- #Using an external blu ray burner movie
- #Using an external blu ray burner upgrade
- #Using an external blu ray burner portable
- #Using an external blu ray burner android
- #Using an external blu ray burner software
We also ripped a copy of Pacific Rim using MakeMKV, software that converts the disc into an MKV file, which can then be watched using free software such as VLC media player. We tested each of the Blu-ray drives by ripping and burning Pacific Rim using ImgBurn and some Verbatim dual-layer Blu-rays and timing how long each process took. We tested the Buffalo MediaStation BDXL, the new Samsung SE-506CB Blu-ray drive, the Pioneer BDR-XD05, the Archgon MD-3107S, and the Samsung SE-218CB DVD drive (for people who don't care about Blu-rays). Then we chose four Blu-ray drives and one DVD-only drive to go head-to-head against our previous pick, the Samsung SE-506BB Blu-ray drive. Many external drives come with programs like CyberLink (for those who don’t want to hunt down free, often technically illegal alternatives). Our survey results were evenly split between people who prefer a faster but louder drive and those who want one that is slower and quieter.įew computers include Blu-ray playback software.
#Using an external blu ray burner movie
A lighter, more compact drive is easier to store when you’re not using it.Īll external disc drives make noise, but a drive shouldn’t drown out the movie or the show you’re trying to watch. Seventy-four percent of those surveyed use their external drive only at home, but size and weight are still important. We found that 14 percent of those surveyed need a Y-cable to power their drive, but, more important, 44 percent have no idea if they need one. Since they’re inexpensive on Amazon and most computers these days don’t require a Y-cable, this isn’t a requirement, but it is a perk. For these older machines, you’ll need a Y-cable that plugs into two USB ports to power the drive. Most computers provide enough power to run the drive off a single USB cable, but some older laptops (like the 2010 MacBook Air) don’t provide enough juice to a single port. The speed difference wasn’t enough to justify the price, however, so USB 3.0 is a bonus, not a requirement. In practice, however, the two USB 3.0 drives we tested were a little bit faster than their USB 2.0 counterparts. Theoretically, a 6X Blu-ray drive should need only a USB 2.0 connection, since it writes at a maximum of 27 megabytes per second, and USB 2.0 will reach about 35MB/s.
There are two components to the speed of an external drive: the drive’s read and write speeds, and the speed at which this data travels from the drive to the computer. Using this information, we came up with a set of criteria to decide which drive is best for most people.įor starters, it must read and write dual-layer DVDs and Blu-rays. Price is also an important factor: we found that most people want to spend as little as possible on an external Blu-ray drive (surprise), so we made sure to take price into serious consideration. People definitely prioritize speed the most size and weight came in second, closely followed by noise, and included software trailed all of these. We surveyed hundreds of Wirecutter readers to find out what people care most about in an external Blu-ray player.
#Using an external blu ray burner android
It’s possible to use an optical drive with an Android tablet, but it’s far more trouble than it’s worth. You also shouldn’t buy an external drive to use with a non-Windows tablet.
#Using an external blu ray burner portable
You shouldn’t buy one of these for a desktop computer that has room for an internal drive, because internal drives are generally faster and cheaper than portable options. If you're just trying to back up or transfer files, you should probably use a USB hard drive or flash drive instead. But if you have a laptop without a disc drive and would like to back up disc-based music and movies, or need a disc drive for work, you should pick up one of our recommendations. Thanks to streaming media services, cheap flash drives, and cloud storage, not everyone needs a laptop with a built-in disc drive these days. We also have a recommendation for DVD drives, if you don't care about Blu-ray.
#Using an external blu ray burner upgrade
If our main pick is unavailable, we also have a runner-up choice, plus an upgrade pick for those who want to max out on speed. Overall, it offers the best balance of price, features, and speed. Plus the drive has a helpful LED indicator on top to show when the Y-cable is needed, so you’ll never be left wondering if you need it or not. Unlike the other drives we considered, the Buffalo comes with a built-in Y-cable-a cord that some older laptops require to power external drives-which wraps around the enclosure when not in use, a user-friendly feature.
It’s the fastest one for less than $100, and it’s quieter than most of the others we tested. The $90 Buffalo MediaStation Portable BDXL Blu-ray Writer is the best external Blu-ray drive for most people to use with their computers-if you need one at all.
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