Sony Debuts Sub $200 BD-ROM Drive

[malware]

Sony has introduced its first sub-$200 internal BD-ROM drive, the BDU-X10S drive that can upgrade an existing desktop computer into a high-definition Blu-ray Disc player, as well as a DVD and a CD player. This is purely a read-only device, without any Blu-ray, CD or DVD burning functions. The new BDU-X10S BD-ROM drive comes with CyberLink's PowerDVD BD Edition software for playback of commercial movie titles, recorded Blu-ray Disc home videos, DVD-ROMs and CD-ROMs. It features a Serial ATA (SATA) interface and standard 5.25-inch form-factor for easy installation inside desktop PCs running the Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows XP operating system. The new BD-ROM drive will start shipping this month.

http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-01-07/Sony_BDU-X10S_2_thm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/img/08-01-07/Sony_BDU-X10S_2.jpg)

Source: CdrInfo (http://cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.aspx?NewsId=22216)

[ShadowFold]

Man right after I bought one too :banghead: :mad:

[Wile E]

I'll be interested when the burners start to get to this price. Still, not bad for the current market.

[cmberry20]

But it doesnt burn CDs or DVDS - how crap is that!!!

I can pickup a BD-ROM reader with DVD-RW & CD-RW capablity for less than £80 now ($160)

[DaMulta]

Do u need vista to watch a HDCP movie?

[Wile E]

Do u need vista to watch a HDCP movie?

Nope. Cyberlink does it fine in XP.

[newtekie1]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106227

I would rather get that, even though Lite-On isn't my favorite brand. It does give the same funtions as the Sony drive, but is cheaper and you get a free Phillips DVD±R.

But it doesnt burn CDs or DVDS - how crap is that!!!

I can pickup a BD-ROM reader with DVD-RW & CD-RW capablity for less than £80 now ($160)

I really don't think that is true. BD-ROMs are in the $200 range, that is the normal price. I don't even think such a beast exsists that can only read BD-ROM and burn the rest, but I could be wrong, and it definitely isn't available for $160.

[spacejunky]

For $250 I bought the LG which is a BD ROM , HD-DVD ROM, CD/DVD RW and it comes with the same SW. I got it at Fry's on sale. You can get a Pioneer BD ROM & CD/DVD RW for about $229 after rebate when they put it on sale every now and then.

Here's the LG link at Newegg
LG Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GGC-H20L - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133)

Why would you want just a BD-ROM for around $190 or so? This is Sony's attempt at bitting into the XBOX HD-DVD ROM market.

[cmberry20]

Well take a look here doubters!!!

Clicky (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=625331)

I buy slighty less than that because I get trade prices. But £88 ($176) a true price + it burns CDs & DVDs.

Like I said before..... Sony=Crap

[OnBoard]

That's a sexy drive spacejunky, I'll want one some day, but for now a DVD-burner will do fine.

[Mussels]

For $250 I bought the LG which is a BD ROM , HD-DVD ROM, CD/DVD RW and it comes with the same SW. I got it at Fry's on sale. You can get a Pioneer BD ROM & CD/DVD RW for about $229 after rebate when they put it on sale every now and then.

Here's the LG link at Newegg
LG Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GGC-H20L - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133)

Why would you want just a BD-ROM for around $190 or so? This is Sony's attempt at bitting into the XBOX HD-DVD ROM market.

now thats what i want - one drive to rule them all!

[suraswami]

For $250 I bought the LG which is a BD ROM , HD-DVD ROM, CD/DVD RW and it comes with the same SW. I got it at Fry's on sale. You can get a Pioneer BD ROM & CD/DVD RW for about $229 after rebate when they put it on sale every now and then.

Here's the LG link at Newegg
LG Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GGC-H20L - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133)

Why would you want just a BD-ROM for around $190 or so? This is Sony's attempt at bitting into the XBOX HD-DVD ROM market.

Ya right. 2 weeks after black friday Fry's had this and it was heart breaking for me. I ordered online for BF for $350 shipped.

[snuif09]

id prefer to get a combo drive for blu ray and hd-dvd

[Ravenas]

Well take a look here doubters!!!

Clicky (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=625331)

I buy slighty less than that because I get trade prices. But £88 ($176) a true price + it burns CDs & DVDs.

Like I said before..... Sony=Crap

Lol? What's your point. It doesn't burn Bluray discs, why would anyone care?

[evil bill]

his point was the featured Sony Blu Ray player in this thread is more expensive and cant burn DVDs or CDs whereas the one he linked to can

[Ravenas]

his point was the featured Sony Blu Ray player in this thread is more expensive and cant burn DVDs or CDs whereas the one he linked to can

There still isn't a point, because the product he pointed out isn't a Sony product. The only reason he posted that to make a senseless bash at Sony by comparing Sony's product to another companies (that is most likely not as good as Sony's *waits to see specs*).

He automatically said Sony is crap because a new product that Sony releases doesn't have all of the same features as a BR player that he goes and searches for on the net.

[cmberry20]

his point was the featured Sony Blu Ray player in this thread is more expensive and cant burn DVDs or CDs whereas the one he linked to can

^ Thanks for clearing that up.

Its usually me that doesnt read the thread properly!! ;)

My point was why release an expensive outdated product on to the market when you can get better & cheaper else where. Come on! Given the option what would you buy? Its not that is a cheap make + Pioneer Drives usually out perform Sony ones any way.

[newtekie1]

Yes, but the one he linked to also is an OEM drive, while this Sony is retail. Which means the Sony will come with all the extra software, including the Cyberlink software required to play the HD Movies which retails for $99 by itself. It is likely that the Sony drive will eventually be available OEM for a lot cheaper than $199. You can't compare OEM and Retail pricing.

Edit: Here are the specs for the Sony drive. (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665305102) The Sony drive is also covered by a 1 year warranty, I couldn't find any information regarding the Pioneer's Warranty, but most OEM products are not covered by warranties, and if they are they are very short(usually 90 days).

[iamollie]

i'd pay extra for a drive that looked that good, surprised you guys wouldnt too since you like your fancy looking pcs :p

[cmberry20]

Edit: The Sony drive is also covered by a 1 year warranty, I couldn't find any information regarding the Pioneer's Warranty, but most OEM products are not covered by warranties, and if they are they are very short(usually 90 days).

Its covered by 12 months warranty - same a Sonys

[evil bill]

here is the retail version of the Pioneer drive for £113 / $226 including the Cyberlinkbundle

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4PYS&CategorySelectedId=11155&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11155,50305

the Sony looks very pretty though ;)

[newtekie1]

Its covered by 12 months warranty - same a Sonys

How do you know that, because I doubt it unless I see it in writing.

here is the retail version of the Pioneer drive for £113 / $226 including the Cyberlinkbundle

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4PYS&CategorySelectedId=11155&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11155,50305

the Sony looks very pretty though ;)

So it is about $26 more expensive than the Sony. Not really worth it, I'd go with the Sony BD-ROM and a seperate DVD+/-R burner and pocket the extra cash. I prefer having two drives, so I would have to buy a second anyway, both don't have to be burners.

[evil bill]

I was thinking about one of those LG Blu Ray writer/HD-DVD Readers for my next PC - hopefully it wont be long before they are down at this price point too, maybe even with HD-DVD writing too for ultimate compatibility.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=706977

are these much cheaper in the US yet? I have a friend in Boston who comes back to the UK quite often.....

[peach1971]

Optical Storage Read Speed: 8x (DVD) / 2x (BD) = 200 US$ :eek:
:roll::roll:

My condolences for everyone buying this piece of nonsense. ;)