In an April 2nd, 2010 Press Release the Blu-Ray Disc Association has released details about the new Blu-Ray formats that will be released this year.

There will be two different format enhancements, BDXL and IH-BD, both of which will add additional features to the Blu-Ray format.

The BDXL discs will either include one to two additional layers, resulting in a 100GB to 128GB capacity, or will be rewritable at 100GB. This format is primarily for professionals that require “a compact, stable and long term solution for archiving large amounts of sensitive data, video and graphic images”.

On the other hand, the Intra-Hybrid Blu-ray Disc (IH-BD) would instead incorporate a rewritable 25GB layer into the current format for consumers, resulting in a dual layered disc containing both “a single BD-ROM layer and a single BD-RE layer so as to enable the user to view, but not overwrite, critical published data while providing the flexibility to include relevant personal data on the same physical disc.”

These new format enhancements are not compatible with the current Blu-Ray players because they require a better laser. But the future BDXL and IH-BD compatible equipment will be downward compatible according to the press release, enabling playback of the current 25GB and 50GB Blu-Ray discs. And the Blu-Ray Disc Association expect consumers to access a new consumer version of the BDXL devices in areas where 3D Blu-Ray players or Blu-Ray recorders have gained acceptance.

• BDXL Blu-Ray Blu-ray XL High Capacity Recordable IH-BD Intra-Hybrid Blu-ray Disc Intra-Hybrid discs Rewritable discs Sony