Blu-ray Dimensions

This is a follow up on my first post back in October 2008 in which I tried to answer the burning question, “why are Blu-ray discs so expensive?”. Although I’m discussing recordable blu-ray blank discs some of the same forces are at work with BD-ROM discs, primarily licensing fees.  Some recent changes to licensing fees of BD-ROM which will simplify the licensing and payment of royalties is expected to help lower the cost of production. One of the major expenses is new production equipment.  Both BD-ROM and BD-R discs use a specialized system that is not like the CD and DVD production lines (which can be modified to produce CD or DVD) so there are capital expenses that work into the disc cost structure.

A big change in Blu-ray recordable media may be just around the bend.  Taiyo Yuden just announced the release of a new LTH type recordable BD-R disc which is supposed to cost far less to manufacture as the new product can utilize the old production systems.  The change is in the recording dye which is currently inorganic based with the new LTH product using organic dye.  The big issue with LTH media is it is not compatible with current Blu-ray players or Blu-ray recorders. There is a possibility with firmware upgrades that the LTH Blu-ray media can be adapted to function in current Blu-ray technology. It is a big if and certainly does not add to the consumer confidence in Blu-ray.

Just what we need another format change.

Single Blu-ray disc case

Current trends in Blu-ray packaging for recordable Blu-ray discs revolve around several products at this time.  Blu-ray DVD cases with the turquoise blue color and shorter height then a DVD case you store your movies in.  Other options include blue Tyvek sleeves and transparent blue plastic cases.  We are looking into a number of options for the growing demand on Blue ray packaging. Blu-ray dual disc cases would be nice.

Blu-ray sleeves

One of the difficult parts of providing packaging is that it conveys two messages.  One is the format.  CDs came in plastic styrene jewel cases, DVD boxes come in a special box that differentiates it from a CD.  Least you make the mistake of putting a DVD in a CD drive and it not working.  Of course faster and faster the dedicated CD drive is a thing of the past.  Now the storage case is the only reminder of the format contained. For blu-ray that represents a blue ray DVD case.

In the high definition war two cases came out each representing the competing technology: Blu-ray and HD-DVD.  Blu-ray in the turquoise blue case and HD-DVD in the transparent red case. Both in a shorter height then a standard DVD case.

The second message the Blu-ray disc packaging provides is the artists expression.  Both messages should blend together.

Blu-ray disc plastic case

Blu-ray packaging has a primary function of protecting the disc from harm. Depending on the type of case each has it’s own level of protection.

Sleeves will protect against every day scratches and are great for storing discs in the least amount of room but they do not provide any protection against physical damage from flexing or blunt force. Blu-ray disc sleeves come in paper and tyvek materials.  Tyvek sleeves are preferred due to their special anti-static properties.

If you wish to ship them through the mail you will need additional protection like a cardboard mailer. Mailers come in several types:  Paperboard and corrugated cardboard mailer.

Blu-ray disc plastic cases provide addional protection over a sleeve and allows for the disc label to be viewed through the transparent case.  Plastic cases also have the advantage of compactness so when you travel you don’t have a lot a bulky cases.