How can I get a job like this?

[Chaka]

Blu-ray Testers

Blu-ray Has Firms Seeing Green

New Features Mean More Work for Technology Providers
By Mark R. Madler

With the Blu-ray disc getting the green light as the preferred high definition home entertainment format, companies throughout the San Fernando Valley are positioning themselves to get a piece of the action.

These firms test and replicate discs, and provide workflow services for the Sony-created disc that bested the HD DVD from Toshiba in a format war reminiscent of the battle between VHS and Betamax.

With a higher capacity for data, the Blu-ray disc is not simply for watching movies but also offers online gaming and special features that turn passive viewers into active participants. With the “BD Live” feature, Blu-ray players hook-up to the Internet for real-time interactivity with feature films.

“They are sophisticated pieces of software with an enormous amount of programming and interactive content,” said Seth Hallen, executive vice president and managing director of Testronic Labs in Burbank. “There is a lot that can go wrong.”