Best Internal Blu-Ray Drive?

Posted by Doctorus48@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 9 comments

Hi, I'm slowly resorting back to physical media for both audio & video, and was wondering which Blu Ray Drive is best for reading Blu Rays and CD, but can also rip CDs too?

[-]

MythicalJester@reddit

If you don't plan on ripping UHD 4K Blu-ray discs, get the cheapest one you can find.

[-]

Doctorus48@reddit (OP)

This one from ASUS is the cheapest/affordable one I can find. I don't plan on ripping blu-ray discs but I do intend to watch them from time to time.

I do, however, plan on ripping CDs. The main reason why is so I can put them in my phone and have my own little library of music that I can listen to, on the go & offline.

[-]

MythicalJester@reddit

Please keep in mind that watching UHD 4K will require a "UHD Friendly" drive anyway, which you can purchase pre-flashed or you can flash yourself if you like to live your life at the edge.

"Normal" Blu-ray discs are fine on whatever drive.

[-]

Brands like Hitachi, LG, Pioneer and Asus are generally good options. A lot of Blu-ray drives will also be capable of ripping CDs. I've been using this drive for a couple of years: Hitachi-LG Super Multi Blu-ray Writer BH16NS40 which is a 5.25 inch size for PC towers that still have a 5.25 inch bay. However, I have successfully used this with an external power and USB adapter, like this: external USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter with 12V DC power.

Of course, you could just get a slim external optical drive instead. Just make sure that whichever optical drive that you're looking at can read Blu-ray, DVD and CDs. Look at the Tech specs listed on the product page for these features, similar to what's on the LG-Hitachi one, and make sure that whatever site your buying from lists the model number for the drive to make sure it matches the one you want to get.

For ripping CDs, if you're on Windows 11 then the Media Player App won't allow for ripping CDs or syncing ripped music to digital audio players/ MP3 players. What you'd need is something like the older Windows Media Player Legacy, which will give you that functionality. on Windows 11 you can find it in Settings-System-Optional Features-View Features-Type in the legacy player into the search bar-Install.

You will also need software to watch Blu-rays on. There are many available though, so you can have a look and see what suits you.

[-]

Doctorus48@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your answer, I'm currently looking at this Blu-Ray drive from Asus which reads DVD, CD and BluRay. So I might get this one!

As for ripping CDs, I have dbpoweramp for that. It's a lot more intuitive than Media Player and it accurately stores info like Album Art, Track Info a lot better.

Thanks once again!

[-]

AMPCgame@reddit

No problem, it looks like a decent drive.

[-]

SuperZapper_Recharge@reddit

I am happy using the LG WH16NS40 drive.

I attach it to the PC VIA a snap on back SATA to USB-C adapter on the back.

I own 5, I find that 3 is the magic number. If I run 4 at a time stuff gets flaky. 3 is pretty solid.

So, I run 3 and have 2 as backup for when one fails.

I collect physical media and have built myself a NAS server that runs a PLEX instance. All for my own use.

I have been watching with some concern as manufacturers stop making these drives. One of my reason for 2 backups is to forgo the day I can't find any drives anywhere. I know it is coming.

[-]

CaptSingleMalt@reddit

I bought a drive that could be flashed backwards to rip 4K discs. I have two internal Blu-ray drives that have been sitting around for a few years at this point. If you are local to Indianapolis, I'll give you one of them.

[-]

Doctorus48@reddit (OP)

I'm all the way across the pond, 'from the UK. But thanks for filling me in!