Q: Why Blu-ray?

We asked the Blu-ray Disc Association to give its side of the high-definition DVD format competition. Here's its list of things to keep in mind if you're thinking of adding Blu-ray to your entertainment setup.

1. Blu-ray Disc has the support from six of the eight major Hollywood studios. Through October 2007, 19 of last year's 20 best-selling high-definition movie titles were available on Blu-ray Disc-the majority of them available in high definition only on Blu-ray Disc.
2. Blu-ray Disc gives consumers the broadest range in player options. Hitachi, LG, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp and Sony all support Blu-ray Disc, giving consumers a range of hardware choices. HP, Acer, Sony VAIO, Panasonic, Philips and Pioneer add options for desktop, notebook and computer drives.
3. Every Blu-ray Disc player delivers "Full HD" 1080p picture quality, the benchmark for high definition.
4. Blu-ray Disc delivers the best picture quality of any high-definition source. Because of its 50-GB storage capacity (six times that of dual-layer DVD), Blu-ray Disc can use higher bit rates, which allows pristine video, uncompromised audio quality and compelling interactive features.
5. With support for the latest audio codecs, including Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio and uncompressed linear PCM, Blu-ray can deliver true lossless audio so you hear every sound with clarity.
6. Blu-ray Disc uses BD-J (BD-Java) to create a new entertainment experience. From pop-up and animated menus to picture-in-picture and interactive features right in the movie, Blu-ray brings a new dimension to home entertainment in a way that lets viewers enjoy the features on their own terms.
7. Blu-ray Disc's capacity advantage means there is enough room on the disc for a full feature film with the best possible picture quality, 7.1 surround sound lossless audio (with multiple channels) and a host of bonus features, without a sacrifice in one area to make room for another.
8. Gamers get a bigger bang for their buck. PlayStation 3 is the only gaming console built on a high-definition platform, so every PS3 doubles as a Blu-ray player. With recent price drops and many new gaming titles scheduled for release, the PS3 is great for gamers as well as for those interested in HD movies.
9. Blu-ray Discs have a special hard coating that helps to protect the discs from scratches, fingerprints and a myriad of other punishments that kids (and adults) can dish out.
10. Blu-ray Disc is a safe buy as a next-generation format. Counting set-top players and PS3s, there are more than 3 million Blu-ray households in North America, and that number grows on a daily basis. On the software side, Blu-ray Disc is the best-selling high-definition format in the United States.