Blue ray is the next generation disk player on the market containing up to 50GB of data on a disk. Although it’s the same size as a CD-ROM or a common DVD, Blue ray disks contain more data. Up to 50GB of data can be stored in a blue ray disk compared with 700MB for CD-ROM and about 9GB for DVD disks.
The important point about blue ray is not the capacity of the disk, but what the additional data brings to the viewer. The current storage of blue ray disks is just enough to contain high-definition video. With HD standards beginning at 720p (for 720 lines of progressive scanning), this is four times better than a regular DVD. The clear disparity can be seen with HD video monitors larger than 21 inches. The colors are sharper and with more clarity inimage with HD compared to normal TV images.
Although 720p is the stated minimum quality, the latest blue ray DVD players can also show 1080p, and future developments are also specify to handle higher video resolutions.
Blue ray also includes specifications for audio. Up to 8 channels of audio are a part of in the standard set up for HD electronics, that includes cables, connectors, monitors, projectors and specially blue ray DVD players.
Sony Blue ray DVD players which are for sale currently may be a somewhat more expensive than normal DVD players, but with the mandated phase out of analog TV equipment, digital video is expected to carry the sales further.