Blu-Ray

Blu-ray Disc (also called BD) is a high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital media, including high definition media. [1]

The name Blu-ray Disc is derived from the blue-violet laser used to read and write this type of disc. Because of its shorter wavelength, substantially more data can be stored on a Blu-ray Disc than on the DVD format. A Blu-ray Disc can store 25 GB on each layer, as opposed to a DVD's 4.7 GB.
Blu-ray Disc is similar to PDD another optical disc format developed by Sony (which has been available since 2004) but offering higher data transfer speeds. PDD was not intended for home video use and was aimed at business data archiving and backup.[1]

• On September 1st 2003 Blu-ray was first released in Japan.
• They have been developed so that it is more scratch resitence and will still work after varoius scratches. someone has made a video to prove this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5jEbZt6AIQ&mode=related&search
• Playstation 3 has an inbuilt Blu-ray drive.
• An experimental Blu-ray disc was capable of holding up to 200 GB.
• In Sony's attmept to be eco friendly a Blu-ray disc is due to be relased that is made of 51% of paper.
• Blu-ray is in fierce competion with HD DVD, it contains more storage space and better quality but more expensive. Blu-ray is currently leading the race.
• A major boost is that the Blu-ray can network between machines liek a computer, so you can transfer movies, music etc to it.

[1] reference to wikipedia.

Sony also has its own online Blu-ray magazine which explains the product and its updates: http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowArticle.action?articlesection=1&article=1104845091195&site=odw_en_GB