Blu-ray gets bigger with final BDXL specification

The specification for BDXL that we talked about back in April was recently finalized by the Blu-ray Disc Association. This means that we are now one step closer to seeing BDXL discs, players, and burners at market. A finalized specification allows manufacturers to begin building machines and discs, but it is unknown when the devices will be commercially available. BDXL discs will have a re-writable format with a maximum storage capacity of 100GB and a write-once format with a maximum storage capacity of 128GB.

Blu-ray was, and still is, marketed as the best way to experience high-definition movies in the home theater.  However, the real advantage of Blu-ray technology is the additional capacity that can be achieved due to the physics of the blue laser diode used in the burners and players. The advantages of the BDXL format will not be seen much in home theaters, and this is evidenced by the target market in the press release that is defined as, “commercial segments such as broadcasting, medical and document imaging enterprises with significant archiving needs.”

Reading and authoring BDXL discs will require the purchase of new hardware.  This means that you won’t be able to play 128GB games on your Sony PS3, but you may be backing up all of your home movies on BDXL discs at some point in the future.