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- Best external blu ray reader writer pc how to#
- Best external blu ray reader writer pc movie#
- Best external blu ray reader writer pc code#
Plus, since their recording surface is made from different materials than those of CDs and CD-Rs, Blu-ray discs can theoretically last many more years before their data starts to degrade. Blu-rays are also great for storageĪ single-layer Blu-ray disc can hold 25 gigabytes, while other varieties can accommodate two or four times that much data. Luckily, a large number of today’s PC Blu-ray players have 4K-ready firmware updates available.
Best external blu ray reader writer pc how to#
To figure out how to get your particular Blu-ray drive up and running with 4K content, you’ll have to do a search for the specific model number, as every drive has a different firmware patch. Nonetheless, with countless classics archived on copy-protected Blu-rays, clever enthusiasts have developed a wide range of firmware flashes and open-source media players that, when combined, do a great job of getting 4K data from a DRM-laden Blu-ray onto your hard drive or PC monitor. This has affected some legally purchased discs. Decryption methods that once worked swimmingly were ultimately found out, and manufacturers released firmware updates to further prevent users from making illicit copies of Blu-ray discs. In the case of viewing 4K Blu-rays, things are a little different.
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Normally, newer firmware means a device will work better.
Best external blu ray reader writer pc code#
That code tells the device how to function from its most basic level (e.g., how to power on) all the way to how to communicate with a host PC (for example, how to send a decoded video signal to the graphics output). Firmware matters, but not the way you thinkįirmware is the code written to tiny flash memory drives located inside most consumer electronics. Because of these copy protection methods, it’s anything but straightforward to use a PC Blu-ray drive to watch a 4K Blu-ray.
Best external blu ray reader writer pc movie#
The movie industry uses various forms of encryption and digital rights management to keep unscrupulous users from backing up (also known as ripping) Blu-ray releases and selling them for profit. What to know before you buy a Blu-ray player for PC 4K Blu-rays may not be easy to watch The best Blu-ray player for most PC users is the OWC Mercury Pro, due to its high speed, impressive reliability and compatibility with 4K content.
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If you want to play your Blu-ray collection or use Blu-ray discs to back up large amounts of data, it’s worth considering a Blu-ray drive for your PC. Plus, streaming services simply don’t provide access to every bit of media that was once available on optical discs, especially old and obscure content. If you already own a movie or TV series on Blu-ray, there’s no reason to pay or use the internet bandwidth to play it. Despite the popularity of online streaming services, Blu-ray discs still have some things to offer.
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