LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Int. Drive - $80 shipped

[Baked]

General
Brand LITE-ON
Model DH-4O1S-66
Type Internal
Read Speed
Blu-ray DVD-ROM 4X
DVD-ROM 12X
CD-ROM 32X
Physical Spec
Form Factor 5.25"
Panel Color Black
Configuration
Load Type Tray
Interface SATA

Link

It's an OEM drive, so it may or may not come w/ software.

 

[hans007]

based on the comments it comes with power dvd

 

[StanFL]

Originally posted by: hans007
based on the comments it comes with power dvd

It does indeed, at least the retail box version I got. I've owned one of these since mid summer (paid $140 for it), no complaints here. I do BluRay playback from my Vista Ultimate box to my HDTV with it.

 

[Baked]

Good to know it comes w/ playback software, this is about the cheapest way for anybody to experience BR. You don't have to buy the movies, just rent them.

 

[Harmattan]

Meh... I'll hold out a couple months until they're 1/2 that.

Nice price however for someone who wants Blu-ray on their PC now.

 

[FDF12389]

Very tempting

 

[abaez]

Remember if you don't have a HDCP compatible vidcard/monitor you'll have to use Anydvd to watch BR's or HDDVDs.

 

[Caveman]

What is an HDPC vid card? I assume a 260 or 280 would work?

 

[joutlaw]

I almost bit this one, but I'm afraid my HTPC rig doesn't have enough juice to do blu-ray.

AMD64 3500+ @ 2.4Ghz
2GB DDR400 RAM
AGP 6600GT

This rig can do 720p h.264, but stutters with 1080p. Since my TV is 720p that isn't an issue, but wouldn't Blu-Ray always send 1080p and my TV have to down sample it?

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Caveman
What is an HDPC vid card? I assume a 260 or 280 would work?

Any of the ATI 2xxx or later series cards, and I believe any nVidia 9xxx series or better (but I am not sure on the nVidia side, they are confusing about their support.)

 

[Mac]

I don't want to hijack this thread but this topic brings up a larger issue and hope others can help out. Here's the deal:

I purchased a 65" Mitsubishi RPTV in 12/2003 that lacks an HDMI. Due to personal ignorance and a lack of disclosure by the electronics store, I didn't understand the the significance of HDMI and the forthcoming restrictions that content providers were preparing to foist on to the market. The set can support 480I (standard def), 480P and 1080I. I would like to upgrade to bluray, but, to my knowledge, no bluray player exists that will feed HD over component, due to HDCP.

Thus, I have this huge investment in an HDTV that is intentionally being crippled and obsoleted by the industry. The Mit's picture IQ is still excellent....HD broadcast exceeds what I can get out of the best standard progressive player. The 1080I, even though interlaced is still a beautiful image on the Mit and I would love to be able to rent/buy HD movies to realize the full potential of the set.

Is there a way to build and configure a HPTC to circumvent the HDCP? Can somebody tell me what video cards, drive and SW I would need? I even have an ATI All-in-Wonder 8500 128MB card that will output component (though never hooked up to the Mit) if that helps.

Are there any websites that can provide guidance on how to do this?

 

[abaez]

Mac - that sucks. I would think all newer TV's would have HDMI.

Anyway, AnyDVD should allow you to play the movies on your TV over component. There's no real issue, just install it and the image will output wherever you want.

If you're going to do this, AnyDVD is no longer going to be a lifetime license after Dec 31, so I suggest you buy it now if you are.

 

[Mac]

Originally posted by: abaez
Mac - that sucks. I would think all newer TV's would have HDMI.

Anyway, AnyDVD should allow you to play the movies on your TV over component. There's no real issue, just install it and the image will output wherever you want.

If you're going to do this, AnyDVD is no longer going to be a lifetime license after Dec 31, so I suggest you buy it now if you are.

Abaez,
Thank you for the info. I went to Slysoft's website...the download costs almost $90, that's pretty stiff for SW that de-encrypts movies. Any other options? Are there video cards that will do that on that fly?

 

[Insomniator]

Originally posted by: Mac

Originally posted by: abaez
Mac - that sucks. I would think all newer TV's would have HDMI.

Anyway, AnyDVD should allow you to play the movies on your TV over component. There's no real issue, just install it and the image will output wherever you want.

If you're going to do this, AnyDVD is no longer going to be a lifetime license after Dec 31, so I suggest you buy it now if you are.

Abaez,
Thank you for the info. I went to Slysoft's website...the download costs almost $90, that's pretty stiff for SW that de-encrypts movies. Any other options? Are there video cards that will do that on that fly?

90 dollars is better than a new TV... early adopters really got screwed on this one. The only ways to bypass HDCP that I know of are anydvd and the HDFury, which is also like 100 bucks.

 

[chexi]

Mac, does your tv have an svga port? If so, what you need is the HDFury2.

http://www.curtpalme.com/HDFury2.shtm

With this, you could hook up your computer or a stand alone blu-ray player, connect the hdmi to the HDFury2 and connect the HDFury2 to the TV via svga port.

It's not cheap, but it's a lot cheaper than buying a new TV.

 

[chexi]

BTW, I would recommend the LG blu-ray and HD-DVD player over this one as you at least then have the option to play both formats. Mine works perfectly.

Newegg">http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827136154</a>

I believe that this was as low as $79 on black friday.

 

[Mac]

Originally posted by: chexi
Mac, does your tv have an svga port? If so, what you need is the HDFury2.

Unfortunately, no. It does have a standard VGA input but is marked 640X480 res so doubt that would work.

From the owners manual:

VGA Input
This input will accommodate most computers
capable of supporting a VGA monitor. The only
compatible display resolution is 640x480. The sync
rate is 60 Hz. SVGA and XVGA resolutions are not
supported.

 

[Kenwvt]

Originally posted by: Mac
I don't want to hijack this thread but this topic brings up a larger issue and hope others can help out. Here's the deal:

Is there a way to build and configure a HPTC to circumvent the HDCP? Can somebody tell me what video cards, drive and SW I would need? I even have an ATI All-in-Wonder 8500 128MB card that will output component (though never hooked up to the Mit) if that helps.

Are there any websites that can provide guidance on how to do this?

You probably already know this but in case you don't I will bring it up. If you TV has DVI you are all set. DVI is HDCP compliant, all you need is an adapter. My set from 2004 has DVI but no HDMI, I use the optical connections for audio.

-Ken

 

[abaez]

Not all electronics that use DVI are HDCP compliant - it's optional for DVI. My 2407 and 8800GTS are not HDCP-compatible.

 

[Kenwvt]

Originally posted by: abaez
Not all electronics that use DVI are HDCP compliant - it's optional for DVI. My 2407 and 8800GTS are not HDCP-compatible.

Thanks I didn't know that. My 2004 DVI is so I guess I thought they all were.

-Ken

 

[djnsmith7]

Originally posted by: StanFL

Originally posted by: hans007
based on the comments it comes with power dvd

It does indeed, at least the retail box version I got. I've owned one of these since mid summer (paid $140 for it), no complaints here. I do Blu Ray playback from my Vista Ultimate box to my HDTV with it.

This is a cheap way to get a BR player if you're going to do precisely what you're doing with yours...HDMI this bad boy from your video card to your receiver or display & you've got BR for $80...not bad...

 

[d4a2n0k]

Just wanted to mention that the included software only supports 2 channel audio. It will not play ANY surround sound. You must upgrade the Power DVD software if you want any type of surround sound which will cost about the same as this drive. If the software is included...

Other than that, its a great player and hasnt choked on a disc yet for me. Ive had mine for about a year.

 

[Keriokie2000]

If you have a soundcard, such as a Soundblaster, you can set PowerDVD or other DVD software to SPDIF output and the soundcard will handle the audio decoding. I don't know if the older soundcards can handle the newer DTS HD stuff on HD-DVD and bluray tho.