When was Blu-ray released worldwide?
Blu-ray was released worldwide on the 20th of June 2006. The first titles available that day included The Terminator from MGM and six Sony titles such as The Fifth Element and House of Flying Daggers.
Questions about Blu-ray
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why is the Blu-ray format called Blu-ray?
The name refers to the blue-violet laser used to read the disc, which operates at 405 nanometres. The shorter wavelength allows information to be stored at a greater density than the longer-wavelength red laser used for DVDs.
How much storage does a standard Blu-ray disc hold?
A standard single-layer Blu-ray disc holds 25GB of data. Dual-layer discs, the industry standard for feature-length films, hold 50GB. BDXL triple- and quadruple-layer discs hold up to 100GB and 128GB respectively.
How did Blu-ray win the format war against HD DVD?
Toshiba announced it would end HD DVD production on the 19th of February 2008, following Warner Bros.' decision on the 4th of January 2008 to release exclusively on Blu-ray. That announcement triggered major retailers including Best Buy, Walmart, and Netflix to drop HD DVD, and all major Hollywood studios then committed to Blu-ray.
What is Ultra HD Blu-ray and when did it launch?
Ultra HD Blu-ray is an enhanced format supporting 4K resolution at up to 60 progressive frames per second, high dynamic range, and the Rec. 2020 colour space. The Blu-ray Disc Association began licensing it in August 2015, and discs and players became available in the first quarter of 2016, with discs holding up to 100GB.
What is a boutique Blu-ray label?
A boutique Blu-ray label is a specialist home video distributor that releases films on Blu-ray or 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with limited-edition packaging, slipcases, and bonus materials aimed at collectors. Examples include Arrow Films, The Criterion Collection, Vinegar Syndrome, and Kino Lorber. These labels have been credited as a factor in a Blu-ray renaissance dating back to at least 2018.