How to Sound Like You’re a Blu-Ray Technology Expert

In the vast oceans and deep Blu-ray seas, how is a little fish supposed to tell the difference between a Blu-ray Drive, a Blu-ray Player, a Blu-ray Burner, or even whether or not they should put a hyphen in between the “Blu” and the “Ray,” so as not to offend the sensibilities of the local Techno-Sharks? Below, is a short guide to help you stay out of hot water.

What Wine Should I Serve With My Blu-Ray?

First things first. Blu-ray is not a fish, so let’s quit with the cheesy aquatic anecdotes. Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is a new optical disc format that will eventually replace the DVD. It is called Blu-ray because it uses a blue laser to read the data off the disc. A DVD, on the other hand, uses a red laser to read the disc. Blue lasers have a shorter wavelength and therefore allow much more data to be packed on each disc. Why do you care? You don’t. But if people overhear you using the word “wavelength” they might think you’re real smart. 

What is a Blu-Ray Drive?

A Blu-ray Drive is a device that you put a Blu-ray Disc into in order to read or write to it. It refers to either a Blu-Ray Player or a Blu-ray Burner that is connected to your computer rather than your television. A Blu-ray Drive is “backward compatible,” which means that when you upgrade to Blu-ray you can still read your existing CD and DVD collections. “Backward compatible” is another phrase that makes you sound like you know what you’re talking about. 

What is a Blu-Ray Player?

A Blu-ray Player is a device that can read Blu-ray Discs. Blu-Ray Players either connect to your HDTV or designed to be connected to your computer. A Blu-Ray Player can also play your existing CDs and DVDs. Blu-ray Players that are connected to your computer can record CDs and DVDs as well.

What is a Blu-Ray Burner?

The term Blu-ray Burner refers to a Blu-ray Player that also has the ability to record to Blu-ray Discs. It is also known as a Blu-ray Recorder. It is connected to your computer system, rather than your HDTV. A Blu-ray Burner can also record CDs and DVDs.

There are three types of Blu-ray Discs:  BD-ROM, BD-R and BD-RE. A BD-ROM is a read-only format used for the distribution of HD movies, games, and software. A BD-R is a recordable format for HD video recording and PC data storage. A BD-RE is a rewritable format for HD video recording and PC data storage. Blu-Ray Discs can hold either 25 GB or 50 GB, depending on whether it is a single or double layer disc.