Blu-ray PC Drive Specs

[JadedRaverLA]

I noticed a lot of questions recently from people wanting to know specs on various Blu-ray PC drives. Since I already had a blog post about this here I figured I'd copy over the info so people could have an idea of the different drives and their specs.



Current Drives

Pioneer BDR-202 (MSRP: $699) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link



Pioneer second-generation burner brings 4x BD-R writing to the mix, and properly supports reading and writing of CD formats. The otherwise great drive is marred, however, by a lack of reading or writing support for dual-layer BD-R/RE media. Also, be aware that many other sites have quoted the specs on the BDC-202 "combo" drive for this drive, which is incorrect according to Pioneer's specs page.

SATA interface
4MB cache
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 4x/NA
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 8x/2.4x
• DVD+/-RW: 4x
• CD (R/RW): 24x / ?

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 2x
• DVD-ROM: 8x
• CD-ROM: ???

Pioneer BDC-2202 and BDC-202 (MSRP: $299) -- Firmware / Software Updates: Link



For those who don't need Blu-ray burning capability, but want the ability to watch Blu-ray movies on their PC, the Pioneer BDC-2202 is the drive you've been waiting for. The drive retails for around 1/2 the cost of Blu-ray burners and still retains CD and DVD burning capability.

SATA interface
4MB cache
Software package includes Invervideo WinDVD 8 playback software and utilities
Write Speeds:

• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 12x/4x
• DVD+/-RW: 6x
• CD (R/RW): 24x / 24x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM (SL/DL): 5x/2x
• DVD-ROM (SL/DL): 12x/8x
• CD-ROM:32x

Sony BWU-100A (MSRP: Originally $749; now $699) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link



Sony's first Blu-ray PC drive is still considered the current best by some, and is definitely the most popular drive out there.

EIDE interface
8MB cache
Software package includes Cyberlink PowerDVD playback software and utilities
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 2x/2x
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 8x/4x
• DVD+/-RW: 6x-8x
• DVD-RAM: 5x
• CD (R/RW): 24x/16x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 2x
• DVD-ROM: 8x
• CD-ROM: 32x

Philips SDP7000BD and Lite-on LH-2B1S (MSRP: $649) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Philips and Lite-on



The new joint Philips/Lite-on vernture has produced an excellent Blu-ray writer (available from both manufacturers) with very nice overall specs. The only thing lacking is support for writing dual-layer (50GB) BD-R and BD-RE discs.

SATA interface
8MB cache
Software package includes Nero or Cyberlink playback software and utilities (varies by version)
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 2x/NA*
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 12x/4x
• DVD+/-RW: 6x-8x
• CD (R/RW): 32x/24x
• * -- Does not support burning DL 50 GB discs

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 2x
• DVD-ROM: 12x
• CD-ROM: 32x

Plextor PX-B900A (MSRP: $999) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link



Plextor, as usual, puts out a very nice drive and software package, but at a much higher price than competing products. If you want to save some money, you can get the OEM Panasonic SW-5582 shown below, which the Plextor package is built on, and can be had for a more reasonable price.

EIDE interface
8MB cache
Software package includes WinDVD playback software and utilities
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 2x/2x
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 8x/4x
• DVD+/-RW: 6x-8x
• DVD-RAM: 5x
• CD (R/RW): 24x/16x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 2x
• DVD-ROM: 16x
• CD-ROM: 24x

LG GBW-H10N (MSRP: $699 ?) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link



LG was first to market with this 4x speed BD-R burner, and it's available at a very reasonable price at most retailers. However no support for writing 50GB media, very slow CD burning, and limited stateside availability hold this drive back.

EIDE interface
4MB cache
Software package includes Cyberlink PowerDVD playback software and utilities
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 4x/NA*
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 12x/4x
• DVD+/-RW: 6x-8x
• DVD-RAM: 5x
• CD (R/RW): 8x/10x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 4.8x
• DVD-ROM: 16x
• CD-ROM: 40x

LG GGW-H10N (MSRP: $1199) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link



LG's second drive is an interesting unit as it features Blu-ray disc burning and HD DVD disc playback. The device is not yet widely available, and the price is expected to be quite high, although you can currently get one added to certain HP desktop models at a fairly reasonable price.

SATA interface
4MB cache
Software package includes Cyberlink PowerDVD playback software and utilities
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 4x/2x
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 8x/4x
• DVD+/-RW: 6x-8x
• CD (R/RW): 16x/16x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 4x
• HD DVD-ROM: 3x
• DVD-ROM: 12x
• CD-ROM: 32x

Panasonic SW-5582 (OEM only) -- Firmware must be acquired from PC vendor/OEM



Although one of the most common Blu-ray PC drives, the SW-5582 is only available as an OEM drive. Many PC manufacturers and other OEM drive vendors sell the SW-5582 as part of a system or as a retail drive under another manufacturer's label (ie. Plextor, I-O Data, etc). Although some stores sell the bare drive as an OEM or "bulk" drive, it is nearly impossible to obtain fimrware upgrades, etc. from Panasonic.

EIDE interface
8MB cache
Software package includes WinDVD playback software and utilities
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 2x/2x
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 8x/4x
• DVD+/-RW: 6x-8x
• DVD-RAM: 5x
• CD (R/RW): 24x/16x
• Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 2x
• DVD-ROM: 16x
• CD-ROM: 24x

[JadedRaverLA]

Panasonic UJ-210 (tray) and UJ-215 (slot) slim drives (OEM only) -- Firmware must be acquired from PC vendor/OEM



Panasonic's UJ-210 and UJ-215 Blu-ray drives for notebook PCs are available from a number of PC vendors (Sony, Dell, etc.) in their Blu-ray enabled notebooks, but aren't available in retail channels. Playback speed of Blu-ray discs is fast enough for movie playback, but recording speed of Blu-ray discs is quite slow at only 1x transfer rate.

EIDE interface
8MB cache
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 1x/1x
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 8x/2.4x
• DVD+/-RW: 4x
• DVD-RAM: 5x
• CD (R/RW): 8x/8x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 1.6x
• DVD-ROM: 8x
• CD-ROM: 24x

Panasonic UJ-225 (internal and external models) slim drive (OEM only) -- Firmware must be acquired from PC vendor/OEM



Panasonic's UJ-225 Blu-ray drives for notebook PCs are starting to show up in notebooks, with Sony's new FZ-series notebooks leading the charge. Although most specs match Panasonic's earlier models, the new drive ups the Blu-ray writing speeds up to 2x

EIDE interface (internal) / USB 2.0 (external)
8MB cache
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 2x/2x
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 8x/2.4x
• DVD+/-RW: 4x
• DVD-RAM: 5x
• CD (R/RW): 8x/8x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 1.6x
• DVD-ROM: 8x
• CD-ROM: 24x

Upcoming Drives

LG GGW-H20N and GGC-H20N (Also IO Data BRD-SHB6 [internal] and BRD-UXH6 [external]) -- Due in August



Back at Computex, Hitachi-LG showcased the world's first 6x Blu-ray writer, and according to reports it should be shipping in August. The GGW-H20N will be the fastest Blu-ray burner on the market when it arrives, and will read Blu-ray, HD DVD, DVD, and CD discs. IO Data has also now announced internal and external drives based on the GGW-H20N. It's sibling, the GGC-H20N retains the ability to read all forms of media, but will only write to DVD and CD discs.

SATA interface
Write Speeds:

• BD-R (25GB/50GB): 6x/4x -- GGW-H20N only
• BD-RE: 2x -- GGW-H20N only
• DVD+/-R: 16x
• DVD+/-RW: 6-8x
• DVD+/-R DL: 4x
• DVD-RAM: 5x
• CD (R/RW): 40x/24x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM (25GB/50GB): 6x/4.8x
• BD-RE: 2x
• HD DVD-ROM: 3x
• DVD-ROM: 8-16x
• CD-ROM: 40x

Benq BR1000 (Expected MSRP: $199) -- Due in September

Though Benq is arriving late to the party, the $199 price tag of the BR1000 should excite many who've been waiting on the opportunity to play Blu-ray content on their PCs. Unlike the Pioneer and ASUS BD readers, the Benq does not feature writing support for any media. Since you can buy excellent DVD/CD burners for around $30 online, though, the lower price of this read-only drive may appeal to many people looking to add BD playback to an existing system.

SATA interface
Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 4x
• DVD-ROM: 16x
• CD-ROM: 48x

Benq BW1001 (Expected MSRP: $599) -- Due in September

Due at the same time as the BR1000 Blu-ray reader, the BW1001 burner provides fairly decent specs for a second-gen burner, though many had hoped for a lower MSRP for the device. If the drive supports writing to dual-layered 50GB media, this could probe to be quite a popular drive.

SATA interface
Write Speeds:

• BD-R: 4x
• BD-RE: 2x
• DVD+/-R: 12x
• DVD+/-RW: 8x
• DVD+/-R DL: 4x
• CD (R/RW): 32x/24x

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 4x
• DVD-ROM: 16x
• CD-ROM: 48x

ASUS BC-1205PT (Expected MSRP: @270) -- Due this Summer/Fall

Although ASUS claims to competing with the Pioneer BDC-2202, the specs on their product match the Pioneer model's exactly, so it is likely based on the same Pioneer design. Either way, with two manufacturer's now releasing Blu-ray reader/DVD and CD writer combo units this summer, Blu-ray disc reading on PCs should be one step closer to mainstream.



Panasonic 4x Blu-ray Burner -- Due this Summer/Fall

Although no model number is yet attached, Panasonic has announced that they are preparing to ship a 4x Blu-ray burner sometime this summer. Given that the first generation Panasonic burner is frequently sourced as an OEM drive for PC vendors and other manufacturers, this should make faster Blu-ray recording the norm in the near future.



Discontinued Drives

Pioneer BDR-101A (MSRP: $999) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link



The first Blu-ray burner to hit store shelves, the Pioneer BDR-101A lacks many of the features of newer burners, and is essentially (though not officially) retired from the marketplace. For those interested, though, or see a good deal on this drive, be aware that it will only burn 25GB (SL) BD-R and BD-RE discs, and will not read or write CD, CD-R, or CD-RW discs.

EIDE interface
8MB cache
Software package includes Sonic DigitalMedia SE software
Write Speeds:

• BD-R/RE (25GB/50GB): 2x/NA*
• DVD+/-R (SL/DL): 8x/2.4x
• DVD+/-RW: 4x
• CD (R/RW): NA*
• * -- Does not support CD or BD-R/RE DL media

Read Speeds:

• BD-ROM: 2x
• DVD-ROM: 8x
• CD-ROM: NA*
• * -- Does not support reading CD media

[JadedRaverLA]

Reserved for future use.

(I'll try to keep this updated as announcements are made if there's an interest from people.)

[msallaq]

nice job keep it up

[Uxi]

Excellent summary. I'm building a new Core 2 Duo machine (E6850), 4GB of 1066DD2, 8800GTX, etc and am hoping to make a Blu-ray burner the prime optical drive. This should come in very handy, thanks!

[lch]

which of these burners has rpc1/bd regionfree firmware patch ?

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by lch

which of these burners has rpc1/bd regionfree firmware patch ?

All of them... if you use AnyDVD HD:

Features Blu-Ray
Same features as regular AnyDVD
Removes encryption (AACS) from Blu-Ray DVDs

Removes region codes from Blu-Ray DVDs

watch movies over digital display connection, without HDCP compliant graphics card and HDCP compliant display.
The "must have" utility for the serious home theater enthusiast using a media center / home theater PC.
Includes a UDF 2.5 file ripper, no need to install 3rd party UDF 2.5 filesystem under Windows XP.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by dadkins

All of them... if you use AnyDVD HD:

Exactly. There don't seem to be any firmware mods available for any of the drives... and even if there were, I would highly advise against using modded firmware on a Blu-ray drive. You could fry a very expensive drive, and the copy protection may catch that the firmware isn't authentic and deny playback of any movie title.

As dadkins said, AnyDVD handles this task nicely and it's completely software.

[lch]

but for dvd playback, anydvd don't work with rpc2 drive.

[_JP_]

I found this forum, specifically this post, as I was Googling for the latest info on the LG GGW-H20N. Do you have any new information about this drive?

Thanks!

[FoxMulder]

Hey folks,

I have a Vaio Laptop (VGN-AR31S) with the following Blu-Ray device:

matshita bd-mlt uj-210s ata device

Now I'm from Switzerland and wanted to watch the Miami Vice Seasons which I bought in America (Code 1), but the device doesn't want to read it, because my device is RC2. But then I wanted to use a programm (DVDRegion + CSSFree) which worked on my old computer but here it doesn't. I also tried AnyDVD and it didn't work. Did someone have the same problem and could help me?

[jorg]

u forgot the LITE-ON Black SATA Blu-ray DVD-ROM Drive Model DH-4O1S-11 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...24100+-+%24200

[w_tanoto]

nice post... I always liked sony design, and am currently considering desktop BD drive to be put externally and work with my laptop, saving my current laptop BD drive from working a lot

[tgzh]

Any update on these? Like the Matshita UJ-120?