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.

[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!!!!!

[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

[ManhattanJeff]

Thanks for the info about the UJ-232A. You're right about the high price: about $400 at a "discount." I may wait for the price to come down, or for a competitive burner if one is released.

I purchased the ASUS laptop anyway. It's great, even without blu-ray yet.

One stupid question: if I want to confirm that the existing drive is 9.5mm, which measurement is that? The width of the burner?

Does anyone know of any other 9.5mm models? I couldn't find one in a Google search.

Originally Posted by jyzz

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 ManhattanJeff

I purchased the ASUS laptop anyway. It's great, even without blu-ray yet.

One stupid question: if I want to confirm that the existing drive is 9.5mm, which measurement is that? The width of the burner?

1) 9.5mm and 12.7mm pertains to the height (thickness) of the slim ODD unit.
they are pretty much industry standards, only those 2 types. (in addition to the JAE-50 and mini-SATA interfaces differences quoted in another thread)

2) UL80Vt is an excellent laptop with a good combination of battery life and reasonable 3d performance. the 9.5mm burner WILL get cheaper, probably in 2yrs time. Meanwhile, why don't you get a $150 UJ-220 / GBW-T10N and fit it with a $10 USB enclosure (requires 2 usb connection for power)?

[Sunny201]

If I have an eSATA port on my laptop what would be the best option, to replace the laptop BD-ROM drive with a BD-R drive, or get an internal BD-R drive and put it in an eSATA case? Thanks for the help and sorry for hijacking this thread but im new and cant create a thread.