FAQs: GENERAL | HD MEDIA | BLU-RAY | DESIGN GUIDELINES
01. What is Blu-ray?
02. Can DVD players play Blu-ray discs?
03. What are "pop-up menus?"
04. Is Blu-ray right for my project?
05. Is Blu-ray authoring more expensive?
06. Do you offer Blu-ray disc replication?
07. How would my film look on Blu-ray?
08. Can you recommend a good Blu-ray Player?
09. Are more expensive Blu-ray players better?
10. What Blu-ray player profile do I need?
11. What are Blu-ray player profiles?
12. What is Blu-ray Authoring?
13. Can Blu-ray players play standard DVDs?
FAQ 01: What is Blu-ray?
Blu-ray is the new optical disc standard for High Definition video distribution. The increased storage capacity of Blu-ray allows a single disc to hold feature length HD content. Blu-ray delivers noticeably superior image quality when compared to broadcast, download, and streaming HD video.
Blu-ray disc supports: 720p, 1080i and 1080p at 29.97 and 23.976 fps with up to 7 discrete channels of lossless sound. Blu-ray also offers new interactive features such as interactive graphics / pop-up menus, button animations with sound effects, advanced special features, picture-in-picture commentary tracks, and multi-language subtitles.
FAQ 02: Can DVD players play Blu-ray discs?
Standard DVD players cannot play Blu-ray discs. To play a Blu-ray disc, you must have a Blu-ray player and an HD TV. See our HD FAQ for more info on HD.
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FAQ 03: What are interactive graphics / pop-up menus?
Exclusive to Blu-ray, interactive graphics / pop-up menus are menus that appear over the video. A viewer can summon a menu, select chapters, change audio options, or active subtitles seamlessly without ever interrupting the movie being played. Interactive graphics menus offer a new level of interactivity over standard DVD's.
FAQ 04: Is Blu-ray right for my project?
The choice between producing a Blu-ray vs a standard definition DVD is largely dependent on the intended use of the content. Blu-ray offers unmatched image quality and interactive features not available on standard DVD's. To view a Blu-ray however, requires a Blu-ray player and an HD TV. If your content was created in Standard Definition or if your target audience may not own a Blu-ray player, Standard DVD is most likely a more appropriate fit for your project. Also see FAQ: Is Blu-ray more expensive. If you're uncertain whether or not Blu-ray is right for your project - please contact us for more information.
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FAQ 05: Is Blu-ray authoring more expensive?
Yes, Blu-ray discs are more expensive to author and replicate than a Standard DVD. Blu-ray production requires advanced equipment, professional software, and specialized training. See Our Blu-ray Pricing
FAQ 06: Do you offer Blu-ray disc replication?
In addition to certified Blu-ray Disc mastering services, Cine-O-Matic also offers low quantity Blu-ray duplication in house. For high quantity, commercial Blu-ray replication at competitive prices please contact Cine-O-Matic's Blu-ray replication partner - DVDTransfer.com.
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FAQ 07: How would my film look on Blu-ray?
Amazing. Academy 35 mm film is estimated to have roughly twice the resolution of Blu-ray's 1080x1920 HD resolution. Even Super 16 mm film has sufficient clarity to take advantage of Blu-ray Disc's stunning image quality. Contact Cine-O-Matic for the information about bringing your film to Blu-ray.
FAQ 08: Can you recommend a good Blu-ray Player?
As a Blu-ray authoring studio, we test our Blu-ray discs on a variety of players in ensure maximum player compatibility and reliable disc performance. Based on this experience we're comfortable recommending the following players for the majority of viewers:
* The following information is current as of October 2009.
Sony Playstation 3
The most widely used Blu-ray player on the market, the PS3 remains a best buy. Fast load times, excellent DVD up-conversion, and nearly-future proof playback through firmware updates makes this an excellent choice for anyone who has the budget and space. It's important to note however that because the PS3 is a multimedia and gaming system, it is physically larger, louder and hotter than the majority of set-top Blu-ray players.
Panasonic DMP-BD60
A great player for under $200, this series of Blu-ray players have excellent DVD up-conversion, profile 2.0 support, and responsive menu navigation.
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FAQ 09: Are more expensive Blu-ray players better?
A couple things to keep in mind as you look for a Blu-ray player:
Price does not equal performance.
- Some of the most expensive Blu-ray players we tested had the longest load times, the most sluggish menu navigation and no better picture than a $200 Blu-ray player.
FAQ 10: What Blu-ray player profile do I need?
Know what profile Blu-ray player you need. There are three different profile levels and different price points respectively. If advanced features like BD-Live and Video commentary (Bonus View) interest you be sure purchase a Blu-ray player that supports them. See our FAQ: What are Blu-ray Player Profiles?
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FAQ 11: What are Blu-ray Player Profiles?
Blu-ray player profiles indicate the hardware, and software feature sets a given Blu-ray player supports. For instance a Profile 1.0 Blu-ray player supports the majority of interactive features that Blu-ray offers but is unable to utilize Picture-In-Picture video commentary (Bonus View). Profile 1.1 players support Picture-In-Picture video commentary and Profile 2.0 adds support for network connections, and streaming video (often referred to as BD-Live).
So what does this mean to you? Blu-ray discs containing features that are not supported by your Blu-ray player's profile will simply be skipped, or made unavailable. The good news is that Blu-ray players of all three profiles support the majority of content that comes on a Blu-ray disc. So any Blu-ray disc's main video program, as well as the vast majority of extra features such as bonus footage, audio commentary, and deleted scenes will be fully functional on all Blu-ray players.
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FAQ 12: What is Blu-ray Authoring?
Blu-ray authoring is the assembly process by which individual video, audio, and interactive graphic files are compiled into a playable Blu-ray Disc, or a BDCFM (Blu-ray Disc Cutting Master Format) that can be replicated and distributed. For a Blu-ray Disc to operate in a Blu-ray player, it must be programmed and formatted properly. This is accomplished with the use of Blu-ray authoring software such as Sonic's Scenarist BD.
Authoring differs from programming in that it involves the use of authoring software and scripting rather than ground-up coding in programming languages like Java.
Sonic Scenarist BD is the industry standard for professional level Blu-ray authoring. This Blu-ray authoring software allows us to take full advantage of the advanced features available with Blu-ray Disc technology.
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FAQ 13: Can Blu-ray players play standard DVDs?
The majority of Blu-ray players can play standard DVDs, and some support playback of CDs as well. Typically DVD and CD playback capability will be listed in the player's features menu, or indicated on the front of the player itself. Blu-ray players will also often provide DVD up-conversion to improve the picture quality of a Standard Definition picture when played on an HDTV. Do not assume that a Blu-ray player will play DVDs or CDs if it is not explicitly indicated.
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