Blu-ray Versus HD-DVD

Article by PJ Germain

Blu-ray and the HD-DVD make use of the same 405nm (nanometer) blue-violet wavelength laser. This simply means that Blu-ray and HD-DVD can supply a much sharper picture compared to the 650nm red laser that current DVD players make use of. The bottom line is that the Blu-ray and the HD-DVD can store more data on a disc of the same surface. However, discovering this, there are very significant differences between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Let’s see who comes out on top in Blu-ray versus HD-DVD.

To those that are familiar with Blu-ray heard this before. To others, we all know that Blu-ray’s data is packed very tightly into a single spiral of a disc compared to HD-DVD. This simply means that the single disc carries more – what is called – digital pits. Digital pits are binary numbers – the ones and zeros that, when translated, becomes the digital and audio content when the disc is inserted into a drive and played. In conclusion, it means that Blu-ray discs is able to carry much more information on a “per layer”, or simply “spiral”. This alone makes Blu-ray versus HD-DVD not worth comparing.

When looking at the standard double-layered DVD disc, which has 9GB (Gigabytes) capacity. A HD-DVD disc has the capabilities of storing 30 gigabytes of information or data – or even a full high-definition feature film and the extras on one single double-layered disc. For Blu-ray, a single double-layered disc can hold 50 gigabytes of data. There is no doubt that it is coming out on top when these two systems are in a Blu-ray versus HD-DVD competition. Blu-ray and HD-DVD use different coatings: HD-DVD has the surface layer of 0.6mm, where Blu-ray’s surface layer is thinner; standing at 0.1mm.

This is what makes the Blu-ray expensive to manufacture. A thinner surface simply means that standard DVD “plants” must be retooled. Moreover, a hard coating has to be applied to the surface of the disc in order to protect any information that is stored on the surface of the disc. There is no doubt that Blu-ray is more sophisticated. The format has come to be known as “leapfrog” in technology. However, this advance comes with a price.

Again, Blu-ray comes out on top in the Blu-ray versus HD-DVD review, and if you are considering purchasing a HD-DVD or Blu-ray player, despite the obvious victor, remember, that both systems will work well on many new televisions, but a HD TV with a 1080 resolution will be needed to get the best performance out of the player.

About the Author

PJ GermainWeb Hosting ReviewBest HostingWeb Hosting