Connecting a desktop DVD Drive to a laptop?

[Kelemvor]

Howdy,

I have a Sata Bluray drive for a desktop computer that I want to connect to my laptop via USB3. Can I simply buy some sort of Sata to USB adapter and be done with it? I'm assuming the DVD drive needs extra power so maybe I'd have to buy something that has external power?

My laptop also has an eSata port if that makes things easier.

Thanks.

 

[corkyg]

I have done it this way - an external drive case with its own power brick connected to USB whatever. Works for me.

I have also used eSATA which, in some ways is better than USB3 for sustained copying

 

[Kelemvor]

This would mainly be for ripping my movies to the computer if that matters.

 

[mxnerd]

SATA Blu-ray drive needs 25-30 watts. You definitely need external power or enclosure that can provide 5v & 12v at the same time.

http://www.buildcomputers.net/power-consumption-of-pc-components.html

 

[corkyg]

Yep, that is why I said "powered external."

 

[Kelemvor]

Does Sata to eSata vs Sata to USB make a difference as far as ease, compatibility, speed, etc?

 

[mxnerd]

eSATA can deliver 6Gbps (older versions deliver 1.5Gbps or 3Gbps),

USB 3.0 runs at up to 5Gbps

eSATA/SATA has higher reliability/performance than USB and doesn't require as much negotiations.

eSATA definitely has better locking mechanism than USB

 

[John Connor]

Do you use the Blu-ray drive in a desktop now? If so, just use the desktop to rip the movies and then transfer them to the laptop with a USB drive.

 

[Kelemvor]

Hmm, I swear I replied to this last night but don't see it.

The only desktop computer I have is stashed in the basement to act as a Media Server. This drive has never been installed in a computer. It's just been sitting on a shelf since I don't primarily use a desktop so I thought I'd see about finally making use of it.

I've found a bunch of various adapters online but most seem to use USB to get their power which I don't know is good enough to run a DVD Drive. Does anyone know of a specific item that would work in this scenario? I'm good with eSata since that would seem to be faster anyway. If I have to buy an entire enclosure, I'd consider that, but I'd prefer just an adapter and a power cord if it's cheaper.

Thanks!

 

[ronbo613]

You could probably buy a drive docking port for about the same price, but welcome to Adapterville:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...ter_kit_with_power-_-9SIAD5J5MH6653-_-Product

https://www.sabrent.com/product/USB...power-supply-led-activity-lights/#description
https://www.sabrent.com/product/USB...power-supply-led-activity-lights/#description
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Portable-Adapter-Cable-Power/dp/B005B3VO24

 

[vailr]

USB 3.1 Type C might be faster than eSATA, if the laptop has that capability, although I'm unaware of any laptops with both: eSATA and USB Type C ports.

 

[Kelemvor]

My laptop is older. My current one is a Dell E6520 which only has USB2 and eSata. I might swap it out for a E6530 that then would at least have USB3 and eSata.

For now I'd prefer the eSata route since USB2 is crazy slow but I haven't found any Sata to eSata adapters that also have external power or are an enclosure.

 

[Kelemvor]

Could I use this cable to do the data connection and then just plug in a desktop power supply to give the drive the power somehow? Not finding any Sata to eSata converters or enclosures that take external power.

 

[corkyg]

They still exist. Look for this or similar:

http://www.vantecusa.com/products_detail.php?p_id=77&p_name=NexStar+HX4&pc_id=2&pc_name=3.5"+Enclosure&pt_id=1&pt_name=Hard+Drive+Enclosures

http://www.vantecusa.com/CMS/products/detail/417

 

[Kelemvor]

Hmm. All the ones I see on Vantec's site are either for 3.5" hard drives, slim optical drives, or USB3 and not eSata.

Maybe I'll just have to look into installing the drive into an old desktop just to do the ripping since this isn't as easy as it should be.

 

[Kelemvor]

And the hits just keep on coming. Just opene dup my old desktop I use for storing media and it has IDE cables going to the Drives that were already in there *sigh*

But, it does have 2 Sata ports on the MB that aren't being used. So, I'm thinking I can just pick up a regular Sata cable and a Molex to Sata power adapter and I should be good to go.

Is there any inherent danger in using a DVD drive that's mounted sideways? The tower I have lays on its side...

 

[corkyg]

Hmm. All the ones I see on Vantec's site are either for 3.5" hard drives, slim optical drives, or USB3 and not eSata.

Every one of those I linked had eSATA. You have to look down in the features. Some will do either 2.5 or 3.5 drives. A docking station can do both.

 

[mxnerd]

If you don't rip as often, just install the Blu-ray drive into your desktop. No need to spend extra money.

If you insist connect to your laptop and can't find eSATA enclosure, USB 3.0 is good enough.

 

[Kelemvor]

I found a $6 kit on Amazon with 2 Sata cables and a Molex to Sata power converter. Should be good enough for the little I'll actually use it.

 

[Ichinisan]

I have had many such enclosures over the years. I put my firmware-modified Blu-Ray + HD-DVD drive into a cheap USB 3.0 enclosure. I think the brand is “Sabrent?” Got it from Newegg.com

The enclosure does have a problem though: It starts malfunctioning when I leave it connected with a 3.0 cable. Even power cycling doesn’t help. Only re-seating the B-end of the cable fixes it (temporarily). I just use a USB 2.0 A-B cable instead.

 

[mxnerd]

Sabrent is crap, crap, crap. Don't buy anything from this vendor.

And OP's molex adapter is going to be connected to what?

OP decided to install the drive in the desktop PC?