Scientists working for technology giant Sony found a way of packing way more information onto a DVD-sized disc using a higher frequency violet colored laser. Hence the name Blu-ray. Just recently, competing format HD DVD from Toshiba was dueling it out with Blu-ray. In January, 2008 this format war was effectively ended when film production studio Warner Bros announced that it would cease releasing its high definition DVDs in both formats and instead soley release Blu-ray DVDs. Who knows what went on behind the scenes to solidify this move, but if effectively ended the short life of HD DVD.

Though this must have been a major setback for Toshiba, it has been a major boon to consumers. Now device manufacturers can settle on the Blu-ray format and employ economies of scale in production, thus reducing costs. Currently, the best-selling Blu-ray disc player on Amazon, the Samsung BD-P1400 1080p Blu-Ray Disc Player goes for around $370. Another possibility for those also into gaming is to pick up the Playstation 3 40GB. You can play Blu-ray discs on it and you can be rest assured that you’re getting a good deal since Sony heavily subsidized it to promote Blu-Ray.

Also, now that all studios have hopped on to Blu-Ray, you’ll see all new movie releases and your old favorites on Blu-Ray discs. Prices of Blu-Ray discs are also dropping. For example, my favorite film of 2007, No Country for Old Men [Blu-ray], is selling on Amazon for only 20 bucks.

Here at Film Kvetch, we will make a concerted effort to point at Blu-ray availability on films we review. After all, why buy the standard DVD when the superior Blu-ray disc is available? Blu-Ray is the only way to go for you and your home theater.