Audio Video News

Blu-ray disc production is up sharply over the past year. Within four more years it is expected to rise to billions of units.

Futuresource, a research firm, says that BD production is likely to hit 400 million discs in 2010, a 60 percent increase from 2009. By 2014, two billion discs are likely to be shipped worldwide.

The analysts say growing ownership of players and falling disc prices have both played a role in Blu-ray's current growth. They say 3D is likely to give it an additional boost. In particular, the expiration of Panasonic's Avatar exclusive in February 2012 will give the format a shot in the arm.

In a move to protect against illegal copying and large-scale piracy while allowing consumers the flexibility to manage and enjoy copies of their legally purchased content, the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has adopted the most comprehensive content-management system (CMS) ever employed on an optical-disc format. The Blu-ray CMS includes three primary components: Advanced Access Content System (AACS), ROM Mark, and BD+.

Even though it hasn't been officially submitted to the DVD Forum for approval, the Blu-ray high-definition optical disc format appears to have the inside track for becoming the <I>de facto</I> standard.

I'm not sure when 3D became so popular both in the theater and at home. However, It's a technology we've been toying with since the 1950's but by all indications it's about to come of age...quickly.