Hello all, I'm looking to get a Blu-Ray drive for my PC and I have a few questions which I hope somebody can answer. 1/ Are PC Blue-ray drives released with different profile versions or does this only apply to stand-alone players? I'm looking at getting the following drive but I can't find any information regarding profiles: http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/45/104/442/BDC-S02BK/specs.html 2/ The OS I'm using is XP 64-bit. I've heard that Blue-ray disks use the UDF file format and the PC needs a specific driver to read this format. Are there problems using Blue-ray disks on XP 64-bit? 3/ My graphics card has a HDMI connector which is connected to my TV. The monitor I have is not HDCP capable but my TV is. I presume that I will only be able to display BR DVD's on my TV? Thanks Dave
heres some answers to your questions... 1. You shouldnt have to worry about what profile version your drive supports as long as you update the firmware to the latest version when you get the drive. The newest firmware should update profile versions and support for newer types of features on newly released movies, etc. 2. I have vista premium 64bit and a lite-on blu ray drive and everything works fine so you shouldnt have any problems. XP can handle udf file formats (dvds use that format I think) 3.what graphics card do you have? be sure that is hdcp complaint also. You will only be able to play back blu ray disks on an hdcp graphics card and display. If you want to watch them on your monitor install anydvd. running anydvd will remove the copy protection that blocks you from watching blu ray on a non hdcp display. I use anydvd to watch blu ray movies on my lcd and monitor from my computer. For some reason powerdvd 8 ultra doesnt like my hdmi adapter on my vid card so im forced to watch blu rays in clone mode (movie plays on my monitor and tv at the same time).
I have that Drive and it works just fine on my Xp Pro 32 bit. Windows explorer will not see the content of a bluray disc because of the UDF file format but it does'nt stop Power DVD playing them. Just means you need AnyDVD HD to be able to rip. (and overcome HDCP if you need to as stated) If your GFX card has a HDMI output I would be suprised if it is not HDCP compliant but you also should have at least 256Mb video Ram. Have you thought about sound output?? I run a digital co-axial lead from my Mobo to my Surround amp to acheive dolby 5.1 and DTS. You can set Power DVD audio options to S/PDIF output) My 32" HDCP LCD is connected via a 3 metre DVI to HDMI cable which works well. My monitor is not HDCP compliant and connected via VGA. I can display bluray on the monitor but because there is no HDCP handshake if I do that, then Power DVD will not output the film in HD resolution. I have found that using the nvidia desktop manager is pretty good because its easy to set-up a keyboard hot-key combo to switch your desktop over to the LCD and then pop your bluray disk in. Power DVD loads up and off you go. One other tip is that you will need your keyboard to navigate the bluray menu buttons, not the mouse and for this a wireless set-up works nice especially since my PC is in the adjacent room to my LCD.
Thanks Adam, Thats great news. I have a Nvidia 9800 GX2 with HDMI output. The TV is HDCP compliant but not the monitor. I've now bought a DB-ROM drive and using PowerDVD I can play discs on my TV but not the monitor. I need to use a hot-key to switch between them which is a bit awkward as the TV and computer are in differnt floors!
Thanks Adam, Thats great news. I have an Nvidia 9800 GX2 with HDMI output. The TV is HDCP compliant but not the monitor. I've now bought a BD-ROM drive and using PowerDVD I can play discs on my TV but not the monitor. I need to use a hot-key to switch between them which is a bit awkward as the TV and computer are in different floors! Yeah, the graphics card has an SPDIF input which then channels the audio down the HDMI cable to the TV. Yes I have a wireless USB hub beside my TV which allows me to sometimes control the PC upstairs. Wireless USB coverage is pretty poor though which makes the switch between monitors difficult. Anyway, thanks for the replies guys. Dave
