Blu-Ray for PS3 Taking Shape?

[Evi]

In an press release today, Sony Corporation announced that they have developed a single 3-wavelength recording/playback optical head, capable of recording and playing-back 3 formats; Blu-ray Disc (BD), DVD, and CD.

This newly developed 3-wavelength recording and playback optical head is achieved by precisely processing the semiconductor laser chip of each wavelength, BD (wavelength:405nm), DVD (660m,) and CD (785nm), in a single unit, 3 types of lasers are emitted from 1 package.

In the single unit 3 wavelength laser, by combining production techniques of high-level output blue-violet laser diode and processing precise alignment of multiple laser units, single packaging is realized. In the object lens, introduction of aspherical glass and hologram lens to achieve spherical aberration correction, corresponding to each wavelength enables one series of optical system to deal with 3 wavelengths.

Sony intends to commercialize this new technology within the next two (2) years, and will promote further technology development. This will contribute to the BD market expansion by realizing BD related key devices to be utilized in various AV and IT products.

The interesting aspect of the announcement, beyond of course, the technical achievement, is that this release mirrors a very similar announcement made just before the launch of the PS2 regarding similar technology. Roughly a year (1) before the release of the PS2, Sony announced that they had developed a new laser head that would play back both DVD and CD laser wavelength, a few months before the PS2 launch it was announced that this technology would be implemented into the PS2. It is very likely that Sony will follow the same pattern and reap the benefits of releasing this new laser head integrated into the PS3.

This bodes well for the PS3 and the viability of its inclusion in the PS3 and further confirms the possibility of backwards compatibility with the PS2. This technology would allow Sony to include the playback of existing PS2 game with very low associated cost. Look for more announcements regarding technology which will comprise the architecture of the PS3 in the coming months.

Pictures of the development core:

Wow, didn\'t think that was possible.  Thought they\'d have to use two separate mechanisms.  Good job to them.

This is all getting pretty funny.

Microsoft - Xbox 2 - HD-DVD

vs.

Sony - PS3 - Blu-ray

Looks like their competiting products are strectching over videogames as well as home entertainment.  Or they are just molding into the same market.

Look at the difference:


blu-ray...........................................dvd.....................................................cd

[Paul2]

Pros of 3 lasers in 1 versus 3 seperate lasers pickup is that its will cost cheaper.

the cons are: it wouldn\'t be have the longivity of 3 seperate lasers pickup.  The laser won\'t have a good error correction or reading disc that\'s scratch or dirty as 3 seperate ones.

Seeing how this has been possible, this lead me to believe Blu Ray can have 3 seperate lasers pickup:, one laser for blu ray, one for dvd, and one for cd which of course is more expensive but it will give the player a longer lifespan and better reading performance.