Blu-ray disc is the next generation format for high definition entertainment. It was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition content, as well as storing large amounts of data. Blu-ray discs offer up to five times the storage capacity of standard DVDs and represent the next step in packaged media to complement your HDTV.

The name is derived from the blue-violet laser that is used to read and write data on Blu-ray discs. Standard DVDs use red laser technology. Blue lasers have a shorter wavelength than red lasers, and when combined with improved optical lens technology, allow for a smaller point of focus and the ability to read more densely packed information on a disc.

The simple answer is that Blu-ray is a high-definition format and DVD is a standard-definition format. Much like the evolution from VHS to DVD, the Blu-ray format has received broad support from major entertainment providers, consumer electronics, and personal computer companies as a successor to the current DVD format. Ultimately, Blu-ray represents a revolutionary improvement over DVD in terms of picture and sound quality, and advanced interactivity, delivering a whole new way to experience movies, games and music.

Yes. Blu-ray players are fully backwards compatible with existing DVDs. In fact, Blu-ray players will support upscaling of DVDs to near high-definition quality, so your existing DVD collection will look even better than before.

Manufacturers may update their Blu-ray player firmware in order to add new functionality and rectify known playback issues. For optimal performance, we recommend you visit the Official Blu-ray website on a regular basis to check for available updates. For further information on a specific player, please click on one of the major Blu-ray player manufacturers links below.

Select Player Manufacturer For Latest Firmware Updates:

Curtis Mathes | 877-444-8998
Dell Drivers & Downloads | 1-800-624-9896
Denon | 201-762-6665
HP Support & Drivers | 1-800-474-6836
Insignia | 877-467-4289
Integra | 800-225-1946
JVC | 800-252-5722
LG Electronics Support |1-800-243-0000
Magnavox | 800-705-2000
Marantz | 201-762-6666
Memorex | 877-363-6673
NAD | 905-831-6555
Onkyo | 201-785-2600
Oppo | 650-961-1118
Panasonic BD Product Support | 1-800-211-7262
Philips Consumer Support | 1-888-744-5477
Pioneer Blu-ray & DVD Support | 1-800-421-1404
Samsung Download Center | 1-800-726-7864
Sharp Firmware Update | 1-800-237-4277
Sherwood | 800-962-3203
Sony Electronics Support & Registration | 1-866-909-7669
Sony PS3 System Software Update | 1-800-345-7669
Sylvania | 800-968-3429
Yamaha | 1-714-522-9105

Player Issues
If you experience any difficulty playing your Blu-ray discs, please ensure that your player has an available manufacturer update. If you are still experiencing issues after you update your player, please report your issue in our Contact Us section.

Disney Second Screen is an app that allows your iPad™ or computer to interact with your Disney Blu-ray movie. Simply start the movie on your Blu-ray player, and then sync the app with the film automatically by following the easy onscreen instructions. With Disney Second Screen, you can explore interactive galleries, learn interesting facts about the scenes you’re watching, connect to social media, and more.

To learn more about Disney Second Screen, please visit our Disney Second Screen website.

Second Screen is available on the following Disney Blu-ray releases:

John Carter

Bambi

Tron: Legacy

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

The Lion King

Lady and the Tramp

CInderella

A single HDMI cable is the latest innovation to carry multiple-channel audio and high definition digital video signals from your Blu-ray player to your HDTV or HD projector. Connection is simple and only takes a moment. Because the HDMI cable eliminates the analog cable and is capable of transferring digital sources, the Blu-ray disc's source material remains in its original digital form and transfers without conversion directly to the HDTV for the best possible audio/visual experience directly from the disc.

No, you will not need an internet connection for basic playback of Blu-ray discs. An internet connection will only be needed for value-added features like Disney BD-Live^TM. Some player manufacturers may also offer updates from their websites directly to your player.

Yes, Blu-ray titles have region coding similar to DVDs. However, instead of eight regions, Blu-ray uses only three:

• Region A: North, Central, South America, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
• Region B: Europe (EU), Africa, Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Region C: Russia, India, China, and the rest of the world.

Select titles are released as Region ABC, meaning they are playable in all regions.

This Copy Protection icon indicates that the content on the disc is encrypted with protection technology. The disc cannot be copied.

Many Blu-ray titles are available as part of a combo pack which includes a Digital Copy disc. Digital Copy enables buyers of DVDs and Blu-ray discs marked with this logo to access a standard definition, digital version of the movie. Digital Copy is compatible with both iTunes and Windows Media through the use of their respective DRM services, FairPlay and Windows Media DRM. Consumers are provided with a single-use code to authenticate a computer to handle the Digital Copy. This Digital Copy can be accessed on all compliant devices such as a Mac or PC, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

Video on Blu-ray discs and DVDs is stored in digital format, but is formatted for one of two systems: NTSC or PAL. The system used varies from country to country. Players are typically capable of playing only one of the systems.

NTSC is the format used in the United States, Canada, South America, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries. In NTSC, 30 frames are transmitted each second and each frame is made up of 525 individual scan lines.

PAL is the predominant format used in most of Europe, Africa, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, North Korea, and other countries. In PAL, 25 frames are transmitted each second. Each frame is made up of 625 individual scan lines.

 

Blu-ray Disc is the next generation optical disc format that offers up to 50GB of storage capacity and recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD) in all of the HD resolutions, including 1080p.

Picture quality is mostly dependent on bit rates. Blu-ray Disc can deliver data transfer rates up to 48 Mbps (megabits per second). The Blu-Ray format also supports high-definition audio formats.

Discs marked with the logo above play in Blu-ray Disc players and drives, which are also usually marked with this logo, and Sony's PlayStation 3.

For additional information, visit the Blu-ray Disc website.

Disney Blu-ray offers stunning sound quality that DVD can't match. This is the way movies were meant to be heard!

DTS-HD Master Audio can be found on most Disney Blu-ray Discs and delivers a soundtrack that is bit-for-bit identical to the original master recording. With up to 7.1 channels of surround sound, DTS-Master Audio places you in the center of the action!

Dolby True HD is another technology which delivers up to 7.1 channels of perfect surround sound identical to the original master recording. Dolby True HD can be found on National Treasure 2 and Enchanted on Blu-ray today!

Uncompressed PCM offers a truly uncompressed soundtrack identical to the master recording. Uncompressed PCM can be found on classic Blu-ray Discs such as Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.