Blu-ray, commonly known as BD or blue-ray discs, is a next-generation optical disc that has been developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association.  The group consists of leading consumer electronics giants, PC and media makers, like Philips, Samsung, Sony, pointy, HP, Hitachi and Panasonic, to name a few.  The blu ray recorder format enables recording, rewriting and playback of hi-def video ( HD ).  One major advantage the technology has over standard DVDs is that it allows for more storage capacity.  It can hold up to 25GB on a single layered disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc.  The technology also incorporates advanced video and audio codes for the ultimate high definition viewing experience.  The name Blu-ray is utilized because the format uses a blue-violet laser, rather than a red laser as in the case of conventional DVDs.

Another major advantage with Blu-ray format lies in the fact that the entire technology is backwards compatible.  You can now play your old CDs and DVDs through a BD/DVD/CD compatible unit.  The blue-violet laser has a shorter wavelength than a red laser, which will enable it to target a disc area with bigger precision.  The info is also packed on the surface of a disc more firmly.  This explains the disc’s capacity to store more info, even though it is of the same size as a normal CD. Blu-ray discs have a maximum capacity of 25GB and dual-layer discs can hold up to 50GB – enough for four hours of HDTV.  Like HD-DVD, Blue laser discs don’t require a caddy and the players and recorders will be ready to play current DVD discs.  Codecs supported by Blu-ray include the H.264 MPEG-4 codec that will form part of Apple’s QuickTime seven, and the Windows Media 9 based VC-1. 
 
Now the dual layer Blu-ray disc writers have hit the market, it has certainly heated up the war between Blu ray and DVD writers, and every time you go shopping for electronic widgets you will doubtless be suggested to buy one of these 2 types of products.  In fact, to most people, owning twin layer Blu-ray disc writers would represent a major shift up in technology and with Blu-ray discs offering a ton more storage, there’s every reason why folks would buy them and thus the need will also arise for them to have dual layer Blu-ray disc writers. 
 
A key reason to consider making an investment in a Blu-ray player or recorder is to use its high definition capacities.  What good is that 50-inch HD plasma television if you can’t enjoy your movies in all their HD glory?  Major flick studios support Blu-ray technology with many now releasing films completely in the Blu-ray format.  You will not have to toss your DVD collection either as Blu-ray players are backwards-compatible with DVDs.  Also you aren’t required to be concerned about your huge DVD collection as a Blue-Ray player is able to run your DVDs too.  Thus you are free from the responsibility of getting all your DVDs interpreted to Blue-ray version.