The Dual Layer Capacity of Blu Ray Discs

The Blu Ray disc is one of the latest innovations of in the field of optical disc format. The term "Blu Ray" is derived from the "blue-violet" colored laser that the Blu Ray players and recorders use to read or write data on Blu Ray discs. Blu Ray disc is one of the "next generation" optical disc formats that are primarily designed to replace the standard DVD.

Blu Ray disc technology is one of the two "high density" optical disc formats; the other one is HD DVD (Blu Ray and HD DVD are currently engaged in what the optical disc format industry calls "format war"). What makes the Blu Ray discs much more appealing compared to its counterpart is Blu Ray discs have a much larger storage capacity. As a matter of fact, Blu Ray has the largest storage capacity than any optical discs that are currently in use these days. Single layer Blu Ray discs have a storage capacity of 25 gigabytes of data while the dual layer capacity of Blu Ray discs holds 50 gigabytes of data.

The dual layer capacity Blu Ray discs can store approximately 23 hours of standard quality or "Standard Definition" video. Most of the times however, dual layer capacity Blu Ray discs are used for playing or recording "High Definition" videos. A dual layer capacity Blu Ray disc can hold 3 hours of "High Definition" video and more or less 9 hours of "Standard Definition" videos.

The huge dual layer capacity of Blu Ray discs is the product of accurate writing or recording of data utilizing shorter wavelength lasers. And for that reason, the dual layer capacity Blu Ray discs is capable of storing data on its surface. To simplify, more storage capacity means more comprehensively clarity of pictures and sounds thereby providing a pleasurable "High Definition" experience. The huge dual layer capacity of Blu Ray discs is the largest among other types of optical disc. Currently, no other type of optical disc has surpassed the dual layer capacity of Blu Ray discs.

The developer of the Blu Ray disc technology (which consists of several consumer electronic giants collectively known as the "Blu Ray Disc Association") is constantly doing research to further enhancing its storage capacity. Currently on their planning board is the "quad-layer" Blu Ray disc. They have a working prototype that is capable of storing 100 gigabytes; also, one of the consumer electronic giants that belong to the Blu Ray Disc Association announced that they are now working on an experimental Blu Ray disc that that can store 200 gigabytes of data. However, the said prototype does not work on the Blu Ray players and recorders that are currently available in the market.