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The upcoming PS3 console has been confirmed to support Blue Ray, a new type of disc format which can hold drastically more data than DVDs and HD-DVDs. 25 Gigs per layer, with a current max of two but extendable in the future to up to 100 - 200 GB per disc. (The single layer already dwarves my poor 14 gig hard drive. ._. I need monays.)

But Blue Ray offers more than just more space. Sun Microsystems Java software will be standard on all Blue Ray disc players. That means, friends, that the pre-rendered segmented craptacular DVD menus and often ignored DVD games and trivia, often plagued with slow loading times, are a thing of the past. It's also been suggested "that the inclusion of Java virtual machine as well as network connectivity in BD devices will allow updates to Blu-ray discs via the Internet, adding content such as additional subtitle languages and promotional features that are not included on the disc at pressing time."

Blue ray discs will also be significantly more durable than DVDs. With Durabis, a clear polymer developed by TDK Corperation, blue ray disks have been said to withstand attack by a screwdiver and cleaning by a simple tissue, things which would normally damage DVDs and HD DVDs.

Overall, the Blue Ray disc format's future is looking suprisingly good. Sony is coming into this format war with all cannon's firing, including massive support and promise from film studios to support both formats including their own subsidiary, Sony Pictures, and a massive amount of advantages over HD DVDs (save for maybe price, which we have yet to hear about).

Discuss:

Blue Ray's potential
Advantages/Disadvantages
How fscking cool clear discs are

Much more room for things like weather effects. Room for more unlockable content. Longer games, no more linear level designs. The possibilities are amazing.

Sony really has worked hard to give developers all the advantages they can with the PS3. I was playing MGS3 earlier today and realized how much dialogue was stuffed into the game through the codec conversations. Just thinking about how much of an experience it would be if those were turned into full fledged cutscenes and/or gameplay. And with downloadable extra content for both games and movies, it extends the life of and increases the overall appeal. Movies left unwatched and dusty on a shelf can be picked up again and be rewatched with the new content, instead of continually re-releasing new editions with different content every so often (which has been common among DVD releases).

It's a beautiful thing.

I really like Blu-Ray, and what it can offer for both media, storage, and gaming.

it will be the BD-ROM(blue ray) disc vs HD-ROM disc

I thought standard DVDs were clear, Now with this blu-ray and HD DVDs out saying it has more of a crisp picture... Is it needed???