I use Plex to send MKV, TS, MP4, etc. files to my TV on a 2009 Macbook Pro, via Wi-Fi, and running El Capitan. For that kind of usage, you don't really have to have anything 'new'.
Incidentally, I use a 2008 Mac Pro (with Snow Leopard!!!) for disc burning. I usually take files (such as MKV) and...
Not so, actually. My 2008 MacPro is one of those Macs that has IDE for the optical drives, so I ordered their IDE version. Rather than being an IDE drive, it was, in fact, a SATA drive with an IDE adapter to connect to the IDE cable in the Mac, so if the same holds true now (and I see no reason...
I bought my blu-ray drive (several years ago) from here.
I have an internal drive in my 2008 MacPro (SuperDrive in one bay, MCE drive in the other). Still works like a charm.
I"m using Toast 11 and Snow Leopard (mainly for compatibility with other older 'end of life' software I'm using on that...