Re: What blu-ray drive should I buy?

[skaro_emperor]

Hi,

I’m looking to buy a USB External Blu-Ray Drive for my new laptop. I don’t think I need it to do anything beyond Blu-Ray playback at this stage, and I was looking for some recommendations as to exactly which model to buy.

My laptop spec is:

Laptop PC, Mobile Scholar Super Drive, 15" Screen (Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0Ghz, 2GB DDR2 RAM)
Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0Ghz, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB HDD, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 965, DVD-RW, 10/100 LAN, Wireless 802.11bg Ethernet, Finger print sensor, Card Reader: Secure Digital (SD) /Multi Media Card (MMC) / Memory Stick (MS) / MS Pro, 3x USB 2.0 ports, Line-out (with SPDIF), TV-out , Bluetooth, Microsoft Vista Home Premium, Li-ion battery 6 cells (~3hours), Dimensions: 355.4 x 257.7 x 30.3-37.6 mm, weight 2.8KGs, Utility

I don't really have an idea about a budget or anything - I'm just looking for advice.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[CyberVisions]

Originally Posted by skaro_emperor

Hi,

I’m looking to buy a USB External Blu-Ray Drive for my new laptop. I don’t think I need it to do anything beyond Blu-Ray playback at this stage, and I was looking for some recommendations as to exactly which model to buy.

My laptop spec is:

Laptop PC, Mobile Scholar Super Drive, 15" Screen (Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0Ghz, 2GB DDR2 RAM)
Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0Ghz, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB HDD, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 965, DVD-RW, 10/100 LAN, Wireless 802.11bg Ethernet, Finger print sensor, Card Reader: Secure Digital (SD) /Multi Media Card (MMC) / Memory Stick (MS) / MS Pro, 3x USB 2.0 ports, Line-out (with SPDIF), TV-out , Bluetooth, Microsoft Vista Home Premium, Li-ion battery 6 cells (~3hours), Dimensions: 355.4 x 257.7 x 30.3-37.6 mm, weight 2.8KGs, Utility

I don't really have an idea about a budget or anything - I'm just looking for advice.

Thanks for your help in advance.

If you're not worried about BD burning, you're better off replacing your internal DVD drive with a current BD-ROM that's being used in a lot of notebooks today. The Sony/Optiarc BC-5500a is being used in a lot of systems, and has standard DVD mutliformat burn capability, and it's priced at about the standard rate of regular console BD players and external USB BD drives, about $350 depending on where you get it. Google it you can find it for less. You'll also get better response since it'll be tied to your internal bus.

Just about every notebook is or was using them at one point when they were first released (my HDX notebook has one) and so far I've had no real problems with the drive, only playback software issues. If you're not sure whether or not it's compatible, give the vendor you'd consider buying from a call and ask them.

You stand to pay that much or more for a new external USB drive, so if you're going to spend the money, get one you don't have to be tethered to via USB.

[skaro_emperor]

Thanks for your recommendation.

Unfortunately, I am somewhat restricted to what I can do to the laptop due to the fact that it is provided for me by the education sector of the Government to aid me in my Masters studies (also bear in mind that I am in the UK). Therefore, I cannot remove/change the internal drive.

With this in mind, assuming that I am restricted to USB drives, do you have any further recommendations based on my laptop spec?

Thanks in advance.