New Blu-Ray Player

[golfnut]

Hi All,

Am getting ready to take the plunge into blu-ray for my computer. Would you please recommend models of blu-ray burners that I should consider. Want one that will back up copies of my blu-ray movies for the kids. Also what software should I buy. Is there anything else I need to buy. Below are specs of my computer. Please feel free to recommend upgrades to my computer if needed. If there is anything else I need other than the burner and software please tell me what I need as I am a total newbie at this. Thank you so much for your help.

2.0 Processor dual core I think
3gb ram ddr2 or 3
320 hard driv
motherboard has 4 inputs for SATA cables

[fritzi93]

Pioneer BD burners are often recommended here. Also, many people are satisfied with their LG burners. I have one and have no complaints (they're typically one of the cheaper BD burners). LG BD burners are well thought-of over at MyCE (formerly CDFreaks).

For your purposes, the only software you need to buy will be a decrypter. AnyDVDHD or DVDFabPasskey are both good driver-level decrypters. There's also DVDFab, not driver-level, and it has extra functions, but it's encoding isn't good. You could probably get away with using the free version of DVDFabHDDecrypter if you don't mind waiting a bit for updates for newest blockbuster type movies. It isn't updated as promptly for new anti-copy protections.

For fitting a rip onto a BD25 (single-layer BDR), use BDRebuilder. Double-layer BD media is very pricey. With your computer, use the BD25 high-speed option. Otherwise, your encodes will be very slow. A re-encode should complete overnight for you if you use the high-speed option. Quality of the output will be fine, as a BD25 is ample space; it will be even better if you do movie-only and ditch the junk extras and menus. Go to the developer's website for help on how to configure BDRB. Burn the BDMV and CERTIFICATE folders with ImgBurn only. Both the foregoing programs are free.

An extra hard drive wouldn't be amiss in your computer, 1 TB or bigger. Blu-ray rips are large files, needless to say, and if you don't immediately delete each rip after re-encoding, your hard drive will fill up fast.

Good luck.

[EDIT] Ha, it's usually me who gets beaten to the punch.

[Kerry56]

You should look at the Pioneer and LG blu ray burners. The current Pioneer models are the 207 and 2207. The 207 is a regular blu ray burner that can burn to cds, dvds and single and double layer blu ray. The 2207 has the same abilities, plus it can burn to the very large 100gb and 125gb BDXL discs.
There is an LG model on sale at Newegg right now for $59.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136250 No BDXL support for this one, but BDXL is not really suited for your purposes. And the BDXL discs are prohibitively expensive anyway.

Your computer looks to be right on the edge of compatibility for playing blu ray. You should be able to copy with it. If you have a good video card that has HD decoding capability, then you should be able to play blu ray a little easier.

To break encryption on blu ray discs, you have three good choices. AnyDVD HD is probably the best, and it can be bought for a limited time subscription or as a lifetime deal. There is no free version of AnyDVD HD. Next would be DVDFab. There is a free section within DVDFab called DVDFab HD Decrypter. It will continue to function as a decryption/ripping program even after the trial for the main sections of DVDFab expire. The only caveat is that it lags behind the commercial version on updates, so if you are working with new releases, it can get a little frustrating to wait for updates. The third choice is MakeMKV. It is free to use while in beta status, and you can get new beta keys at the MakeMKV forum. You'll need a new beta key each month. MakeMKV usually changes the format from blu ray video to mkv files, but it is possible to do a straight rip to the hard drive and leave it in blu ray format using this program.

Now come the interesting decisions. If you just want to make complete backups, with no changes to the blu ray movies, you rip the entire thing to the hard drive, then burn the movie to a blu ray disc of the correct size. The majority of blu ray movies will not fit onto a single layer blu ray without cutting out extras, or compression, so most of the time you will need the expensive double layer blu ray blank discs. So, if you are doing complete backups, this whole thing is fairly simple...decrypt and rip to the hard drive, burn to the appropriate sized disc. Use ImgBurn for the burns. I'd use Verbatim blank blu ray discs, especially if you are burning to double layer. The Panasonic discs are also good but expensive.

If you intend to compress to smaller sizes, to fit onto single layer blu ray discs, then your current computer will become a handicap. Compression of HD video on a 2.0ghz dual core processor will take a very, very long time. More than overnight encoding jobs. BD Rebuilder is the tool for this if you want to try it.

Edit: Ah, beaten to the punch.

[golfnut]

Thanks so much guys. I use DVDFAB Free, DVD Shrink, and Imgburn now for ripping and burning SD discs and movies so I am familiar with some of the software that you are recommending.

Can I shrink with DVD Shrink in lieu of BD Rebuilder or should I use BD Rebuilder?

What recommendations would you guys recommend as far as upgrades to ;my computer, do I need a faster processor, if so what size? Do I need more ram, if so how much? It only takes me maybe 20 minutes or so to rip an SD movie to my HD now and then about another 20 minutes to shrink it, and about 10=15 minutes to burn it. I only burn movies only, no extras, no extra audios, etc. I am only concerned about burning the "movie only". I should have made that clear in my initial post.

Can't tell you how much I appreciate the info guys and so fast, you guys are terrific, thank you so much.

golfnut

[Kerry56]

DVDShrink won't work on blu ray. BD Rebuilder is the program you need to make movie only backups of this format. But of course, BD Rebuilder will only work on decrypted video, so you'll need to decrypt and rip first. Don't try to work straight from the optical drive. I wrote a guide for setting up BD Rebuilder that you might want to look at. Its getting a little long in the tooth, but should still be of some help. http://club.myce.com/f32/bd-rebuilder-guide-313227/#.UFzle6Ma5G4


You'd be a little better off with a second hard drive. Use one drive as the source, the second as the target.

As far as upgrading the computer...you'd be best off buying something new if you are not certain if your current rig is using DDR2 or DDR3. You might be able to find a quad core cpu that will work in your present machine, but I'd recommend going to a new setup instead.

[fritzi93]

When I first started getting into Blu-Ray, the computer I used had a 2.0 GHz dual-core CPU, just like you. So it will do the job, and BDRB will complete a re-encode overnight using high-speed option. Your computer will also play back your unencrypted rips okay if you have a DXVA capable video card. TMT is the best for that, but not free. Playing encrypted original discs may be problematic, as your CPU is definitely borderline.

I got the impression though that your intent is to play your backups on a standalone player.

Apart from an extra hard drive being useful, I wouldn't bother with upgrades. I agree, just buy a new one. But within the limits mentioned, your existing computer can get the job done.

You can consult the guide Kerry linked for you, and also read the first page of the BDRB bug report thead. The developer, jdobbs, has the specific versions of ffdshow, haali splitter, and Avisynth you must use, along with instructions on how to configure your system for BDRB.

Ooh, I just noticed you're using XP. You'll need udfreader as well. To my mind, that settles it. Use what you have or buy a new computer. Don't waste your time trying to upgrade.

Burn the BDRB output (BDMV and CERTIFICATE folders) with ImgBurn only.

Good luck.

[V Bot]

Here are two very easy guides to ripping and burning Blu ray movies:
http://www.dvd-guides.com/guides/blu-ray-copy/262-copy-blu-ray-using-bd-rebuilder


http://www.dvd-guides.com/guides/blu-ray-copy/260-burn-blu-ray-avchd-using-imgburn

Very easy!!!

[golfnut]

Thanks to everyone for your replies, suggestions, recommendations, etc. You guys have been great to share your knowledge and experience with me and your time and I really, really appreciate it. If I may could I ask one last question.

If I buy a new computer would you be so kind as to what specs I should I get, CPU, Ram, Video Card, and anything else that would be critical to playing and burning blu-rays on my computer and my standalone player. Thanks again so much for your time and help. Have a wonderful day. I will be buying the new computer and blu-ray player on the 3rd of October, that's when I get my disability check and can hopefully afford the computer that you all recommend.

[jman98]

"I want to buy a new computer" really means "I want to buy a laptop" for probably 90% of consumers these days. We definitely need to know if you do or do not mean that before we can give recommendations.

I recommend at least 4 core CPUs. More is better if you can afford it. If you don't play games and just use this for video work, then there's nothing really to be gained by using an expensive video card. I built a PC last year that plays BluRays fine (I have a 6 core AMD CPU in it) and I'm just using the video from the motherboard. Any RAM above 4 GB will not be used by the operating system on 32 bit versions of Windows. You should consider that.

[golfnut]

My apology for not specifying laptop or desktop. I will be buying desktop not laptop. Thank you jman for your reply.

[fritzi93]

Yeah, 4 core or better. Re-encoding Blu-Rays will peg all the cores you got. (Notice I have a 6 core AMD processor as well).

I'd say any Intel i5 would be okay (4 physical cores), or any AMD with 4 cores or more. If you were interested in building your own desktop we could get into more detail. If you're just going out and buying, that will do you and not tie you to anything too specific, and you could keep an eye out for good deals. And it doesn't sound like you're looking for bragging rights, just a desktop that will be adequate for backing up BDs. It'll be plenty for most everything else too unless you're a bleeding-edge gamer.

Windows 7 64-bit, and I'd go for 8 GB RAM. Plus an extra hard drive while you're at it. And a Pioneer or LG BD burner if one doesn't come with the PC. As to video card, you may or may not need one, depending on the system. If the onboard graphics are capable of playing Blu-rays, there you are. But if necessary most any cheap passive cooled card with DXVA that claims to play BDs will do the job.

Good luck.

[golfnut]

Thanks fritzi93 for the reply. My son is actually going to build my new computer for me. So I will be shopping the internet and Ebay for the parts, processor, motherboard, ram, extra hard drive, blu-ray burner, tower, video card, and I "think" that is all. Recommendations on where to shop will be appreciated. Right now all I know of is Newegg and Ebay. Thanks again guys.

[golfnut]

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions and advice. I have just updated my computer specs on Videlhelp which I should have done before posting but I forgot. If anyone would care to look at them and see what you think I would really appreciate it. Do my specs look appropriate for burning blu-ray discs?

[newpball]

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions and advice. I have just updated my computer specs on Videlhelp which I should have done before posting but I forgot. If anyone would care to look at them and see what you think I would really appreciate it. Do my specs look appropriate for burning blu-ray discs?

I see no problem spec wise!

[golfnut]

Thank you newpball for the reply.

[october262]

Hi All,

Am getting ready to take the plunge into blu-ray for my computer. Would you please recommend models of blu-ray burners that I should consider. Want one that will back up copies of my blu-ray movies for the kids. Also what software should I buy. Is there anything else I need to buy. Below are specs of my computer. Please feel free to recommend upgrades to my computer if needed. If there is anything else I need other than the burner and software please tell me what I need as I am a total newbie at this. Thank you so much for your help.

2.0 Processor dual core I think
3gb ram ddr2 or 3
320 hard driv
motherboard has 4 inputs for SATA cables

instead of burning your movies to blank bluray discs why not just put them on a media player of some kind.
with the burnt discs you will have to worry about CINIVIA which mutes the audio after the movie has started
and lasts for the duration of the movie. cinivia cannot be removed. media players are immune to cinivia.

[golfnut]

Update, new computer.

AMD Quad Core A8-Accelerated Processor
2TB Hard Drive
240TB Solid State Hard Drive
8GB DDR3 Memory
Pioneer 2209 Blu-Ray Burner

What software would you all recommend for ripping and shrinking blu-ray discs with this computer? How long do you think the whole process will take to complete the backup disc?