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Plextor releases first external Blu-ray drive

18 October 2008 18:27 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 11 comments

Plextor has announced today the release of its first external Blu-ray drive, the PX-B920UF, which is capable of writing BD-R at 4x and can also playback HD DVD discs.

The drive connects via either a USB 2.0 or FireWire meaning it can be used for either Macs or PCs. The drive also has LightScribe technology.

The PX-B920UF features black casing with satin finish and can accept both 12cm full and 8cm mini BD as well as HD DVD and DVD and CD. Featured write speeds are 4x BD-R, 2xBD-RE, 16x DVD+R/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+/-R DL, 5x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R and 24x CD-RW.

As is standard, the drive will come with InterVideo WinDVD8,Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5.5 SE, and Burn.Now 4.5 SE for editing and burning BD.

The drive will be available beginning this month but there was no word on pricing yet.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Blu-ray

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NexGen76 (Member) 18 October 2008 18:50
Good to see the prices on drives going down but the Blank media prices is insane.One disc for 20 bucks.... [ + quote]
ripxrush (Newbie) 19 October 2008 0:21
do they even make there own drives any more? i have heard they DONT but i havent heard or seen anything from a reliable source! [ + quote]
iluvendo (AfterDawn Addict) 19 October 2008 0:45
*Quote:* The drive will be available beginning this month *but there was no word on pricing yet.* Now that scares me [ + quote]
ZoSoIV (AfterDawn Addict) 19 October 2008 2:35
*Originally posted by ripxrush:* do they even make there own drives any more? i have heard they DONT but i havent heard or seen anything from a reliable source! NO they don't there re-badged Pioneer ODDs with a NEC chipset. will probably be the same for the Blu-ray ODDs also Antec 1200 Full-Tower Case/Thermaltake 750-Watt PS/ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA 775 Intel X48 Mobo/Seagate Barracuda 250GB 32MB Cache Sata HDD(primary)/Seagate Barracude 160GB Sata(slave)/NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GX2,1 GB of GDDR3 Memory /CORSAIR DOMINATOR PC8500 5-5-5-15 at 1066MHz (2x2GB) DDR2/Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz 12MB L2 Cache,OC(ed)to 3.4GHz on air/ Zalman 9700/3-Plextor PX-810SA Sata Drives/Samsung 2493HM 24" LCD Monitior 1920x1200 resolution,5ms respone time [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 19 October 2008 2:36
13thHouR (Inactive) 19 October 2008 5:30
Plextor used to be one of the greats, look at them now no better than the rest. 4X, are there not 8x blu-ray burners available. Maybe their downfall was ** like this! Plextor PX-B900A/T3KB: Blu-ray movie playback requirements. http://www.plextor.be/press/datasheets/Plextor_AACS.pdf Quote: To play back commercial Blu-ray movie (BD-MV) discs at HD quality, your PC configuration requires a minimum hardware configuration and suitable software, both of which can handle the very strict copy protection requirements of BD-MV. BD-MV playback at HD quality has very strict copy protection integrated and managed by the Advanced Access Content System License Administrator (AACS LA), and software manufacturers are required to include the AACS key management in the play back software. These AACS play back keys are only valid for a predefined and limited period of time. Customers generally have to buy new AACS keys every 15 months. The Plextor PX-B900A/T3KB product package includes two AACS keys with the following expiration dates: - Key one expires in February 2008. This initial AACS key is already build into an application - Key two expires in April 2009 This key is free of charge and can be obtained from the software manufa cturer website (under construction). The software will notify the customer to renew for this second key within February 2008. - Within May 2009, the software will notify you to renew this last key. This third key is not free of charge and can be obtained from the software manufacturers website. Keys needs to be renewed every 15 months. If a customer chooses not to renew the key, he won�t be able to play back BD movies which are produced after these key expiration dates. Conclusion: With the Plextor PX-B900A/T3KB the customer can playback BD movies produced until April 2009. To play back movies produced after April 2009, the customer has to purchase a renewal of the key. what's the deal now? The RIAA - BPI - IFPI - CRIA - Ect - Ect Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI. The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX. Dont allow them to hide behind the trade body names, name and shame em. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 19 October 2008 5:35**
error5 (Senior Member) 19 October 2008 8:21
The AACS renewal fee is no longer needed. The culprit here is not Plextor but the playback software. The PX-B900 was bundled with InterVideo WinDVD 5/BD. This is the playback software that required users to pay for the AACS updates. The later models including the 920 is now bundled with InterVideo WinDVD 8 (OEM version upgradable to 9). All you need is to be registered with Corel and log in as a member to continue updating the AACS keys for free. http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/u...w=tab2&tabview= [ + quote]
13thHouR (Inactive) 19 October 2008 8:30
*Originally posted by error5:* The AACS renewal fee is no longer needed. The culprit here is not Plextor but the playback software. The PX-B900 was bundled with InterVideo WinDVD 5/BD. This is the playback software that required users to pay for the AACS updates. The later models including the 920 is now bundled with InterVideo WinDVD 8 (OEM version upgradable to 9). All you need is to be registered with Corel and log in as a member to continue updating the AACS keys for free. http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/u...abview= thank you error 5 for the mature informative responses you are making to my posts, that shows advancements being made for the benefit of consumers. Respect Dude. The RIAA - BPI - IFPI - CRIA - Ect - Ect Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI. The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX. Dont allow them to hide behind the trade body names, name and shame em. [ + quote]
Oner (Moderator) 19 October 2008 9:51
*Originally posted by NexGen76:* Good to see the prices on drives going down but the Blank media prices is insane.One disc for 20 bucks.... I don't know where you shop but there are way more options out there. Memorex Blu-Ray Disc BD-R 25GB 4x Branded @ 5.28 ea for 15 pack Verbatim Blu-Ray Disc BD-R 25GB 2X @ 7.60 ea for jewel case singles Personally I am still debating on whether to wait a little longer for the next wave of price drops for BD Burners. But with prices like these below LITE-ON 4x BD, 12x DVD & 40x CD SATA Burner for $210 LG HD-DVD Reader, 6x BDR, 16x DVDR, 40x CDR SATA Burner for $224 It's pretty tempting though to be able to back up and have 25gb available for whatever. Hopefully dual layer 50gb's will keep dropping equally too ($25 for 50gb is just a bit pricey still). Either way the current price for a BD burner is no more expensive than when I first started with DVD burning but the Plextor BD will undoubtedly be WAAAY more costly. Search > http://forums.afterdawn.com/search Rules > http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487 Important Rule > http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/380660 [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 19 October 2008 9:52
domie (Member) 19 October 2008 16:25
*Quote:* thank you error 5 for the mature informative responses you are making to my posts, that shows advancements being made for the benefit of consumers. Respect Dude. yeah but the thing is 13th hour, what error5 didn't tell you is that winDVD 8 ( which is about 2-3 years old now ) is incapable of playing back blu ray discs so when he says "upgradable" to win dvd 9 ( owned by Corel now ) he means you have to fork out an extra $ 60 for the upgrade to watch the discs lol other blu ray burners like the LG one I have come pre bundled with software ( power dvd ) that immediately plays back the blu ray discs then again - just buy anyhd-dvd and don't worry about any copy protection , keys or licences ever again lol [ + quote]
error5 (Senior Member) 19 October 2008 18:53
*Originally posted by domie:* winDVD 8 ( which is about 2-3 years old now ) is incapable of playing back blu ray discs BluRay, HD DVD and AVCHD playback is enabled in WinDVD 8: http://www.intervideo.com/nVidia/WinDVD8_3in1_landing.jsp *Quote:* InterVideo� WinDVD� 8 is the world's #1 DVD and video playback software, with over 175 million copies shipped worldwide. Enjoy crystal-clear, smooth playback of your standard and High-Def video and audio. Whether you're a movie buff, frequent flyer, or just like to watch video clips, WinDVD 8 gives you the best digital entertainment experience. Now, WinDVD also supports HD DVD, Blu-ray, and AVCHD Disc playback! [ + quote]
uruz7 (Inactive) 21 October 2008 1:40
That's OK!But take a closer look following link,It's great to DVD and PSP converter spam removed [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 21 October 2008 8:28