Training Manual

Blu-ray Technology
Technology Introduction

Course: BD-01
 Table of Contents
Blu-ray Disc ...............................................................................................................................3
What is Blu-ray Disc? .......................................................................................................3
Blu-ray Specfications ........................................................................................................4
Blu-ray Disc verses DVD Specification Comparison Table A........................................................... 4
Blu-ray Compatibility .......................................................................................................10
Blu-ray Disc verses HD-DVD Specification Comparison Table B .................................................. 10
Sony Blu-ray Disc Player (BDP-S1) ...............................................................................10
Blu-ray Disc (BD) Types ................................................................................................. 11
 Blu-ray Disc
What is Blu-ray Disc?
Blu-ray Disc (BD) is both a new physical disc construction and laser technology, and is the next generation optical
playback and recording format following standard DVD and CD optical formats. The physical disc construction
and laser system have been significantly redesigned to attain all the enhancements that this new technology
offers. The BD technology was specifically design to accommodate High-Definition (HD) content due to its ability
to effectively and efficiently store and transfer large amounts of digital data.
The name “Blu-ray” comes from the fact that the visible laser is the color blue (actual Blue/Violet). The “e” in the
word blue is intentionally omitted because a daily-used term cannot be registered as a trademark.
As we go through the following sections you will see that the BD is really an enhanced version of the standard
DVD that has been so successful over the past few years. BD and DVD both technologies where designed with
two main objectives in mind, high quality video content storage and transfer and interactive functions.
The Blu-ray Disc technology was developed by a group of companies (Blu-ray Disc Association BDA) including
Sony, Samsung, Sharp, Pioneer, Panasonic, Apple, and LG just to mention a few.
In the following sections and chapters we will go into more detail concerning all the Blu-ray Technology
enhancements.

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 1. Blu-ray Disc

Blu-ray Specfications

Blu-ray Disc verses DVD Specification Comparison Table A

Parameters Blu-ray Disc Standard DVD
Storage Capacity 25GB (Single Layer) 4.7GB (Single Layer)
50GB (Dual Layer) 8.5GB (Dual Layer)
Laser Wavelength 405nm (Blue Laser) 650nm (Red Laser)

Numerical Aperture (NA) 0.85 0.60

Disc Diameter 120mm 120mm
Disc Thickness 1.2mm 1.2mm
Protective Layer 0.1mm 0.6mm
Track Pitch 0.32um 0.74um
Data Transfer Rate (Data) 36Mbps (1X) 11.08Mbps (1X)
Data Transfer Rate (A/V) 54Mbps (1.5X) 10.08Mbps (<1X)
Video Resolution (Max) 1920 x 1080 (1080p) 720 x 480 (480i)
Video Bit Rate (Max) 40Mbps 9.8Mbps
Video Codecs MPEG-2 MPEG-2
MPEG-4 AVC
SMPTE VC-1
Audio Codecs Linear PCM Linear PCM
Dolby Digital Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus DTS Digital Surround
Dolby True HD
DTS Digital Surround
DTS-HD
Interactivity BD-J DVD-Video
Reference Figures 1 & 2
The two over-riding specifications driving the BD technology is data storage and data & video transfer. This new
technology boasts 5 times the data storage amount (25GB) for a single layer disc and 6 times the data storage
amount (50GB) for a dual layer disc to that of the standard single and dual layer DVD disc.

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 1. Blu-ray Disc

Blue Laser Enables Increased Density

Label S ide Label S ide Label S ide Label S ide

0.6 mm

0.6 mm

0.1 mm

1.2 mm
0.1 mm

NA 0.65 NA 0.85
NA 0.6
NA 0.45
B lu-ray
CD DV D HD-DV D Dis c
780nm
780nm 650nm
650nm 405nm
405nm 405nm
405nm

700 MB S L 4.7 G B 15 G B (3 x DV D) 25 G B (5 x DV D)
DL 8.5 G B 30 G B (3.5 x DV D) 50 G B (6 x DV D)

Figure 1
Optical Disc Data Layer and Density Comparison Diagram

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 1. Blu-ray Disc

Max. Transfer data rate comparison

CD 1.4Mbps

DVD 10.08Mbps
Video Max rate: 9.8Mbps

HD DVD 36.55Mbps
Video Max rate: 28Mbps

BD-ROM 54Mbps (*)

Video Max rate: 40Mbps

BD-RE/R x2 72Mbps

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Higher Transfer Rate realize Better Picture Quality

Figure 2
Optical Disc Data Transfer Rate Comparison Chart

The data transfer rate of BD technology boast 4 times for the BD-ROM and 7 times for the BD-RE/R (Reference
Figure 2 for details).
The remarkable gains achieved in the previous two specifications are primarily due to design changes to three
components in the optical system.

• Laser Wavelength
• Objective Lens Numerical Aperture (NA)
• Protection Layer

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 1. Blu-ray Disc

Capacity and (λ, NA )

Adoption of λ（wavelength）= 405nm Blue Violet laser and
NA(Numerical Aperture)= 0.85 realized 1/5 beam spot size of DVD.

DVD Light spot (area size) Blu-ray Disc

100% 20%

1.2mm
Protection layer thickness
1.2mm
0.6mm 0.1mm

Higher NA: x2 high density

0.6 0.85

Shorter wavelength: x2.6 high density

650nm 405nm

Figure 3
Blu-ray verse DVD Protective Layer and NA Comparison Diagram
Reference Figure 3
The Laser Wavelength and Numerical Aperture are the primary system components causing the increase in data
storage capacity on the BD.
Laser Wavelength
A blue laser has a shorter wavelength (405 nanometers) than a red laser (650 nanometers) used in the
standard DVD. The smaller beam focuses more precisely, enabling it to read information recorded in pits that are
only 0.15 microns (µm) (1 micron = 10-6 meters) long -- this is more than twice as small as the pits on a DVD.
Plus, BD has reduced the Track Pitch from 0.74 microns to 0.32 microns. The smaller pits, smaller beam and
shorter track pitch together enable a single-layer BD to hold more than 25 GB of information, once again, about
five times the amount of information that can be stored on a DVD.

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 1. Blu-ray Disc

Pit Length Pit Length

0.40um
0.15um
Track Pitch
0.32um Track Pitch
0.72um

Data
Data Tracks
Tracks

Blu-ray Disc Standard DVD

(BD)

Figure 4
Figure
Blu-ray & DVD 4 Pitch & Pit Length Diagram
Track
Blu-ray verse DVD Track Pitch and Pit Length

Objective Lens Numerical Aperture (NA) & Protective Layer

Numerical aperture is a measure of the lens system’s ability to gather light, and therefore, detect fine detail at
a fixed object distance, and also focus light (the laser) on a specific point at a specific distance, the smaller the
distance the higher the numerical aperture.
When light (or Laser) hits an object, such as a pit, on a DVD data layer, it diffracts and splits into several beams
bending at increasing angles from the original beam. Furthermore, as the light reflects off the data layer and
passes through the Protective Layer it scatters at various angles rather than reflecting directly back into the
lens.
The Numerical Aperture increases by placing the objective lens as closer to the disc surface, and reducing
the Protective Layer thickness. This is exactly what the BD system designers did. The higher the Numerical
Aperture figure the better the optical system can read the much smaller pits on the BD.
Notice in figure 3 that the objective lens has been moved closer to the disc surface, and the protective layer is
much thinner as compared to standard DVD.
The lens and protective layer design also virtually eliminates the negative affects caused by disc tilt and disc
surface dirt and scratch anomalies. Disc tilt has little affect on performance due to the significant decrease in
distance the laser beam must travel to access the disc’s data layer. Disc surface dirt and scratches have little
affect on performance because the objective lens is much closer to the disc surface, and therefore, the laser
beam at the surface (entering the disc) of the disc is much wider. Consequently, much less of the overall beam
is affect by the dirt or scratch.

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 1. Blu-ray Disc

Blue
Laser

0.1mm

BD
Red
Laser Data Layer

25 GB Capacity
Infrared 0.6mm DVD (Single Layer)
Laser
4.7 GB Capacity
Data Layer (Single Layer)
1.2mm CD

780 MB Capacity
Data Layer

Evolution of Concumer Optical Discs

Figure 5
Evolution of Consumer Optical Discs

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 1. Blu-ray Disc

Blu-ray Compatibility
The BD has the same disc diameter and thickness as the CD, DVD, and the HD-DVD. However, this is where
much of the similarities stop. Reference Table A for the specification comparison between BD and Standard
DVD. The following table (Table B) provides a specification comparison between the BD technology and the
competing HD-DVD technology.

Blu-ray Disc verses HD-DVD Specification Comparison Table B

Parameters Blu-ray Disc HD-DVD
Storage Capacity 25GB (Single Layer) 15GB (Single Layer)
50GB (Dual Layer) 30GB (Dual Layer)
Laser Wavelength 405nm (Blue Laser) 405nm (Blue Laser)
Numerical Aperture (NA) 0.85 0.65
Disc Diameter 120mm 120mm
Disc Thickness 1.2mm 1.2mm
Protective Layer 0.1mm 0.6mm
Track Pitch 0.32um 0.40um
Data Transfer Rate (Data) 36Mbps (1X) 36.55Mbps (1X)
Data Transfer Rate (A/V) 54Mbps (1.5X) 36.55Mbps (1X)
Video Resolution (Max) 1920 x 1080 (1080p) 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Video Bit Rate (Max) 40Mbps 40Mbps
Video Codecs MPEG-2 MPEG-2
MPEG-4 AVC MPEG-4 AVC
SMPTE VC-1 SMPTE VC-1

Audio Codecs Linear PCM Linear PCM

Dolby Digital Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby True HD Dolby True HD
DTS Digital Surround DTS Digital Surround
DTS-HD DTS-HD
Interactivity BD-J iHD
As you can see from this specification comparison table even though HD-DVD uses the same 405nm Blue Laser
the data storage and video transfer rate are much lower for the HD-DVD. This due to the previously discussed
design changes to the Objective Lens and Disc data layer placement.
Because of these differences between the BD and the HD-DVD technologies, a BD will not play in a HD-DVD
player and visa-versa.

Sony Blu-ray Disc Player (BDP-S1)

The BDP-S1 is one of the first video players of any type to provide true 1080p output — 1920 x 1080 pixels
progressive scan, which is the highest HD signal output currently available. TV makers are shifting to 1080p
resolution for their top-performing flat-panel and projection TVs, and this Blu-ray player is a pixel-perfect match.
Even if your HD-capable TV is a few years old and lacks a digital HDMI connection, don’t worry, you can
still experience Blu-ray. High-definition signals up to 1080i are available through the player’s component video

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 1. Blu-ray Disc

output.
The key to the BDP-S1’s top-notch video performance is the Blu-ray Disc. This new high-capacity format can
hold up to five times more information as a standard DVD. A Blu-ray player can send this digital info to your TV
at a much faster rate than a standard DVD player. The result is picture quality with flawless clarity and true-to-life
texture and depth. Sound quality is improved, too. In addition to 5.1-channel Dolby® Digital and DTS® surround
mixes like those found on DVDs, Blu-ray movies will also include a full CD-quality multi-channel mix.
The BDP-S1 also plays standard DVDs, and will breathe new life into your entire standard DVD collection by up
scaling the video to 1080p (or 720p or 1080i — you can choose the resolution that best suits your TV. The new
Java-based interactive menu system further enhances the Blu-ray entertainment experience. For example, you’ll
be able to check out extras like commentaries and interviews without stopping the movie first. In so many ways,
Blu-ray is a new chapter in home theater. The following bullet list is a summary of the major specifications and
feature for the BDP-S1.
NOTE: Although this particular palyer does not play audio CDs, this function is player depend. Therefore,
refer to the particular player’s specification list to determine if it plays audio CDs.
• Plays Blu-ray high-definition discs (selectable output resolution: 1080p signals available through
HDMI output only; 720p/1080i signals available through HDMI or component video)
• Plays DVD-Video and DVD-R & DVD-RW
• Does not play any type of audio CD
• Selectable 720p/1080i/1080p video upconversion for DVD
(upconverted video available through HDMI output only)
• Built-in audio decoding for Dolby Digital and DTS, plus multichannnel uncompressed PCM
• BD-Java interactive capability
• HDMI digital output (combines video and multichannel audio with HDCP copy protection)
• 1 set of A/V outputs (composite video, S-video, and component video)
• Stereo and 5.1-channel audio outputs
• Coaxial and optical digital audio outputs
• Remote control (multibrand for TVs)
• Multichannel 192kHz/24-bit audio D/A converters

Blu-ray Disc (BD) Types

The follow bullet lists shows the three BD disc types.
• BD-ROM (Read Only Format)
• BD-R (Write Once Format)
• BD-RE (Rewritable Format)
As with CD and DVD, BD media comes in pre-recorded, recordable and rewritable disc formats. The pre-
recorded disc is called BD-ROM, and usually contains movies or re-issued TV shows in High Definition format.
The recordable disc is called BD-R, and can be used for archival of huge amounts of data or video. The rewritable
disc is called BD-RE, and offers the same large capacity in a disc format that allows for repetitive usage.
All three BD types come in two versions: single layer and double layer. A double layer disc may hold up to twice
the amount of data or video compared to a single layer disc, and uses two independent layers placed on one side
of the disc to store its information. A single-layer disc holds up to 25 gigabytes, while a double-layer disc holds
up to 50 gigabytes of data, without the need to flip the disc.

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