My new PC case doesn't have a 5.25" bay to install an internal Blu Ray writer.
I have an old internal Pioneer Blu Ray writer but it is not working anymore so I am thinking of other possibilities.
1 - Buy an external Blu Ray writer and connect to PC using a USB socket. They are relatively cheap and slim and cost about $50 but I am not not sure how reliable they are.
2 - Buy an internal Blu Ray writer from a well known brands like LG or Pioneer and an external enclosure like the Vantec NexStar DX2 ($57). Looks like an elegant solution but a bit costly.
3 - Buy an external Blu Ray writer from well known brands like in option 2, and a SATA to USB Adapter for HDD and Optical drive (I have it already works for HDD but never tried it on optical drive). Need external power adapter from the mains.
Ideally I would like to have the drive connected to the PC SATA power cable and SATA Data headers preferably using a bracket on the back of the PC. I searched but didn't find anything like this yet.
My new operating system is Windows 11 so the drives must support it.
Do you have a better solution? Thanks for your feedback.
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Full-height Blu-ray drives are better for heavy use. A USB. A USB 5 1/4 inch drive enclosure that plugs into mains power is probably your best option if you need a full-height Blu-ray drive.
I have an external hard drive enclosure that plugs into mains power but has an eSATA connection for data, I bought a StarTech.com 18in 1 Port SATA to eSATA Plate Adapter (ESATAPLT18IN) for it, which is still being sold. There are also relatively long (6 ft) ESATA to SATA data cables from Cable Matters available for sale: https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-2-Pack-Gbps-eSATA/dp/B00V6QA4R6?th=1 However, I am not aware of any plate adapters for SATA power. You would have to figure out a way to make one using a SATA power extension cable.Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329 -
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Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329
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Just a quick Q.
What PC case does NOT come with a bay to fit an internal BD or DVD drive ? -
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Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329
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If you still need a PC case with 5.25" bay, check Fractal Design Define 7. It has one bay and supports many 3.5" for HDD. The depth (L) is larger by about 20cm from the Define 7 Compact.
Case dimensions (LxWxH) 546.8 x 240 x 474.2 mm
Case dimensions (LxWxH) 427 x 210 x 474 mm -
Here's a link from AliExpress: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805655671985.html It doesn't look as nice as the one from Vantec but maybe it is good enough.
Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329 -
Thanks. I think I already looked at that one but I'll look again. I have found a few that might work but I need to figure out cable management and power supplies before I buy. I'm thinking about building a PC to donate to charity using parts removed from a PC i'm upgrading.
Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329 -
Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329
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I found this SATA extension cable it is 50cm long but also available in 1m and 2m. The idea is to connect one end to the SATA power cable and a SATA DATA header inside the PC and get the other end out of the PC by removing an expansion slot bracket. Then connect an Internal SATA drive to the other end. This way I will not need an external power adapter to connect to the mains.
1m is available on Amazon.
https://cablesondemand.com/amphenol-cs-satdrivex2-000-5-serial-ata-extension-cable-sat...tdrivex2-000-5 -
That looks like a good solution to use outside the PC case. Inside the PC case, you will also need a regular SATA data cable (F+F) and probably a SATA power extension cable (M+F).
The reason I say that is (A) the SATA power cable(s) from the PSU and the SATA data headers on the motherboard are too far apart to connect that cable directly and (B) the motherboard's SATA data headers are normally close together.Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329 -
Just a final thought.
It's all well and good to choose a 'narrow' case. Yet one should also be aware of one's own media (or subsequent media). And such a case puts my own Cooler Master case( hardly the tallest available) into the over-available bracket - 5 x 5.25 + 4 (maybe 5) x 3.5 in bays and not a screw holding in plain sight.
In fact even this will fail since the available mb ports and the ps ports do not give such potential.
By all means buy a gaming/narrow case for gaming. But if you require (or potentally require) more then better to provide now AND the ps than make an expensive mistake. -
Thanks for your feedback.
I don't think I will have a problem because the SATA power cable has a free header very near the SATA headers on the motherboard. Anyway if I run into a problem I have all the cables that you mentioned.
Regarding the cable length, I think 1m will be optimal. 50cm is too short and 2m is too long. I wish they have 75cm but this is not standard. -
I have a good deal on LG Electronics WH16NS40 16X Blu-Ray and the Amphenol cable with free shipment and no VAT taxes.
Is this a good drive and does it support Windows 11?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E7B08MS/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=A2XZ7JICGUQ1CX&th=1
Edit: According to the LG official website, this drive supports Windows 8. Hopefully someone can confirm it can work on Windows 11Last edited by Subtitles; 3rd Dec 2023 at 11:42.
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Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329
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I understand. I bought a Lian-Li PC-A41B Micro ATX Case on sale in 2016 for my general-purpose PC. It can hold 2 x 5.25-inch drives and 5 x 3.5-inch drives. Cable management was difficult because there wasn't much room between the motherboard tray and the right side panel, plus nowhere to tie down cables. Despite that, although am willing to donate some of the things installed inside this case, I'm keeping the case itself because I'll never again find anything as nice as this little case with room for as many drives,
Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329 -
Pioneer drives in general have a better reputation than LG drives. I have an earlier model Pioneer Blu-ray drive although I am not using it anymore. I was going to install it in my HTPC but Pioneer drives are longer than the standard 5.25-inch optical drive and it would not fit in the space allotted for it. An LG drive did fit.
Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329 -
I took the plunge and ordered the bundle. It can take about 5 weeks to arrive because of the situation in my area.
If the drive doesn't work on Windows 11, I can return it to Amazon.
I think I will use a short bracket on the expansion slot. there should be enough clearance for the Amphenol cable to pass through without leaving a large gap on the slot. -
At last I received the Blu-Ray Drive and the Amphenol cable.
Installed the cable inside the computer and used a bracket with a hole in it that was dismantled from an old printer card so as to close part of the hole if I take off the bracket entirely.
Needed an additional SATA Data cable to connect to a SATA header on the motherboard and the other end to the Amphenol cable.
Looks quite neat without the need for AC adapter to power the drive.Last edited by Subtitles; 2nd Jan 2024 at 10:04. Reason: Attached another image
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Did it work?
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence -Carl Sagan -
I'll keep this solution in mind if I ever buy a new case with no 5.25-inch drive bays. The only downside is that it makes hiding cables from view a little more difficult if it's a windowed case.
Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329 -
This solution saved me $60 by not buying the Vantec NexStar DX2 enclosure and I would still have the USB cable and the external power adapter wires hanging about. Having the drive out in the open has better cooling than inside a computer or a Vantec enclosure. It can get hot when it is working. In the Summer I can cool it with a small USB fan.
It is also very convenient to connect a SATA internal HDD. Just disconnect the two cables from the drive and connect them to the HDD. -
Ignore list: hello_hello, tried, TechLord, Snoopy329
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