I've been searching around the forum and found info on 4k and libre drives and that if I get an external drive (which I need to) I should get a powered one and that pioneer seems to be the most problem free brand. The one thing I can't find is a recommendation. I was hoping to tap into the knowledge of the forum for some recommendations.
FYI, I don't plan on ripping 4k movies, only ripping blu-rays.
Best hardware for ripping BR discs
Re: Best hardware for ripping BR discs
'Internal' drives work pretty well when they're in an enclosure like the Vantec NexStar DX2. That effectively turns them into powered, USB connected external drives.
My best drive is my Pioneer BDR-S13UBK which I got from Billycar11. Sellers in different regions have the equivalent model.
My second best drive is a Pioneer BDR-212UBK which I happened to purchase in the brief window of time after Pioneer drives were supported and before Pioneer updated their firmware to disable support.
If you don't want to buy from a seller and you live in a part of the world where the Verbatim 43888 drive is sold, that will very likely have an older Pioneer drive inside it and work out of the box. There have been reports, however, of some users getting a Verbatim 43888 with an LG drive inside it, not a Pioneer drive. The LG drive can be flashed to enable LibreDrive, however.
Coopervid could direct to you the right Vinpower drive which can be professionally flashed to be turned into a supported Pioneer BDR-212 drive. Recommendation for best (most reliable and versatile) LibreDrive for 2024?
My best drive is my Pioneer BDR-S13UBK which I got from Billycar11. Sellers in different regions have the equivalent model.
My second best drive is a Pioneer BDR-212UBK which I happened to purchase in the brief window of time after Pioneer drives were supported and before Pioneer updated their firmware to disable support.
If you don't want to buy from a seller and you live in a part of the world where the Verbatim 43888 drive is sold, that will very likely have an older Pioneer drive inside it and work out of the box. There have been reports, however, of some users getting a Verbatim 43888 with an LG drive inside it, not a Pioneer drive. The LG drive can be flashed to enable LibreDrive, however.
Coopervid could direct to you the right Vinpower drive which can be professionally flashed to be turned into a supported Pioneer BDR-212 drive. Recommendation for best (most reliable and versatile) LibreDrive for 2024?
Re: Best hardware for ripping BR discs
i have around 12-15 different drives, 8 of which i use on a regular basis, from both ASUS & LG...i have not yet obtained any Pioneer drives.
from what i've experienced, bluray is pretty problem-free for the vast majority of things, and the ASUS/LG drives i have rarely experience any issues with properly ripping them.
UHD discs, on the other hand...they are PAINFUL. UHD is already finicky as it is, then throw in these discs that are coming directly from the factory with defects, scratches, etc., and it's a SHT show. i do need to pick up a Pioneer drive or two just to see if they will fare any better on these, but that has to take a backseat to some other stuff for the time being.
from what i've experienced, bluray is pretty problem-free for the vast majority of things, and the ASUS/LG drives i have rarely experience any issues with properly ripping them.
UHD discs, on the other hand...they are PAINFUL. UHD is already finicky as it is, then throw in these discs that are coming directly from the factory with defects, scratches, etc., and it's a SHT show. i do need to pick up a Pioneer drive or two just to see if they will fare any better on these, but that has to take a backseat to some other stuff for the time being.