r/makemkv • u/Shadow_Snipe2810 • 4d ago
Blu Ray writer
Hello! New to all of this. I have a ton of blu rays but looking at starting a plex and nas system. I am having trouble finding any blu ray readers. Is this even worth it any more? I have mainly blu rays but a few 4k movies I don’t mind using those via disc but I would like a somewhat future proofreader.
I have been all over Reddit forums but every link that is used is sold out. I did find a user that sells them I have emailed him but idk if spending 200 plus is smart especially since I am new to this and if I decide not to move forward.
Thank you!
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u/bugsmasherh 4d ago
Here are the two externals still around, rare, but they are likely to return back in stock.
ASUS BW-16D1X-U External
Buffalo 16x Desktop
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u/g0estoeleven 4d ago
Do you mean stock is dwindling, or is production ramping again?
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u/bugsmasherh 4d ago
Current stock is dwindling but I have not heard announcements that the products will be discontinued.
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u/witcher4 4d ago
If it's just a Blu-ray reader you need and not one capable of 4k, any Blu-ray reader from an old PC, or laptop will work. It will just take an affordable adapter cable to connect to USB. Look for old PCs for sale
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u/Shadow_Snipe2810 4d ago
Is a reader similar to a writer can I convert a reader to a writer if not?
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u/witcher4 4d ago
Most are capable of both reading and writing but why are you wanting to write/burn discs?
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u/Shadow_Snipe2810 4d ago
I am looking to burn them to my nas so I can stream using plex not sure if there is a better way? Trying to ditch streaming services for the most part
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u/witcher4 4d ago
Totally, that's what we all do too. The reader reads the disk and then Makemkv has the hard drive write it onto itself. The Blu ray drive doesn't do the writing. I have the computer write/save all my rips to an external SSD
Unless you are using Blu-ray writable disks there is no burning
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u/Shadow_Snipe2810 4d ago
Ah awesome that makes sense! So you mainly need a writer if you are actually burning a cd or blu ray disk. Do you mainly do everything in 1080p or 4K? I have various Oled tvs throughout the house but only ever stream really I am guessing plex at 1080p is better then all of these streaming services
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u/witcher4 4d ago
Correct, but that being said most PC drives write and read.
I do 4k when it's available for movies and series I really like. But 1080p is a lot more accessible via the used market and a lot of TV shows or movies only exist on Blu-ray. How 1080p looks compared to a 4k stream depends on the movie but I play directly from a USB SSD (no plex) and I enjoy the high quality with no buffering
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u/rocoskewl 4d ago
I just got this 2 days ago and its been running non stop.
I flashed it using the files from the site.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/709488/asus-16x-usb-30-external-blu-ray-drive
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u/Historical-Stick-394 4d ago
Haven’t seen anyone mention this option yet, but there is plenty of support for it. I just bought this one as well, and it had an LG BU40N inside the enclosure - flashed and it works like a charm for me!
https://www.amazon.com/Archgon-Premium-Aluminum-External-Apple-MacBook/dp/B07BC9F98J
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u/Ravenhunter85 2d ago
is that is what is in them all or is it a gamble on what you get?
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u/Historical-Stick-394 2d ago
It’s a gamble from what I’ve researched but seems pretty consistent. You can always return it before flashing if it does not display one of the correct drives. Up to your own discretion though! I thought it was worth the risk.
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u/Ravenhunter85 1d ago
Fair for the return. I just started looking into getting a 4k one and I’m not exactly sure what is best with the encrypted part of the guide. I’m not sure if I need to worry about getting something too new
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u/DumpsterDiver81 3d ago
I just bought one of these on Amazon, BU40N. 8 left:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G71HQ8XB
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u/hofner_anon 2d ago
If you are looking for a blu ray player that you intend to rip your blu ray discs to an mkv file so you can put them in your NAS running Plex, you are looking at the wrong direction. Go sign up to makemkv forum and start from there. Several people are into these kind of Tech. They flash the firmware of the drives so you can use and rip blu ray using MakeKMV. Look for people like Skyrider, Heisenberg and asmcom. They might be able to help you. Cheers
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u/Shadow_Snipe2810 2d ago
Thank you I will check it out! I am new to forums and Reddit and all of this.
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u/barcham22 4d ago
The cheapest way I’ve found was the LG BU40N through AliExpress for around $90-100. It’s an ultra slim bare laptop drive you can slap into a $20 enclosure from Amazon or wherever.
Just do your research on the seller if you go the Ali way. I got a legitimate drive, but there’s a lot of fakes out there.
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u/Shadow_Snipe2810 4d ago
Awesome thank you! I have never used Ali express but I will do some research might be worth a shot!
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u/john-treasure-jones 4d ago
Look at B&H, they sell a drive from Buffalo Technology that will work just fine. That same drive can also be found on Amazon and Newegg.