Abstract: Blu-ray takes another tentative step towards the mass market, but is now the time to buy? Image 3 Weve already seen Blu-ray drives pre-installed in two Sony systems - the VAIO VGC-RC204 desktop and the VAIO VGN-AR11S notebook - but now the technology...
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Published: 2007-06-28, Author: Ryan , review by: cnet.com
Supports all major optical-media types; non-Blu-ray task speeds are acceptable; extensive software package.
Still very expensive; IDE-only; slow to rip commercial Blu-ray discs; finicky with media brands.
The Sony BWU-100A Blu-ray burner is still priced out of range for most users, but if you have $700 to spare, its a good choice for its range of media support and acceptable task speeds.
Can burn all types of optical media, including dual-layer Blu-ray; ships with Blu-ray movie playback software.
Slower than dedicated DVD drives for DVD recording, and slower than competing products for Blu-ray burning; pricey.
Its the most flexible and cost-effective Blu-ray drive for the PC to date, but "cost-effective" is relative, at $750. But if you want the glory of Blu-ray movies on the PC, its a good solution—but you also need the correct supporting software....
Abstract: If youre confused by the DVD format wars and are looking for a next-generation optical drive, Sony has an option. Sonys first-generation Blu-ray computer drive, the BWU-100A, is compatible with more disc formats than any other optical drive now on th...
of the BWU100APoor media support/MID table for DVD media.EIDE interface – give it up already, let it go.Inability to match correct write strategies for common DVD MIDs.Some write quality issues with BDR/BDRE media prevent optimal extraction speeds...
