What is Blu-ray Disc ?
Blu-ray Disc is a next-generation, optical disc format that enables the ultimate high-def entertainment experience. Blu-ray Disc provides these key features and advantages:
- Maximum picture resolution. Blu-ray Disc delivers full 1080p* video resolution to provide pristine picture quality.
- Largest capacity available anywhere (25 GB single layer/50 GB dual layer). Blu-ray Disc offers up to 5X the capacity of today’s DVDs.
- Best audio possible. Blu-ray Disc provides as many as 7.1 channels of native, uncompressed surround sound for crystal-clear audio entertainment.
- Enhanced interactivity. Enjoy such capabilities as seamless menu navigation, exciting, new bonus features, and network/Internet connectivity.
- Broadest industry support from brands you trust. More than 90% of major Hollywood studios, virtually all leading consumer electronics companies, four of the top computer brands, the world’s two largest music companies, PLAYSTATION® 3 and the leading gaming companies, all support Blu-ray Disc.
- The largest selection of high-def playback devices. Blu-ray Disc is supported by many of the leading consumer electronics and computing manufacturers. That means you can maximize the use of your HDTV and your home entertainment system with the widest selection of high-def playback devices—including players, recorders, computers, aftermarket drives and the PLAYSTATION® 3 game console.
- Backward compatibility**. Blu-ray Disc players enable you to continue to view and enjoy your existing DVD libraries.
- Disc robustness. Breakthroughs in hard-coating technologies enable Blu-ray Disc to offer the strongest resistance to scratches and fingerprints.
*HDTV required. As with other optical media devices, user factors and other circumstances may limit Blu-ray Disc playback. Some content may require HDMI compatible TV for high-definition playback.
**Product-dependent feature.
Why is the format called Blu-ray Disc?
The name Blu-ray came from the fact that the laser beam which reads the data from the new discs is blue instead of red which is used for current DVDs and CDs. This new blue laser is at the heart of Blu-ray Disc technology (i.e. blue ray of light).
What is the difference between Blu-ray Disc and DVD?
Just as DVD meant a five to 10 times increase in storage capacity compared to CD, Blu-ray Disc represents an increase over DVD capacity by five to 10 times. This is due, among other reasons, to the usage of a blue instead of a red laser and improved lens specifications, allowing for a much smaller focus laser beam which enables the recording of much smaller and higher density pits on the disc.
Due to the fact that the data layer on a Blu-ray Disc is placed much “closer” to the laser lens than in DVD, there is less distortion resulting in significantly improved tolerances. Hence, more precision and ultra-high storage densities are now possible.
(Quoted directly from the official web site of the Blu-ray Disc Association - www.blu-raydisc.com)
MKV File
The Matroska Multimedia Container is an open stardard, free container format, a file format that can hold an unlimited number of video, audio, picture or subtitle tracks inside a single file. It is intended to serve as a universal format for storing common multimedia content, like movies or TV shows. Matroska is similar in concept to other containers like AVI, MP4 or ASF, but is entirely open in specification, with implementations consisting mostly of open sourse software. Matroska file types are .MKV for video (with subtitles and audio), .MKA for audio-only files and .MKS for subtitles only.
Content in Matroska
Initially the uptake of the format was low. It was used almost exclusively for DVD rips of anime, as the container allowed the viewer to choose between the original language track and a dub with the option of subtitle. It also allowed for variable frame rates. In recent years, however, Matroska has seen wider use due to the warez scene adopting it as a format of choice for high definition content ripped from HDTV and next generation video discs (HD DVD and Blu-ray). The format usually carries H.264 video, one or more AC3/AAC/DTS/Vorbis audio tracks and sometimes one or more subtitle tracks (coupled with TrueType or OpenType fonts).
(Quoted from Wikipedia)
The purpose I wrote this article because a friend of mine asked me what they are few days ago. BD as you read from the above is a completely new kind of disc which gives you the best watching experience so far (as technology is becoming more advanced everyday). Its quality (together with the LCD TV or LED TV and 5.1 or 7.1 Home Theatre System) is very much better compared to a DVD. You yourself can make a comparison between them if you always “get” movies from the internet (the word download is prohibited here as it is illegal). Though, the movies you “got” are already compressed, not that original BD (yet still, you can spot the difference between a DVD and a BD). You will find out that the movie is really crystal clear (you can see this in the electrical appliance shop which is playing a BD movie).
However, a BD is sold at around RM 100-150 per disc (http://www.speedy.com.my/store) which is an exorbitant price for Malaysians. Besides, the blu-ray players also cost at least RM1000++ . Meanwhile, the blu-ray ROM and blu-ray RW for PC are sold at around RM300 and RM1000++ respectively. Therefore, price is the main obstacle that makes BD not yet commercialised in Malaysia. It is still left to the rich people to enjoy this high-definition (HD) experience. I hope that the price will drop as soon as possible so that I (should be my family, haha) can afford to buy them (BD player, BD RW and BD).
Meanwhile, a MKV file is a container that you can put in a BD-ripped movie (normally), several audio (different languages) and several subtitles (different languages as well). It gives you the flexibility to change in between the audios and subtitles. That is the main reason I always try to “get” those movies in MKV format.
In a nutshell, even though many of us currently still cannot afford to buy a full set of blu-ray system, we can still enjoy the HD experience of BD by connecting your PC to your HDTV and playing your “gotten” HD movies (in my case, the movies are in MKV format). Further information can always be obtained from the internet. I am just sharing a small part that I know. Hope they are correct.
