The Blu-ray disc which is also simply known as Blu-ray was jointly developed by the world’s leading manufacturers of media, personal computers, and electronics who came together to form the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA). These manufacturers include Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson.

This particular format was created in order to store great amounts of data and to let high-definition video rewrite and record. This format actually lets one store more than 5 times the capacity of a DVD. Specifically, for single-layer discs it can store up to 25GB and for dual-layer discs it can store up to 50GB. The added capacity along with the application of advanced audio and video codecs will enable consumers to experience high-definition video in a whole new way.

Blu-ray format utilizes a blue-violet laser to write and read data in contrast to the red laser which present optical disc technologies like the DVD, DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM use. But despite the difference, Blu-ray products may be made compatible with DVDs and CDs by BD/DVD/CD compatible optical pickup units. You may be wondering what exactly does the use of a blue-violet laser bring to the table. The blue-violet laser is 405nm which compared to the red laser (650nm) is a shorter wavelength. This leaves more room for precise laser spotting and focus. It follows that data can be packed tighter, resulting in more data in less space. The numerical aperture of the Blu-ray format is 0.85 and this also helps this particular kind of disc store a greater amount of data.

Blu-ray presently has the support of a great number of internationally known electronics, recording media, music, video games, and personal computer companies. Prime movie studios have also accepted this relatively new format with open arms. Warner, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM and Lionsgate are just some of the major studios which have titles prepared already for this format. Hit movies like Batman Begins, Desperado, Fantastic Four, Fifth Element, Hero, Ice Age, Kill Bill, Lethal Weapon, Mission Impossible, Ocean's Twelve, Pirates of the Caribbean, Reservoir Dogs, Robocop, and The Matrix are just some of the preliminary titles that will hit the Blu-ray format.

Is Blu-ray set to replace DVDs? They have been expected to. The format has gotten major support from prime movie studios as newest successor to the DVD format. Seven of the eight prime movie studios have been announcing their titles for Blu-ray. But it is very likely that both formats (DVD and Blu-ray) will co-exist for an extensive period of time as HDTVs continue their spread.

Present announcements of Blue-ray releases include:

Twentieth Century Fox
First wave of BD releases: Behind Enemy Lines, Fantastic Four, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Kiss of the Dragon, The Omen (666), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Speed and The Transporter.

MGM
Fourth Quarter Blu-ray Releases
For release on November 28, 2006:  Bryan Singer's thriller “Usual Suspects” (day-and-date with special edition DVD) and Nicholas Cage’s action/war film, “Windtalkers”.

Paramount
First and Second Wave of Blu-ray Releases
First wave releases: Tomb Raider, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Four Brothers and Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow. Second wave releases: U2: Rattle and Hum, Aeon Flux and The Italian Job (October 10, 2006).