The Blu-ray Disc (BD) is a new-generation, high-capacity optical disc format, developed in response to the growing popularity of high-definition content. The Blu-ray Disc is the same size as the current DVD, but employs a more advanced laser technology to expand its storage capacity.

Blu-ray Disc (BD) Formats ． BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc Read-Only Memory): Pre-recorded disc containing videos or data ． BD-R (Blu-ray Disc Recordable): Write-once recordable disc ． BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc Rewritable): Recordable disc which can be repeatedly used for recording

Utilizing a shorter-wavelength blue laser, the Blu-ray Disc offers a massive storage capacity of 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a double-layer disc, five times the amount of current DVDs.

Similarly, the uncompromised, multi-channel audio content is made available, thanks to a greater capacity of the new disc format. A Blu-ray Disc can support not only the standard Dolby Digital and DTS audio formats, but also the more advanced Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, all of which offer up to eight channels of audio.

The much increased capacity of a Blu-ray Disc means that a greater amount of data, such as high-definition videos, can be easily stored and delivered. High-definition pictures contain more pixels and scan lines in a frame, and are thus capable of presenting objects in more significant details. A Blu-ray Disc can accommodate high-definition video content of resolution up to 1080p.

Supported by the Java-based BD-J technology, a pre-recorded Blu-ray Disc enjoys further Internet connectivity and networking capability. Depending on the content providers, this feature will be able to offer consumers extra interactive services, such as downloading additional subtitles, searching related information, etc.