Philips and Lite-On push out external Blu-ray drive

Yeah, just another Blu-ray drive for your perusal: this one, called the DX-4O1S, reads at 4x, and will be the first by Philips and Lite-On Digital Solutions, that joint venture formed about a year ago. Exciting stuff, this; due out next quarter.

[Eron @ Feb 28th 2008 8:41AM]

*closes eyes* Ok,hit me with the cost now.

[wengleung @ Feb 28th 2008 8:45AM]

formed formed!

[Jeff Lewis @ Feb 28th 2008 8:44AM]

Where are the *burners*?

The blank disks have been around for a long time...

[John @ Feb 28th 2008 8:46AM]

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.

[Eron @ Feb 28th 2008 8:52AM]

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....

[Tyler @ Feb 28th 2008 8:57AM]

This drive is going to be $299.99, due in march.

http://us.liteonit.com/us/press/odd/bdrom/020408.htm

[kevin @ Feb 28th 2008 9:08AM]

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

[Bmills @ Feb 28th 2008 9:06AM]

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.

[Franssu @ Feb 28th 2008 2:28PM]

Agreed. I don't need a BD player, I have a PS3. I need a friggin BD Burner foe a reasonable price, kthxbai.

[JackDangers @ Feb 28th 2008 9:10AM]

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.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 28th 2008 9:19AM]

so basically the white part is Lite-Ons R&D and the black part is Philips R&D.

[hds @ Feb 28th 2008 9:17AM]

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?

[Cam @ Feb 28th 2008 10:32AM]

Anyway to hook this thing up to a 360 as an external Blu Ray source?

[Dan Davis @ Feb 28th 2008 9:29AM]

360 owners: meet your new friend.

[Matt B @ Feb 28th 2008 10:10AM]

The 360 version will be MS branded and cost more.

[Dave @ Feb 28th 2008 9:35AM]

Good, but we need more burners!!!

[Ryan Valiente @ Feb 28th 2008 10:02AM]

Can anyone tell me how fast 4x of a BD Drive is? I mean how many mb/s ?

[slyd3z @ Feb 28th 2008 10:17AM]

Only one google away: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc#Recording_speed

[VampireHunter Z @ Feb 28th 2008 11:21AM]

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.