Blu-ray Burner Laptop Upgrade

[LORDs_angellos]

Hey guys,

I'm about to get this laptop From Newegg, but it comes with a BD Combo drive, which only reads, not writes, Blu-ray discs. I want to be able to write to them as well. Can anyone point me towards a laptop-sized BD burner that I can swap with the one that's coming with this laptop?

Thanks!

[JadedRaverLA]

Panasonic/Matsushita UJ-220 -- not readily available in stores, but Ebay is your friend: http://search.ebay.com/search/search...220&category0=

The older UJ-210 model can be found for less, but it only burns BD-R/RE at 1x instead of 2x, which feels about as fast as downloading HD over a 56k modem: http://search.ebay.com/search/search...210&category0=

[LORDs_angellos]

Thanks for the links! I just ordered the UJ-220 for $400.

This is the listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180275910187

[JadedRaverLA]

No problem. Be sure to post again if you have any problems swapping them. The user manual for that ASUS model doesn't mention how to replace the optical drive, but yet its listed on several sites as being a media bay type fitting. Should just be a couple of screws to unscrew on the underside of the machine.

You'll take the faceplate off the drive that comes with the machine (two small hooks on either side) and pop that on the front of the new drive so it will sit flush with the edge of your notebook. Make the connections and screw it in place. It's usually very easy, but it's sort of obnoxious that ASUS didn't include directions in the users manual. If you can't tell right off which screws you need to uncrew or have any other issues search online for the service manual or post here again.

Take care.

[LORDs_angellos]

Bad news! My laptop arrived yesterday, and it turns out the UJ-220 uses a different interface... see below:

Both Drives:


UJ-220 Interface:


Standard Drive Interface:


Both Drives' Specs:
(Linked for Screen-stretching)

Help? Please?

[JadedRaverLA]

You're going to want to shoot me (as the person who advised you to get the UJ-220 in the first place)... but, in my defense, I just double-checked every spec sheet for your notebook I could find online and NOT ONE mentioned that the optical drive in the M70Vm-C1 was SATA. I didn't think I'd lost my mind, but I wanted to double-check. I am really sorry... but that's fairly huge omission given how few notebooks use SATA for optical drives.

At any rate, if I remember correctly, you got a deal on the drive so if the seller won't accept the return you can likely resell it for more than you paid (though I know that's a PITA).

The only notebook BD burner currently on the market (that I'm aware of) with an SATA interface is the LG GBW-T10N, which is a great drive and extremely fast, but is just hitting the market and is extremely tough to come by outside the UK. A quick search onlione found some UK stores with the drive, but no US stores, and no Ebay sellers. However, your existing BD-combo drive may pull quite a bit on Ebay for others who need Blu-ray playback but also have an SATA interface in their new machine. I would think that what you'd get for the two drives you have now should more than cover the cost (even with international shipping and buying retail) of getting the LG drive from overseas.

Again, I'm really sorry about that... PM me here if I can be any help if you want/need to list one or both drives on Ebay and need spec info to list, etc, or for help finding a decent store selling the LG drive at a fair price.

[LORDs_angellos]

That's alright; you were just trying to help. I won't really need a BR burner until after Christmas (when I get a HD camcorder), so it's not like I'm in dire need of it now.

I contacted the eBay seller asking for a refund. I sure hope he agrees; it'd be a lot less work for me to just get a refund. If I can't get one, I'll ask you about listing it on eBay.

Update: That's a negative on the refund.

Originally Posted by UJ-220 Seller on eBay

Unfortunately, I can not take a return. Since the item is still in the same condition, I would like to suggest that you re-sell the item on E-bay, because you could probably get more out of it than you paid for it. I just sold it for quick money, basically, and I don't really have time to do it again. I hope everything works out for you! Thanks for your business.

I've never sold anything on eBay before, but I'm willing to try it. I do need some help though.

Oh, and by the way, my notebook has an eSATA port. Are there any external Blu-ray burners that use eSATA? What price range are we talking about for the LG GBW-T10N? What about an eSATA BR burner?

[JadedRaverLA]

Check your PM here in a minute.

[blueyedsoul]

Hey, sorry to necro this thread, but I'm interested to find out if you ever got a sata blu-ray burner for your laptop. I have the Gateway 7811fx and am looking at doing the same upgrade. Also, regarding the LG drive that was mentioned - if one bought that from the UK, but had it shipped to the US, wouldn't it have the wrong region coding?

[Sith]

Originally Posted by LORDs_angellos

Bad news! My laptop arrived yesterday, and it turns out the UJ-220 uses a different interface... see below:

Both Drives:


UJ-220 Interface:


Standard Drive Interface:


Both Drives' Specs:
(Linked for Screen-stretching)

Help? Please?

ouch!!!!!

[Sith]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

You're going to want to shoot me (as the person who advised you to get the UJ-220 in the first place)... but, in my defense, I just double-checked every spec sheet for your notebook I could find online and NOT ONE mentioned that the optical drive in the M70Vm-C1 was SATA. I didn't think I'd lost my mind, but I wanted to double-check. I am really sorry... but that's fairly huge omission given how few notebooks use SATA for optical drives.

At any rate, if I remember correctly, you got a deal on the drive so if the seller won't accept the return you can likely resell it for more than you paid (though I know that's a PITA).

The only notebook BD burner currently on the market (that I'm aware of) with an SATA interface is the LG GBW-T10N, which is a great drive and extremely fast, but is just hitting the market and is extremely tough to come by outside the UK. A quick search onlione found some UK stores with the drive, but no US stores, and no Ebay sellers. However, your existing BD-combo drive may pull quite a bit on Ebay for others who need Blu-ray playback but also have an SATA interface in their new machine. I would think that what you'd get for the two drives you have now should more than cover the cost (even with international shipping and buying retail) of getting the LG drive from overseas.

Again, I'm really sorry about that... PM me here if I can be any help if you want/need to list one or both drives on Ebay and need spec info to list, etc, or for help finding a decent store selling the LG drive at a fair price.

you could just give him his $400.00

[LORDs_angellos]

No worries guys, I was able to re-sell the drive on eBay and got most of what I paid for it back.

I haven't bought a SATA BD burner laptop drive yet; I won't need it until after I get my HD camcorder, so I'm saving up for that right now. First things first.

[LORDs_angellos]

He wasn't the seller and it wasn't his fault the drive wasn't compatible. To the best of his knowledge it was. It's ASUS's fault for not releaseing complete specs for their laptop

Anyway, I'll probably save money in the long run by waiting until laptop BD burners are cheaper.

[crashnburn]

You know, I almost never make posts on discussion boards such as these. However, I did exactly the same thing the poor guy above did and purchased the wrong type of bd burner from ebay with the wrong interface as my new laptop (gateway p-7811fx) also uses a serial ata interface for the dvdrom drive. The gbw-t10n is the only drive I coudl find that was a suitable replacement after a couple weeks of research. At first the only places I could find were UK stores and then only 2 of them would ship the drive to the U.S. for about 450 per drive + heavy shipping costs. I just about gave up hope until I stumbled upon alibaba.com. I guess its a hub for chinese manufacturers to distribute their wares easily worldwide. Anyway, you can get this drive from the folks at rrdn.net for about $320 + 10 shipping. It's not listed on their site but if you email the guy he'll get back to you promptly. It's a great drive and Im happy I finally bought it. I will say, BE CAREFUL when you're swapping bezels on the drive with the one on your old drive. The lg bezel that's on there is rather difficult to remove so be gentle. gl

[jianhuang]

hello, currently pioneer have release one SATA laptop BD Burner now .

model : Pioneer BD-RW BDR-TD01

[jianhuang]

Originally Posted by crashnburn

The gbw-t10n is the only drive I coudl find that was a suitable replacement after a couple weeks of research. At first the only places I could find were UK stores and then only 2 of them would ship the drive to the U.S. for about 450 per drive

Pioneer BD Writer seem less than half of your 450 price
http://www.mobileformfactors.org/ing...ails.php?id=84

[Ratswallow]

Originally Posted by jianhuang

hello, currently pioneer have release one SATA laptop BD Burner now .

model : Pioneer BD-RW BDR-TD01

Anybody here use or see one of these?

[ManhattanJeff]

Sorry for jumping in, guys, but I'm a new member and can't start a new thread.

I want to purchase an ASUS laptop UL80Vt-A1, but want to be sure I can replace the standard drive with a blu-ray reader or burner (preferably a burner).

Looking at various sites, here's what I've found about the drive: it's a DVD Super Multi Double Layer Drive. It's probably a Samsung TS-U633A DVD+/-RW+DL, SATA, with a 9.5mm tray.

Can anyone suggest a blu-ray that's compatible? Do any of you have this ASUS? If you know of a drive that fits, do you know where I can buy it?

Thanks for the help...

[jyzz]

Originally Posted by ManhattanJeff

Looking at various sites, here's what I've found about the drive: it's a DVD Super Multi Double Layer Drive. It's probably a Samsung TS-U633A DVD+/-RW+DL, SATA, with a 9.5mm tray.

9.5mm BD drives are quite expensive.
The only model I know is Panasonic UJ-232A. I hear it does not burn DVD+DL disks.
Not sure if a combo BD drive exists at this time

[jyzz]

Originally Posted by blueyedsoul

Hey, sorry to necro this thread, but I'm interested to find out if you ever got a sata blu-ray burner for your laptop. I have the Gateway 7811fx and am looking at doing the same upgrade. Also, regarding the LG drive that was mentioned - if one bought that from the UK, but had it shipped to the US, wouldn't it have the wrong region coding?

As long as the drive is 12.7mm and uses SATA connection (best way is check your ODD model# under device manager), there are a few choices currently:

1) Panasonic UJ-230 / UJ-240 (suffix end with 2 are usually 9.5mm, end with 5 are slot load models)
2) LG GBW-T10N
3) Sony BD-5730
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118037
seems to be a new entry, readily available for on non ebay store which is a good option for some. Price is ~ok but probably not the greatest.