Question about PC Blu Ray USB drive
Question about PC Blu Ray USB drive
My Google search results are inconsistent, offering many choices within my budget but no clear details about upscaling Blu Ray content. I need advice on a compact USB 3.0 connected Blu Ray player that can actually upscale SD DVD movies to high resolutions like 720 or 1080. Also, I prefer a small form factor device and currently use a DVD player that doesn’t support Blu Ray or UPSCALE.
Based on my understanding, there are no "players" that perform upscaling on USB Blu Ray burners or players. This feature is limited to standalone devices connected to your TV. Since USB devices handle upscaling through software, it depends on the capabilities of the BD or media software you use. Therefore, a reliable USB external burner should support this function, and I suggest brands like LG and Pioneer, as their products have proven effective with PCs.
Also, think about replacing VLC with something more advanced such as Potplayer. This decision comes from personal experience and the issues I've faced with VLC over time. You might not have noticed them, but VLC's upscaling performance isn't outstanding. Your results may differ.
My NUC has one HDMI and a USB C Thunderbolt 3 port that power three displays (two from Thunderbolt and one via HDMI). When watching a video, I don’t need all three wide screens. If I purchased a standard LG/Sony/Panasonic Blu Ray player, can I connect it to a PC’s HDMI port to play a disc? Maybe an SD DVD upscaled would work?
The situation varies, so it's not straightforward.
1. The device in question is a "set top box" with only an HDMI output, meant to be connected directly to a TV. You can't link it to a PC via HDMI and use it as a disc drive; the best alternative would be a capture card that supports various standards to bypass copy protection, allowing you to record in real time—though this is only feasible if the copy safeguards are bypassed. For PC use, consider a Blu-ray drive designed for computers.
2. It can also be connected to any HDMI-compatible display, such as TVs or monitors. If your monitor supports multiple inputs and you connect both your PC and the Blu-ray player through HDMI, you can switch between them via the monitor’s settings. Otherwise, you’d need to disconnect one device to use the other.
3. Linking it to a monitor requires adjusting input settings on the display to alternate between the PC and the player.
4. For recording purposes, you can connect the player to a PC for real-time playback, but this isn’t ideal for ripping. Using a dedicated Blu-ray player or burner that supports PC connections is more efficient, provided you have compatible software. I suggest using Potplayer for BD playback—it’s free and functional, offering the best value unless your needs differ.
In summary, using a standalone player with a PC isn’t practical except in niche scenarios. For general use, investing in a proper Blu-ray drive or a suitable player is more sensible.
Limited USB ports mean opting for a self-powered hub that connects to your existing USB-C port and the drive would be wise. Such a setup can run for under 100 dollars, though high-end options range from 100 to 175 dollars. Budget-friendly alternatives exist but may not be reliable.