Blu-ray discs have greater storage capacity than DVDs, support higher video resolution up to 1080p, have faster data transfer rates, and support more advanced video and audio codecs. Key differences include Blu-ray using a blue laser rather than red, having a higher numerical aperture, smaller track pitch, and thinner protective layer. Both formats are 120mm in diameter.

1. Pa r a m et e r s Blu-ray DVD
25GB (single-layer) 4.7GB (single-layer)
Storage capacity
50GB (dual-layer) 8.5GB (dual-layer)
Laser wavelength 405nm (blue laser) 650nm (red laser)
Numerical aperture (NA) 0.85 0.60
Disc diameter 120mm 120mm
Disc thickness 1.2mm 1.2mm
Protection layer 0.1mm 0.6mm
Hard coating Yes No
Track pitch 0.32μm 0.74μm
Data transfer rate (data)
36.0Mbps (1x) 11.08Mbps (1x)
Data transfer rate
54.0Mbps (1.5x) 10.08Mbps (<1x)
(video/audio)
720×480/720×576
Video resolution (max) 1920×1080 (1080p) (480i/576i)
Video bit rate (max) 40.0Mbps
9.8Mbps
MPEG-2 MPEG-2
Video codecs MPEG-4 AVC -
SMPTE VC-1 -
Linear PCM Linear PCM
Dolby Digital Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital Plus DTS Digital Surround
Audio codecs
Dolby TrueHD -
DTS Digital Surround -
DTS-HD -
Interactivity BD-J DVD-Video