Addonics offers peace with external HD DVD / Blu-ray drive

Combo drives made specifically with computers in mind aren't unheard of or anything, but they're still a long ways from being a dime a dozen, so we figured it was worth the time to check out Addonics' latest. This peace maker plays back HD DVD, Blu-ray, DVD and CD, but it will only burn to the latter two; also, it's available with eSATA or eSATA / USB 2.0 interfaces, and it should play nice with Windows, OS X and Linux-based rigs. If you're wondering about speed, it can reportedly toast CD-Rs at 48x, CD-RWx at 32x, DVD±R at 16x, DVD±RW at 8x and DVD±R DL at 2.4x. Both of these suckas are available now for $409 / $429 depending on your choice of interface, and trust us, you never know when having something like this around will totally save the night.

[Andrew @ Dec 14th 2007 3:17AM]

This dog's got chops, but MAN is it ugly.

[Alex @ Dec 14th 2007 3:25AM]

i dont need to burn discs with it. Is there a cheaper option for me?

[-ardcore Canadian @ Dec 14th 2007 3:39AM]

http://www.greenlyph.com/new/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=618

I know it isn't an external drive, it is a BD burner as well though.

This is a local shop to me whom I always deal with. Usually have pretty decent prices on things.

[Alex @ Dec 14th 2007 3:47AM]

Yea, and you can probably find an SATA to eSATA/USB 2.0 enclosure for $100 or less right?

[john wehman @ Dec 14th 2007 10:59AM]

You could find something like this: (http://www.cooldrives.com/seatatousb20.html) for $30US which converts SATA to USB 2.0.

[Ma2T @ Dec 14th 2007 1:21PM]

Nice find, I just bought a 40" HDTV, and while the HD format was is still going, a multi-format drive would be perfect for my Media Center (still to build / buy).

[Reader @ Dec 14th 2007 4:03AM]

WTB Ban Button

[sam @ Dec 14th 2007 8:35AM]

This looks like it was designed for the Sawtooth G4 or graphite iMac

[DoctaDJones @ Dec 14th 2007 8:50AM]

Or you could just get the $299 LG Internal BD/HD drive and your external enclosure of choice for ~$40.

[T-Bone @ Dec 14th 2007 10:19AM]

What are the read speeds? That is an important stat, too, that seems to be missing.

[Alex @ Dec 14th 2007 1:59PM]

if you have clicked on the read link you'd find:
BD-ROM (SL/DL) 6x / 4.8x CAV
BD-R (SL/DL) 6x / 4.8x CAV
BD-RE (SL/DL) 2x / 2x CLV
BDMV (AACS Compliant Disc) 4.8x CAV
HD DVD-ROM (SL/DL) 3x / 3x CAV
HD DVD-Video (AACS Compliant Disc) 3x CAV

[T-Bone @ Dec 14th 2007 2:01PM]

That was too much work for something I barely have any interest in.

[CaptSaltyJack @ Dec 14th 2007 10:24AM]

Addonics. Now there's a brand name that boosts my confidence of its reliability and longevity!

[Martin @ Dec 14th 2007 12:15PM]

It's like having half a library of DVDs and half a library of laser discs and arguing that it's all okay because you have a laser disc player.

[robert @ Dec 14th 2007 11:44PM]

Wish this would work on a 360

[Jonny B. Good @ Dec 18th 2007 9:54AM]

But why is it ugly?