Can I use my Laptop as my Blu-ray player? (1 Viewer)

[DanielKellmii]

I am going to buy a laptop soon, and I also need a blu-ray player. So, why not combine the two? Is it worthwhile money-wise? I figure I need to add a blu-ray player and a decent audio card. Anything else? Thanks.

 

[Zack Gibbs]

Do you mean to use it purely on its own, or do you want to output from the laptop to an HDTV?

 

[jotto]

If you're planning on outputting to an HDTV as Zack suggests, I would recommend not seeking a laptop with BluRay and HDMI because the extra price isn't worth it. I haven't seen many (someone correct me if they know of any) affordable laptops with a BluRay and HDMI output.

You might be better off getting a cheaper laptop (no more than $600 depending on your needs), and then getting a cheaper Blu-Ray player. I have seen them going for $150 and less for the past few weeks - or better yet - a PS3 for $300 and get a $500 Dell laptop.

 

[DanielKellmii]

It would be for output.

 

[jotto]

Hey Daniel, HP just announced a big deal on their 18-inch high performance laptop ($400 off plus free 4GB RAM upgrade and 320 Hard Drive upgrade = $1099.99 shipped. It comes with a dedicated/discrete video card, Blu-Ray player and HDMI output, so if you don't mind an 18-inch laptop, this would work well for you. No known expiration date, but their promotions usually last 1 week, so I would imagine this promotion will be over November 8th.

http://dealzon.com/deals/hp-dv8t-18-inch-1-7ghz-i7-4gb-ram-laptop-with-windows-7-hdmi-out-and-blu-ray

 

[DanielKellmii]

FYI, At COSTCO I bought a HP Pavillion dv6-1253cl. 16 inch display, 500 GB, HDMI output, a Core 2 Duo and Blu-Ray. It was $600 including a 2 year warranty. I got it for work. It is just the right size for what I need to do. I have had it for two weeks now and have played a few minutes of one Blu-ray movie on my TV. It looks great. The digital out needs and adaptor to make it work. I haven't done that yet. It would have been nice to have a built in digital out for something labeled an "Entertainment PC."

 

[dgrayid]

some computers and laptops will not let you play to another screen because of the anti-piracy software.

 

[DanielKellmii]

The one I got already let me play on my TV. So, that is one hurdle. But, i haven't confirmed if it really will play 5.1 audio. Something that is labeled as an "Entertainment" laptop should do that.

 

[jasnall]

I'd get a stand alone Blu-Ray player. Laptop drive would be subject to wear and tear form the heat of the laptop as well as not being designed for constant 1-3 hour use.

 

[jpa2400]

I picked up the HP dv7 with blu-ray, may just use that until I get more discs