Blu-Ray technology now uses a Blue-Violet laser to read the new DVD formats that can project an HD picture. It accomplishes this by having a shorter wavelength (405 nanometers) to read and write information onto the optical disc. In comparison standard DVD technology used a red laser to read and write information from a disc. This had a longer wavelength (650 nanometers) to travel, so not as much data could be stored on a single layer disc. So basically the name equates from the color of laser used, but it is more multifaceted then that.

It is not only the type of laser that makes a difference, it is the type of disc used. DVDs have little pits of data that information is stored on, since the older laser required longer travel time, these pits had to be spaced farther apart, thus creating less storage space.

With the new laser travel shortened a single layer Blu-Ray DVD can have as much as 25 GB of digital data. Whereas a Dual Layer DVD can have twice that at a maximum of 50GB of data. What that means to you is an HD signal of up to 1080p. Also giving you the ability to have more room for features and interactive disc menus then ever before. All while keeping it on one disc instead of two.

Now in the works is a quad laser disc that can store 100GB of information on one disc. Now that is pretty amazing.