High-definition is the biggest innovation in home entertainment to hit UK homes since colour TV, and those jump-in pictures are available on disc!

Blu-ray is an exciting new hi-definition disc format that will let you watch all your favourite films in sparkling hi-definition quality.
It was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high definition video, and has 5 times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs.
The name Blu-ray is derived from the blue-violet laser it uses to read and write to the disc instead of the traditional red laser used by CDs and 'regular' DVDs.
The huge amount of storage space is very important because high definition, next generation graphics take up much more data than is found in existing games and movies.
Blu-ray is the more sophisticated format, with a much greater capacity than HD DVD, which also makes it more expensive.
Blu-ray discs have advanced durability, a new special hardcoat which resists smudges and scratches.
Blu-ray discs may be encoded with a region code intended to restrict the area of the world in which they can be played (similar to DVD region codes). For more information on Blu-ray region coding please visit Blu-ray Regions »

HD DVD is similar to Blu-ray, in that it supports high definition video and uses the same blue laser technology.
HD DVD holds 40% less data than a Blu-ray disc which makes it less expensive to manufacture. The more costly production of Blu-ray discs may slow down the availability.
To date HD DVDs have no region coding, which means that titles from any country can be played in players in any other country.
Blu-ray & HD DVD are better formats than standard DVDs as they produce amazing pictures, which are more vivid and incredibly sharp with a stunning level of detail and resolution, more clarity and higher quality.

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Picture Perfect

To enjoy the sharpness of the Blu-ray or HD DVD's high definition pictures you will need a HD TV with either 720p or 1080p (the number of lines which generate the image).
With a 720p TV you'll enjoy an incredible improvement of the quality of the image you see. If you go for a 1080p TV you'll get the highest quality image, known as 'Full HD' and you'll be getting a virtually cinematic image. Don't worry if your TV doesn't have 'Full HD' because you'll still see a massive improvement in picture quality when you switch to Blu-ray or HD DVD.
You will also need HD compatible cables and a HD DVD or Blu-ray player.

Crystal-clear Sounds

Blu-ray/HD DVD has one other great advantage over standard DVD: its superb sound quality.
As the sound is uncompressed it is exactly as originally recorded, allowing you to experience what the director intended and making it actually better than the cinema.

Greater Interactivity

With Blu-ray, you'll no longer be limited to simply scanning chapters or need to exit a film to look up information.
The Java software on Blu-ray discs lets you bookmark your favourite scenes and bring up menus while the film is still running. So when you're desperately trying to remember which film you last saw the psychotic cop killer in, you'll be able to call up his biographical material at the push of a button.

Blu-ray & HD DVD Players

A universal disc player that can handle both formats is available, but currently costs more than buying two separate players, one for each format.
The PLAYSTATION®3 is also a Blu-ray player, whereas you can buy a separate HD DVD player add on for the Xbox 360.
You will be able to play your ordinary DVDs on most Blu-ray and HD DVD players so your existing DVD collection will not become obsolete, it will even look better than before!

For more detailed and up-to-date information on high definition please visit these websites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_DVD
http://www.blurayrevolution.co.uk