Lite-On BD-ROM Drive - $119

[kamiller42]

If under $300 is too much for a Blu-ray player for you, try under $120 and play on your PC. The Lite-On Blu-ray drive is $119 after rebate. Free shipping.

Check it out.

Lack of competition is obviously driving these prices... down.

[Favelle]

Originally Posted by kamiller42

If under $300 is too much for a Blu-ray player for you, try under $120 and play on your PC. The Lite-On Blu-ray drive is $119 after rebate. Free shipping.

Check it out.

Lack of competition is obviously driving these prices... down.

Lack of interest maybe more like it.


Bought one though. $124 here in Canada.

[Blacklac]

I've been eyeing that model on Newegg, but I'm having a hard time justifying it. I never watch HD movies from my addon/PC. 2.1 sound, 20" monitor vs 7.1, 50".

This deal makes it harder to pass, but I think I'd just be wasting money. Thanks for the link though, I guess it can tempt me for another week.

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by Favelle

Lack if interest maybe more like it.

It's a fair cop, guv!

This sort of thing is good news for the HTPC market, but HTPC's are as niche as ever a niche there was - and I say this as someone who rolled their own.

[DueNorth]

Since it doesn't come with software (AFAIK) which plays Blu-Ray, I will pass on it.

[Marvin the Martian]

If it's a retail version I'd expect it to ship with Cyberlink's software... I thought they generally did?

[kamiller42]

Originally Posted by DueNorth

Since it doesn't come with software (AFAIK) which plays Blu-Ray, I will pass on it.

The temptation grows ever more...

The DH-4O1S BD-ROM retail pack comes with an extra silver bezel to match some computers, and a SATA cable for easy connection. Also included in the package is the latest Cyberlink Power DVD software for playback of Blu-ray disc media, DVD, or CD multi-media content.
Source

It says latest PowerDVD, but a review I read say it's a BD enabled 7.3.

[bfellow]

I have it and it comes with PowerDVD 7.3 Ultra OEM. You will have to do several hundred software updates that only gets triggered with Blu-Rays that gives problems (pretty much every FOX film, Blade Runner, etc.). The drive itself has 1 firmware update that I don't think 90% of people need.


It takes about a minute or 2 to load a disc since its BD 4x. It also takes about 30 seconds to load any extensive BD-J menus.

However, a few Blu-Ray movies like "Across the Universe" do not work with PowerDVD since the menu is inoperable. This is 1 reason why I had to switch to WinDVD 9, but the load times for the drive still is pretty long.

[DueNorth]

Originally Posted by bfellow

I have it and it comes with PowerDVD 7.3 Ultra OEM. You will have to do several hundred software updates that only gets triggered with Blu-Rays that gives problems (pretty much every FOX film, Blade Runner, etc.). The drive itself has 1 firmware update that I don't think 90% of people need.

It takes about a minute or 2 to load a disc since its BD 4x. It also takes about 30 seconds to load any extensive BD-J menus.

However, a few Blu-Ray movies like "Across the Universe" do not work with PowerDVD since the menu is inoperable. This is 1 reason why I had to switch to WinDVD 9, but the load times for the drive still is pretty long.

Is the wait time due to the CPU of your media PC? What are you using to test it? Or is it caused by the drive? I always thought it was CPU restricted and that's why the PS3 (with cell processor) loads faster then a stand alone Blu-Ray player (with cheaper processor).

[kamiller42]

Originally Posted by bfellow

It takes about a minute or 2 to load a disc since its BD 4x. It also takes about 30 seconds to load any extensive BD-J menus.

To add to what DueNorth said, this Lite-On BD-ROM drive is twice the speed of the PS3 (2x), the fastest Blu-ray player on the market. Your speed issues must be system related and not drive related.

[DueNorth]

Originally Posted by kamiller42

To add to what DueNorth said, this Lite-On BD-ROM drive is twice the speed of the PS3 (2x), the fastest Blu-ray player on the market. Your speed issues must be system related and not drive related.

Which leads to my point... what processor IS needed to allow for near PS3 (or faster) load speeds for BD movies?

[Sbert]

the problem with HTPC with HIdefMedia isn't the video...it's the audio.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/high-def...view-1088.html

[kamiller42]

Originally Posted by DueNorth

Which leads to my point... what processor IS needed to allow for near PS3 (or faster) load speeds for BD movies?

It's more than a processor issue. You need to know if your video card supports HD acceleration.

If you want to know where your system stands, try the Cyberlink system adviser. It's free.

http://www.cyberlink.com/english/sup.../diagnosis.jsp

[Blacklac]

For those that are extremely NON computer hardware tech savvy (ME!) Does this drive simply plug in from an extra ROM cable, then maybe load some driver and good to go?

(I got a raise today, now I'm interested in this again. )

[Favelle]

Originally Posted by DueNorth

Which leads to my point... what processor IS needed to allow for near PS3 (or faster) load speeds for BD movies?

I am only using an AMD x2 4400 for my main movie player and my movies (both Blu-ray and HD DVD) load way faster than any of my friend's PS3's.....pretty much 4-7 seconds....