Which Blu-ray Drive Should I Get? - Blu-ray Forum

fourplows · 05-30-2008, 01:47 PM

I am in the process of doing research on building a HTPC. I have a computer that is capable, but I need to decide what blu-ray drive to purchase. I do not require burning capability, just reading. There are several drives available, and with any of them, there is no shortage of both glowing reviews as well as complaints. Here are my questions:

Which drive model do you recommend? There seem to be some pro's and con's associated with each of them, but basically I just want a drive that works properly when I put a blu-ray disk in it. I don't really care what it costs (within reason of course), I just want it to work.

What software will I need (or what do you recommend) to play the blu-ray discs? A couple of the drives that I looked at come with a version of PowerDVD, but reviews on Newegg indicate that the included software does not support surround sound output. Is that true?

I am looking at buying a good quality 37" 1080p lcd tv. I am wondering if anyone has experience using one of these as a primary computer screen. Would I be satisfied using that tv not only for movies, but also for internet browsing, gaming, typing, etc? My concern is that it might lack the sharpness and clarity desired for a computer screen since TV's do not generally require a picture quality as high as a computer monitor.

Any input or advice would be great. Thanks.

Sirandar · 05-30-2008, 05:09 PM

I have only tried 2, a pioneer one which I returned to the store and the LG GCC H20L which I kept.

At the time I purchased the pioneer drive took a very long time to load blu-ray disks and about 8x longer than normal to load standard DVD (which is why I returned it). The LG drive was much faster and had a normal load time for standard DVD on the exact same system with the same player software.

Remember, chances are the OEM versions you get with the drive will be non-functional or al least crippled which adds up to 100$ to the price.

Although the picture is much better on a 24+ inch monitor, there isn't very many HD titles yet and the cost is high for the software, player and movies.

Unless there is something you have to see ...... wait

Sirandar · 05-30-2008, 05:10 PM

I have only tried 2, a pioneer one which I returned to the store and the LG GCC H20L which I kept.

At the time I purchased the pioneer drive took a very long time to load blu-ray disks and about 8x longer than normal to load standard DVD (which is why I returned it). The LG drive was much faster and had a normal load time for standard DVD on the exact same system with the same player software. Pioneer may have adressed this issue by now.

Remember, chances are the OEM versions you get with the drive will be non-functional or al least crippled which adds up to 100$ to the price.

Although the picture is much better on a 24+ inch monitor, there isn't very many HD titles yet and the cost is high for the software, player and movies.

Unless there is something you have to see ...... wait

Chevypower · 05-30-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourplows

I am looking at buying a good quality 37" 1080p lcd tv. I am wondering if anyone has experience using one of these as a primary computer screen. Would I be satisfied using that tv not only for movies, but also for internet browsing, gaming, typing, etc? My concern is that it might lack the sharpness and clarity desired for a computer screen since TV's do not generally require a picture quality as high as a computer monitor.

Any input or advice would be great. Thanks.

We are using the 32XBR6 for our Macbook Pros (half the price of the Apple 30inch), and has all the internal TV functions, HDMI etc, it is fantastic. We have the 37inch XBR6 also on order (it is coming out soon) because we are so impressed with the 32. You will be more than impressed with that TV for your computer, watching movies....everything. The picture has a higher resolution than the standard Mac monitor which is 900x1440. The XBR6 is 1080x1920

UPDATE, the 37XBR6 appears to be available now.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665406616

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Bravia-KD...2170137&sr=8-1

un4gvn94538 · 05-30-2008, 05:51 PM

only had one issue with the oem software and was fixed with an update

Ian@CDRLabs · 05-30-2008, 07:00 PM

If you're only going to use it to play BD's and DVD's, the Lite-On DH-4O1S is a good option. If you want to burn CD's and DVD's as well as play BD's, the LG GGC-H20L is probably your best choice.

prerich · 05-30-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian@CDRLabs

If you're only going to use it to play BD's and DVD's, the Lite-On DH-4O1S is a good option. If you want to burn CD's and DVD's as well as play BD's, the LG GGC-H20L is probably your best choice.

+1 about the Lite-On recommendation

Mine hasn't given me a problem yet!!! You can find them for about $129.00 -$159.00

pseudomaniac · 05-30-2008, 10:07 PM

+1 for Lite-on. I just grabbed the cheapest BD drive on newegg at the time and rolled the dice. In general, I think BD is too slow - is it worth another $80 for 2 seconds of load time? U decide.

I use my Bravia 46" 1080p for the HTPC monitor. At 1920x1080 (1080p) - it's vivid, and pleasant on the eyes - but realistically - I have outstanding eyesight (20/15 20/20 and I'm only 30 so no bifocals...lol) and I couldn't use this as a primary PC monitor from the couch.

Don't skimp on a good wireless keyboard and mouse - and bluetooth is preferrable.

You might kick the res down to 1440x900 or lower and make it more eye-friendly, but the prettyness fades a bit.

Movies and pictures look outstanding though.

w_tanoto · 05-30-2008, 10:50 PM

pioneer and LG is quite a good one, but if you're fanatic with sony, consider Optiarc drive (a joint venture between sony and NEC).
it has only BD-ROM though, without writing capability.

Some people from optical disc world tells me to avoid Matshita/Panasonic, because the region coding for DVD can't be bypassed - which is true.

Surprisingly, NEC was creator of HD DVD.

Ian@CDRLabs · 06-01-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

Some people from optical disc world tells me to avoid Matshita/Panasonic, because the region coding for DVD can't be bypassed - which is true.

Not even with software like AnyDVD?

w_tanoto · 06-01-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian@CDRLabs

Not even with software like AnyDVD?

oh, come on. you're from CDRLabs. you should know this thing..

I have HL and toshiba drive. They're working fine with anyDVD. not my matshita BD drive though. AnyDVD can bypass the region coding for BD, but not DVD

Dave · 06-01-2008, 07:33 PM

I am waiting from something from NEC but i have experience with teh Lite-On and it is good.

Also i think it will be awesome if LG drop the hd dud part and decrease the price on their insanely cheap burner which is DL!

Ian@CDRLabs · 06-04-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w_tanoto

oh, come on. you're from CDRLabs. you should know this thing..

lol.. I own one Panasonic drive and I never use it.

Obiit · 06-04-2008, 10:08 AM

I use a Pioneer BDC202 and it's very good. I do believe it has problems with the AMD 690 chipset though.

w_tanoto · 06-06-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian@CDRLabs

lol.. I own one Panasonic drive and I never use it.

then trust me. even slysoft themselves admitted that there is no other way round for panasonic drives to get rid of dvd region coding. blu-ray coding is easily fooled even without using anydvd

05-30-2008, 01:47 PM	#1
fourplows New Member Member since:May 2008	Which Blu-ray Drive Should I Get? I am in the process of doing research on building a HTPC. I have a computer that is capable, but I need to decide what blu-ray drive to purchase. I do not require burning capability, just reading. There are several drives available, and with any of them, there is no shortage of both glowing reviews as well as complaints. Here are my questions: Which drive model do you recommend? There seem to be some pro's and con's associated with each of them, but basically I just want a drive that works properly when I put a blu-ray disk in it. I don't really care what it costs (within reason of course), I just want it to work. What software will I need (or what do you recommend) to play the blu-ray discs? A couple of the drives that I looked at come with a version of PowerDVD, but reviews on Newegg indicate that the included software does not support surround sound output. Is that true? I am looking at buying a good quality 37" 1080p lcd tv. I am wondering if anyone has experience using one of these as a primary computer screen. Would I be satisfied using that tv not only for movies, but also for internet browsing, gaming, typing, etc? My concern is that it might lack the sharpness and clarity desired for a computer screen since TV's do not generally require a picture quality as high as a computer monitor. Any input or advice would be great. Thanks.

05-30-2008, 05:09 PM	#2
Sirandar Member Member since:May 2008	Lg Gcc H20l I have only tried 2, a pioneer one which I returned to the store and the LG GCC H20L which I kept. At the time I purchased the pioneer drive took a very long time to load blu-ray disks and about 8x longer than normal to load standard DVD (which is why I returned it). The LG drive was much faster and had a normal load time for standard DVD on the exact same system with the same player software. Remember, chances are the OEM versions you get with the drive will be non-functional or al least crippled which adds up to 100$ to the price. Although the picture is much better on a 24+ inch monitor, there isn't very many HD titles yet and the cost is high for the software, player and movies. Unless there is something you have to see ...... wait

05-30-2008, 05:10 PM	#3
Sirandar Member Member since:May 2008	Lg Gcc H20l I have only tried 2, a pioneer one which I returned to the store and the LG GCC H20L which I kept. At the time I purchased the pioneer drive took a very long time to load blu-ray disks and about 8x longer than normal to load standard DVD (which is why I returned it). The LG drive was much faster and had a normal load time for standard DVD on the exact same system with the same player software. Pioneer may have adressed this issue by now. Remember, chances are the OEM versions you get with the drive will be non-functional or al least crippled which adds up to 100$ to the price. Although the picture is much better on a 24+ inch monitor, there isn't very many HD titles yet and the cost is high for the software, player and movies. Unless there is something you have to see ...... wait

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05-30-2008, 05:51 PM	#5
un4gvn94538 Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Limbo (Bakersfield, Ca.) 4K collection:143 Blu-ray collection:811 DVD collection:54 Digital collection:1494 Trading Score:277	only had one issue with the oem software and was fixed with an update

05-30-2008, 07:00 PM	#6
Ian@CDRLabs Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Madison, WI	If you're only going to use it to play BD's and DVD's, the Lite-On DH-4O1S is a good option. If you want to burn CD's and DVD's as well as play BD's, the LG GGC-H20L is probably your best choice.

05-30-2008, 10:07 PM	#8
pseudomaniac Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Cincinnati	+1 for Lite-on. I just grabbed the cheapest BD drive on newegg at the time and rolled the dice. In general, I think BD is too slow - is it worth another $80 for 2 seconds of load time? U decide. I use my Bravia 46" 1080p for the HTPC monitor. At 1920x1080 (1080p) - it's vivid, and pleasant on the eyes - but realistically - I have outstanding eyesight (20/15 20/20 and I'm only 30 so no bifocals...lol) and I couldn't use this as a primary PC monitor from the couch. Don't skimp on a good wireless keyboard and mouse - and bluetooth is preferrable. You might kick the res down to 1440x900 or lower and make it more eye-friendly, but the prettyness fades a bit. Movies and pictures look outstanding though.

05-30-2008, 10:50 PM	#9
w_tanoto Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Hatfield, UK / Jakarta, Indonesia Blu-ray collection:37 Blu-ray reviews:47	pioneer and LG is quite a good one, but if you're fanatic with sony, consider Optiarc drive (a joint venture between sony and NEC). it has only BD-ROM though, without writing capability. Some people from optical disc world tells me to avoid Matshita/Panasonic, because the region coding for DVD can't be bypassed - which is true. Surprisingly, NEC was creator of HD DVD.

06-01-2008, 07:33 PM	#12
Dave Expert Member Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Somewhere	I am waiting from something from NEC but i have experience with teh Lite-On and it is good. Also i think it will be awesome if LG drop the hd dud part and decrease the price on their insanely cheap burner which is DL!

06-04-2008, 10:08 AM	#14
Obiit Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Oldham, UK Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray reviews:1	I use a Pioneer BDC202 and it's very good. I do believe it has problems with the AMD 690 chipset though.

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