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