media, a technology is used to apply a working layer in a centrifuge. Due to this, many modern CD-R / DVD-R production lines can be converted into Blu-ray production lines, which enables low-cost production upgrades in response to growing market demands.

At the moment, the high compatibility of new media with writing drives, video recorders and music players and the launch of each new Blu-Ray equipment model has been improved. Most models in 2009 support the use of LTH Type media format, and older systems require flashing, which is provided by the device manufacturer. This can usually be checked on the manufacturer’s website and on various online forums. The Mitsubishi / Verbatim website provides information on drive compatibility and the need for firmware upgrades.

What will we look at?

Sales of Blu-ray video recorders began in France and the UK in 2009, in 2010 in Germany and other countries.

Blu-ray players have become the sales leader in most European countries, while the cost of some models is less than € 100, but the Playstation 3 consoles, which are popular all over the world, can work as a Blu-ray player, despite their cost, surpass them in terms of sales. .

Today, Blu-ray computer equipment is more popular. Many PCs and laptops already have Blu-ray Combo drives for BD reading, CD / DVD writing or Blu-ray writing drives. Various companies also offer internal or external Blu-ray drives for upgrading old computers to meet new standards. Prices for Blu-ray Combo drives are below € 100, and BD writers currently cost over € 100.

All of these systems come with Blu-ray playback and / or recording software. In the near future is expected to increase the market for Blu-ray equipment.

Programs with Blu-ray support are made by many manufacturers. This applies not only to software players or programs for recording discs, but also to a wide choice of various packages for editing HD video content in HD resolution.

Who needs it?

Blu-ray discs were originally designed to record and distribute HD content, but during operation, it became clear that there are other ways to use Blu-Ray technology — for example, in the computer fields, in medicine and in banking.

Professional archiving can include storage of medical records, industrial and design documentation, catalogs, audio, video information.

Blu-ray storage media can serve as a portable storage system for the most important information; it is considered safer than using NAS NAS drives.

For private and semi-professional use, Blu-ray offers high capacity combined with low cost per gigabyte. A larger volume than CD and DVD media allows for a smaller number of discs.

Another popular application is content distribution using replication equipment. Blu-ray discs with inkjet coating or thermal printing make it possible to duplicate copies in large quantities.

The development of Blu-ray started by Sony and Philips and the first set of specifications was formed in 2004, but the Blu-ray recorder appeared only in 2006. Blu-ray discs got their name from the blue ray, which is used to read and write BD discs. To date, Blu-ray options such as BD-ROM are read-only, BD-R are write-once and BD-RE are rewritable are available for all the usual optical media formats. All options are available with a capacity of 25 GB and 50 GB.

Today, Blu-ray computer recorders are more common in Europe than Blu-ray video recorders, which first appeared on the market in 2009. Almost all Blu-ray devices are also designed to read and write CDs and DVDs.

Basic Blu-ray Applications

Blu-ray discs were originally designed to record and distribute HD content, but during operation, it became clear that there are other ways to use Blu-Ray technology — for example, within the computer field. Blu-ray is an optical storage medium for archiving data for both professional and private use. Blu-ray discs are used to store photos, videos and other necessary data, such as financial reports.

Professional archiving can include storage of medical records, industrial and design documentation, catalogs, audio, video information. Blu-ray media can serve as a portable storage system for the most important information. Usually NAS is used for this purpose. In the case of Blu-ray discs, all information can be stored in a safe place.

For private and semi-professional applications, Blu-ray offers a large capacity combined with a low cost per GB. A larger volume than CD and DVD media allows for a smaller number of discs. Another popular application is content distribution using replication equipment. Blu-ray discs with inkjet coating or thermal printing make it possible to duplicate copies in large quantities.

Equipment

Sales of Blu-ray video recorders began in France and the UK in 2009, in 2010 in Germany and other countries. Blu-ray players have become the sales leader in most European countries, while the cost of some models is less than 100 Euros. But the Playstation 3 consoles, which are popular all over the world, can work as a Blu-ray player and surpass them in sales.

Today, Blu-ray computer equipment is more popular. Many PCs and laptops already have Blu-ray Combo drives for BD reading, CD / DVD writing or Blu-ray writing drives. Various companies also offer internal or external Blu-ray drives for upgrading old computers to meet new standards. Prices for Blu-ray Combo drives are below 100 Euros, and BD writers currently cost more than 100 Euros. All of these systems come with Blu-ray playback and / or recording software. In the near future is expected to increase the market for Blu-ray equipment.

Programs for playing and recording

Programs with Blu-ray support are made by many manufacturers. This applies not only to software players or programs for recording discs, but also to a wide choice of various packages for editing HD video content in HD resolution.

Blu-ray specs

The Blu-ray Disc Association strictly controls the Blu-ray standard. The set of technical conditions includes physical specifications, specifications of the format and file system of the media. The Blu-ray Disc Association sets strict hardware standards, which helps ensure good compatibility between media, writing drives and players. Specifications:

· Blue-violet laser with a wavelength of 405 nm
· Diameter 12 cm
· Protective coating and other factors
· Excellent error correction system
· Use to write UDF 2.5 file system
· Video codecs
· Digital rights management
· Copy protection and other
· Spiral track

Blu-ray Media Types

Blu-ray media is available in three standard versions adopted for optical media:

· Blu-ray ROM is a read-only version used to distribute movies, video clips, games or programs.
· Blu-ray Recordable (BD-R) - option for one-time recording. It is available in versions with different write speeds, 25 GB and 50 GB
· Blu-ray Re-Writable (BD-RE) is a standard disc that can be rewritten up to 1000 times. These discs are also available in 25 GB and 50 GB versions, with a 2x write speed

Blu-ray Re-Writable

BD-RE drives use phase change layers. These layers have long been known and have managed to establish themselves well in the production of DVD-RW and CD-RW. In Blu-ray technology, the existing materials with phase change were adapted to a new wavelength of a 405 nm laser. Mitsubishi / Verbatim employs the well-known SERL working layers based on eutectic semiconductor materials. SERL technology has already confirmed its durability and stability of parameters after multiple rewrites. Using SERL provides an excellent readout of information and allows you to dub a disc up to 1000 times. BD-RE is mainly used for recording temporary data, testing software, games, video and new hardware solutions. Blu-ray Re-Writable discs are very environmentally friendly and cost-effective due to repeated rewriting.

Blu-ray Recordable BD-R

Blu-ray Recordable discs are WORM (Write Once Read Many) Blu-ray format. BD-R - the main product for Blu-ray devices with the ability to record and rewrite. Their main purpose - the preservation and dissemination of any data. Initially, an inorganic material such as metal-nitride, tellurium oxide or silicon-copper alloys was used for the BD-R recording layer. A common property of such materials is that their reflectivity and polarization change after recording from HIGH to LOW, and therefore this type of disc is known as HTL BD-R. Currently, some manufacturers continue to use these materials for single-layer discs of 25 GB, and for dual-layer versions of 50 GB. The production of BD-R HTL discs is carried out similarly to RW discs - using spraying. This is an expensive and uneconomical process, and the use of equipment for the production of DVD is limited due to the small number of installations for spraying, which are used only for the production of DVD-RW and CD-RW disc

Verbatim Blu-ray Disc with AZO Technology

In the production of CD-R and DVD-R, AZO and phthalocyanine have proven themselves as working layers. Эти органические материалы объединяют все преимущества неорганического рабочего слоя, включая экономически эффективный технологический процесс. Компания Mitsubishi/Verbatim, лидер в области органических материалов, объединила усилия с компанией Pioneer, известным производителем оборудования, и в 2007 году представила BD-R на базе органического записывающего слоя.

The Blu-ray Disc Association has approved the LTH Type standard, in which organic BD recording layers change their reflectivity and transparency from LOW to HIGH after recording. At the end of 2007, recording drives and video recorders with support for LTH Type media appeared. Their compatibility with the Playstation 3 from SONY was implemented in March 2008 using a flashing version 2.20. At the end of 2008, LTH Type BD-R support became a prerequisite for new Blu-ray equipment.

Mitsubishi / Verbatim together with other companies are promoting the BD-R LTH Type to the market. Soon after the advent, the BD-R LTH carriers took up a significant share of the total sales in the BD-R market. Intensive tests have proven that for over 20 years this type of media and optical technology have provided high quality recording, compatibility between various devices and media, and safety for a long time sufficient for archival storage.

BD-R LTH media is available at a better price than HTL media, because:

1. The LTH Type media production process is simpler, and more economical. The situation is similar to DVD production, where DVD-RW discs are always more expensive than DVD-R.
2. A significant part of the "waste" in the production of LTH Type discs can be recycled - it is profitable and more environmentally friendly.

The process of applying a working layer of LTH BR in a centrifuge: The dye solution is sprayed through a nozzle. Layer coating in a centrifuge is a key process in the production of LTH BD-R discs. Used for working, insulating and protective layer.