Are there any stickies/FAQs on replacing the optical drive in a cMP 5,1 with a BluRay drive? I have found the occasional posting on the subject of BluRay drives, but not so much for getting an overview (compatible drives, software etc.)
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MP 1,1-5,1 Sticky or FAQ on BluRay drives in cMP?
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If you want to play movies, and have anything like the same experience a standalone bluray player offers (menus etc) the app you need is on the Mac App Store, and it’s about US$60. Blue ray for watching movies on the mac, as opposed to ripping / transcoding and watching from disk is a pretty neglected scene, from what I can tell (was researching this last week).
Yes, I want to rip BluRay discs in the same way as regular DVDs. I understand Handbrake can do this with BluRay discs as well (its website says so). Can anyone confirm that this actually works?
So additional software is needed to PLAY BluRay discs, but do I need this software if I replace my (standard) optical drive and play and burn regular DVDs as I do now? I'm hoping all functionaly will be the same, but that I can play (and rip) BluRay discs in addition. Is this how it works? I'm running MacOS 10.13 High Sierra.
What's the name of the software you're referring to by the way, and which BlueRay drives (I suppose burners as I want to continue burning DVDs) work flawlessly with the cMP 5,1?
So additional software is needed to PLAY BluRay discs, but do I need this software if I replace my (standard) optical drive and play and burn regular DVDs as I do now? I'm hoping all functionaly will be the same, but that I can play (and rip) BluRay discs in addition. Is this how it works? I'm running MacOS 10.13 High Sierra.
What's the name of the software you're referring to by the way, and which BlueRay drives (I suppose burners as I want to continue burning DVDs) work flawlessly with the cMP 5,1?
I have run at various times an LG WH16NS40, an ASUS BW-16D1HT, and a Pioneer BDR-209UBK and they all work about the same. You need additional software to play Blu-ray movies, but you can rip them using MakeMKV. I never got Handbrake to work for ripping, but it can convert the rip afterwards. The LG and Asus can also be reflashed using LibreDrive firmware to get around copy protection.
That basically covers all the full size Blu-ray writer models available minus a few obsolete models and variants of the above. The Pioneer drive seems to be locked to a max 3x write speed.
That basically covers all the full size Blu-ray writer models available minus a few obsolete models and variants of the above. The Pioneer drive seems to be locked to a max 3x write speed.
The Blu-ray drives mentioned above include a separate red laser for playing and writing CDs and DVDs so will work fine, no additional software required.
Excellent! Nothing lost, and only additonal features!
And in a cMP 5,1 -is it just a matter of getting one of the mentioned models (I assume they're all in the 5 1/4" form factor as the original optical drive), put it in the optical bay as before, and attach the same SATA and power cables as with the original optical drive?
And in a cMP 5,1 -is it just a matter of getting one of the mentioned models (I assume they're all in the 5 1/4" form factor as the original optical drive), put it in the optical bay as before, and attach the same SATA and power cables as with the original optical drive?
Yes you connect the same SATA cables as the original optical drive. There are two sets available. You must also remove the faceplate from the front of the drive before installing it. There are guides online on how to do this, the jist is you push up from the bottom of the faceplate until the clips release the plate.
Drives don't have a region assigned until you put a DVD in the drive, then it will ask you to set the region to the region of the disc and the operating system will remember your choice. Once this is done the drive will be locked to that region. When you rip a disc, it will strip the region so region-locking only applies to playing a DVD. Blu-ray works the same way. No you can't make the drive region free.
As far as drive model suggestion get either an LG WH16NS60 or the Asus BW-16D1HT leaning towards the Asus as it is a little bit more reliable (and a little bit more expensive). I can't really recommend the Pioneer BDR-212DBK as it has a couple of problems on macOS, but, it is the most reliable blu-ray writer of the three.
As far as drive model suggestion get either an LG WH16NS60 or the Asus BW-16D1HT leaning towards the Asus as it is a little bit more reliable (and a little bit more expensive). I can't really recommend the Pioneer BDR-212DBK as it has a couple of problems on macOS, but, it is the most reliable blu-ray writer of the three.
Just to chime in, I use Pioneer BDR-209D on lower bay alongside with stocks SuperDrive, loving it so far for almost three years.
I think cMP has the last best MacOS machine able load BD disc/optical media directly without dongle fuss or USB cable. Also, even with only SATA2 connection, are proven more stable for long ripping task rather than USB connection counterparts.
I think cMP has the last best MacOS machine able load BD disc/optical media directly without dongle fuss or USB cable. Also, even with only SATA2 connection, are proven more stable for long ripping task rather than USB connection counterparts.