| This article will give you an overview of the | | | | 'special editions' studios tend to use as users could |
| benefits that the next-gen blu-ray format will | | | | simply download all the extra features they |
| offer over conventional formats such as DVD. | | | | wanted though its not clear if this will be free.The |
| The blu-ray format is going to push forward the | | | | enhanced copy protection is one aspect you |
| limits of current media substantially which allow | | | | won't notice as much but is very important. |
| you to enjoy a host of great benefits which | | | | Blu-ray utilizes a variety of copy protection |
| include: | | | | methods such as Digital Rights Management |
| | | | (DRM) and Advanced Access Content System |
| Improved Capacity, | | | | (AACS). The DRM method used on Blu-ray is |
| High-Definition Video, | | | | called BD+ which creates dynamically changing |
| Enhanced Interactivity, | | | | keys to protect the discs. This means that if a |
| Enhanced Copy Protection, and | | | | key is cracked only a select portion of the discs |
| Being Future Proof. | | | | are compromised. The AACS can effectively |
| The most obvious benefit is the larger capacity. | | | | disable players which are deemed 'bad'. i.e. if |
| With 25gb/50gb to use, movie and game studios | | | | copied discs are used frequently, the AACS could |
| will be able to offer much more in terms of extra | | | | disable the player for the user and stop it working |
| features and longer gameplay. Also many new | | | | even if bought by someone else. The final copy |
| DVD titles require 2 discs for added features | | | | protection which may affect you is the |
| whereas only one will be needed for blu-ray which | | | | Mandatory Managed Copy System (MMCS) which |
| will lower the prices for you.High-Definition (HD) | | | | limits users to a set number of copies of discs by |
| video playback is perhaps the most useful aspect | | | | making the user register the 'right' to copy the |
| of the next-gen formats. As HD becomes more | | | | disc.Finally the blu-ray disc has been designed to |
| mainstream (Sky launched there HD offering | | | | be future proof. This means that by buying all the |
| recently and more households are buying HD | | | | new equipment needed, you will not need an |
| ready TV's) the ability for disc formats to support | | | | upgrade in the near future (5 yrs) as these |
| it is imperative. Blu-ray offers space for 2hrs/4hrs | | | | next-gen formats evolve. Also TDK has |
| respectively of HD video (different encodings will | | | | announced work on a 200gb blu-ray disc (6 x |
| allow more and less) with space for interactive | | | | 33gb layers) which will future proof the format |
| features still available.The enhanced interactivity | | | | even more.This is just an overview of the |
| features are another step forward compared to | | | | benefits that blu-ray offers. There are many |
| DVD. By incorporating the java platform (called | | | | smaller improvements but the benefits listed |
| BD-J), blu-ray players can have dynamically | | | | above are the ones that you are most likely going |
| changing interactive menu's that can be updated | | | | to affect you.Josh Biggs is the founder of which |
| via an internet connection built into the player. | | | | aims to give the visitor a complete resource on |
| These updates can include extra subtitles tracks | | | | blu-ray including news, product reviews and |
| and promotional features not available at | | | | community discussion. |
| purchase. This could effectively eliminate the | | | | |