Hobbies And Interests
BD-ROM
Both PS3 and Blu-ray are made on Blu-ray discs. These discs are different than DVDs, for which they are commonly mistaken. PS3 discs are always BD-ROM, or Blu-ray Disc Read Only Memory. This means that the disc can only be used in a player that supports this format, such as the PS3, and can only run the same program repeatedly without having the ability to alter the disc's content. For example, software such as video games and HD movies are made in the BD-ROM format.
BD-R and BD-RE
Much like CDs for recording music and video, there exists a type of Blu-ray disc that will be labeled either BD-R (Blu-ray disc recordable, or BD-RE (Blu-ray disc rewritable). BD-R is slightly less expensive and allows a user to record his or her own video footage or computer data right onto the disc. Thus, BD-R is essentially a BD-ROM after you record anything onto it because it cannot be altered. BD-RE, however, allows you to rewrite over previous data, erasing it, or to add additional information to the end of your recording.
Visual and Physical Aspects of the PS3 Disc
The physical discs themselves will appear slightly different. PS3 discs always have a picture related to the game they represent on them. The underside is the typical, reflective silver color that standard CDs and DVDs have, and the cases that hold the games are almost always clear or red. These cases also have the Blu-ray logo in one of the two-upper corners to guarantee that the game is on an authentic, quality Blu-ray disc. PS3 discs can only be played on a PlayStation 3 system and will not function in any other player.
Visual and Physical Aspects of the Blu-ray Disc
Regular Blu-ray discs do not need to have a picture on them if it is a disc for personal recording. Of course, if it is a read-only disc for a movie or other software, the disc will have a picture of what it represents. Standard Blu-ray cases for both the personal discs and movies are blue, and the underside of the discs have a blue hue. This helps to promote awareness of the blue-laser technology that is unique to creating the high-definition quality of the product. PS3 discs do not need to advertise this as much because their focus is to promote games. Finally, Blu-ray discs can be played in both Blu-ray players and PlayStation 3 systems.