Really not sure what drive to get

[Simple Echo]

I'm also not sure if I should upgrade any other hardware before I start playing Blu-rays on my PC. Mainly because after doing some reading on here I noticed people suggesting as much as 8GB of RAM.

My current system...
CPU: AMD Phenom II 965 @ 3.8Ghz
GPU: ATI 5770 1GB
RAM: 4GB DDR2 @ 800Mhz
OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit
Display: Samsung PX2370 @ 1920 x 1080

I don't need to burn any Blu-ray media, just want to play my movies. I'm not sure how much the read speed matters for this, and I'm also uncertain about what brands of drives have been reliable for people so far. I don't want to go above $100 if at all possible, but if there is a huge difference in quality for just a few dollars more I can deal with that.

I am currently looking at these drives:
SAMSUNG SH-B083L/BSBP for $80 USD
Plextor PX-B320SA for $100 USD

Edit: Probably should of made it more clear in the title that I was talking about a Blu-ray drive. :\

[crs]

I don't think you'll see much quality difference between the various BD-ROMs, cheap or expensive. PQ is dependant on other factors (playback software, graphics card, etc). There can be some incompatibility problems, which is more down to the SATA interface, controller, drivers, OS, etc or the playback software itself. Some BD-ROMs might get the occasional firmware update, but I've yet had the need to flash any of mine. Playback software updates are much more important (equal to upgrading the firmware on a table-top player), but this got nothing to do with the BD-ROM itself.

One of my BD-ROMs is the cheapest you can get, the Lite-On IHOS104-06. You can get it for below $50. It's run every BD I've put in it, as long as playback software is up to date.

[Simple Echo]

Originally Posted by crs

I don't think you'll see much quality difference between the various BD-ROMs, cheap or expensive. PQ is dependant on other factors (playback software, graphics card, etc). There can be some incompatibility problems, which is more down to the SATA interface, controller, drivers, OS, etc or the playback software itself. Some BD-ROMs might get the occasional firmware update, but I've yet had the need to flash any of mine. Playback software updates are much more important (equal to upgrading the firmware on a table-top player), but this got nothing to do with the BD-ROM itself.

One of my BD-ROMs is the cheapest you can get, the Lite-On IHOS104-06. You can get it for below $50. It's run every BD I've put in it, as long as playback software is up to date.

What kind of hardware are you running at the moment, and is your PQ any good? Just so I at least have something to compare to hardware wise. Your post kinda left me worried about my GPU. I'm pretty sure my SATA controller will be fine, but just in case I'm using a GM-MA78GM-S2H mobo, with a SB700 as my SATA Controller.

If the Lite-On works for you than I think I'm going to go with the less expensive Samsung I was looking at. I would go with a Lite-On because it sounds like it does the job, but my last Lite-On drive left a chip on my shoulder. It is a relief to know that as long as I have the right, up to date, playback software I should be fine no matter what I choose.

[erock515054]

Go with ArcSoft Total Media Theater Platinum Edition as your playback software. It has played every blu that I have played on it including my most recent the Alien Anthology.

[crs]

Originally Posted by Simple Echo

What kind of hardware are you running at the moment, and is your PQ any good? Just so I at least have something to compare to hardware wise. Your post kinda left me worried about my GPU. I'm pretty sure my SATA controller will be fine, but just in case I'm using a GM-MA78GM-S2H mobo, with a SB700 as my SATA Controller.

If the Lite-On works for you than I think I'm going to go with the less expensive Samsung I was looking at. I would go with a Lite-On because it sounds like it does the job, but my last Lite-On drive left a chip on my shoulder. It is a relief to know that as long as I have the right, up to date, playback software I should be fine no matter what I choose.

CPU & GPU is the main concern. I've got 5870s, but even the low-end 5k series do Blu-ray just fine. There's no quality difference as long as the card supports HD. 965 is also more powerful than you'll ever need for Blu-ray.

PQ comes down to how you've set up your graphics driver and playback software. The Catalyst drivers from ATI has a few agressive video settings by default, that I didn't like. Too much sharpness, noise reduction, etc. I want unmanipulated video. This can be taken care of in the Catalyst control center.

There's no particular problem controller or SATA issues, there just happens to be a few incompatibilities. But this has almost all been ironed out now. You'll probably notice it immediately, drive won't show up in BIOS or in OS etc. So don't worry about it.

The BD-ROM is just a transporter, just as the disc. If the disc is readable, you can leave the BD-ROM out of the equation in just about everything.

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by crs

CPU & GPU is the main concern. I've got 5870s, but even the low-end 5k series do Blu-ray just fine. There's no quality difference as long as the card supports HD. 965 is also more powerful than you'll ever need for Blu-ray.

PQ comes down to how you've set up your graphics driver and playback software. The Catalyst drivers from ATI has a few agressive video settings by default, that I didn't like. Too much sharpness, noise reduction, etc. I want unmanipulated video. This can be taken care of in the Catalyst control center.

There's no particular problem controller or SATA issues, there just happens to be a few incompatibilities. But this has almost all been ironed out now. You'll probably notice it immediately, drive won't show up in BIOS or in OS etc. So don't worry about it.

The BD-ROM is just a transporter, just as the disc. If the disc is readable, you can leave the BD-ROM out of the equation in just about everything.

ATI 36xx series (I have a HD3650) easily handles BD video. As you said, any BD-ROM will do.

My setup: Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 4GB Ram DDR2 800MHz and the aformentioned HD3650. It runs all my blu-rays without issue or taxing my machine. Any issue would be software related. To the op, your setup more than handles BD content.

[Offender_Mullet]

Originally Posted by Simple Echo

I am currently looking at these drives:
SAMSUNG SH-B083L/BSBP for $80 USD
Plextor PX-B320SA for $100 USD

Edit: Probably should of made it more clear in the title that I was talking about a Blu-ray drive. :\

Simple Echo, get the Samsung. I have it. Love it. Very fast access time. Blows my old 4x speed Lite-On blu-ray rom drive out of the water.

[Sharpie]

Originally Posted by erock515054

Go with ArcSoft Total Media Theater Platinum Edition as your playback software. It has played every blu that I have played on it including my most recent the Alien Anthology.

...this is my play back software as well, very nice! I have the Plextor PX-B310U with a comparable system as the OP and I have had no problems.

[Simple Echo]

Originally Posted by erock515054

Go with ArcSoft Total Media Theater Platinum Edition as your playback software. It has played every blu that I have played on it including my most recent the Alien Anthology.

Originally Posted by Sharpie

...this is my play back software as well, very nice! I have the Plextor PX-B310U with a comparable system as the OP and I have had no problems.

I must say this was some helpful information. I had never heard of TotalMedia, but I'm glad I did. This software puts PowerDvd to shame, so far at least.