Best (most practical) USB Blu-ray External Drive 3.0 (also SACD)

[MacOSphere]

I'm looking for an External USB Blu-ray drive to use with my 2014 MBP. I'll be creating MKV files (using MakeMkv) from my personal Blu-ray collection and perhaps ripping isolated audio tracks using DVD Audio Extractor.

The one I was looking at is http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Elect...8668&sr=8-2&keywords=pioneer+blu+ray+external

I'm open to any suggestions though, based on real life experiences.

Also, probably as a side desire...are there any USB Blu-ray drives that can also support read SACD?

 

[cube]

There have never been any SACD drives for computers. The format is a maximum security prison. That's why it failed.

 

[MacOSphere]

Thank you for the response, cube.

Now I can just focus on getting the best External USB BR drive for the $$.

 

[venom600]

I have an early PS3 that supports SACD and for a short while I toyed with the idea of buying a few to check out, so when I saw your post I was curious about what it would take to rip them. It's a ludicrous process that involves a first gen PS3 with early firmware and swapping drives out while using obscure utilities to convert the ripped files. Not worth the work by any stretch.

 

[Bosdavid]

Hello,

Which one did you eventually buy? And are you satisfied with it? I'm actually looking for such a drive, so any information is welcome.
I've been wandering around the internet and for as so far, the Pioneer BDR-XD05S & BDR-XD055 seem to be quite interesting. What did you found out?

-And indeed, it's a pity it is not easy to rip sacds; I would love to be able to use the quality of the media they contain for use on my computer or portable device.

 

[venom600]

Just buy whichever one you like the most. The only differences are form factor (tray vs slot vs top load) and the software packages these days, none of which will work with OS X. Don't put too much thought into it.

That said, the SACD thing does suck, but if you are willing pay, HDtracks.com will gladly sell you SACD quality albums that are usable on your mac.

 

[Bosdavid]

Just buy whichever one you like the most. The only differences are form factor (tray vs slot vs top load) and the software packages these days, none of which will work with OS X. Don't put too much thought into it.

That said, the SACD thing does suck, but if you are willing pay, HDtracks.com will gladly sell you SACD quality albums that are usable on your mac.

Thanks for your reply.
How come doesn't it work? Doesn't it do anything, or does it just refuse to play blu-rays? And it is that because of the software has not been written well, or is El Capitan to blame?
I have not yet decided which one appeals to me most; I've always been quite fond of slot loading machines, but a top loading drive also seems to have a practical point to it. Apart from a nostalgic feeling since is associates with discmans to me. -My apologies for my mediocre built sentences.

Which player did you buy and are you (more or less) satisfied with it?

 

[venom600]

The only BluRay software that works with OS X is from a tiny company and is never included with drives bundled that you'd find at the store. If they include software at all you can bet it's for Windows.

 

[nateo200]

The only BluRay software that works with OS X is from a tiny company and is never included with drives bundled that you'd find at the store. If they include software at all you can bet it's for Windows.

Thats what I thought until I googled Mac Blu-ray player and it works perfect. It looks like VLC 2.0 but spiced up, wouldn't be surprised if thats what it was.

I use it with a Memorex MRX-870LE which is really a rebranded pioneer blu-ray burner. I got it in 2012 and took a gamble and it works great.

 

[cube]

deleted

 

[gugy]

I am interested in a BR external BR drive for data back-up. My DVDs are just too small now.
Also does anybody know about this new format M-DISC BD that is supposedly great for archival?
OWC has a new drive, Mercury Pro 14X External USB 3.0 Blu-ray Burner and I wonder about it.
Also any disc media you would recommend is appreciated.

 

[cube]

I am interested in a BR external BR drive for data back-up. My DVDs are just too small now.
Also does anybody know about this new format M-DISC BD that is supposedly great for archival?
OWC has a new drive, Mercury Pro 14X External USB 3.0 Blu-ray Burner and I wonder about it.
Also any disc media you would recommend is appreciated.

I learned about M-DISC just after receiving my new BD burner, and fortunately it appears on the box.

Theoretically, it can last up to 1000 years, I guess in the same way a usual R can theoretically last up to 100.

There's a new 100GB M-DISC, but it is about 3 times more expensive than usual BDXL, which already is anything but cheap.

I don't know if any drive can handle this bigger size already.

 

[venom600]

M-Discs are supposed to be archival quality. They are supposed to last much longer than normal recordable media, but they require special burners (they usually specify that as a feature) to create them. It is extremely difficult to recommend disc based backup anymore. The price is simply too high for the amount of storage you get and the lack of longevity. None of my discs from 10 years ago work anymore, and you won't know for sure until you wait years and try again. I don't know what you are archiving, but a NAS or even online backup like Crashplan might be a better solution for a similar price.

 

[Bosdavid]

Given that SACD is not available on computer drives, the most complete seems to be the ASUS BW-16D1H-U PRO, which I just ordered.

Hi, thanks for your reply! And my apologies for my late respond...
Are you satisfied with the BW-16D1H-U PRO? I'm still to buy an external drive and would like to know how this one is in practice. -the search has been put aside the last month or two.

At some point I became very interested in the Pioneer BDR-XU03, but it appears to be unavailable in The Netherlands, where I live. Also, since in this month(s) of the year companies usually present their new electronic products (if I'm right), perhaps there might be an interesting new product coming to the market...