What 5.25 External Enclosure do I need for my Lite On It IHBS112-29?

EternalOptimist

Junior Member
Sep 2, 2010
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Greetings & Hello to All. I am (brand) new here, or at least new to posting. I've been lurking for a short while, and I can't even remember half of the wealth of information I've found here off hand. I sincerely appreciate all of the help I've received indirectly from this forum. I've been searching for over two hours for an answer to the question I am about to post via google, this, and other forums. Unfortunately, I've come up empty...so I post only after exhausting all other avenues known to me.

I recently purchased a (bulk) Lite On IHBS112-29 Internal 12X Blu-Ray Writer from ebay seller multiwavevideo (came with 15 disk spindle Kodak BD-R 52115 single layer). Here's the link to the page with the exact same combo/seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200499228655&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_5353wt_804

And the following is a direct link to the technical specifications for the drive (Lite On It IHBS112) that I bought:

http://us.liteonit.com/us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=290&Itemid=191&limit=1&limitstart=1

My desktop stopped working a while ago and I haven't had the time to fix it. My primary rig is now an HP Pavilion dv4-1120US. It's a notebook. I needed a Blu Ray burner with 3D capability, but the external drives were either prohibitively expensive, or the comparatively priced(to internals) externals had extremely limited functionality(2X write speed, etc.). So I decided to buy the IHBS112-29 and either repair my desktop or install it in my roommate's desktop. Well the day it arrived my buyer's remorse got the better of me and while I was comparing externals to mine, I came across an article about adding internal drives to external cases. I was thrilled that this is possible.

I've seen the Sata-USB inline converters used with an AC adapter/power supply and what looks like a silicon skin case, as well as external cases. I would really prefer a case with a built in fan. I will end up utilizing all the extra protection I can get. I am nearly completely ignorant on this subject, but my notebook has an esata port on the side, and from what I've read esata is faster than firewire which is faster than USB 2.0(don't have 3.0). I've also seen people write "ESATA/USB2.0"...can I use both together?

Anyway, what I'm looking for is a quality case that will be compatible with my drive (again, Lite On It IHBS112-29), draw power from an AC outlet(preferrably with AC adapter/power supply included), and be able to communicate with my notebook via ESATA or ESATA/USB 2.0(This may just have meant EITHER esata OR usb 2.0, but the wording in one post lead me to believe that BOTH connections were utilized).

One of the specifications pages on my drive also noted that the IHBS112 was a "half height" drive. Are most 5.25 sata external enclosures designed for half height drives? Do I need to buy an enclosure designed specifically for a half height drive, or do I need to buy brackets/some type of adapters/modification kit?

Lastly, it seems to me that in theory as long my drive is a SATA drive, it should work with any 5.25 sata enclosure...but I'm far from certain. Is this the case, or do I need to buy an enclosure designed specifically for Blu-Ray drives?

I apologize in advance if I posted in the wrong area, please feel free to move me to the appropriate area if so. I realize I may be overcomplicating things, but I have a collection of incompatible PC peripherals I've amassed over the years from impulsive, unresearched purchases. Any information...or better yet, suggestions...you can provide me will be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks to all who took the time to read this.

Art
 

EternalOptimist

Junior Member
Sep 2, 2010
2
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Thanks CorkyG! I'll keep checking back for other suggestions, but that drive looks pretty heavy-duty...much better than the generic ones that pop up after ebay searches. My only concern is that the BD I bought is "half height"...does the enclosure include brackets or something similar that I can use to "make" the drive fit if the opening is larger than the drive itself?

It may be a stupid question, but this is my first time ever dealing with internal devices in external enclosures.

Thanks again for the help.