Advice On Getting A 4K UHD Blu-ray playable Disc Drive (1 Viewer)

[Tony Bensley]

I’m hoping to order a 4K UHD Blu-ray playable Disc Drive in the next few weeks.

While I have a number of questions, the main one at the moment is for 4K UHD Blu-ray disc playback, the LG drive I’m looking at is the only one that is normally priced at well under $200, and doesn’t come with Cyberlink bloatware, which I would just as soon do without. It also has 3-D support, on the off chance I ever get a display with that capability. For playback purposes, does it matter if the USB is set up for 2.0, or should I be looking at USB 3.0 UHD Drives for this purpose? As it stands, this particular drive is out of stock on Amazon Canada far more often than not.

Regarding 4K UHD Blu-ray playback compatibility through my device configuration, I’ll be attaching screenshots with some key specs. Insofar as screen resolution, my Acer Laptop is limited to 1920x1080p with my Toshiba TV further limited to roughly 720p. At this time, UHD Blu-ray playback capability is what I am after. My current playback software is the free version of Leawo, which is 4K playback capable. “Use HDR” is not supported for either of my “Internal Display”/“TOSHIBA – TV” options, although HDR for streaming is supported with the former option.

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!

CHEERS!

 

[Dennis Nicholls]

I am so confused. Why do you want 4K UHD blu-ray playback on a 1080P laptop?

The 4K blu-ray players for computers are generally much more expensive than HT versions. You could buy a Sony UBP-X700 for around $100US and a 4k TCL TV for a few hundred US.

Or do you just want to start buying 4K discs even though you have no means of viewing them?

 

[JohnRice]

Just a random question. USB 2? What on earth has been USB 2 for ten years?

 

[Tony Bensley]

I am so confused. Why do you want 4K UHD blu-ray playback on a 1080P laptop?

The 4K blu-ray players for computers are generally much more expensive than HT versions. You could buy a Sony UBP-X700 for around $100US and a 4k TCL TV for a few hundred US.

Or do you just want to start buying 4K discs even though you have no means of viewing them?

I hear you, but it's complicated. For reasons I would rather not go into, I'm unable to get the optimal setup that you described above, BUT I can go the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc drive route. 4K discs should still play on a Laptop even if the display itself isn't 4K, no? Up until recently, I played 1080p Blu-ray discs on a Laptop with a 1366x768 display. Also, when using a different monitor connected to that that Laptop, the maximum resolution capability was boosted to 1080p. Could the same possibly apply if I were to later get a 4K TV that I could connect my current 1080p Laptop with? So many questions!

 

[Tony Bensley]

Just a random question. USB 2? What on earth has been USB 2 for ten years?

It surprises me too, John! Apparently, a lot of External Disc Drive models haven't been updated much!!

This is the item I'm hoping becomes available, again:

Amazon.ca

CHEERS!

 

[JohnRice]

FWIW, every slim drive I've ever tried was a complete piece of junk. I gave up on them.

 

[DaveF]

@Tony Bensley last I checked, 4K UHD playback on a PC had specific and high end hardware requirements, circa 2020. Check that your computer meets this requirements to work with PowerDVD before investing in a drive. Unless you’ll be happy with only 1080p blu-ray playback if 4K doesn’t work.

 

[jcroy]

It surprises me too, John! Apparently, a lot of External Disc Drive models haven't been updated much!!

This is the item I'm hoping becomes available, again:

...

This is not likely to appear again, unless it is really old inventory that was forgotten about for many years. Better luck finding it at a thrift shop or a liquidation outlet.

 

[jcroy]

@Tony Bensley last I checked, 4K UHD playback on a PC had specific and high end hardware requirements, circa 2020. Check that your computer meets this requirements to work with PowerDVD before investing in a drive. Unless you’ll be happy with only 1080p blu-ray playback if 4K doesn’t work.

PowerDVD support for 4Kbluray was discontinued back in late 2023. Without going into details, it appears it coincided with Intel removing a security feature in their cpus which software 4Kbluray viewing programs were using.

CyberLink Support Center

The only options left are grey market programs.

 

[Tony Bensley]

This is not likely to appear again, unless it is really old inventory that was forgotten about for many years. Better luck finding it at a thrift shop or a liquidation outlet.

Fortunately, Amazon Canada has a few other options, although they are also unfortunately more expensive.

PowerDVD support for 4Kbluray was discontinued back in late 2023. Without going into details, it appears it coincided with Intel removing a security feature in their cpus which software 4Kbluray viewing programs were using.

CyberLink Support Center

The only options left are grey market programs.

Leawo Blu-ray player, which also supports UHD Blu-ray, has been my go to program for many years, now. Too bad options are so limited!

CHEERS!

 

[Scott Merryfield]

I have owned the drive below for many years -- it's a full-size LG BD writer for which I purchased a USB enclosure. This version doesn't support 4K UHD playback, but a later version supposedly does. One caveat -- I have not been able to get the CD-R burning capability to work on my current Dell Windows 11 desktop. I am not sure if it's an issue with Win11 or just a driver problem. I only needed to do this once to share a data file with someone, so it wasn't worth spending the time troubleshooting. I rarely use the drive anymore -- just to occasionally record DVD/BD concerts for converting to MP3.

 

[jcroy]

I have owned the drive below for many years -- it's a full-size LG BD writer for which I purchased a USB enclosure.

If this ^ is what I think it is, this may be a better option than a slim portable disc player. The setup I'm thinking of is getting a generic internal bluray drive, and putting it into a usb3 enclosure designed specifically for optical drives. One company which still currently manufactures such specific optical drive enclosures is vantec.

Vantec Thermal Technologies (VantecUSA)

Vantec makes Storage Enclosures, Thermal, and Mobile products, with Brands like NexStar, EZ-Swap, LapCool, Stealth, Tornado, and Iceberq.

vantecusa.com

Awhile ago I purchased a vantec adapter which connects a dvd/bluray drive's sata output to a usb3 output. This didn't come with a enclosure, but it works fine for my purposes. I would guess the vantec enclosures would be using the same type of sata->usb3 adapter in their enclosure/adaptor kits for external dvd/bluray drives.

NexStar USB 3.0 to SATA 6Gbps Optical/Storage Adapter

The NexStar USB 3.0 to SATA 6Gbps Optical/Storage Adapter is a simple solution to connect any existing SATA 5.25” Optical drive to your USB port. Optical Drives like Blu-Ray, DVDRW, DVD ROM, CDRW and CD ROM are perfect companion with this adapter. It is as simple as connecting up the unit to the...

vantecusa.com

 

[Tony Bensley]

I have owned the drive below for many years -- it's a full-size LG BD writer for which I purchased a USB enclosure. This version doesn't support 4K UHD playback, but a later version supposedly does. One caveat -- I have not been able to get the CD-R burning capability to work on my current Dell Windows 11 desktop. I am not sure if it's an issue with Win11 or just a driver problem. I only needed to do this once to share a data file with someone, so it wasn't worth spending the time troubleshooting. I rarely use the drive anymore -- just to occasionally record DVD/BD concerts for converting to MP3.

Hi Scott!

I'm not too concerned about disc burning, as I very rarely do so, these days. I'm also set for burning Blu-ray Discs if I have the inclination, to do so.

For a number of reasons, the ideal Home Theater setup just isn't an option for me, BUT I do want to have the capability to view 4K UHD Blu-ray Discs, even if this means viewing them at less than their full 4K resolution. Companies also seem to be phasing out physical UHD Disc Drives, which has added to my sense of urgency in getting one sooner, rather than later. Not to mention that I'm 60 years old with (slowly) diminishing faculties. My hearing is an issue, as it stands.

Going the full size version with an enclosure route might be worth considering, though this would be rather bulky for my Bedroom TV/Laptop setup.

My new Acer Laptop has an i7 Gen 11 processor with 40 GB of RAM, and has Intel(R) iris(R) xe graphics. From what I could glean from Google search, maximum capable display resolution with the right monitor/TV should be a bit north of 4k, which is encouraging, should I get a 4K Display monitor down the road!

Thanks to you and everyone for your helpful input!

CHEERS!

 

[Scott Merryfield]

If this ^ is what I think it is, this may be a better option than a slim portable disc player. The setup I'm thinking of is getting a generic internal bluray drive, and putting it into a usb3 enclosure designed specifically for optical drives. One company which still currently manufactures such specific optical drive enclosures is vantec.

Vantec Thermal Technologies (VantecUSA)

Vantec makes Storage Enclosures, Thermal, and Mobile products, with Brands like NexStar, EZ-Swap, LapCool, Stealth, Tornado, and Iceberq.

vantecusa.com

Awhile ago I purchased a vantec adapter which connects a dvd/bluray drive's sata output to a usb3 output. This didn't come with a enclosure, but it works fine for my purposes. I would guess the vantec enclosures would be using the same type of sata->usb3 adapter in their enclosure/adaptor kits for external dvd/bluray drives.

NexStar USB 3.0 to SATA 6Gbps Optical/Storage Adapter

The NexStar USB 3.0 to SATA 6Gbps Optical/Storage Adapter is a simple solution to connect any existing SATA 5.25” Optical drive to your USB port. Optical Drives like Blu-Ray, DVDRW, DVD ROM, CDRW and CD ROM are perfect companion with this adapter. It is as simple as connecting up the unit to the...

vantecusa.com

Yes, the photo in my post is of a full-sized internal LG BD disc player & recorder installed in a USB enclosure for SATA devices. In my case, it's USB 2, as I have owned it for many years. If purchasing today, though, USB 3 would definitely be the way to go.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Hi Scott!

I'm not too concerned about disc burning, as I very rarely do so, these days. I'm also set for burning Blu-ray Discs if I have the inclination, to do so.

For a number of reasons, the ideal Home Theater setup just isn't an option for me, BUT I do want to have the capability to view 4K UHD Blu-ray Discs, even if this means viewing them at less than their full 4K resolution. Companies also seem to be phasing out physical UHD Disc Drives, which has added to my sense of urgency in getting one sooner, rather than later. Not to mention that I'm 60 years old with (slowly) diminishing faculties. My hearing is an issue, as it stands.

Going the full size version with an enclosure route might be worth considering, though this would be rather bulky for my Bedroom TV/Laptop setup.

My new Acer Laptop has an i7 Gen 11 processor with 40 GB of RAM, and has Intel(R) iris(R) xe graphics. From what I could glean from Google search, maximum capable display resolution with the right monitor/TV should be a bit north of 4k, which is encouraging, should I get a 4K Display monitor down the road!

Thanks to you and everyone for your helpful input!

CHEERS!

Tony,

I still think an internal drive + USB enclosure is probably your best bet. See the link below to the LG drive that has UHD playback support. I do not see that model currently on Amazon, but you could check other places such as Newegg (not sure if they ship to Canada).

16x Internal Blu-ray Ultra HD Drive - WH16NS60 | LG USA

Discover the 16x Internal Blu-ray Ultra HD Drive that features Silent Play and Jamless Play . Find reviews, specs, and more for WH16NS60.

www.lg.com

 

[Tony Bensley]

Tony,

I still think an internal drive + USB enclosure is probably your best bet. See the link below to the LG drive that has UHD playback support. I do not see that model currently on Amazon, but you could check other places such as Newegg (not sure if they ship to Canada).

16x Internal Blu-ray Ultra HD Drive - WH16NS60 | LG USA

Discover the 16x Internal Blu-ray Ultra HD Drive that features Silent Play and Jamless Play . Find reviews, specs, and more for WH16NS60.

www.lg.com

I'll definitely see what I can dig up, Scott! Also, I just googled again and discovered that the graphics on my new Laptop WILL support 3-D Displays, so that's really cool!!

CHEERS!

 

[jcroy]

Leawo Blu-ray player, which also supports UHD Blu-ray, has been my go to program for many years, now. Too bad options are so limited!

Leawo only has a limited number of 4Kbluray drives which it can run on, mostly LG and various LG rebadges (ie. Asus, etc ...).

Leawo UHD Drive Tool - Technical Specifications

Leawo UHD Drive Tool can downgrade firmware on UHD-unfriendly Blu-ray drive, this page will show you the technical specifications of this program.

www.leawo.org

There are no Pioneer 4Kbluray drives listed.


The folks who wrote makemkv, have figured out how to rip 4Kbluray discs on both LG and Pioneer drives (via Libredrive).

 

[Tony Bensley]

Leawo only has a limited number of 4Kbluray drives which it can run on, mostly LG and various LG rebadges (ie. Asus, etc ...).

Leawo UHD Drive Tool - Technical Specifications

Leawo UHD Drive Tool can downgrade firmware on UHD-unfriendly Blu-ray drive, this page will show you the technical specifications of this program.

www.leawo.org

There are no Pioneer 4Kbluray drives listed.


The folks who wrote makemkv, have figured out how to rip 4Kbluray discs on both LG and Pioneer drives (via Libredrive).

UGH, that really sucks!!! Good to know, though. Thank you for posting, jc!

P.S. The good news is three of the four 4K Blu-ray Drives on my Amazon Wishlist (Purely for reference) ARE on the above list. However, NONE of them have the "Tested" designation beside them on the right hand column. Does this matter?

CHEERS!

 

[Tony Bensley]

Leawo only has a limited number of 4Kbluray drives which it can run on, mostly LG and various LG rebadges (ie. Asus, etc ...).

Leawo UHD Drive Tool - Technical Specifications

Leawo UHD Drive Tool can downgrade firmware on UHD-unfriendly Blu-ray drive, this page will show you the technical specifications of this program.

www.leawo.org

There are no Pioneer 4Kbluray drives listed.


The folks who wrote makemkv, have figured out how to rip 4Kbluray discs on both LG and Pioneer drives (via Libredrive).

OK, I've done a fair bit of searching for various LG "4K" Blu-ray Drive model numbers listed on the above Leawo page. So far, most of the "Tested" ones that I've been able to locate online (Mostly on Amazon Canada) mention NOTHING (IE. There are no 4K UHD Blu-ray logos, or any 4K mention in the item descriptions!) about 4K capability. As such, the list seems very highly unreliable. Yes, I have double and triple checked to ensure the make and model numbers precisely match up.

UGH, that really sucks!!! Good to know, though. Thank you for posting, jc!

P.S. The good news is three of the four 4K Blu-ray Drives on my Amazon Wishlist (Purely for reference) ARE on the above list. However, NONE of them have the "Tested" designation beside them on the right hand column. Does this matter?

CHEERS!

Honestly, with my frustrations regarding so many of the listed make and model numbers matching up with non 4K UHD capable drives, I'm seriously at a loss, right now! As it stands, having read the tea leaves regarding general decreased unavailability of the LG UHD Blu-ray players that I have been looking at, I'm very likely SOL insofar as ever being able to get the far less expensive (When it was available!), non bloatware version of the LG Electronics Ultra Slim Portable Blu-ray/DVD Writer Optical Drive - BP60NB10 as listed on Amazon Canada:

Amazon.ca

Any of the vendors that have it listed that I've been able to locate, list it as "Out of stock."

The far more expensive Produplicator LG BP60NB10 Portable 6X Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray Burner External Drive with CyberLink Software bloatware version has only 5 left on both Amazon Canada and Amazon U.S. platforms:

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B079LTC6ML...PVKYESFZ5&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/BP60NB10-Portable-External-CyberLink-Software/dp/B08HR7J9DH/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=KZ2Oa&content-id=amzn1.sym.c2cf8313-b86b-4327-9de4-9398adaa570b:amzn1.symc.a68f4ca3-28dc-4388-a2cf-24672c480d8f&pf_rd_p=c2cf8313-b86b-4327-9de4-9398adaa570b&pf_rd_r=EPHXSHTR5234B78WAACW&pd_rd_wg=bNfHN&pd_rd_r=5b464ed4-ee8d-42b5-8705-3baf488d59c0&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d&th=1

The only "Tested" Drives that appear to be able to play UHD Discs are the LG BU50N and the HLDS BDRE BU40N Internal Laptop Drives.

HLDS BDRE BU40N Internal Laptop Drive:

Amazon.ca

LG BU50N Internal Laptop Drive:

Laptop Internal 4K Ultra HD 3D Blu-ray Player M-Disc BD-RE Burner, Model for LG BU50N, 4X BD-R TL QL BDXL 100GB 128GB 6X BD-R DL 8X DVD+/-R RAM 24X CD-R Writer 9.0mm Slim SATA Optical Drive : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Laptop Internal 4K Ultra HD 3D Blu-ray Player M-Disc BD-RE Burner, Model for LG BU50N, 4X BD-R TL QL BDXL 100GB 128GB 6X BD-R DL 8X DVD+/-R RAM 24X CD-R Writer 9.0mm Slim SATA Optical Drive : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

Any thoughts?

CHEERS!

​

 

[Tony Bensley]

OK, I’ve been giving this 4K Disc Drive Dilemma some serious thought.

As there appears to be no definitive way to ensure that any one 4K Drive will definitely play commercial 4K UHD Discs with my existing Leawo software, I’ve come to a decision.

It will be either some version of the LG BP60NB10 Portable 6X Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray Burner External Drive (With or without Cyberlink bloatware!), or bust. At least, if it turns out I’m unable to play commercial 4K Blu-ray Discs with my existing Leawo Blu-ray Player software, this particular drive does have some other appealing features (IE. Smooth Jam less playback, and 3-D support!), and appears to be robust compared to any other options I have been able to locate! It will come down to availability, and I unfortunately do have to wait until near the end of the month to place an order.

Huge thanks to everyone for your feedback!

CHEERS!