Bluray Drive.

[Deleted User]

Is a Bluray Drive a straight swap, for the existing DVD Writer, in my Tower System, or does it require special drivers/software/setting up?

colin79666

Assuming you have a relativity modern PC (SATA not IDE) then straight swap. You will need some playback software, some drives come with it in the box.
Windows 8.1 won't play BlueRays without extra software as it doesn't include the codec. Something like PowerDVD which comes with some drives will do the job or you can add the Windows 8.1 pro pack from Microsoft which gives you Media Centre and the necessary codec.

[Deleted User]

I've got Nero 2015 Classic.

It says "Play and Stream All of Your Media".

Would that play Bluray discs?

EDIT: Just noticed. My PC came with Cyberlink Power DVD 10 already installed.

Would that play Bluray Discs?

colin79666

Cyberlink should do but version 10 isn't being updated any more so you may have issues with newer Blurays.

Big_Graeme

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I've got Nero 2015 Classic.

It says "Play and Stream All of Your Media".

Would that play Bluray discs?

EDIT: Just noticed. My PC came with Cyberlink Power DVD 10 already installed.

Would that play Bluray Discs?

Yes. Not sure about Power DVD though.

Nilrem

It should be a straight swap for the hardware, but your playback software may not support blu-ray at all in it's current form.

IIRC most software like Powerlink had/had multiple versions and unless you specifically bought the version with blu-ray support it usually won't play them (especially if the software came with the computer, or with a DVD drive).
Blu-ray supporting versions were/are typically at a premium price point and usually made a point out of the ability.


I don't think Nero 15 classic supports Blu-ray playback especially as it doesn't mention it, it may be able to play the codecs used in blu-ray, but not the actual discs as the files on the disc are encrypted and it requires additional fees to get that ability into the programme), but the Platinum version specifically does state blu-ray playback.

Typically though if you buy a blu-ray drive it will come with some form of software to play discs, even many "bare" or "oem" drives will come with a disc (check the retailers full description), I know the external writer I bought a few months did.

esuhl

I assumed VLC would play back Blu-ray discs, but apparently even that needs a codec.

I found this article quite interesting in explaining how to play them:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/photo-video/3529691/how-play-blu-ray-discs-on-your-pc-or-laptop/

grumpycrab

Try this (good player - if its still free) (redirects to a place that;s not allowed here!?!? l e a w o !?!
http://goo.gl/G0UCkj

[Deleted User]

Nilrem wrote: »

I don't think Nero 15 classic supports Blu-ray playback especially as it doesn't mention it

Nero 2015 Classic says Bluray on the front of the box and, on the back, it says "Play and Stream All of Your Media".

googler

Any time I've replaced a CD or DVD drive, it's just been a physical replacement, and it works immediately. I've never installed any suites of software, or specific drivers.

[Deleted User]

Do you mean when you've replaced a CD or DVD drive with a Bluray Drive, or when you've swapped it for another CD or DVD drive?