The Difference Between DVD and Blu-ray

Blu-ray and DVD are the two main forms of optical discs used to store digital video. As we know, DVD players have been much cheaper than Blu-ray machines, but Blu-ray discs have more storage space and more advanced protections against piracy. Both versions deliver sharp resolution. In this post, we will show you the difference between DVD and Blu-ray in several aspects. Moreover, we recommend an easy-to-use tool for you to backup BD/DVD on computer. Hope you can better enjoy your Blu-ray and DVD movies after reading this post.

Part 1: Blu-ray vs DVD

Although Blu-ray discs look exactly the same as DVDs in size and shape, there are many differences in storage capacity, laser technology, disc construction, image resolution and player compatibility,etc. Check the difference between DVD and Blu-ray below:

Feature	Blu-ray	DVD
Storage Capacity	Storage capacity: 25GB (single layer), 50GB (dual layer)	Storage capacity: 4.7GB (single layer), 8.5GB (dual layer)
Storage Capacity	In short, a Blu-ray disc can hold over 5x as much data as a DVD, and even more importantly — as a result of the storage space — it is capable of producing a video image that is more than twice the resolution of a DVD.
Image Resolution	Because of the larger storage capacity of the Blu-ray disc, it can store much more higher quality of video and audio data. Blu-ray is designed for high definition 1080 display. Blu-ray supports resolutions up to 1920x1080 and frame rates up to 29.97 at the highest resolution (frame rates up to 59.94 at lower resolutions). Blu-ray currently has the best image resolution on the market and looks great on HDTVs.	Almost all DVDs have a standard definition resolution of 480 or enhanced definition resolution of 520. DVD can give you a great image quality on a normal TV. However, if blown up to accommodate a widescreen HDTV the picture may look grainy. Although a DVD can store high definition data, it would only fit about 30 minutes maximum.
Availability	Blu-ray is a newer technology than DVD, which means not all of the older movies are available yet in Blu-ray format.	DVD has been around since 1996 and has had years to develop its library. Almost every movie ever made is available in DVD format and when renting movies you'll have a much easier time finding the movie in DVD format than Blu-ray.
Player Compatibility	Besides the Blu-ray dics, all Blu-ray players currently on the market has the capability to play standard DVDs. However, the DVD image displayed, while still decent, will not be high definition quality like a Blu-ray disc.	Blu-ray discs are not playable on a standard DVD player. Due to the red laser used in DVD players is too large to read the tiny grooves in a Blu-ray disc.
Content	Many Blu-ray movies will come with additional content not available with DVD. This content can include additional commentaries, behind the scenes, and much more and usually all on one disc.	With the limited space of a DVD, you may get some DVD movies with additional bonus content. However, many times the additional content will be on a separate disc.
Disc Construction	The grooves on a Blu-ray disc are much thinner and closer together because the blue laser used to read the disc has a shorter wave length and is two and a half times thinner than the red laser. This allows the Blu-ray disc to squeeze almost five times as many grooves on to a disc exactly the same size as a DVD. Blu-ray also includes a protective layer to prevent scratches. This protective layer is physically thinner than the one on a DVD, but it has a hard coating that makes it more scratch resistant.	Since DVDs are read with a red laser the grooves on its underside need to be wide enough to accommodate the larger wavelength. Because the grooves are so far apart only 4.7 GB of information can be stored on each layer of the disc. DVDs also include a protective layer designed to resist scratching.
Laser Technology	Blu-ray players use a blue laser to read the stored information. Blue laser wavelengths are shorter than the red at 405nm and are about two and a half times smaller in diameter than red lasers, which allows for closer and more precise reading of information stored on the disc.	DVD players use a red laser at 650nm wave length to read DVD discs. When the disc spins the laser reads the information encoded on the media and produces an image and sound on your television.
Cost	The price of Blu-ray players is a little bit higher than DVD players' price. But it is more affordable than ever. Blu-ray discs cost a little more than standard DVDs.	DVD players and DVD discs are cheaper than a Blu-ray disc.
3D	All the latest new 3D movies are now only distributed on Blu-ray.	All the latest new 3D movies are now only distributed on Blu-ray. Although there are 3D DVDs all the latest movies are only coming out on Blu-ray.

Source: The Difference Between DVD and Blu-ray

In short, with the exception of storage capacity perhaps the best thing Blu-ray has going for it is its higher image resolution and compatibility with standard DVDs.

Part 2: Best Way to Protect DVD or Blu-ray Disc You May Want to Know

Since DVD and Blu-ray discs can be easily damaged, many people are looking for ways to protect and preserve their favorite discs. In fact, the best way to protect DVD or Blu-ray discs is to copy/backup them to hard drive, SD card, USB drive, NAS, etc.

You can do this with Pavtube ByteCopy for Windows/Mac (support macOS High Sierra), which is a simple to use application that caters to your demand to remove all the complicated and even the latest copy & region protection from both Blu-ray and DVD disc. Moreover, the program allows you to backup/copy Blu-ray/DVD movie collections in different ways and numerous file formats for various usage:

Full Disc Copy of Blu-ray/DVD Collection

If you want your backup is as the same as the original Blu-ray/DVD disc in quality and size, it is ideal for you to choose this backup option, which also ensures you to preserve all the subtitle tracks and audio streams.

Main Movie Copy of Blu-ray/DVD Collection

Comparing to full disc copy, this backup option only select the main title of Blu-ray/DVD without tedious and boring ads, tidbits, you can save 100% intact M2TS/VOB main movie from your Blu-ray/DVD disc without any quality loss. The biggest merits of this backup option can be be summarized into two categories: time-saving and space-conserving.

Backup into Digital File Format

Choose this option to rip commercial Blu-ray/DVD Disc into common digital file format or device preset file formats so that you can directly transfer and playback your favorite BD/DVD movies on the move.

Lossless Backup to Multi-track MKV format

There are so many advantages for you to backup Blu-ray/DVD collection into lossless Multi-track MKV format, which ensures a no quality loss backup with all the chapter markers, multiple audio streams and subtitle tracks and even the Dolby Digital surround sound - 5.1 and 7.1 well preserved.

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