Published: 2007-06-28, Author: Ryan , review by: cnet.com
Supports all major optical-media types; non-Blu-ray task speeds are acceptable; extensive software package.
Still very expensive; IDE-only; slow to rip commercial Blu-ray discs; finicky with media brands.
The Sony BWU-100A Blu-ray burner is still priced out of range for most users, but if you have $700 to spare, its a good choice for its range of media support and acceptable task speeds.
Can burn all types of optical media, including dual-layer Blu-ray; ships with Blu-ray movie playback software.
Slower than dedicated DVD drives for DVD recording, and slower than competing products for Blu-ray burning; pricey.
Its the most flexible and cost-effective Blu-ray drive for the PC to date, but "cost-effective" is relative, at $750. But if you want the glory of Blu-ray movies on the PC, its a good solution—but you also need the correct supporting software....
Abstract: If youre confused by the DVD format wars and are looking for a next-generation optical drive, Sony has an option. Sonys first-generation Blu-ray computer drive, the BWU-100A, is compatible with more disc formats than any other optical drive now on th...
of the BWU100APoor media support/MID table for DVD media.EIDE interface – give it up already, let it go.Inability to match correct write strategies for common DVD MIDs.Some write quality issues with BDR/BDRE media prevent optimal extraction speeds...
Can read/write Blu-ray discs, Backwards compatible with DVD and CD
Unjustifiably expensive, Blu-ray could lose the format war, Current dearth of commercial Blu-ray movies, Only truly effective when coupled with a 1080i/p display
Early adopters will see the BWU-100A as forging new ground, but most others will regard it as an unjustifiable expense, for now. ...
