Which blu-ray drive to buy?
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2025 7:21 pm
As my SATA blu-ray drive seems to have died and now only reads DVDs (don't have CDs to test), I need another drive to backup my blu-rays.
I have looked online for a blu-ray drive and they are so expensive now. To add to my confusion, some either work or don't work with MakeMKV - which is my intended use for whichever drive I buy.
Ideally I would like an internal SATA blu-ray drive, but would consider a USB drive. Writing capabilities don't interest me - I haven't written to an optical disc for about 5 years now and I don't have any plans to start now. As I only rip a couple of blu-ray discs a year, the drive won't see heavy use, but I don't want to risk buying a cheap Chinese USB drive either.
I hope this isn't being rude, but I will probably need help flashing the drive and finding the right firmware. Which is why I am asking for help in choosing the right drive, hoping that the flashing process will be easier for both myself and those that help me.
Budget wise, I don't want to spend a silly amount of money - I have about £100 (I live in the UK) in mind, but this is flexible. I can't believe that drives are so expensive now, but I suppose not many people use them in the current days of streaming.
I'd like to thank everybody in advance that chooses to advise and/or assist. I realise that I am asking a lot by asking people to take time to tell me which drive to buy, then help me flash it.
I have looked online for a blu-ray drive and they are so expensive now. To add to my confusion, some either work or don't work with MakeMKV - which is my intended use for whichever drive I buy.
Ideally I would like an internal SATA blu-ray drive, but would consider a USB drive. Writing capabilities don't interest me - I haven't written to an optical disc for about 5 years now and I don't have any plans to start now. As I only rip a couple of blu-ray discs a year, the drive won't see heavy use, but I don't want to risk buying a cheap Chinese USB drive either.
I hope this isn't being rude, but I will probably need help flashing the drive and finding the right firmware. Which is why I am asking for help in choosing the right drive, hoping that the flashing process will be easier for both myself and those that help me.
Budget wise, I don't want to spend a silly amount of money - I have about £100 (I live in the UK) in mind, but this is flexible. I can't believe that drives are so expensive now, but I suppose not many people use them in the current days of streaming.
I'd like to thank everybody in advance that chooses to advise and/or assist. I realise that I am asking a lot by asking people to take time to tell me which drive to buy, then help me flash it.
