what is Blu-ray Disc ?

Check out lots of info on this format here... blu-ray discs are a new next generation storage format used to store high definition movies and games(Playstation 3). They are similar to DVD but can hold up to 50Gb of data. A Blu-ray Disc is an ultra-high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital media, including high-definition video. IT IS LIKE A CD OR A DVD. Blu-Ray (See first link for detailed information) is one of two (the other is HD-DVD) competing high definition DVD formats. Each have advantages and disadvantages, but at the moment HD-DVD is delivering closer to its potential. For answers to FAQs see the 2nd link.

In the gaming world PS3 will include Blu-Ray and XBox 360 supports HD-DVD. To date little program material is available.

While players of both formats are backward compatible (and therefore play conventional DVDs) they are incompatible re HD-DVD and Blu-Ray disks. In other words you can only play one of the two formats on either machine. And, unfortunately, the backers of the two formats are locked in a battle to see which will survive. The consumer is caught in the middle, much like the battle between Beta and VHS in the 80's.

Advertising for Blu-Ray attempts to position it as the superior format, but is misleading (See 3rd link).

There are numerous arguments and recommendations re. what consumers should do at this time (i.e. ignore both formats, buy now, etc), but the overwhelming view is that it is premature to buy now. There is even doubt that either format will survive in the long run (See last link as an example).