In the technology world we are always hit with some sort of war between factions. Something like Apple versus Microsoft, PS3 versus Xbox 360, Google Versus Yahoo and so on. One of these battles does stand in what is currently labeled as the format war: HD vs Blu Ray. One other battle that few of us talk about stands in a different approach: Blu Ray versus Upconversion, although we are basically getting back to HD vs Blu Ray. Let us take a quick look at this!

Blu-Ray or Blue ray or BlueRay (however you tend to find it in blogs due to SEO marketing techniques) is basically an optical disc format that is developed by BDA (Blu-Ray Disc Association). This is a manufacturing group that currently focuses on media, computers and electronics. As time passed this format became better due to the possibility of being recorded, played and rewritten while linked to high definition video. We are talking about using blue laser technology, something that increases storage capacity a lot when comparing to regular DVDs. A single layer Blu Ray Disc can hold around 25 GB of data while dual layer doubles that amount.

Upconversion is a HD-DVD process that utilizes optical disc formats that were first developed by NEC and Toshiba. What is ironic here is that this also utilizes blue laser technology in order to boost storage capacity. Now we are basically dealing with Blu Ray Versus Upconversion due to the fact that the major players in the game have started choosing sides. We are,of course, talking about Sony, Toshiba and NEC, together with important companies in the movie business. The real problem is that the consumer loses due to the fact that we need to choose one camp in the end. There is no universal format when it comes to high definition experience and this is not good for development.

Just in case you are interested, there are some facts in this upconversion versus Blu Ray battle that you might find valuable pieces of information. The first thing that comes to mind is storage capacity. Through upconversion we are able to reach HD DVD discs of up to 15 GB in single layer while Blu Ray hits us with 25 GB. Both sides use blue laser technology at a wavelength of 405 nm and they are 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick. We can also see differences when it comes to protection as the layer visible on Blu Ray Discs is just 0.1 mm while coming with hard coating. Upconversion stands out at 0.6 mm and no hard coating. I will not bore you with extra technical details but the problem is that in my view upconversion does seem inferior to Blu Ray although the giant companies that support it can shift the differences in anyone’s favor. It is highly probable that DVDs will eventually disappear, sooner rather than later.

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