

- #External blu ray reader writer for pc how to
- #External blu ray reader writer for pc movie
- #External blu ray reader writer for pc archive
- #External blu ray reader writer for pc code
At the top end of the spectrum, the most dependable external models will run you just over $100. The cheapest worthwhile Blu-ray drives for PC cost about $50 and are meant for installation in a desktop PC case. How much you can expect to spend on Blu-ray player for PC However, the vast majority of PC Blu-ray drives do. Very few home theater Blu-ray players offer any kind of writing or copying function.
#External blu ray reader writer for pc archive
If you want to archive large amounts of personal or professional data, you need a Blu-ray writer. The alternative is an internal Blu-ray drive, which requires a 5.25-inch bay and free SATA connector just like hard drives and early solid-state drives use. internal drivesĮxternal Blu-ray drives with USB connectors are the most common, and if you’ll be using the drive with a laptop, a USB model is a must-have. What to look for in a quality Blu-ray player for PC USB vs. Blu-ray discs and particularly M-Disc storage are especially useful when you need to store multiple copies of sensitive data to ensure redundancy. Furthermore, there’s a storage-specific standard called M-Disc that claims a lifespan of roughly 1,000 years, although there’s obviously no way to prove that.Īll this is to say that if you need to store a lot of data, several volumes of Blu-ray discs may be able to help. Plus, since their recording surface is made from different materials than those of CDs and CD-Rs, Blu-ray discs can theoretically last many more years before their data starts to degrade. Blu-rays are also great for storageĪ single-layer Blu-ray disc can hold 25 gigabytes, while other varieties can accommodate two or four times that much data. Luckily, a large number of today’s PC Blu-ray players have 4K-ready firmware updates available.
#External blu ray reader writer for pc how to
To figure out how to get your particular Blu-ray drive up and running with 4K content, you’ll have to do a search for the specific model number, as every drive has a different firmware patch.

Nonetheless, with countless classics archived on copy-protected Blu-rays, clever enthusiasts have developed a wide range of firmware flashes and open-source media players that, when combined, do a great job of getting 4K data from a DRM-laden Blu-ray onto your hard drive or PC monitor. This has affected some legally purchased discs. Decryption methods that once worked swimmingly were ultimately found out, and manufacturers released firmware updates to further prevent users from making illicit copies of Blu-ray discs.

In the case of viewing 4K Blu-rays, things are a little different. Normally, newer firmware means a device will work better.
#External blu ray reader writer for pc code
That code tells the device how to function from its most basic level (e.g., how to power on) all the way to how to communicate with a host PC (for example, how to send a decoded video signal to the graphics output). Firmware matters, but not the way you thinkįirmware is the code written to tiny flash memory drives located inside most consumer electronics. Because of these copy protection methods, it’s anything but straightforward to use a PC Blu-ray drive to watch a 4K Blu-ray.
#External blu ray reader writer for pc movie
The movie industry uses various forms of encryption and digital rights management to keep unscrupulous users from backing up (also known as ripping) Blu-ray releases and selling them for profit. What to know before you buy a Blu-ray player for PC 4K Blu-rays may not be easy to watch The best Blu-ray player for most PC users is the OWC Mercury Pro, due to its high speed, impressive reliability and compatibility with 4K content. If you want to play your Blu-ray collection or use Blu-ray discs to back up large amounts of data, it’s worth considering a Blu-ray drive for your PC. Plus, streaming services simply don’t provide access to every bit of media that was once available on optical discs, especially old and obscure content. If you already own a movie or TV series on Blu-ray, there’s no reason to pay or use the internet bandwidth to play it. Despite the popularity of online streaming services, Blu-ray discs still have some things to offer.
