Philips and Lite-On push out external Blu-ray drive
By Ryan Block 
posted Feb 28th 2008 8:24AM
posted Feb 28th 2008 8:24AM
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*closes eyes* Ok,hit me with the cost now.
formed formed!
Where are the *burners*?
The blank disks have been around for a long time...
What's the point of an external until you can buy a relatively low cost burner as well? It seems to me that 1080p is somewhat lost on most computer monitors.
You know what, you're right. But this could actually help me since my screen res is 1920x1200, assuming it's not like $3,000....
This drive is going to be $299.99, due in march.
http://us.liteonit.com/us/press/odd/bdrom/020408.htm
Of course, if you're not too scared to just put a drive inside your computer - daunting, I know - why not just put down $130 for this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106227
At that price, I would rather have the PS3 as a mobile Blu-Ray player / Computer....
Oh wait....I already do!
In one year if that is a burner at $180, then I will open my wallet for it.
Agreed. I don't need a BD player, I have a PS3. I need a friggin BD Burner foe a reasonable price, kthxbai.
Personally, I have been waiting for something like this for a while. I can't upgrade the drive in my laptop, and I don't want to pay $595+ for a combination blu ray player/burner. This will be much cheaper. Also, having scoured many places, I can't find a SINGLE external blu ray player. They are all burners.
so basically the white part is Lite-Ons R&D and the black part is Philips R&D.
It would be great if it had the same footprint (when horizontal) as my Apple TV box. And then, if I could shrink down the bulky surround receiver...all of this would fit nicely next to my skinny new TV.
Is it time for a new standard to be created for a/v components? Maybe vertical orientation that can be wall mounted. Now that the TVs no longer encroach into my living space, why should all of the other related stuff?
Anyway to hook this thing up to a 360 as an external Blu Ray source?
360 owners: meet your new friend.
The 360 version will be MS branded and cost more.
Good, but we need more burners!!!
Can anyone tell me how fast 4x of a BD Drive is? I mean how many mb/s ?
Only one google away: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc#Recording_speed
That 4x speed is interesting. I think this probably the fastest Blu-ray drive. I still won't get a standalone player until 4x is the norm, there is profile 2.0 and it costs less than $300.