Blu-ray FAQs

1. I’m watching Blu-ray films via my PS3 with HDMI connection on a HD TV. Is this as good as watching on a Blu-ray player, or do I lose picture quality as I’m watching via PS3?
Picture quality will vary from player to player, but the Playstation 3 is a very capable Blu-ray player and you are unlikely to notice any difference between watching on a PS3 and a standalone Blu-ray player.

2. Can I record onto Blu-ray Discs?
Yes for example many new notebook computers have recordable Blu-ray drives included.

3. Why are HD TVs 16:9 format, whereas Blu-ray movies are 2.40:1? They don't seem to compare?
Most HDTVs are 16:9, the aspect ratio you refer to here is used in the cinema and therefore there will always be some image processing or black bars that may appear to enable this to fit within a domestic HDTV set. The only solution is to use a projector with an anamorphic lens adaptor. You'll need to invest wisely to ensure good quality.

4. Can I get the 3D looking effect on my HD TV?
Unfortunately, no standard for 3D has been agreed yet and therefore it's too early to be able to comment on 3D effects.

5. When does Sony plan on releasing their range of Profile 1.1 players in the UK?
Sony’s current Profile 1.1 player, BDP-S350, was launched in the UK during Summer 2008, this model is now upgradeable to complete Profile 2.0 via Ethernet connection. The BDP-S550, which launched in the Autumn is Profile 2.0 out of the box.

6. Will PlayStation®3 games be in high definition?
Yes, they will.

7. What do I need to get high definition gaming with the PS3?
High-definition (HD) gaming using the PS3 requires connection to your HD TV using an HDMI cable, rather than the standard scart cable that would have been used with your old standard definition TV. However, if you haven’t yet upgraded your TV to a HD model, PS3 still enables connection via scart and, although picture and sound quality will not be as impressive as with a HD TV, the experience is still an exciting one.

8. What picture quality can the PS3 support?
The PS3 is able to output in HD resolutions ranging from 720p and 1080i right through to 1080p.

9. Can I play DVDs on my PS3?
Yes, you can.

10. What types of high definition content are available?
High definition content currently available includes high definition TV channels (e.g. satellite and cable) or packaged high definition media (e.g. Blu-ray disc).

11. How will I know if my TV is HD?
If you're not sure if your TV is HD or not, try checking the manual, the box the TV came in or the manufacturer's or retailer's website. In particular, look for the HD logo.

12. What does encoding mean?
Encoding is the process of transforming information from one format into another.

13. Why does having a big capacity allow for better sound quality?
As with picture, sound needs to have space to be encoded, so bigger capacity allows you to transfer the sound without having to compress it - hence it is referred to as uncompressed or lossless sound.

14. What are the benefits of having a bigger capacity?
When a movie is transferred from the original master (what the Director sees) onto a disc such as a DVD or Blu-ray Disc it has to be encoded. The quality of the image will depend on the degree to which the information has to be compressed in order to fit onto the disc. The benefit of a large capacity is that the information can be encoded with very little compression, meaning the image is as close to the original master quality as is possible.

15. What sort of games will there be?
The games will allow you to interact with live content on screen, for example interactive quizzes and shooting games during the movie (this will not affect the course of the movie).

16. Can I download new content from the Internet?
Absolutely, as more BD-J titles are released by the studios, this will become a standard feature.

17. Why can't DVDs download new content from the internet?
Unfortunately current DVD players do not have the network connectivity or technical capabilities.

18. What interactive features are there on Blu-ray that you don't get on DVD?
New Blu-Wizard technology allows you to create your own user-selected menu of bonus content, and customise how you watch it. Combine this with Blu-ray Disc Java (BD-J), which can give you access to behind the scenes documentaries, live studio events and new movie trailers, and you have all of the elements for a revolution in the entertainment experience.

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