Blu-ray Disc seminar 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

0. Abstract…………………………………………………………………… 2
1. History of Blu-ray Disc…………………………………………………... 3
2. Glossary of Terms……………………………………………...………… 5
3. Optical Data Storage for Digital Video…................................................. 9
4. Different Formats of BD………………………………………………..... 20
5. Two Version of Recording ………………………………….……….…... 21
6. Blu-ray Disc Structure……………………………….…………………... 23
7. Specification…………………………………………….………………… 25
8. Basic Blu-ray Characteristics….…………………………………….….. 26
9. Blu-ray Founders...………………………………………………………. 27
10. Comparisons……………………………..……………….……….…….. 28
11. BD and HD-DVD…………………………….……….............................. 29
12. Advantages..............................................................…............................... 31
13. Applications……………………………………………..………………. 33
14. Requirements……………………………………………………………. 36
15. Challenges………………......................................................................... 36
16. Future developments…………………………………………….….…. 37
17. Conclusion………………………..………….………………………….. 39
18. References……………………………………………………………….. 40

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ABSTRACT

Optical disks share a major part among the secondary storage devices. Blu-ray
Disc is a next-generation optical disc format. The technology utilizes a blue laser diode
operating at a wavelength of 405 nm to read and write data. Because it uses a blue laser it
can store enormous amounts of data on it than was ever possible.

Data is stored on Blu-Ray discs in the form of tiny ridges on the

surface of an opaque 1.1-millimetre-thick substrate. This lies beneath a transparent 0.1mm
protective layer. With the help of Blu-ray recording devices it is possible to record up to 4
hours of very high quality audio and video or more than 20 hours of standard-definition
TV on a single BD.

Blu-ray also promises some added security, making ways for

copyright protections. Blu-ray discs can have a unique ID written on them to have
copyright protection inside the recorded streams.

Blu-ray disc takes the DVD technology one step further, just by
using a laser with a nice color.

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1. History of Blu-ray Disc

1.1 First Generation

When the CD was introduced in the early 80s, it meant an

enormous leap from traditional media. Not only did it offer a significant improvement in
audio quality, its primary application, but its storage capacity 800 MB also meant a giant
leap in data storage and retrieval. For the first time, there was a universal standard for pre-
recorded, recordable and rewritable media, offering the best quality and features consumers
could wish for themselves, at very low costs.

1.2 Second Generation

Although the CD was a very useful medium for the recording

and distribution of audio and some modest data-applications, demand for a new medium
offering higher storage capacities rose in the 90s. These demands lead to the evolution of the
DVD specification and a five to ten fold increase in capacity. This enabled high quality,
standard definition video distribution and recording. Furthermore, the increased capacity
accommodated more demanding data applications. At the same time, the DVD spec used the
same form factor as the CD, allowing for seamless migration to the next generation format
and offering full backwards compatibility.

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1.3 Third Generation

Now High Definition video is demanding a new solution.
History proved that a significant five to ten time increase in storage capacity and the ability
to play previous generation formats are key elements for a new format to succeed. This new
format has arrived with the advent of Blu-ray Disc, the only format that offers a
considerable increase in storage capacity with its 25 to 50 GB data capacity. This allows for
the next big application of optical media: the distribution and recording of High Definition
video in the highest possible quality. In fact, no other proposed format can offer the data
capacity of Blu-ray Disc, and no other format will allow for the same high video quality and
interactive features to create the ultimate user experience. As with DVD, the Blu-ray Disc
format is based on the same, bare disc physical form factor, allowing for compatibility with
CD and DVD. The Blu-ray Disc specification was officially announced in February 2002.
Blu-ray Disc recorders were first launched in Japan in 2003.
• 1982 -First working CD player developed by Philips. Philips and Sony developed CD
standard – 12cm disk, 74 minutes on a single spiral
• 1983 -First CD players sold
• 1985 -CD-ROM introduced – not popular at first. More powerful PCs lead to
demand for multimedia, image processing and larger applications. Growth in sales
brings prices down.
• 1990’s - CD-R and CD-RW introduced – big success.
• 1996 -DVD introduced
• 1999 -DVD becomes mainstream
• 2003 -BD introduced

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2. Glossary of Terms

2.1 HDTV (High Definition Video)

This high resolution 16:9 ratio, progressive scan format can now
be recorded to standard miniDV cassettes Consumer high definition cameras are
becoming available but this is currently an expensive, niche market. It is also possible to
capture video using inexpensive webcams. These normally connect to a computer via
USB. While they are much cheaper than DV cameras, webcams offer lower quality and
less flexibility for editing purposes, as they do not capture video in DV format. Digital
video is available on many portable devices from digital stills cameras to mobile phones.
This is contributing to the emergence of digital video as a standard technology used and
shared by people on a daily basis.

2.2 MPEG

MPEG, the Moving Picture Experts Group, overseen by the

International Standards Organization (ISO), develops standards for digital video and
digital audio compression. MPEG-1 with a default resolution of 352x240 was designed
specifically for Video-CD and CD-media and is often used in CD-ROMs.

MPEG-1 audio layer-3 (MP3) compression evolved from early

MPEG work. MPEG-1 is an established, medium quality format (similar to VHS)
supported by all players and platforms. Although not the best quality it will work well on
older specification machines.

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MPEG-2 compression (as used for DVD movies and digital

television set-top boxes) is an excellent format for distributing video, as it offers high
quality and smaller file sizes than DV. Due to the way it compresses video MPEG-2-
encoded footage is more problematic to edit than DV footage. Despite this, MPEG-2 is
becoming more common as a capture format. MPEG-2 uses variable bit rates allowing
frames to be encoded with more or less data depending on their contents.
BD employs the MPEG-2 transport stream recording method.
This enables flexible editing of a digital broadcast that is recorded as is and where the data
can be edited just by rewriting the playback stream. Although it is quite natural, a function
for high-speed and easy-to use retrieval is built in.

2.3Gigabyte(GB)
A gigabyte equals about 1,000 megabytes (MB). A single-layer
Blu-ray Disc capable of record 25GB (25, 000 megabytes) and also dual-layer versions of
the Blu-ray disc can hold 50GB therefore stores about 50,000 megabytes.

2.4 Layer
In Blu-ray Disc, data is recorded on a single side of the disc.
However, a disc can store two data layers, both at the same side. The read-out or recording
laser of the Blu-ray Disc device will first read from or record to one layer, and then re-
focuses on the second layer. All this is done automatically without any user interference. A
double layer Blu-ray Disc can store up to 50 GB of data.

2.5 SDTV
Standard Definition Television. Generic term used for
conventional television sets, based on the NTSC or PAL standards. SD television consists
of 480 to 570 visible lines.

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2.6 Numerical Aperture and Resolution

The numerical aperture of a microscope objective is a measure

of its ability to gather light and resolve fine specimen detail at a fixed object distance.
Image-forming light waves pass through the specimen and enter the objective in an
inverted cone as illustrated in Figure 1. A longitudinal slice of this cones of light shows the
angular aperture, a value that is determined by the focal length of the objective.

The angle μ is one-half the angular aperture (A) and is related to the numerical aperture
through the following equation:

Numerical Aperture (NA) = n (sin μ)

Where n is the refractive index of the imaging medium between

the front lens of the objective and the specimen cover glass, a value that ranges from 1.00
for air to 1.51 for specialized immersion oils. Many authors substitute the variable μ for μ
in the numerical aperture equation. From this equation it is obvious that when the imaging
medium is air (with a refractive index, n = 1.0), then the numerical aperture is dependent
only upon the angle μ whose maximum value is 90°. The sin of the angle μ, therefore, has
a maximum value of 1.0 (sin90° = 1), which is the theoretical maximum numerical

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aperture of a lens operating with air as the imaging medium (using "dry" microscope
objectives).

2.7 THE BLUE LASER

The laser used with the Blu-ray disc has a wavelength of

400nm.Though the red and the green lasers were discovered much earlier, it was only in
1996 that the blue laser was discovered. Actually, the wavelength 405nm would
correspond to the blue-violet part of the visible light, in the spectrum. This achievement is
attributed to the efforts of Shuji Nakamura of Nichia Corporation, Japan. The device
utilizes a GaN diode as its laser source. The operating current is kept between 60mA and
70mA for optimum performance.
For writing into the disc, the power of the laser used is about
6mW. For reading from the disc, much lesser power is required, only about 0.7mW.The
GaN source can give a power of about 65mW. So, it is an ideal choice for the laser source
to be used with the Blu-ray disc. Due to the much lower wavelength involved, the
amorphous mark size (bit size) is small, leading to higher storage capacity on disc of the
same size, about five to six times the capacity of a DVD.

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3. Optical Data Storage for Digital Video

3.1 Introduction
Optical data storage is commercially successful in the form of
Compact Discs (CDs) for audio and software distribution and Digital Versatile Discs
(DVDs) for video distribution. CDs and DVDs look very similar because the
fundamental optical technology for both devices is the same. This similarity is also true
for the next generation of optical data storage, which may be used for digital home
theater recording and HDTV distribution. However, CDs, DVDs and next generation
products are different in terms of specific optical components in the drive, in how data
are managed and in details of the disk structure used to store the information. These
differences allow a larger volume of data to be recorded on each successive generation.
Larger data volumes translate into higher quality video and longer playing time.

3.2 Parameters for HD Video Storage with Optical Disks

 Optical Parameters
 Disk Structure Parameters
 Data Management Parameters
Optical parameters include laser wavelength, objective lens
numerical aperture, protective layer thickness and free working distance. Data
management parameters include data rate, video format, HDTV play time and bit-rate
scheme. Disk structure parameters are user data capacity, minimum channel bit length
and track-to-track spacing.

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3.2.1Optical Parameters

Fig 1

Digital information is stored on optical disks in the form of

arrangements of data marks in spiral tracks.

The process for exposing data marks on a recordable optical

disk is shown in Fig. 1, where an input stream of digital information is converted with an
encoder and modulator into a drive signal for a laser source. The laser source emits an
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intense light beam that is directed and focused onto the surface by the objective lens. As
the surface moves under the scanning spot, energy from the intense scan spot is absorbed,
and a small, localized region heats up. The surface, under the influence of heat beyond a
critical writing threshold, changes its reflective properties. Modulation of the intense
light beam is synchronous with the drive signal, so a circular track of data marks is
formed as the surface rotates. The scan spot is moved slightly as the surface rotates to
allow another track to be written on new media during the next revolution.

Data marks on prerecorded disks are fabricated by first making

a master disk with the appropriate data-mark pattern. Masters for prerecorded CDs and
DVDs are often exposed in a similar manner to exposing data marks on recordable
optical disks, except that the light-sensitive layer is designed to produce pits in the
master that serve as data marks in the replicas. Inexpensive replicas of the master are
made with Injection-molding equipment.

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Fig 2

Readout of data marks on the disk is illustrated in Fig.2, where

the laser is used at a constant output power level that does not heat the data surface
beyond its thermal writing threshold. The laser beam is directed through a beam splitter
into the objective lens, where the beam is focused onto the surface. As the data marks to
be read pass under the scan spot, the reflected light is modulated. Modulated light is

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collected by illumination optics and directed by the beam splitter to servo and data
optics,

which converge the light onto detectors. The detectors change light modulation into
current modulation that is amplified and decoded to produce the output data stream. A
fundamental limitation to the number of data marks per unit area is due to the size of the
focused laser beam that illuminates the surface. Small laser spots are required to record
and read out small data marks. More data marks per unit area translate into higher
capacity disks, so evolution of optical data storage is toward smaller spot sizes.

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Fig 3.

Figure (3) shows a detailed picture of the laser irradiance

approaching the surface, where irradiance is defined as the laser power per unit area.
Ideally, maximum irradiance is located at the recording material, along with the smallest
spot size s. As the distance increases away from the ideal focus, the spot size increases
and the peak irradiance decreases. A defocus distance δz of only a few micrometers
dramatically reduces peak irradiance and increases spot size. An approximate formula

used to estimate the ideal spot size at best focus is s = λ/(sin θ), where θ is the marginal
ray angle of the illumination optics, as shown in Fig. 1. Spot size s is the full width of
the irradiance distribution at the 1/e2 (13.5%) irradiance level relative to the peak. The
value if sin q is often called the numerical aperture or NA of the optical system.

Fig 4

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Instead of focusing directly on the recording surface, optical
disks focus through a protective layer, as shown in Fig.4 for a simple CD-ROM. The
protective layer prevents dust and other contamination from directly obstructing the laser
spot at the data marks. Instead, the out-of-focus contamination only partially obscures the
laser focus cone, and data can usually be recovered reliably. If the protective layer is
scratched or damaged, it can be cleaned or buffed.

As the protective layer gets thinner, the error rate increases to an

unacceptable threshold due to obscuration of the laser beam. This sensitivity decreases
as NA increases, due to the smaller defocus range associated with these systems.

In addition, the free working distance separates the objective lens from the spinning
disk. This separation protects the disk against accidental contact between the objective
lens and the disk.

In order to maximize disk capacity, the optical system uses high

NA and short wavelength. For maximum contamination protection, the protective layer
should be as thick as possible. However, the combination of thick protective layer and
high NA is not easily accomplished. High NA systems are sensitive to changes in
substrate thickness and disk tilt. Manufacturing variations create thickness no
uniformities, which are usually a small percentage of the total disk thickness. Motor
instabilities induce tilt as the disk spins. Energy from the central portion of the spot is
redistributed to concentric rings, which degrade the quality of the read out signal. This
Degrades the read out signal. Tilt causes coma, which is another form of aberration
effect, is called spherical aberration.
Sensitivity of the spot to degradation from thickness variations
and disk tilt is plotted in Fig. 5 as a function of total protective layer thickness for two
values of NA. In order to limit these effects, the substrate is made as thin as possible
without sacrificing contamination protection.

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Fig 5

The most conservative technology is the Video CD. Its thick

protective layer, relatively low NA and long laser wavelength produce a stable system that
is not very sensitive to environmental factors like dust and scratches. The ideal spot size is
about 0.78/0.5 = 1.6 micrometers. Although the cover layer is thick at 1.2 mm, the
sensitivity to thickness variations and disk tilt is low because of the low NA. DVD
technology uses a shorter wavelength laser, higher NA optics and a thinner protective layer.
The combination of short wavelength and higher NA produce a spot size of about 1.1
micrometers. The protective layer had to be made thinner, because the sensitivity to
thickness variations and disk tilt is too high otherwise. DVDs are slightly more sensitive to
dust and scratches than CDs. The net effect is not great, because higher NA reduces the
focal depth and DVDs have a more robust error management strategy.

The Advanced Optical Disk and Blu-Ray systems both use a

new blue laser source that emits 0.405 micrometer light. The Advanced Optical Disk
system uses the same protective layer thickness as a DVD, and it uses the same NA
objective lens. Due to the short wavelength, the spot size for the Advanced Optical Disk is
about 0.62 micrometers. Sensitivity to dust and scratches is about the same as a DVD, as
well as the sensitivity to thickness variations and disk tilt. The Blu-Ray system uses both

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higher NA and thinner cover layer. The spot size is 0.405/0.85 = 0.48 micrometers, which
is the smallest spot size of all the technologies. However, because of the high NA, the
protective layer had to be made thin to limit sensitivity to thickness variations and disk tilt.
Therefore, Blu-Ray disks are sensitive to dust and scratches. The free working distance is
nearly is same for all technologies except Blu-Ray. Blu-Ray systems utilize more
complicated lens systems due to the high NA, so working distance had to be reduced. The
integrity of this reduced working distance is not clear at this time.

3.2.2 Disk Structure Parameters

The spot size created from the NA and wavelength parameters is
the most important factor to determine the track-to-track spacing and the minimum
channel bit length along the track. Several channel bits are encoded into each data mark.
The number of channel bits per data mark depends on the modulation scheme. The
relatively large spot produces relatively large data marks and correspondingly wide
tracks and large channel-bit lengths. Progressively smaller spot sizes enable smaller
track spacing and shorter channel bit lengths.

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Fig 6

To the user, all generations of optical disks look very similar.

They all are round disks that are approximately 120 mm in diameter, have a central
mounting hole and are approximately 1.2 mm thick. Through many years of experience

with CDs, this format has proven effective and mechanically reliable. However, the
manner in which data layers are arranged on the disk depends on the technology used.
For example, the CD uses a simple 1.2 mm thick substrate, as shown in Fig. 6A. Data are
recorded on only one side of the disk, through the clear 1.2 mm substrate, which also
serves as the protective layer. DVDs, Warner HD-DVDs and Advanced Optical Disks
use the format shown in Fig. 6B, where two 0.6 mm substrates are bonded together and
the data are recorded on the bond side of each substrate. DVDs also allow more two
layers per side (A, B in Fig. 6B), where the layers are separated by a thin adhesive

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spacer. The two layers are fabricated before bonding at the same time as the individual
0.6 mm substrates. Like the CD, data are recorded and read through the clear substrates.
It is likely that the Warner HDDVD and Advanced Optical Disk will also take advantage
of this multiple-layer concept. A potential implementation of the Blu-Ray disk is shown
in Fig. 6C, where the protective layers on each side are very thin at 0.1 mm. In this case,
data are recorded on the substrate, which does not serve as the protective layer. Instead, a
protective layer resin is spin on and hardened or a thin protective sheet is bonded on each
side of the substrate. Because of the thin protective layer, the Blu-Ray disk must also be
used with a cartridge.
The only optical disk technology that plans to use a Cartridge
is the Blu-Ray system. The Blu-Ray cartridge is necessary for contamination Protection,
but the working distance of around 0.1 mm and protective layer thickness of 0.1 mm are
large compared to the contact recording

The technology for making disks is very similar to existing

DVD technology. Higher-resolution mastering machines and finer control over the
injection molding process should produce the required changes without substantially
retooling the industry. The Blu-Ray system requires the most changes of the three,
including a blue laser, detector, and advanced objective lens. Blu-Ray also requires new
disk and cartridge manufacturing technology, which may be difficult to implement in a
short time frame.

3.2.3 Data Management Parameters

The logical organization of data on the disk and how those

data are used are considerations for data management. Data management considerations
have important implications in the application of optical disk technology to storage for
HDTV. For example, simply using a more advanced error correction scheme on DVDs

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allows a 30% higher disk capacity compared to CDs. Data rate, video format, bit-rate
scheme and HDTV play time are all data management issues.

There is a basic difference in data management between CDs

and DVDs. Since CDs were designed for audio, data are managed in a manner similar to
data management for magnetic tape. Long, contiguous files are used that are not easily
subdivided and written in a random access pattern. Efficient data retrieval is
accomplished when these long files are read out in a contiguous fashion. To be sure, CDs
are much more efficient that magnetic tape for pseudorandom access, but the
management philosophy is the same. On the other hand, DVDs are more like magnetic
hard disks, where the file structure is designed to be used in random-access architecture.
That is, efficient recovery of variable length files is achieved. In addition, the Original
error correction strategy for CDs was designed for error concealment when listening to
audio, where DVDs utilize true error correction. Later generations of optical disks also
follow the DVD model.

The random-access nature of DVDs allows very efficient

methods for data compression. For example, MPEG-2 with variable bit rate allows data to
be read out from the disk as they are required, rather than supplying data at a constant rate.
Slowly moving scenes, like love scenes or conversations, require much less information
per frame than a fast-moving car chase or explosion. In these fast-moving scenes, the
maximum amount of information per scene is limited only by the maximum data rate of
the player. For HDTV, acceptable picture quality is obtained by using MPEG-2 with a

maximum data rate of about 13-25 Mbps for most scenes. During a slow scene, not as
many files are accessed, and much less storage area on the disk is used. This architecture
leaves room on the disk for the data associated with faster-moving scenes.
Fixed-rate schemes, like magnetic tape, supply data at a
constant rate, no matter what the requirements of the scene. During fast-moving scenes, the
data stream from the tape supplies an adequate data rate. The tape speed and data rate for

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these devices are set by the upper limit of the scene requirements. Since the tape does not
slow down during slower scenes, the data stream is ‘padded’ at these times with useless
information that takes up valuable storage area on the tape. Overall, the random-access
architecture of optical disks is a much more efficient way to use the available storage area.
That is, optical disks do not require as many gigabytes of user data capacity for an
equivalent length and quality HDTV presentation.

It is not practical to store HDTV on CDs and DVDs with

MPEG-2. For CDs, special multiple-beam readout or high velocity disk dives could
produce the data rate, which is an advantage of the fixed-bit-rate scheme. However, the
play time would be only a few minutes, at best. DVDs are not capable of the 13 Mbps
random data rate to support MPEG-2. The Advanced Optical Disk exhibits acceptable
data rate and reasonable user data capacity for up to two hours of HDTV per side
compressed with variable bit-rate MPEG-2. Blu-ray has slightly higher capacity and data
rate. The two-hour play time for HDTV with Blu-Ray in Table I is really a specification
for real-time recording, which is not easily compressed into an efficient variable-rate
scheme. Blu-Ray should easily provide two hours or longer of prerecorded HDTV per
side compressed with MPEG-2.

MPEG-2 is a technique for compressing video data and

replaying the data associated with certain rules that are defined in the MPEG-2
specifications. The action of the optical disk system is not to compress data or interpret
the video information rules. Instead, the optical disk system only stores and retrieves

data on command from the video operating system. Therefore, as video operating
systems and associated compression technology become more advanced, no
fundamental changes are required to the optical disk system.

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4. Different Formats of Blu-ray Disc

BD-ROM : a read only format developed for prerecorded content
BD-R : a write once format developed for PC storage
BD-RW : a rewritable format developed for PC storage
BD-RE : a rewritable format developed for HDTV recording

5. Two Versions of Recording

5.1 One Time Recording

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Make permanent changes to a disc. If we use BD-R the
material on the disc itself is changed forever. There is no way to get the material back
into its old state. The recording material is crystalline in nature. As scan spot falls on the
surface it changes to amorphous. We cannot change it back to crystal state.

5.2 Record Many Times

If we use a BD-RW the material on the disc itself changes, but

can be changed back again .We can do this as long as the material doesn’t get worn out.
By heating up the crystals, they change form. Now when we quickly cool them, they
stay in that form itself. That is the material is changed from crystal state to amorphous
state.

Now, if we want to erase the BD-RW, we have to make sure

that we lose all the data. So we want to get rid of that amorphous state. By heating up the
material again, but this time taking more time and less heat, the material gradually wants
to take its old form again, and thus the information is erased. This state is called the
crystalline state.

So, by very quickly heating it and very quickly cooling it, give
the crystal another state (Amorphous state) which thus contains the data and by very
quite slowly heating it and cooling it, we can give the crystals their old form back
(crystalline state) which contains no more data. It’s a constant change of phases. And so
it is called as phase change recording.

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Data is stored in the form of grooves, on an

optical disc. Next to the grooves, there are lands. Lands are the borders between the
grooves. Grooves and lands have a sinus form. This is called a wobbled groove. In the
groove, pits are formed to store data.

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6. Blu-ray Disc Structure

The structure of the BD is as shown. The 0.1mm transparent

cover layer is made of a spin-coated UV resin. It is formed by sandwiching a transparent
layer between a protective coating and a bonding layer. This layer offers excellent
birefringence. Beneath, there is a layer of Antis layer acts as a heat sink, dissipating the
excess heat during the write process. A spacer layer made of ZnS-SiO2 comes next.
Then, the recording layer made of AgInSbTeGe comes. Grooves are formed on this
layer for recording. A reflective layer of Ag alloy falls beneath and finally a plastic
substrate comes.

The key features of the technology are introduced as follows

 Highly flat and smooth cover layer:

At the high speed recording rate involved, the linear velocity of
the disc reaches 20m/s or more and as a result accurate focus control becomes difficult.
Various experiments showed that flatness and smoothness of the transparent

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cover layer have a marked influence on the focus control capability. This end is achieved
by using the spin coating method for obtaining the transparent cover layer. Thus stable
record ability at high speed recording is secured.

 Phase change film for high speed recording:

The phase change film should have high recrystallisation speed
to enable direct recording at the high linear velocities involved. A recording layer made
of AgInSbTeGe meets this purpose.

 Super advanced rapid cooling structure:

The excess heat from the LASER irradiation causes distortion of
the recorded mark edge. So, to diffuse the remaining excess heat, a transparent di-electric
film of high thermal conductivity, for example, AlN is used.

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7. Specifications

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8. Basic Blu-ray Disc Characteristics

8.1 Large Recording Capacity

The Blu-ray disc enables the recording, rewriting and

playback of HD video unto 27 GB of data on a single sided single layer. It is enough to
put 2.5 hours of HDTV recording on it. It also can record over 13 hours of standard TV
broadcasting using the VHS/ standard definition picture quality.

8.2 High Speed

It has a data transfer rate of 36 Mbps. Because of this

high speed transfer rates it can also record the data in very little time. In a perfect
environment it would take about 2.5 hours to fill the entire BD with 27 GB of data. More
than enough transfer capacity for real time recording and playback.

8.3 Resistant to Scratches and Fingerprints

The protective layer is hard enough to prevent

accidental abrasions and allows fingerprints to be removed by wiping the disc with a
tissue.

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9. Blu-ray Founders

The Blu-ray Disc format was developed by the Blu-

ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of leading consumer electronics, personal
computer and media manufacturers, with more than 170 member companies from
all over the world. The Board of Directors currently consists of:

Apple Computer, Inc.

Dell Inc.
Hewlett Packard Company
Hitachi, Ltd.
LG Electronics Inc.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Pioneer Corporation
Royal Philips Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Sharp Corporation
Sony Corporation
TDK Corporation
Thomson Multimedia
Twentieth Century Fox
Walt Disney Pictures
Warner Bros. Entertainment

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10. Comparisons

Backward compatibility of BD will replace the use of DVD.

The difference between Blu-ray and DVD

Parameters BD-ROM DVD-ROM

Storage capacity (single-layer) 25GB 4.7GB
Storage capacity (dual-layer) 50GB 9.4GB
Laser wavelength 405nm 650nm
Numerical aperture (NA) 0.85 0.60
Protection layer 0.1mm 0.6mm
Data transfer rate (1x) 36.0Mbps 11.08Mbps
Data transfer rate (movie application)54.0Mbps (1.5x) 10.08Mbps
Video compression MPEG-2 MPEG-2
MPEG-4 AVC
SMPTE VC-1

HD-DVD (previously known as AOD) is the name of a

competing next-generation optical disc format developed by Toshiba and NEC.
The format is quite different from Blu-ray, but also relies heavily on blue-laser
technology to achieve a higher storage capacity. The format is being developed
within the DVD Forum as a possible successor to the current DVD technology.

The difference between Blu-ray and HD-DVD

Parameters BD-ROM HD-DVD-ROM

Storage capacity (single-layer) 25GB 15GB
Storage capacity (dual-layer) 50GB 30GB
Laser wavelength 405nm 405nm
Numerical aperture (NA) 0.85 0.65
Protection layer 0.1mm 0.6mm
Data transfer rate (1x) 36.0Mbps 36.55Mbps
Data transfer rate (movie application)54.0Mbps (1.5x) 36.55Mbps
Video compression MPEG-2 MPEG-2
MPEG-4 AVC MPEG-4 AVC
SMPTE VC-1 SMPTE VC-1

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11. Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD

The HD-DVD format, originally called AOD or

Advanced Optical Disc, is based on much of today's DVD principles and as a result,
suffers from many of its limitations. The format does not provide as big of a
technological step as Blu-ray Disc. For example, its pre-recorded capacities are only 15
GB for a single layer disc, or 30 GB for a double layer disc. Blu-ray Disc provides 67%
more capacity per layer at 25 GB for a single layer and 50GB for a double layer disc.

Although the HD-DVD format claims it keeps initial

investments for disc replicates and media manufacturers as low as possible, they still
need to make substantial investments in modifying their production equipment to create
HD-DVDs. But what's more important is that HD-DVD can be seen as just a transition
technology, with a capacity not sufficient for the long term. It might not offer enough
space to hold a High Definition feature along with bonus material in HD quality and
additional material that can be revealed upon authorization via a network. When two
discs are needed, this will degrade the so-called cost benefit substantially. It is even
possible that the HD-DVD specification will be followed up by a renewed version of the
technology within a few years, requiring media manufacturers to upgrade their existing
production lines again, and consumers to replace their existing playback/recording
equipment. On the other hand, the Blu-ray Disc format was designed to be a viable
technology for a period of at least 10 to 15 years.

Also on the application layer, the HD-DVD format

incorporates many compromises. As the capacity is not likely to be sufficient to encode a
full-length feature plus additional bonus materials using the MPEG-2 format, different

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and stronger encoding formats need to be used. Although Blu-ray Disc offers these
advanced codecs as well, the disc has such high capacity that publishers can still use the

MPEG-2 encoding format at bit rates up to 54 Mbit/sec. As MPEG-2 is the de-facto

standard used in almost any industry involved in digital video (DVD, HDTV, digital
broadcast), many authoring solutions are available. Chances are high that a full line
MPEG-2 encoding suite is already available, which can be used with no or minor
adaptations to encode High Definition content for Blu-ray Disc. But perhaps the most
important factor for the success of Blu-ray Disc is its overwhelming industry-wide
support. Almost all consumer electronics companies in the world (combined market
share of about 90%) and the world's two largest computer companies support the Blu-ray
Disc format. This ensures a large selection of Blu-ray Disc players, recorders, PC drives,
Blu-ray Disc equipped PCs and blank media will become available. A competing format
will not have the manufacturing power to penetrate the market in a level even
approaching that of Blu-ray Disc

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12. Advantages
The main advantages of the Blu-ray disc are

 More storage capacity on a disc of the same size.

The data storage capacity on a Blu-ray disc is 27GB on a
single layer and 54GBon dual layer, which is about five to six times the capacity of a
DVD. It would mean about 2.5 hours of HDTV video and about 13 hours of SDTV
video.

 High data transfer rate.

The basic data transfer rate in Blu-ray disc is about 36Mbps

which is about three times that of a DVD and thirty times that of a CD.

 Available in different versions like ROM, R and RE

The BD is available in different versions like the ROM (write
once), R (read only), RE (rewritable).

 Backward compatible.
The BD drives are designed to be backward compatible, i.e.
CDs and DVDs work equally well with the BD drives.

 Strong content protection.

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The features of the content protection system are
• Format Developed with Input from Motion Picture Studios
•
•
•
• Strong Copy Protection by
• Renew ability with Renewal Key Block and Device Key
• Enhanced Encryption Algorithm: AES 128 bit
• Physical Hook Against Bit by Bit Encrypted Content Copy
• Title-based Expandable Content Control File
• Production Process Control Works Against Professional Piracy
• Public Key Based Authentication in PC Environment

 Compatible with analog and digital transmission.

The BD fares well with analog as well as digital
transmission. It offers the only means to the recording and reproducing of digital HDTV
video. Format for encoding analog signals also, called SESF (Self Encoded Stream
Format) is also incorporated into the BD.

 Higher disc life.

In the case of ordinary discs, the disc life is less fir the
rewritable versions, as re-writing is done repeatedly to one area of the disc most
probably, the inner perimeter. This limits the disc life. But, the BDFS(Blu-ray Disc File
Structure is designed so as to avoid this problem, by using a system that uses free disc
spaces with equal frequency

Disadvantage

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Because the recording layer in a Blu-ray disc is 0.1
millimeters below the surface on the top of a 1.1 millimeter substrate, this disc will
require a new production line.

13. Applications

 High Definition Television Recording

 High Definition Video Distribution
 High Definition Camcorder Archiving
 Mass Data Storage
 Digital Asset Management and Professional Storage

The Blu-ray Disc format was designed to offer the best

performance and features for a wide variety of applications. High Definition video
distribution is one of the key features of Blu-ray Disc, but the format's versatile design
and top-of-the-line specifications mean that it is suitable for a full range of other
purposes as well.

13.1 High Definition Television Recording

High Definition broadcasting is vastly expanding in the US

and Asia. Consumers are increasingly making the switch to HDTV sets to enjoy the best
possible television experience. The Blu-ray Disc format offers consumers the ability to
record their High Definition television broadcasts in their original quality for the first
time, preserving the pure picture and audio level as offered by the broadcaster. As such it

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will become the next level in home entertainment, offering an unsurpassed user
experience. And since the Blu-ray Disc format incorporates the strongest copy protection
algorithms of any format or proposal to date, the format allows for recording of digital
broadcasts while meeting the content protection demands of the broadcast industry.

13.2 High Definition Video Distribution

Due to its enormous data capacity of 25 to 50 GB per

(single sided) disc, the Blu-ray Disc format can store High Definition video in the highest
possible quality. Because of the huge capacity of the disc, there is no need to
compromise on picture quality. Depending on the encoding method, there is room for
more than seven hours of the highest HD quality video. There is even room for additional
content such as special features and other bonus material to accompany the High
Definition movie. Furthermore, the Blu-ray Disc movie format greatly expands on
traditional DVD capabilities, by incorporating many new interactive features allowing
content providers to offer an even more incredible experience to consumers. An Internet-
connection may even be used to unlock additional material that is stored on the disc, as
there is enough room on the disc to include premium material as well.

13.3 High Definition Camcorder Archiving

As the market penetration of High Definition TV sets

continues to grow, so does the demand of consumers to create their own HD recordings.
With the advent of the first HD camcorders, consumers can now for the first time record
their own home movies in a quality level unlike any before. As these camcorders are
tape-based, consumers cannot benefit from the convenience and direct access features
they are used to from the DVD players and recorders. Now, the Blu-ray Disc format,
with its unprecedented storage capacity, allows for the HD video recorded with an HD
camcorder to be seamlessly transferred to a Blu-ray Disc. When the HD content is stored
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on a Blu-ray Disc, it can be randomly accessed in a way comparable to DVD.
Furthermore, the Blu-ray Disc can be edited, enhanced with interactive menus for an
even increased user experience and the disc can be safely stored for many years, without
the risk of tape wear.

13.4 Mass Data Storage

In its day, CD-R/RW meant a huge increase in

storage capacity compared to traditional storage media with its 650 MB. Then DVD
surpassed this amount by offering 4.7 to 8.5 GB of storage, an impressive 5 to 10 times
increase. Now consumers demand an even bigger storage capacity. The growing number
of broadband connections allowing consumers to download vast amounts of data, as well
as the ever increasing audio, video and photo capabilities of personal computers has lead
to yet another level in data storage requirements. In addition, commercial storage
requirements are growing exponentially due to the proliferation of e-mail and the
migration to paperless processes. The Blu-ray Disc format again offers 5 to 10 times as
much capacity as traditional DVD resulting in 25 to 50 GB of data to be stored on a
single rewritable or recordable disc. As Blu-ray Disc uses the same form factor as CD
and DVD, this allows for Blu-ray Disc drives that can still read and write to CD and
DVD media as well.

13.5 Digital Asset Management and Professional Storage

Due to its high capacity, low cost per GB and

extremely versatile ways of transferring data from one device to another (because of Blu-
ray Disc's extremely wide adoption across the industry), the format is optimized for
Digital Asset Management and other professional applications that require vast amounts
of storage space. Think of medical archives that may contain numerous diagnostic scans
in the highest resolution, or catalogs of audiovisual assets that need to be instantly
retrieved in a random access manner, without the need to "restore" data from a storage
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carrier. One Blu-ray Disc may replace many backup tapes, CDs, DVDs or other less
common or proprietary storage media. And contrary to network solutions, the discs can
be physically stored in a different location for backup and safekeeping

14. Requirements
1) Blue laser
2) Detector
3) Advanced objective lens
4) New disk and cartridge manufacturing technologies

15. Challenges

- Product cost

As with any new technology the first generation of

products will likely be quite expensive due to low production volumes. However, this
shouldn't be a problem for long as there is a wide range of Blu-ray Disc products
(players, recorders, drives, writers, media, etc) planned, which should help drive up
production volumes and lower overall production costs. Once mass production of
components for Blu-ray products begins the prices are expected to fall quickly.

According to the Blu-ray Disc Association, the overall

cost of manufacturing Blu-ray Disc media will in the end be no more expensive than
producing a DVD. The reduced injection molding costs (one molding machine instead
of two, no birefringence problems) offset the additional cost of applying the cover
layer and low cost hard-coat, while the techniques used for applying the recording

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layer remain the same. As production volumes increase the production costs should
fall and eventually be comparable to DVDs.

- HD-DVD
The HD-DVD (High Definition DVD) based on the
Advanced Optical System championed by Toshiba and NEC is the primary rival to BD in
the market. Though its data storage density is lower, it has lower manufacturing costs
also, which may prove challenging to the Blu-ray disc.

16. Future Developments

Efforts are progressing on many fronts to make the Blu-ray

discs, players and recorders cheaper. On 15 April 2004 for instance, Sony and Toppan
Printing announced the successful development of a Blu-ray Disc that is 51% (by mass)
Composed of paper, which could reduce production costs and improve its environmental
friendliness.The cost would come down as BD becomes more and more popular.

TDK has been researching the hard coat technology that will
provide protection against fingerprints and scratches. Colloidal silica dispersed UV-
curable resin is being used for the researches and results are encouraging.

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Figure shows the cross section of the disc being developed.

A light-transmitting layer consists of a 98 µm thick cover layer
and a 2 µm thick hard-coat.

The substrate is normally made from a polycarbonate plastic,

which is ultimately derived from crude oil. But Sony and Toppan Printing trying
to replace this with a mixture of paper and another polymer.

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17. Conclusion

The BD represents a major advancement in capacity as

well as data transfer rate. It would be an ideal choice for the secondary storage
purposes.The semiconductor storage for secondary memory is large, consumes more
power and is more expensive. HDTV video recording and reproducing would essentially
require the large storage capacity and data transfer rates, as offered by the Blu-ray disc.
The Blu-ray disc has a wide variety of applications and is the ultimate storage device that
would lead to digital convergence, ultimately leading to the convergence of the PC and
CE technologies.

In the opinion of many researchers (including those at the

BDF group themselves), BD possibly represents the last of the plastic-based, visible
laser optical disc systems. Shorter violet and ultraviolet wavelengths are absorbed
strongly by the plastic used in disc manufacturing, and it's difficult to cheaply
manufacture a much higher-quality lens. The light absorbed by the disk would not make
it back out to be read by the drive. In addition, most plastics decay when exposed to
ultraviolet light, changing color and becoming brittle. An ultraviolet system would
destroy plastic media used with it. Future technologies would likely involve glass
platters (which don't absorb long-wave ultraviolet nearly as much as plastic), ultraviolet
readout lasers, and/or multilayer fluorescent media. An emergence of the magneto-
optical system for secondary storage is also a big possibility

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18. References

1. Digital Digest Magazine Published by Digital Tech Consulting L.L.C, September

2003, “Blu-Ray Format Positioning As Next Generation DVD.”
2. Optical Recording: A Technical Overview, Addison- Wesley, Reading,
Massachusetts,pp321-323(1990)
3. Optical Disc Systems Dec 2002,”The Blue Disc Recording Technology”
4. Spectrum, Magazine Published by IEEE, June 2003, “The Great Gallium Nitride
Gamble”(www.specturm.com)
5. *K.A. Rubin et al: Proc. SPIE 2338 (1994) 247.

6. *K. Nagata et al: Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 38 (1999) 1679.

7. *S. Hayashi et al: Technical Digest of ISOM2001, Taipei, Pd-33 (2001)

310.

8. www.bluray.com (Introduction of BD)

9. www.blu-raydisc.com (*- white paper given in this site)
10. www.opticaldisc-system.com
11. www.sandia.gov

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