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Blue-Ray Vs. DVD

If the announcement of the Blu-ray disc format left you mournfully staring at your old collection of DVDs, wondering whether they're obsolete and in need of an upgrade, you're not alone. The Blu-ray disc, which is incompatible with DVD players, threw millions of people for a loop. But knowledge is power, and knowing the facts about Blu-ray will help you decide whether the upgrade is worth it for you.

Capacity
- Blu-ray discs are capable of storing roughly 50 gigabytes of information on a dual-layer disc and about 25 on a single-layer. DVDs can hold something closer to 9 gigabytes on a dual-layer disc (about 5 gigabytes on a single-layer disc). This gives Blu-ray discs five times the capacity of DVDs, meaning more information can be stored on the newer format. A higher storage capacity allows for bigger games, higher movie quality and more space for backing up your files.
Scratch Resistance
- Although DVDs are somewhat scratch resistant, they are still incredibly susceptible to damage and wear. Blu-ray owners will be happy to hear that the discs include a protective coating, as the information on a Blu-ray disc is closer to the surface than on a DVD.
  
  You should still take care in handling your Blu-ray discs and store them in their proper cases, but rest easy knowing that your discs are far less likely to be damaged due to normal wear and tear.
Player Compatibility
- DVD players cannot play Blu-ray discs at all, because a Blu-ray disc is more tightly written than a DVD, which allows it to store more information. Because its content is more condensed, a special laser is needed to read the format.
  
  Blu-ray players are capable of playing DVDs, however, so you will not have to sacrifice your old library of DVDs to start a new one.
High-Definition Picture
- Although DVDs have a higher picture quality than older formats, such as VHS, Blu-ray offers far superior quality. Capable of playing movies in 1080p (the highest resolution currently available), Blu-ray is far more advanced in picture quality when compared to DVDs.
  
  DVDs were not originally designed for high-definition TV sets, but it is possible to upscale the resolution using more current players. However, upscaling still will not match the quality of a Blu-ray disc.
Other Advantages of Blu-ray
- Fortunately for DVD owners, Blu-ray players can play all DVDs. This means your collection of movies can still be viewed using your new player. Still, someone looking to watch a Blu-ray will need a Blu-ray player, because the laser in a DVD player cannot read a Blu-ray disc.

PlayStation 3