What computer upgrades do I need to play Blu-Ray discs? - Blu-ray Forum

hbenthow · 03-17-2013, 05:51 PM

I know that I need to get a Blu-Ray drive (my computer currently only has a DVD/CD drive), but I don't know what other upgrades my computer needs in order to be able to play Blu-Ray discs. I have tested my computer's ability to play HD video by playing some HD video files on it with VLC Media Player. 720p video plays very well, but 1080p video almost always is very jerky and usually gets stuck (the audio track keeps on playing, but the video is frozen). So, it appears that even with a BLu-Ray drive, my computer couldn't play Blu-Ray discs, at least not satisfactorily. I need to know what I need to upgrade my computer with.

Here are my computer's specs:

Emachines EL1210

2GB RAM

AMD Athlon 64 LE-1620 CPU

156GB Internal Hard Drive, 1TB External Hard Drive

KM-718 (1152x864@60Hz) 256MB GeForce 9200 (Acer Incorporated [ALI]) Graphics Card

Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit SP2

Does anyone know what I need (other than a BLu-Ray drive) in order to give my computer Blu-Ray playing capabilities?

PenguinMaster · 03-18-2013, 07:51 AM

I'd suggest a 2.0 ghz or higher dual core processor.

Also is that an integrated video card? You'll probably have to upgrade that too.

BLindsay · 03-18-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

I'd suggest a 2.0 ghz or higher dual core processor.

Also is that an integrated video card? You'll probably have to upgrade that too.

With a good video card it should offload almost all the work off the cpu.

hbenthow · 03-18-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenguinMaster

I'd suggest a 2.0 ghz or higher dual core processor.

How much would such a processor generally cost? Is it possible to change it without losing any of the data stored in the computer's hard drive?

Quote:

Also is that an integrated video card? You'll probably have to upgrade that too.

I'm not sure. How can you tell?

hbenthow · 03-18-2013, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLindsay

With a good video card it should offload almost all the work off the cpu.

So, if I were to upgrade to a better video card, it would make a processor upgrade unnecessary?

Do you know of a good video card that would be compatible with my computer?

BLindsay · 03-18-2013, 04:54 PM

Something like this would work

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121439

I would make sure your monitor is HDCP compliant though.

hbenthow · 03-18-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLindsay

I would make sure your monitor is HDCP compliant though.

I'm not quite sure, but I'm pretty sure it's not. It's a CRT monitor, about 10 years old.

BLindsay · 03-18-2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbenthow

I'm not quite sure, but I'm pretty sure it's not. It's a CRT monitor, about 10 years old.

Without circumventing HDCP which I think might be against the forum rules, not sure, it probably wont work with that monitor

hbenthow · 03-18-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLindsay

Without circumventing HDCP which I think might be against the forum rules, not sure, it probably wont work with that monitor

So HDCP is some sort of copy protection or something of that sort?

BLindsay · 03-19-2013, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbenthow

So HDCP is some sort of copy protection or something of that sort?

exactly

hbenthow · 03-19-2013, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLindsay

exactly

So it's impossible to play Blu-Rays on a computer that doesn't have a HDCP compatible monitor?

BLindsay · 03-19-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbenthow

So it's impossible to play Blu-Rays on a computer that doesn't have a HDCP compatible monitor?

Without bypassing the copy protection that's correct. (I don't believe we can discuss bypassing it here either)

Midnight Rambler · 03-19-2013, 12:43 PM

If you want a new CPU, you'll need a new motherboard. And you'll likely need new RAM to go with that. Add in the cost for a new video card, plus the Blu-ray drive, and you're more than half way (or more) towards the cost of a whole new PC.

hbenthow · 03-19-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnight Rambler

If you want a new CPU, you'll need a new motherboard. And you'll likely need new RAM to go with that. Add in the cost for a new video card, plus the Blu-ray drive, and you're more than half way (or more) towards the cost of a whole new PC.

That's what I was afraid of. Considering that my computer (not counting the monitor) cost $200, all of that would probably wind up costing even more than I paid for it.

josuv22 · 03-21-2013, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbenthow

That's what I was afraid of. Considering that my computer (not counting the monitor) cost $200, all of that would probably wind up costing even more than I paid for it.

have you a limit on what you want to spend, don't forgot you will also need to buy playback software, my bd drive came with a free oem powerdvd9 which played some disk but not all due lack of updates, but was able to upgrade to powerdvd12 ultra via it for about 30 euro,

hbenthow · 03-21-2013, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josuv22

have you a limit on what you want to spend, don't forgot you will also need to buy playback software, my bd drive came with a free oem powerdvd9 which played some disk but not all due lack of updates, but was able to upgrade to powerdvd12 ultra via it for about 30 euro,

Well, I was thinking in the range of $100, maybe up to $150.

jessicamabuly · 03-21-2013, 06:48 AM

As for the CPU, Intel Core2 Duo 2.4GHz processor or equivalent AMD Athlon™ processor or higher recommended from all the Blu-ray software developers.

Most of the Windows Blu-ray playback software comply with the HDCP protection, that means you can not playback Blu-ray without the DVI/HDMI output configuration. But some new released Blu-ray software can ignore the HDCP protection with some quality lost. So that you can enjoy Blu-rays with any of your output devices. What's more, the Blu-ray drive(USB 2.0/Firewire 400 or above) is also necessary.

I check you are using the CRT monitor. If you had the Blu-ray, i suggest you to test these tools first. As all of them offers the free trial.

As for your older monitor, i first suggest you this:
1. http://download.chip.eu/en/Aurora-Bl...181028192.html
Then others:
2. PowerDVD, Arcsoft Total Media Theatre, WinDVD, etc.

hbenthow · 03-21-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessicamabuly

As for the CPU, Intel Core2 Duo 2.4GHz processor or equivalent AMD Athlon™ processor or higher recommended from all the Blu-ray software developers.

Most of the Windows Blu-ray playback software comply with the HDCP protection, that means you can not playback Blu-ray without the DVI/HDMI output configuration. But some new released Blu-ray software can ignore the HDCP protection with some quality lost. So that you can enjoy Blu-rays with any of your output devices. What's more, the Blu-ray drive(USB 2.0/Firewire 400 or above) is also necessary.

I check you are using the CRT monitor. If you had the Blu-ray, i suggest you to test these tools first. As all of them offers the free trial.

As for your older monitor, i first suggest you this:
1. http://download.chip.eu/en/Aurora-Bl...181028192.html
Then others:
2. PowerDVD, Arcsoft Total Media Theatre, WinDVD, etc.

Thanks for the information. It sounds like one of those programs might work.

My processor is an AMD Athlon 64 LE-1620, which is 2.4 GHz, but only single-core. Is a dual-core processor necessary? And if so, would it be possible to upgrade the processor without replacing the whole motherboard or losing any of the data on my hard drive?

laie_techie · 03-22-2013, 07:57 PM

If you want to change CPU chips, you will most likely need to replace your motherboard, and quite possibly your RAM. As for the CPU / motherboard, you must check the socket. You will be able to use the same hard drive. If Windows detects too large a change in your configuration, it will assume it's a different computer and require you to reactivate.

The AMD Athlon 64 LE-1620 uses the AM2 socket. NewEgg has 6 dual or quad core processors (ranging from 55 to 130 dollars) which use this same socket.

Multi-core processors allow for multiple threads to run at the same time.

Since you have a 32-bit version of Windows, I recommend maxing out your RAM at 4GB.

Most video cards I've seen allow for lower resolutions to be played HDCP-free using VGA / eVGA cables (eg. not DVI or HDMI).

hbenthow · 03-22-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laie_techie

If you want to change CPU chips, you will most likely need to replace your motherboard, and quite possibly your RAM. As for the CPU / motherboard, you must check the socket. You will be able to use the same hard drive. If Windows detects too large a change in your configuration, it will assume it's a different computer and require you to reactivate.

The AMD Athlon 64 LE-1620 uses the AM2 socket. NewEgg has 6 dual or quad core processors (ranging from 55 to 130 dollars) which use this same socket.

Multi-core processors allow for multiple threads to run at the same time.

Since you have a 32-bit version of Windows, I recommend maxing out your RAM at 4GB.

Most video cards I've seen allow for lower resolutions to be played HDCP-free using VGA / eVGA cables (eg. not DVI or HDMI).

Thanks for the information.

03-17-2013, 05:51 PM	#1
hbenthow Active Member Member since:Dec 2012 Location:Mississippi 4K collection:28 Blu-ray collection:580 Trading Score:1	What computer upgrades do I need to play Blu-Ray discs? I know that I need to get a Blu-Ray drive (my computer currently only has a DVD/CD drive), but I don't know what other upgrades my computer needs in order to be able to play Blu-Ray discs. I have tested my computer's ability to play HD video by playing some HD video files on it with VLC Media Player. 720p video plays very well, but 1080p video almost always is very jerky and usually gets stuck (the audio track keeps on playing, but the video is frozen). So, it appears that even with a BLu-Ray drive, my computer couldn't play Blu-Ray discs, at least not satisfactorily. I need to know what I need to upgrade my computer with. Here are my computer's specs: Emachines EL1210 2GB RAM AMD Athlon 64 LE-1620 CPU 156GB Internal Hard Drive, 1TB External Hard Drive KM-718 (1152x864@60Hz) 256MB GeForce 9200 (Acer Incorporated [ALI]) Graphics Card Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit SP2 Does anyone know what I need (other than a BLu-Ray drive) in order to give my computer Blu-Ray playing capabilities?

03-18-2013, 07:51 AM	#2
PenguinMaster Banned Top contributor Member since:May 2009 Blu-ray collection:1800 DVD collection:380	I'd suggest a 2.0 ghz or higher dual core processor. Also is that an integrated video card? You'll probably have to upgrade that too.

03-18-2013, 04:54 PM	#6
BLindsay Power Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:MA Home Theater Gallery:59 4K collection:9 Blu-ray collection:25 Trading Score:12	Something like this would work http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121439 I would make sure your monitor is HDCP compliant though.

03-19-2013, 12:43 PM	#13
Midnight Rambler Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2011 Location:OH-IO Home Theater Gallery:2 4K collection:11 Blu-ray collection:949 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:13	If you want a new CPU, you'll need a new motherboard. And you'll likely need new RAM to go with that. Add in the cost for a new video card, plus the Blu-ray drive, and you're more than half way (or more) towards the cost of a whole new PC.

03-21-2013, 06:48 AM	#17
jessicamabuly Banned Member since:Sep 2012	As for the CPU, Intel Core2 Duo 2.4GHz processor or equivalent AMD Athlon™ processor or higher recommended from all the Blu-ray software developers. Most of the Windows Blu-ray playback software comply with the HDCP protection, that means you can not playback Blu-ray without the DVI/HDMI output configuration. But some new released Blu-ray software can ignore the HDCP protection with some quality lost. So that you can enjoy Blu-rays with any of your output devices. What's more, the Blu-ray drive(USB 2.0/Firewire 400 or above) is also necessary. I check you are using the CRT monitor. If you had the Blu-ray, i suggest you to test these tools first. As all of them offers the free trial. As for your older monitor, i first suggest you this: 1. http://download.chip.eu/en/Aurora-Bl...181028192.html Then others: 2. PowerDVD, Arcsoft Total Media Theatre, WinDVD, etc.

03-22-2013, 07:57 PM	#19
laie_techie Active Member Top contributor Member since:May 2009 Location:Happy Valley, Utah Home Theater Gallery:1 Blu-ray collection:270 DVD collection:159 Blu-ray reviews: 1	If you want to change CPU chips, you will most likely need to replace your motherboard, and quite possibly your RAM. As for the CPU / motherboard, you must check the socket. You will be able to use the same hard drive. If Windows detects too large a change in your configuration, it will assume it's a different computer and require you to reactivate. The AMD Athlon 64 LE-1620 uses the AM2 socket. NewEgg has 6 dual or quad core processors (ranging from 55 to 130 dollars) which use this same socket. Multi-core processors allow for multiple threads to run at the same time. Since you have a 32-bit version of Windows, I recommend maxing out your RAM at 4GB. Most video cards I've seen allow for lower resolutions to be played HDCP-free using VGA / eVGA cables (eg. not DVI or HDMI).

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