Best Blu-ray Drive for PC

[ESUNintel]

I've been thinking about adding a Blu-ray drive to my PC; however, it's so confusing trying to pick one. There's some that get horrible reviews, others that get good reviews, and than there's some that come with cr*ppy software, etc...

Anyways, what are you guys using as BD drives for your desktops, or which would you reccomend? What software is the best for playing movies back? Which software allowes for best BD disk back-ups? I know, so many questions, sorry.

I'de really like one that reads and writes, and prefferably SATA interface.

THanks for your help

[Pictor]

Not that I'm using one right now but I've NEVER gone wrong with Plextor drives. They are not the cheapest drives but they have always given me the best performance and fewest coasters of any drive manufacture over the years.

[X-Ninja]

hmm... idk.

Glad i could help

sorry... i know nothing about drives. BUT
I can can tell you this-

Buy the most expensive one. xD that always works.
Make shure your PC can handle BD movies as well...

like, do download an HD-DVD movie from torrents. (unless thats illegal to talk about on here. who knows. edit my message if you wish mods ) and attempt to play it. Mine diddnt work... VLC will play it just fine. mine just chugged to death as i played it. : /
...windows.

but yes, expensive is always good.

[PeterTHX]

I have the Philips SPD7000BD/17, SATA interface. Supports dual layer BD50 writing as well.
It's only 2x, but writes to all formats like a champ. Decent price.

Plextor is excellent but their BD drive is a rebranded Panasonic (and limited to IDE), just an FYI.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by ESUNintel

I've been thinking about adding a Blu-ray drive to my PC; however, it's so confusing trying to pick one. There's some that get horrible reviews, others that get good reviews, and than there's some that come with cr*ppy software, etc...

Anyways, what are you guys using as BD drives for your desktops, or which would you reccomend? What software is the best for playing movies back? Which software allowes for best BD disk back-ups? I know, so many questions, sorry.

I'de really like one that reads and writes, and prefferably SATA interface.

THanks for your help

For my money, the best drive available at the moment is the Sony BWU-200S -- great looking, excellent write quality, fast (4x BD-R/RE), writes to all media. The new Panasonic LF-PB271JD is also an excellent drive with fairly similar specs, however, it's only available as an OEM drive, and Panasonic doesn't release firmware updates to end users. Both are SATA drives.

There's really only 2 big games in town for playback software -- Cyberlink and Intervideo. Intervideo's solution is OEM only and generally only included in pre-built PCs due to its more restrictive hardware requirements. So, your basically left with Cyberlink. Most all BD drives come with an OEM Cyberlink software package, and you can always upgrade to their PowerDVD Ultra package if you really want. I won't touch the "BD back-up" thing... there's other forums for that if you really want to experiment with burning $10 coasters. For data burning, though, Nero works like a champ.

Edit: By the way, there's a link in my sig to basic specs on all the drives out there for comparison's sake.

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

I have the Philips SPD7000BD/17, SATA interface. Supports dual layer BD50 writing as well.
It's only 2x, but writes to all formats like a champ. Decent price.

Plextor is excellent but their BD drive is a rebranded Panasonic (and limited to IDE), just an FYI.

Correct on the Plextor. Did Philips finally come out with their long-rumored firmware update to allow DL BD-R/RE burning? I checked their site again, and the latest update is the one from way back in February. Everything I've seen on the drive is that it still doesn't support DL BD-R/RE burning. Is my info bad? What media do you use?

[PeterTHX]

I haven't used BD-R50's yet (too expensive) but Nero 8 has the option available (it doesn't on non-DL writers).

[Suzukiman600]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

I have the Philips SPD7000BD/17, SATA interface. Supports dual layer BD50 writing as well.
It's only 2x, but writes to all formats like a champ. Decent price.

Plextor is excellent but their BD drive is a rebranded Panasonic (and limited to IDE), just an FYI.

What are the prices like on these drives?

[ESUNintel]

Originally Posted by Suzukiman600

What are the prices like on these drives?

The Plextor is pricey at over $1049.00 at Micro Center, I don't think newegg.com has it. The other ones are between $400 to $500. The readers seem to be the lowest priced, at under $300; however, I want to burn stuff onto a BD too.

[stax#1]

Hello,

I am wondering if there is any blu-ray player with usb interface. Can anyone help me on this issue? David

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by stax#1

Hello,

I am wondering if there is any blu-ray player with usb interface. Can anyone help me on this issue? David

You can get a LaCie d2 (rebadged Panasonic SW-5582 in external enclosure).
The Panasonic UJ-225 notebook drive was supposed to be available in an external version but I've never seen one available in external version.
You can also take any internal drive and get an enclosure from somewhere like Newegg.

Thos are the only options I know of. Anyway, welcome to the forum.

[compartm]

I have a x1950 pro graphics card, and that is limited by directx 9. there is an asus blu ray drive that will work with directx 9, but I would like to get a Blu/HD combo if i'm going to be putting the money down anyways. do any of you know if there is a combo drive that will work with Directx 9?

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by compartm

I have a x1950 pro graphics card, and that is limited by directx 9. there is an asus blu ray drive that will work with directx 9, but I would like to get a Blu/HD combo if i'm going to be putting the money down anyways. do any of you know if there is a combo drive that will work with Directx 9?

DirectX 9 isn't a problem for any of the drives. They all use the same software package for playback, and your video card is supported.

If you want to play both Blu-ray and HD DVD, get one of the new LG drives. They'll work fine for you. The GGC-H20L is available now for around $300 that plays both formats, while the GGW-H20L is hitting the channel now for around $100 more, and allows burning BD-R/RE discs.

[un4gvn94538]

is it possible with the dual format drives to back up an hd dvd then burn it to blu for playback on a ps3?

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

is it possible with the dual format drives to back up an hd dvd then burn it to blu for playback on a ps3?

Technically it's possible, as AACS has been hacked. But you'll never want to -- WAY too much work involved presently.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

Technically it's possible, as AACS has been hacked. But you'll never want to -- WAY too much work involved presently.

more work than doing with a reg dvd?

[Weez_1000]

I see this thread hasnt been updated in awhile. I am currently in the market for a new PC Blu-ray drive and been searching for the best solution. The important things for are: writes DL, Would like decent speed and another important feature for me is a drive from a manufacturer that offers decent support such as regular firmware updates.

I was looking at the LG GGW-H20L but wasnt sure how LG is about FW updates?

[neems]

My LG drive works fine, I generally only use it for bd playback but I have tested it burning dvds, no problems.

I've had it for about 3 months, and the firmware has been updated 3 or 4 times, using auto updating software that came with the drive.

The only problem I had was with UDF compatibility under Windows XP, but this isn't down to the drive per se.

[Weez_1000]

Originally Posted by neems

My LG drive works fine, I generally only use it for bd playback but I have tested it burning dvds, no problems.

I've had it for about 3 months, and the firmware has been updated 3 or 4 times, using auto updating software that came with the drive.

The only problem I had was with UDF compatibility under Windows XP, but this isn't down to the drive per se.

Thanks neems thats exactly what i wanted to know. Couple other question,s do any of these drives handle BD Live discs yet? Have you tried running AnyDvd HD with your drive?

[Mr. Bear]

Hello,

I am also looking to purchase a writer for BR disks.

Do need BR double Layer capability.

I know that LG makes them but not exactly sure which LG models can burn on them.
Can someone please tell me exactly which LG internal ATA drives can?

Just received an email from Lite On.
They have told me that none of thier burners work with Double Layer disks.
I find this rather interesting.

The Plextor/Pany is abit pricy for only being able to write at 2x speed.

I was told by someone on this form to look foran 8x model.
Do any even exist?

Thank you,

mr. Bear

[PopButtox]

Originally Posted by Mr. Bear

Hello,

I am also looking to purchase a writer for BR disks.

Do need BR double Layer capability.

I know that LG makes them but not exactly sure which LG models can burn on them.
Can someone please tell me exactly which LG internal ATA drives can?

Just received an email from Lite On.
They have told me that none of thier burners work with Double Layer disks.
I find this rather interesting.

The Plextor/Pany is abit pricy for only being able to write at 2x speed.

I was told by someone on this form to look foran 8x model.
Do any even exist?

Thank you,

mr. Bear

I don't think the technology has been publicly available enough to give a good solid opinion... I'd just wait awhile and see how stuff holds up before paying tons of money for a soon to be inadequate slower version. Give it like 4 more months then get it.