sony's new BDU-X10S drive question

[un4gvn94538]

im looking to put the new $200 drive in my new pc but i noticed the specs said it read bd discs x2. another one that reads and writes read discs at 4x.

how does the different speeds affect performance?
thanks

[dadkins]

Currently, for playback 1.5x is plenty.
Anything higher is for data purposes.

[Bicster]

What dadkins said.

I pre-ordred one of these $200 Sony drives. The Pioneer is really tempting since it's only $20 more and burns DVDs, but the software bundle seems to be crap and I get the impression it can't play some movies without a non-existant firmware update. I hope Sony does a better job.

[Bicster]

Originally Posted by Bicster

What dadkins said.

I pre-ordred one of these $200 Sony drives. The Pioneer is really tempting since it's only $20 more and burns DVDs, but the software bundle seems to be crap and I get the impression it can't play some movies without a non-existant firmware update. I hope Sony does a better job.

I cancelled the pre-order and bought the Pioneer drive today. Instant gratification

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by Bicster

I cancelled the pre-order and bought the Pioneer drive today. Instant gratification

is the firmware updates an issue? where did you see it for 20 more? ive been seeing it for 270

[Bicster]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

is the firmware updates an issue? where did you see it for 20 more? ive been seeing it for 270

I don't think it needs a firmware update. Some buggy software said it did.

Newegg has it for $220 (OEM) with WinDVD.

[un4gvn94538]

so what would be a better player? i dont need to burn. i have a seperate drive for that. just looking for playback bd only for the extra bay. the software that come with the sony looks good and its "official", allowed to cary the blu ray logo.
hows the pioneer?

[Bicster]

The Sony probably has a better software bundle, but I decided to purchase PowerDVD Ultra anyway in order to get multi-channel sound. If you're just watching movies it probably doesn't matter which one you get, but if you like, I will post about my experiences with the Pioneer drive after it arrives.

[un4gvn94538]

im kinda leaning toward sony. not only for the software but some reviews on the pioneer complains about motherboard compatability and to check the pioneer site for the list. sony doesnt list any compatability issues yet and it works with vista. they should list the video cards though, but i know im good there.

[Bicster]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

im kinda leaning toward sony. not only for the software but some reviews on the pioneer complains about motherboard compatability and to check the pioneer site for the list. sony doesnt list any compatability issues yet and it works with vista. they should list the video cards though, but i know im good there.

I suspect the compatibility issues are the same with the Sony. Most of the earlier SATA controllers don't work with optical drives. There is nothing Sony can do about that. That's why optical drive manufacturers are so slow to adopt SATA. The product return rate for SATA optical drives is very, very high. With Blu-Ray they have some expectation that the drives are being sold mostly to customers with (relatively) new machines.