External Blu Ray Writers

[gamecockks]

I am looking to buy an external USB blu ray writer so that i can back up some of my movie collection. i already bought an incorrect one. it's just a reader and not a writer, so i have found three others that appear to be writers and i was wondering if anyone had any insight, recommendations or has a preference of the ones i am about to list. my only requirements are that it must be external, USB and preferably reasonably priced. thanks!

Asus USB 2.0 Slim External 6x Blu-Ray Writer SBW-06C1S-U $194.99

or

Sony Slim External Blu-Ray Rewriter 6x USB BDX-S500U $194.99

[mciahel]

Hi and Welcome!

if a slim drive is mandatory for you, then get the Sony since it comes with a PSU and therefore complies with the USB specs. The Asus is not USB 2.0 compliant.

The other option might be buying an internal “Half-Height” (i.e. Desktop) drive and put it into an external enclosure. Such a solution is more robust, but there is always hte risk of compatibility problems.

Michael

[gamecockks]

thanks! slimline isn’t mandatory, but i’d like to hold it to around $200.00. the other unit i looked at was a

Buffalo Technology MediaStation 6X Portable Blu-Ray Writer BR-PX68U2/BK $192.00

i bought a Plextor PX-B310U BD Combo Super Multi Drive only to find out it read blu ray but didn’t write it. ugh!

[gamecockks]

BTW… in looking at the Asus tech specs, it shows the following:

Technical Details
6X normal Blu-ray write speed
Ergonomic Design - BlueTuner software provides brightness adjustment - Space-saving design with a detachable stand
Magic Cinema Technology - Experience true to life 3D / HD video content - Transform 2D/DVD video contents to 3D/HD video instantly - Crisp audio for Dolby Digital EX and DTS-HD
[B]USB2.0[/B]
Disc Encryption for password protection

Is that incorrect?

[mciahel]

Yes, the Asus drive is connected via USB also, but it does not meet the requirements for USB 2.0 standard compliance.
I am pretty sure you do not like your USB ports being overloaded by 200%.

Michael

[gamecockks]

Thank you! Don’t understand all that…like how it would overload it and the dangers associated with it… how you determine if a unit is USB compliant… that sort of thing… but i’m glad you do and shared it with me.

[mciahel]

It’s rather easy. By specs, an USB port has to deliver 500mA @5V if demanded by the device. A slim optical drive needs typically up to 1500mA which is triple of the power an USB port has to deliver by spec.

What can happen due to this overload:

[ul]
[li]unreliable operation [/li][li]device does not work[/li][li]worst case: destruction of the USB port[/li][/ul]

The only way to get around this is to feed additional power by means of a separate power supply unit.
So, any external optical drive without additional power supply is violating the USB specs. You can not expect reliable operation from such a device.

Michael

[gamecockks]

That’s a great explanation! Thank u very much!

[mciahel]

You’re Welcome

Michael