This is a list of BD drives that are no longer the latest generation of drives from their respective manufacturers. Because of this, some of these drives can be found for much better prices than their newer counterparts.
Older Drives
LG GGW-H10N (MSRP: $1199) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link
LG's second drive is an interesting unit as it features Blu-ray disc burning and HD DVD disc playback. The device is not yet widely available, and the price is expected to be quite high, although you can currently get one added to certain HP desktop models at a fairly reasonable price.
| Specs | Write Speeds | ||
| Interface | SATA | BD-R/RE SL | 4x/2x |
| Cache | 4MB | BD-R/RE DL | 2x |
| Read Speeds | DVD+/-R SL | 8x | |
| BD-ROM | 4x | DVD+/-R DL | 4x |
| DVD-ROM | 12x | DVD+/-RW | 8x |
| CD-ROM | 32x | CD-R | 16x |
| Special Features | Plays HD DVD | CD-RW | 16x |
LG GBW-H10N (MSRP: $699 ?) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link
LG was first to market with this 4x speed BD-R burner, and it's available at a very reasonable price at most retailers. However no support for writing 50GB media, very slow CD burning, and limited stateside availability hold this drive back.
| Specs | Write Speeds | ||
| Interface | EIDE | BD-R/RE SL | 4x/2x |
| Cache | 4MB | BD-R/RE DL | NA |
| Read Speeds | DVD+/-R SL | 12x | |
| BD-ROM | 4.8x | DVD+/-R DL | 4x |
| DVD-ROM | 16x | DVD+/-RW | 8x |
| CD-ROM | 40x | CD-R | 8x |
| Special Features | None | CD-RW | 10x |
Sony BWU-100A (MSRP: Originally $749; now $699) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link
Sony's first Blu-ray PC drive set the original standard for quality and is still an excellent all-around drive, even if its specs don't match up with newer models.
| Specs | Write Speeds | ||
| Interface | EIDE | BD-R/RE SL | 2x |
| Cache | 8MB | BD-R/RE DL | 2x |
| Read Speeds | DVD+/-R SL | 8x | |
| BD-ROM | 2x | DVD+/-R DL | 4x |
| DVD-ROM | 8x | DVD+/-RW | 8x |
| CD-ROM | 32x | CD-R | 24x |
| Special Features | None | CD-RW | 16x |
Panasonic SW-5582 (OEM only) -- Firmware must be acquired from PC vendor/OEM
Although one of the most common Blu-ray PC drives, the SW-5582 is only available as an OEM drive. Many PC manufacturers and other OEM drive vendors sell the SW-5582 as part of a system or as a retail drive under another manufacturer's label (ie. Plextor, I-O Data, etc). Although some stores sell the bare drive as an OEM or "bulk" drive, it is nearly impossible to obtain firmware upgrades, etc. from Panasonic.
| Specs | Write Speeds | ||
| Interface | EIDE | BD-R/RE SL | 2x |
| Cache | 8MB | BD-R/RE DL | 2x |
| Read Speeds | DVD+/-R SL | 8x | |
| BD-ROM | 2x | DVD+/-R DL | 4x |
| DVD-ROM | 16x | DVD+/-RW | 8x |
| CD-ROM | 24x | CD-R | 24x |
| Special Features | None | CD-RW | 16x |
Philips SDP7000BD and Lite-on LH-2B1S (MSRP: $649) -- Amazon (Lite-on) -- Newegg (Lite-on) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Philips and Lite-on
The new joint Philips/Lite-on venture has produced an excellent Blu-ray writer (available from both manufacturers) with very nice overall specs for a first-gen drive. The only thing lacking is support for writing dual-layer (50GB) BD-R and BD-RE discs.
| Specs | Write Speeds | ||
| Interface | SATA | BD-R/RE SL | 2x |
| Cache | 8MB | BD-R/RE DL | NA |
| Read Speeds | DVD+/-R SL | 12x | |
| BD-ROM | 2x | DVD+/-R DL | 4x |
| DVD-ROM | 12x | DVD+/-RW | 8x |
| CD-ROM | 32x | CD-R | 32x |
| Special Features | None | CD-RW | 24x |
Plextor PX-B900A (MSRP: $999) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link
Plextor, as usual, puts out a very nice drive and software package, but at a much higher price than competing products. If you want to save some money, you can get the OEM Panasonic SW-5582 shown below, which the Plextor package is built on, and can be had for a more reasonable price.
| Specs | Write Speeds | ||
| Interface | EIDE | BD-R/RE SL | 2x |
| Cache | 8MB | BD-R/RE DL | 2x |
| Read Speeds | DVD+/-R SL | 8x | |
| BD-ROM | 2x | DVD+/-R DL | 4x |
| DVD-ROM | 16x | DVD+/-RW | 8x |
| CD-ROM | 24x | CD-R | 24x |
| Special Features | None | CD-RW | 16x |
Pioneer BDR-101A (MSRP: $999) -- Firmware/Software Updates: Link
The first Blu-ray burner to hit store shelves, the Pioneer BDR-101A lacks many of the features of newer burners, and is essentially (though not officially) retired from the marketplace. For those interested, though, or see a good deal on this drive, be aware that it will only burn 25GB (SL) BD-R and BD-RE discs, and will not read or write CD, CD-R, or CD-RW discs.
| Specs | Write Speeds | ||
| Interface | EIDE | BD-R/RE SL | 2x |
| Cache | 8MB | BD-R/RE DL | NA |
| Read Speeds | DVD+/-R SL | 8x | |
| BD-ROM | 2x | DVD+/-R DL | 2.4x |
| DVD-ROM | 8x | DVD+/-RW | 4x |
| CD-ROM | NA | CD-R | NA |
| Special Features | None | CD-RW | NA |
Latest update: 7/2/08
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