Here are some of the low priced BLU-RAY and dual format computer drives

[HDTV1080P]

Most likely by the end of 2008 we will see BLU-RAY computer drives for at least $99.99 list price and dual format BLU-RAY/HD-DVD drives for under $199.99 list price. Of course standalone BLU-RAY players will hit $199.99 list price in 2008 most likely and dual format BLU-RAY/HD-DVD standalone players hitting the $499.99 list price toward the end of 2008.

Here are some of the low priced BLU-RAY and dual format computer drives that are currently available or soon to be released.

1. LiteOn DH-401S can be found for around $175 and will read BLU-RAY’s at up to 4X speed.
2. Soon the Sony BD-UX10S 2X BLU-RAY drive will be available for $199.99
3. The Pioneer BDC-2202B will read BLU-RAY discs at up to 5X speed and sales for around $250
4. The LG GGC-H20L dual format player will read BLU-RAY discs at 6X, HD-DVD at 3X, and DVD-ROM at 16X for around $288

[un4gvn94538]

excecllent. im looking for one for my new pc. what about recordable drives? any opinions about reliability?

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

excecllent. im looking for one for my new pc. what about recordable drives? any opinions about reliability?

Pioneer, Sony, and Plextor make good BLU-RAY burners. I prefer Pioneer drives since I have had less compatibility problems compared to other brands in the DVD world when burning DVD-ROM’s from various blank discs companies. I should mention at this time I do not own a BLU-RAY burner. The Sony BW-U200S for around $589 is also a good BLU-RAY burner. I know people that really like Plextor and their PX-B900A sales for around $891.

[Ian@CDRLabs]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Pioneer, Sony, and Plextor make good BLU-RAY burners. I prefer Pioneer drives since I have had less compatibility problems compared to other brands in the DVD world when burning DVD-ROM’s from various blank discs companies. I should mention at this time I do not own a BLU-RAY burner. The Sony BW-U200S for around $589 is also a good BLU-RAY burner. I know people that really like Plextor and their PX-B900A sales for around $891.

As much as I like Plextor's DVD writers, I gotta say that the PX-B900A is a rip off, especially when its nothing more than a rebadged Panasonic. Sony's are cheaper, but they too are rebadged Panasonics.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Can these burners read and write blu-ray movies for playback on Blu-ray players like the PS3?

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Blu-ray Fanatic

Can these burners read and write blu-ray movies for playback on Blu-ray players like the PS3?

If you want to create your own BLU-RAY home videos or other videos you can burn a BLU-RAY disc and play it in any BLU-RAY player that accepts BD-R or BD-RE’s. Some older BLU-RAY players only accept BD-R and will not play BD-RE discs.

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

If you want to create your own BLU-RAY home videos or other videos you can burn a BLU-RAY disc and play it in any BLU-RAY player that accepts BD-R or BD-RE’s. Some older BLU-RAY players only accept BD-R and will not play BD-RE discs.

It's a bit more complex than that, unfortunately.

First things first: a description of the different BD-RE (Blu-ray disc rewriteable) and BD-R (Blu-ray disc recordable) spec versions.

BD-RE 1.0 -- PDD -- The original "Blu-ray product", first released in 2003. These discs were encased in cartridges and aren't compatible with final Blu-ray products. The format is still used in certain professional equipment, though it has been redubbed Professional Data Disc (PDD).

BD-RE 2.0 and BD-R 1.0 -- BDAV Format -- Supports HD-Video and simple menus stored on BD-R/RE media

BD-RE 2.1 and BD-R 1.1 -- BDMV Format -- Supports HD-Video and full menu system/JAVA applications to be stored BD-R/RE media

BD-RE 3.0 and BD-R 2.0 -- BDMV Format with AACS support -- Supports HD-video and full menu system/JAVA applications to be stored on BD-R/RE media with AACS copy protection available

The physical discs used for BD-RE 2.1 and BD-RE 2.0 are the exact same, as are the BD-R 1.1 and BD-R 1.0 discs. The difference is in which mode the discs are recorded, BDMV or BDAV. Much has been made recently of certain set top players being unable to play the BDMV discs. The reason for this is that the newer AACS-supported spec has now been finalized, and for new players to be allowed to play BD-RE 2.1/BD-R 1.1 discs, they MUST also be able to playback BD-RE 3.0/BD-R 2.0 discs. What this means for users is that until and unless manufacturers put out firmware updates that allow those players to correctly handle the new media, they cannot allow the playback of the old media.

Currently, the PS3 has received the necessary update and can playback BDMV discs (again). Support on the various settop players is spotty. Some will play BDMV on both BD-R and BD-RE discs... some won't. Some properly support BDAV on both disc types... some don't. And soon, there will be new-speced discs out there that will work on some players... and not others. The PS3 (and hopefully at least the latest generation of BD players) should be able to handle any type of media with any type of recording mode. Unfortunately, support for all these types is optional, so player manufacturer's don't have to support playback of recordable media.

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Pioneer, Sony, and Plextor make good BLU-RAY burners. I prefer Pioneer drives since I have had less compatibility problems compared to other brands in the DVD world when burning DVD-ROM’s from various blank discs companies. I should mention at this time I do not own a BLU-RAY burner. The Sony BW-U200S for around $589 is also a good BLU-RAY burner. I know people that really like Plextor and their PX-B900A sales for around $891.

Is the Pioneer compatible with Mac?

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

Is the Pioneer compatible with Mac?

Yes the Pioneer BDR202 burner and just about every other BLU-RAY drive will work in a MAC.

QUOTE
“The BDR-202 is a SATA optical drive. It will work in the Mac Pro, but it will take some effort. It involves removing the front fan assembly, plugging in a right-angled SATA cable to the motherboard, routing it up into the optical drive bay. You also need a power cable adapter that will convert the old P1 power connector to a SATA power connector. Now, you just plug in these cables to your BluRay drive and it will work. “

http://www.videoguys.com/bdr202.html

[hrsimon]

[QUOTE=HDTV1080P;446401] Yes the Pioneer BDR202 burner and just about every other BLU-RAY drive will work in a MAC.


Is this statement being said from experience? I have yet to get a Plextor working in a MAC!

[HDTV1080P]

[quote=hrsimon;447105]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Yes the Pioneer BDR202 burner and just about every other BLU-RAY drive will work in a MAC.


Is this statement being said from experience? I have yet to get a Plextor working in a MAC!

I do not own a MAC but most optical drives will be detected by the Operating system once connected. Over at the MacMall store online they sale the Plextor BLU-RAY burner. All the BLU-RAY drives will work on a MAC if you are using Microsoft Windows with Intel processor. It is possible that some BLU-RAY drives will not work under the MAC operating system.

http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=7116634&Redir=1&description=Plexto r-PX-B900A%20Blu-ray%20Disc%20Drive-CD-ROM%20Drives

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by hrsimon

Is this statement being said from experience? I have yet to get a Plextor working in a MAC!

What is it you're trying to get the drive to do in a Mac? The drive itself should be recognized, and with the appropriate software you should be able to burn data. Currently, there's no software player for OSX, though, so you won't be able to playback Blu-ray movies, unless you have a system capable of running BootCamp and have the specs to run PowerDVD BD within Windows.

[imamoviefanatic]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Yes the Pioneer BDR202 burner and just about every other BLU-RAY drive will work in a MAC.

QUOTE
“The BDR-202 is a SATA optical drive. It will work in the Mac Pro, but it will take some effort. It involves removing the front fan assembly, plugging in a right-angled SATA cable to the motherboard, routing it up into the optical drive bay. You also need a power cable adapter that will convert the old P1 power connector to a SATA power connector. Now, you just plug in these cables to your BluRay drive and it will work. “

http://www.videoguys.com/bdr202.html

Well is it optional to use an external one and connect that to the mac instead? Sorry this is probably a dumb question, haha.

[maxmcleod]

Don't bother with the liteon drive
After buying it, it works fine for most movies, but when I threw spiderman 3, terminator 3 and ratatouille at it, it froze up and refused to play.
Liteon commented back when questioned about it, that they do not have the proper firmware to support those movies, and its uncertain when it will be available...
SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY ON A GOOD DRIVE