The Digital Production Buzz presents a unique Special Report on The State of Blu-ray Technology for video producers. Bruce Nazarian, president of the International Digital Media Alliance,
formerly the DVD Association, joins host Larry Jordan for a wide
ranging discussion of this latest technology for optical media.
The program was first presented live on Jan. 21, 2009 and is divided into the following segments:
BD Podcast Opening
SPECIAL REPORT - THE STATE OF BLU-RAY
Segment 0 - Open
Welcome from Larry and Bruce. Brief discussion of Bruce's credentials and outline for entire show.
BD Podcast Segment 1
SPECIAL REPORT - THE STATE OF BLU-RAY
Segment 1 - History of Blu-ray
How did we get to where we are? Where did Blu-ray come from and
definitions of common terms. This segment sets the background for the
rest of the show. This also explains the basic differences between
duplication (burning) and replication (manufacturing).
BD Podcast Segment 2
SPECIAL REPORT - THE STATE OF BLU-RAY
Segment 2 - Blu-ray Means More than Video
Blu-ray is an optical storage media that holds far more data than standard DVDs, with a faster data rate as well. This segment discusses the uses of Blu-ray technology for data.
BD Podcast Segment 3
SPECIAL REPORT - THE STATE OF BLU-RAY
Segment 3 - Creating Blu-ray on PCs.
What do you need to create Blu-ray discs on a PC?
How do you monitor your work?
What brands and products should you consider?
How much will it cost?
And what traps should you avoid?
BD Podcast Segment 4
SPECIAL REPORT - THE STATE OF BLU-RAY
Segment 4 - Creating Blu-ray on Macs.
The Mac does not currently support playback of Blu-ray Video Discs.
But there are workarounds for data, and plenty of traps.
This segment discusses how to monitor your work, what gear to consider,
and how to set your system up for Blu-ray production.
BD Podcast Segment 5
SPECIAL REPORT - THE STATE OF BLU-RAY
Segment 5 - Issues in Blu-ray licensing
Nothing has caused more confusion than understanding the costs associated with licensing Blu-ray and AACS. This segment explains what you need to know, how much it will cost, and where you can go to learn more.
BD Podcast Segment 6
SPECIAL REPORT - THE STATE OF BLU-RAY
Segment 6 - Questions and Answers; wrapping it up
Questions and closing.
FAQ: BLU-RAY and AVCHD
There's a lot of confusion starting to occur concerning what is AVCHD and what is a BD5 or BD9...
Hopefully, these questions and answers will help you get your Blu-terminology straight!
1. Is BD5 different than AVCHD?
Yes!
BD5 is a disc size/format label, indicating ANY Blu- disc on DVD-5 media;
this can be replicated, OR is can be recorded (most people burn these)
AVCHD is a CODEC designator, and is a label used to describe a specific
format for the recording and playback of High definition video material.
This is a SONY/Panasonic joint development ;-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD
UNFORTUNATELY, the AVCHD moniker has been "picked up" ("borrowed"?)
by LOTS of Blu-player manufacturers, and used to to mean a Blu disc on DVD media,
which it does not REALLY mean -but I guess, it may mean that now, through common usage.
2. Which format does Final Cut Studio produce?
With the release of FCS3, Apple has added simple Blu authoring to
Final Cut Pro 7 and Compressor 3.5.
Either app can produce a full Blu disc (BD25/50) OR a BD5/BD9
A BD25/50 is created by recording the AVC-encoded video on Blu media/ burner
A BD5/9 is created by recording the AVC-encoded video on DVD media/burner
Apple does NOT offer MPEG-2HD settings in the FCP 7 "Share" Menu,
only the AVC (H.264) setting (which makes sense IMHO).
COmpressor can cretae Blu-ray Compliant Streams in MPEG2HD, but
Apple has chosen to make the path simple, and straightfoward,
and to use the AVC codec.
3. Which does Toast with the HD plug in produce?
Toast 9 or 10 can produce a full Blu disc (BD25/50) OR a BD5/BD9
A BD25/50 is created by recording the AVC-encoded video on Blu media/ burner
A BD5/9 is created by recording the AVC-encoded video on DVD media/burner
It also has the ability to create multiple-movies, unlike Final Cut Studio,
which is completely geared to authoring simple one-movie screener type discs.
4. If I burn a BD onto a DVD using FCS or Toast will it play?
In theory, Any Blu disc recorded or replicated on either BD25/50 or BD5/9 is SUPPOSED
to play on ALL Blu players. Of course, in practice, this is not ALWAYS the case,
which leads to the frustration of "WILL IT PLAY on MY PLAYER"?
Answer, YES, generally - but there are SPECIFIC instances of certain player
models or manufacturers where this is not the case. :-( YMMV..
I won't go into the rant I always give about "when is a standard not a standard"
If you're lucky, you will hear me this rant in a live presentation somewhere!
It's really funny - but also prophetic.
5. If I want to buy a Blu-ray player compatible w/FCS and Toast what spec do I look for?
There really isn't ONE spec
- although I think any indication the player DOES NOT play BD-R/R or
DVD-R/RW media would be a DEAD GIVEAWAY. Seems like trial and error are
the best way to confirm this, and since this is always a moving target
(firmware updates happen all the time) the best is to keep an eye on an
online list of compatible players...
NO - but unfortunately, it's being used for this - and it is erroneous -
This name seems to have been "co-opted" (borrowed?) by many
Blu player manufacturers to indicate the playability of BD5 or BD9 discs...
AVCHD has nothing to do with playability, it's about a CODEC... (sigh)
AVCHD is actually the name of a high definition video codec jointly developed by SONY and Panasonic
More info on this here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD
7. Does "AVCHD disc" imply that BD on DVD only plays on Sony or Panasonic?
Not at all - In THEORY ANY BD5/9 should be completely compatible with ALL Blu players
regardless of WHO has manufactured it... Sadly, again, this is different in practice.
this should be regardless of which CODEC has been used to create it - AVC or MPEG-2.
But the spec is the spec, and BD5 and 9 discs (even if erroneously called AVCHD discs)
SHOULD be playable in ALL Blu players - and maybe some day the WILL!
(But I'll bet that day happens just about the time that pigs fly)
If you can think of any other questions that need answering, please use the Contact form and suggest them!
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