Best Blu-ray Drive for PC

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by Ian@CDRLabs

I got word from LG today that the GGW-H20L's MSRP will be only $399. This is the drive that reads/writes Blu-ray and reads HD DVD. It should show up at Best Buy and Fry's soon.

Even when it was new, that Plextor was retardedly over priced. I like most Plextor drives, but you're paying $600-$700 just for the brand name and tech support.

MSRP of only $399 -- wow! That is VERY impressive -- hopefully everyone else drops their prices to that level, too.

Originally Posted by ESUNintel

I agree, I also got a Plextor DVD drive, and it is the best drive I have ever used. But over $1000 for a BD drive is pretty high though. ...I'm sure it's worth it though.

The difference is that Plextor actually made most of those FANTASTIC DVD burners (back in the day). The Blu-ray burner is just a rebadged Panasonic.

[Ian@CDRLabs]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

The difference is that Plextor actually made most of those FANTASTIC DVD burners (back in the day). The Blu-ray burner is just a rebadged Panasonic.

All of the drives they currently offer are rebadged. The last original design was the 755/760, which was retired. Now if you buy a Plextor, you're getting a Pioneer, LG, etc.

[ESUNintel]

So what everyone is saying is that Plextor no longer makes their own technology? What's the bennefit of paying a lot more than?

[tron3]

Anyone remember those Radio Shack "Realistic" handheld portable TV's? Except for the name, they look EXACTLY like the Casio model. So, guess who makes them? Maybe not even Casio...

Rebranding is nothing new. It is often done for various reasons, such as wanting to build a "brand name" recognition to create more market penetration and trust.

Now I doubt we will see "Wally World" TV;s because they are retailers. But if you are in the world of electronics, you want to be known for SOMETHING.

[Ian@CDRLabs]

Originally Posted by ESUNintel

So what everyone is saying is that Plextor no longer makes their own technology? What's the bennefit of paying a lot more than?

That's exactly what they're saying. Plextor's tech support and warranty is still hard to beat, but its hard to justify paying twice as much for the same drive from the original manufacturer.

[Ispoke]

Originally Posted by Ian@CDRLabs

...Right now, my favorite Blu-ray drives are the LG GGC-H20L and GGW-H20L. They're still a bit hard to find, but their performance is awesome.

Ian thanks for the information, very helpfull as I am also looking at getting a drive. I note on Play.com Link they have the GGW-H20L for £189.99 which seems a great price.

Here's the dumb question, are drives region locked? I am in the UK and currently have both region A & B disc's.

[Ian@CDRLabs]

Originally Posted by Ispoke

Here's the dumb question, are drives region locked? I am in the UK and currently have both region A & B disc's.

Yes, but this can be easily bypassed using something like AnyDVD.

[Ispoke]

Thanks for the confirmtion, ordered

[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?

[Gigantic-Girth]

I wouldn't bother getting a BluRay drive for a pc until prices dropped significantly.

For the price you are looking at, you might as well get a PS3, get 5 free movies + spiderman3 which comes in the box. You can use the PS3 to play games, browse the internet, download demos, play movies and listen to music.

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by Gigantic-Girth

I wouldn't bother getting a BluRay drive for a pc until prices dropped significantly.

For the price you are looking at, you might as well get a PS3, get 5 free movies + spiderman3 which comes in the box. You can use the PS3 to play games, browse the internet, download demos, play movies and listen to music.

But can the PS3 burn Blu-ray Discs?

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by dadkins

But can the PS3 burn Blu-ray Discs?

no, thats why im looking for a player/burner for the computer in the bedroom and use it as a second player.

[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?

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

more work than doing with a reg dvd?

MUCH more work. Going from DVD to DVD is easy. Converting an HD DVD to a BD is in a whole other league. You're more likely to throw your PC out the window than getting a playable disc... and since BD-R's start at about $10 a pop it's not exactly cost effective either.

[jc 12]

Hello everyone I am new to the blu-ray scene. My problem is that I cannot update to play newer movies. I have cyberlink 7, it is running on an alienware hanger 18 with vista premium. It will play older Blu-rays like tears of the sun, but every time I put in a newer movie like Diehard 4 it asks me to install a new update. I click the yes button and nothing happens or the app crashes. Am I doing anything wrong? Is there something I am missing?Do I need to upgrade to ultra addition to be able to install newer updates?? I am really irrated with this. Any help would be a godsend thanks.