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