Blu-ray Disc
Technology explained
Are you ready to experience more?
The Blu-ray Disc is the most advanced optical disc ever created. It surpasses all other
technologies in the delivery of the two most important elements in every movie experience
– picture and sound.
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Blu-ray technology brings you pictures in full 1920 x 1080p HD quality – so you get pictures
that rival reality. Scenes come to life as details leap at you, movements smoothen and images
turn crystal clear.
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Are you ready for the quantum leap?
Blu-ray also delivers uncompressed surround sound in 7.1 channels – so your audio
experience becomes unbelievably real. The expanded number of channels redefine surround
sound and pure unadulterated audio delivers faultless clarity and detail.
There is a new technology in town – Blu-ray Disc. It creates a whole new world for those who
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simply will not settle for second best. New unmatched standards in high definition deliver more
Engage more
picture, more sound – and an entertainment experience that will keep you glued to your seats.
The result is an amazing experience that transports you to the heart of the movie scene.
Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
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The truth about standard DVDs
Standard definition versus high definition
Standard definition
High definition
Standard definition
Recording media
DVD, Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc
Movies on DVDs are not in high definition (HD), but in standard definition (SD). Standard
Number of vertical pixels
480 (NTSC) / 576 (PAL)
1080
definition pictures have fewer lines across the TV screen compared to high definition ones.
Number of horizontal pixels
720
1920
DVD
Blu-ray Disc
Storage capacity (single layer)
4.7 GB
25 GB
Storage capacity (double layer)
8.5 GB
50 GB
Storage capacity
SD playback (max, on double layer)
4 hours
23 hours
Blu-ray Discs however, are built with such high capacities that they are able to hold high
HD playback (max, on double layer)
not available
9 hours
definition data.
User interactivity
simple
advanced
Laser type
Red
Blue-violet
Laser wavelength
650 nm
405 nm
Track pitch
0.74 μm
0.32 μm
Data transfer rate (audio/video)
10.08 Mbps
54.0 Mbps
Disc diameter
120 mm
120 mm
Disc thickness
1.2 mm
1.2 mm
Hard coating
no
yes
Video resolution (max)
720x480 (NTSC) / 720x576 (PAL)
1920x1080
Video bit rate
9.8 Mbps
40.0 Mbps
Internet connectivity
no
yes
This means images are relatively grainy, movements are blur and details are lost.
DVD versus Blu-ray Disc
High definition
High definition data provide five times the resolution of standard definition, but is so massive
that it will not fit into today’s DVDs. Full high definition video requires more than five times
the digital picture information per second than standard definition DVDs.
On the face of it, the Blu-ray Disc looks exactly like a DVD. However, it has a capacity of
25GB in single layer and 50GB in dual layer. In other words, a Blu-ray Disc can store at least
five times more information than a conventional DVD.
Standard Definition vs High Definition
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Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
A Blu-ray Disc has up to five times the capacity of standard
definition DVDs. Put another way, the amount of data in five
DVDs can easily fit into one Blu-ray Disc.
Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
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How does Blu-ray do it?
Wavelength
CD
Blu-ray technology is based on blue lasers rather than the red lasers used with CDs and DVDs.
Disc surface magnified
Position of data layer
Infrared laser
780 nm
The blue laser, used to read and write data, have a much shorter wavelength and a much sharper
Pit
Disc thickness is 1.2 mm
focus. Consequentially, the blue laser is able to record information in smaller pits. More of these
smaller pits can thus be fitted on the disc surface, enabling much more information to be stored.
1.2 mm
Beam
Spot
CD pit size
DVD
Infrared laser
650 nm
Pit
Disc thickness is 1.2 mm
0.6 mm
Beam
Spot
DVD pit size
Blu-ray Blue-violet laser
405 nm
Disc
Pit
Beam
Spot
Blu-ray Disc technology uses a blue laser
which allows higher density recording.
Disc thickness is 1.2 mm
0.1 mm
Blu-ray Disc pit size
The laser used in Blu-ray Disc has a much smaller focus and is capable of recording data in much smaller pits, thus increasing
storage capacity significantly. The data layer in a Blu-ray Disc is also much closer to the laser lens, allowing for a substantial
decrease in distortion when recording.
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Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
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More sound
With high storage capacities, Blu-ray Discs bring you more channels of sound, and each
channel in its original uncompressed glory. Be encircled with pristine 7.1 surround sound
– and take your movie experience to the next level.
More industry support
Philips is a co-founder of the Blu-ray Disc Association and has had a leading involvement in
the technology and development of the Blu-ray Disc standard. The format has the support of
over 170 major industry players, from consumer electronics and computer manufacturers, to
game companies, record labels and movie makers – including most of the major Hollywood
studios. This widespread support has snowballed to exceptional compatibility and availability
of Blu-ray products – so you know there is always something to look forward to.
More, more, more.
Blu-ray Disc is the obvious choice for high definition home entertainment. The format has gained
immense industry support. It has surged forward in popularity and continues on an upward
Philips is a founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association. More than 170 of the
world’s leading brands have joined the association, which includes the support of six of
the eight major Hollywood studios:
• Warner Bros. Entertainment
• Sony Pictures
• MGM
• Lionsgate
• Twentieth Century Fox
• Walt Disney Pictures and Television
trend. More movies are being released in Blu-ray. More stores are setting up dedicated Blu-ray
Disc sections to accommodate the growing demand (and supply) of Blu-ray Discs.
More picture clarity
Blu-ray Discs have the capacity to carry high definition data, along with pictures in the 1920 x
1080 resolution that defines full high definition images. This can only mean that you get the best
possible TV picture quality available today – so prepare to feast your eyes.
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Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
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More speed
Blu-ray technology also enables a data transfer speed that is up to five times faster than DVD
technology. As a result, although high definition content takes up much more room, Blu-ray
technology reduces the necessary recording time so significantly, you will hardly notice the
difference. Turning Blu ensures you get the best quality – without having to waste away hours.
More durability
A revolutionary and advanced hard coating protect the Blu-ray Disc, making it more resistant
to dust, smudges and scratches which can cause skipping, pixilation or picture freezing. You
can now keep your movies in perfect condition longer, even when played many times. Blu-ray
presents movies at home in the best quality ever – glitch-free, over and over again.
More discs to play
If you already own a library of movies on DVD, fret not. Philips’ Blu-ray Disc players are
Get the most out of your Blu-ray Disc player
backward compatible, and equipped to up-scale standard definition to near high definition – so
you can go on enjoying the movies you love so well.
More interactivity
The high storage capacity of the Blu-ray Disc allows a plethora of interactive possibilities to be
included. Seamless navigation during playback and other exciting features like pop-up menus,
keyword search engines and subtitle effects add a whole new dimension to home entertainment
Enjoy stunning 1920 x 1080p
Blu-ray Disc playback on Philips’
wide range of full high definition
TVs. Loaded with state-ofthe-art features like Ambilight,
Perfect Pixel HD Engine and
HD natural motion, these TVs
take home entertainment to a
whole new level.
– giving you more control and loads more fun.
More audio streams
On top of native uncompressed 7.1 channel surround sound, the Blu-ray Disc allows up to 32
Hook up a Philips Blu-ray Disc
Player with a Philips Full HD TV
– and discover the astounding
world of high definition.
streams of audio. This opens up the opportunity for more sound channels in more languages
– letting you enjoy a surround sound experience in the language of your choice.
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Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
Blu-ray Disc – Technology explained
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Make the jump into the world of high definition
Experience the exhilaration that Blu-ray Disc brings
Glossary of terms
Optical disc
An optical disc is used in computing, sound and video production. It is
a flat, circular, usually polycarbonate disc on which data is stored in the
form of pits (or bumps), usually along a single spiral groove that covers
the entire recorded surface of the disc. This data is accessed when the
disc is illuminated with a laser diode, and the pits distort the reflected
laser light.
Track pitch
On an optical disc, data is stored along tracks. The physical distance
between track centers is the track pitch.
Video bit rate
Bit rate represents the amount of information, or detail, that is stored
per unit of time in a recording.
Audio channels
A means of enriching the sound of audio playback. A stereo sound
source produces the left and right channels, thereby creating a holographic 3D effect in the center. A 5.1 sound source produces front
center, front left and right, surround left and right, and low frequency
effects (subwoofer) channels, creating a large spacial cinematic effect.
Audio streams
A route for digital audio signals. The number of streams dictate the
number of languages that can be heard in multi-channel. For example,
32 streams allow 7.1 channel surround sound in 4 languages (8 channels x 4 languages = 32 streams).
Wavelength
The distance a wave travels to complete one cycle; the distance
between one peak or crest of a sine wave and the next corresponding
peak or crest. The wavelength can be found by dividing the speed by
the frequency.
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