Pioneer BDC-SO2BK Blu-ray Drive - bit-tech.net Forums

Bindibadgi · 30th Jun 2008, 13:32

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...lu-ray-drive/1

Blu ray drives on the cheap? Pioneer tells us "Hell Yea!" But is it cheap and cheerful or a genuine bargain, that's an excellent choice for all our home theatre enthusiasts? We found out.

rav666 · 30th Jun 2008, 13:41

i would be most interested if you compared the playback on a ps3 and a Pc with this drive rather then the benchies. And maybe ease of use compared to a standalone player or ps3 ?

Otis1337 · 30th Jun 2008, 14:09

i got ps3, so theres no need for one for me, till PC games start to come on a Blu-ray...

ChaosDefinesOrder · 30th Jun 2008, 14:09

"Currently finding a greater variety of software to playback Blu-ray media is very difficult, unfortunately, but if you've any other suggestions feel free to let us know!"

What about Media Player Classic Home Cinema? ( http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/ )

Nice clean simple user interface, completely and utterly free. I'm not sure, however, if it's capable of the super high definition audio, but it's certainly been programmed to handle Blu-Ray. I haven't got a Blu Ray drive, or even a PC capable of handling one, however this program is what I have my eye on!

Timmy_the_tortoise · 30th Jun 2008, 14:14

I'm gonna need some software capable of playing both Blu-Ray and HD DVD... Because I plan on getting a BD/HDDVD combo drive for the ridiculously cheap HDDVDs available at Amazon and HMV atm.

I just wish someone would update VLC already!

koola · 30th Jun 2008, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy_the_tortoise

I just wish someone would update VLC already!

Your gonna have a long wait, OSS hasn't cracked the BD+ virtual machine encryption yet. There is only one company who has... Slysoft and they are commercial.

You can use a specific build of PowerDVD which has a bug that allows playback although I forget the build version, just google it.

Timmy_the_tortoise · 30th Jun 2008, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by koola

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy_the_tortoise

I just wish someone would update VLC already!

Your gonna have a long wait, OSS hasn't cracked the BD+ virtual machine encryption yet. There is only one company who has... Slysoft and they are commercial.

You can use a specific build of PowerDVD which has a bug that allows playback although I forget the build version, just google it.

What about HD DVDs though?

devdevil85 · 30th Jun 2008, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy_the_tortoise

Quote:

Originally Posted by koola

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy_the_tortoise

I just wish someone would update VLC already!

Your gonna have a long wait, OSS hasn't cracked the BD+ virtual machine encryption yet. There is only one company who has... Slysoft and they are commercial.

You can use a specific build of PowerDVD which has a bug that allows playback although I forget the build version, just google it.

What about HD DVDs though?

Why would any company seriously make a BR/HD-DVD combo? HD-DVD is dead, correct? Why can't you purchase a cheap 360 add-on?

zoom314 · 30th Jun 2008, 15:20

The author must like testing on obscure hardware, Did anyone else notice the Q9500 2.83GHz cpu? Last I looked there was a Q9300, a Q9450, a Q9550 and a Q9650 cpu, But no Q9500. I'd rather get as some have stated here already a PS3, If I could afford It, Since I can't right now, I'll go without.

Bindibadgi · 30th Jun 2008, 16:06

Q9550 then, jeeeeez typo.

mclean007 · 30th Jun 2008, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by devdevil85

Why would any company seriously make a BR/HD-DVD combo? HD-DVD is dead, correct?

Because they can?! You can get an LG BR/HD-DVD reader / DVD writer for £75 - http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=729076 - less than the cost of the tested Pioneer BR only drive.

I guess the marginal cost of adding HD-DVD isn't that great, and it gives you the flexibility to play any HD disc from either camp.

ChaosDefinesOrder · 30th Jun 2008, 16:15

the HD combo drives are actually a remnant from when the format war was still going on. Manufacturers could either side with one and potentially leave a lot of redundant hardware, or build support for both.

I've certainly seen LG dual HD drives for a long while

Timmy_the_tortoise · 30th Jun 2008, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by devdevil85

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy_the_tortoise

Quote:

Originally Posted by koola

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy_the_tortoise

I just wish someone would update VLC already!

Your gonna have a long wait, OSS hasn't cracked the BD+ virtual machine encryption yet. There is only one company who has... Slysoft and they are commercial.

You can use a specific build of PowerDVD which has a bug that allows playback although I forget the build version, just google it.

What about HD DVDs though?

Why would any company seriously make a BR/HD-DVD combo? HD-DVD is dead, correct? Why can't you purchase a cheap 360 add-on?

BD/HDDVD combos have been around for ages, before the end of the war...

There are a hell of a lot of HD DVDs left out there which have been left unsold, if a company can get money from selling a product which allows people to use those, they will.

I'd rather not purchase the 360 Add on because I am using my 360 over HDMI to a 1920x1200 PC Monitor which DOESN'T have 1:1 Pixel Mapping, therefore giving a 120 pixel stretch (60 pixels at the top and bottom, each). I can live with that stretch in games... But I prefer to watch my Movies without the stretch, if possible.

Xen0phobiak · 30th Jun 2008, 16:52

Another Pioneer DVD-120S user here

.

Bindibadgi · 30th Jun 2008, 17:15

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=729076 - that's an excellent find too.

DXR_13KE · 30th Jun 2008, 17:21

will only buy one if it has the ability to record BD and it costs less then 75€

mclean007 · 30th Jun 2008, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by DXR_13KE

will only buy one if it has the ability to record BD and it costs less then 75€

Give it 6 months, I'm sure the current ~£150 price tag will have dropped.

Lakeuk · 30th Jun 2008, 18:26

I'll wait till these type of drives are Â£20

Cthippo · 1st Jul 2008, 05:50

Until it burns BD-DL discs and costs under 100 USD, I really can't be asked to care.

Also, who thought a mandatory icon that can't be removed was a good idea?

outlawaol · 1st Jul 2008, 06:31

umm.. the US link is to a Refurbished model... what does non-refurb push?

30th Jun 2008, 13:32	#1
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,269	Pioneer BDC-SO2BK Blu-ray Drive http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...lu-ray-drive/1 Blu ray drives on the cheap? Pioneer tells us "Hell Yea!" But is it cheap and cheerful or a genuine bargain, that's an excellent choice for all our home theatre enthusiasts? We found out. __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

30th Jun 2008, 14:09	#3
Otis1337 Will accept donations =D Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nottingham, Mansfield Posts: 333	i got ps3, so theres no need for one for me, till PC games start to come on a Blu-ray... __________________ 3DMark Vantage 8511::BFG 9800GTX OC 512MB::Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 3Ghz::Abit Fatal1ty FP-IN9 SLi nForce 650i::OCZ 6GB SLI 800Mhz CoolerMaster 850W RealPower::Cooler Master Cosmos 1000-W::WD 160GB/400GB SATA2 7200RPM::Creative SoundBlaster X-FI Xtreme Music::SONY PS3 40GB PSN: otis1337

30th Jun 2008, 14:09	#4
ChaosDefinesOrder Vapourmodder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 367	"Currently finding a greater variety of software to playback Blu-ray media is very difficult, unfortunately, but if you've any other suggestions feel free to let us know!" What about Media Player Classic Home Cinema? ( http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/ ) Nice clean simple user interface, completely and utterly free. I'm not sure, however, if it's capable of the super high definition audio, but it's certainly been programmed to handle Blu-Ray. I haven't got a Blu Ray drive, or even a PC capable of handling one, however this program is what I have my eye on! __________________ Current setup: Hiper Osiris \| Core i7 920 (Cooled by Noctua NH-U12P) \| Foxconn Renaissance \| 2x GTX280 \| Cooler Master UCP \| Corsair Dominator 3GB (soon to be 9GB) \| Creative X-Fi Titanium \| Vista Home Premium x64 \| OS Drive: WD Velociraptor 300GB. Storage: 1x 160GB, 1x 250GB, 1x 300GB, 1x500GB (incremental additions over the years! All Maxtor) \| Monitor: Dell 2709W

30th Jun 2008, 14:14	#5
Timmy_the_tortoise International Man of Awesome Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: County Durham, UK Posts: 964	I'm gonna need some software capable of playing both Blu-Ray and HD DVD... Because I plan on getting a BD/HDDVD combo drive for the ridiculously cheap HDDVDs available at Amazon and HMV atm. I just wish someone would update VLC already! __________________ Q6600 @ 2.40GHz w/G0\|Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R\|4GB OCZ Gold PC-6400 800MHz\|Powercolor Radeon HD4850\|Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB\|Scythe Ninja Mini\|LG Blu-ray/HD DVD/DVD-RW Combo Drive\|Corsair TX650W\|Antec NSK2480 Pioneer VSX-417\|2x Gale 3010\|2x Yamaha NSP110\| MS304W Centre \| MS308 Subwoofer

30th Jun 2008, 16:06	#10
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,269	Q9550 then, jeeeeez typo. __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

30th Jun 2008, 13:41	#2
rav666 Modder Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: london Posts: 60	i would be most interested if you compared the playback on a ps3 and a Pc with this drive rather then the benchies. And maybe ease of use compared to a standalone player or ps3 ?

30th Jun 2008, 15:20	#9
zoom314 Multimodder Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Yermo, CA, USA Posts: 174	The author must like testing on obscure hardware, Did anyone else notice the Q9500 2.83GHz cpu? Last I looked there was a Q9300, a Q9450, a Q9550 and a Q9650 cpu, But no Q9500. I'd rather get as some have stated here already a PS3, If I could afford It, Since I can't right now, I'll go without.

30th Jun 2008, 16:15	#12
ChaosDefinesOrder Vapourmodder Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 367	the HD combo drives are actually a remnant from when the format war was still going on. Manufacturers could either side with one and potentially leave a lot of redundant hardware, or build support for both. I've certainly seen LG dual HD drives for a long while __________________ Current setup: Hiper Osiris \| Core i7 920 (Cooled by Noctua NH-U12P) \| Foxconn Renaissance \| 2x GTX280 \| Cooler Master UCP \| Corsair Dominator 3GB (soon to be 9GB) \| Creative X-Fi Titanium \| Vista Home Premium x64 \| OS Drive: WD Velociraptor 300GB. Storage: 1x 160GB, 1x 250GB, 1x 300GB, 1x500GB (incremental additions over the years! All Maxtor) \| Monitor: Dell 2709W

30th Jun 2008, 17:15	#15
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,269	http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=729076 - that's an excellent find too. __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

30th Jun 2008, 17:21	#16
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,473	will only buy one if it has the ability to record BD and it costs less then 75€ __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

30th Jun 2008, 18:26	#18
Lakeuk Minimodder Join Date: May 2006 Location: UK Posts: 29	I'll wait till these type of drives are Â£20

1st Jul 2008, 05:50	#19
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,473	Until it burns BD-DL discs and costs under 100 USD, I really can't be asked to care. Also, who thought a mandatory icon that can't be removed was a good idea? __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

1st Jul 2008, 06:31	#20
outlawaol ▲Operational Hazard Sticker▲ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greenbay, WI Posts: 938	umm.. the US link is to a Refurbished model... what does non-refurb push? __________________ 40D\| 350D \| 24-105 f/4L \| 24-70 f/2.8 Sigma \| 50mm f/1.8 \| 75-300 f/4-5.6 Sigma \| 420ex Speedlight 365 Daily Photograph \| Smugmug