ASUS 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-08B1ST

Pros: Reliable performance. Came with PowerDVD 8 Blu-Ray player software.

Cons: PowerDVD 8 worked for a while. Got an update patch from Cyberlink support website to cope with recent Blu-Ray security. But, after about 18 months, newest Blu-Ray movies wouldn't play and Cyberlink had no new updates. So, you need to buy a newer version of PowerDVD or another brand.

Overall Review: We like this Blu-Ray drive. It continues to work fine except for PowerDVD software becoming obsolete. Our 2.5 year-old standalone Sony Blu-ray player can play all the latest titles without any updates or patches (and no internet connection). Clearly, mCyberlink (and maybe others) want you to pay $60 - $100 for their software Blu-ray media player then claim it "can't be updated any further you'll have to upgrade to the latest version" after 2 years or so and spend another $60 - $100. Hardly worthwhile when a standalone Blu-ray player can be had for $69 and up, wouldn't you say?

Pros: This drive played my Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs well. It can also burn DVDs and CDs.

Cons: This drive was loud when I used it. The Blu-ray part of it died in 4-5 months of (non-continuous) usage, even though it can still read DVDs and CDs. I was only able to watch UP, Cars, and The Legend of Drunken Master before this drive couldn't read Blu-rays anymore. I am still able to play DVDs and rip CDs.

Overall Review: I liked this drive while it worked. It ran relatively fast with no issues except when Legend of Drunken Master was in there. I also trust ASUS's other hardware, so I'm sad that I need to replace my Blu-ray drive already. Plus I barely built my Blu-ray playing machine 5 months ago.

Pros: Blue ray player DVD burner, all formats CD burner, all formats Compatible with Windows 7, Ubuntu Linux, etc.

Cons: No legit blue ray player support for Linux (even through Correl LinDVD) Need to purchase PowerDVD 10 Ultra to get the most out of it

Overall Review: I've used this drive with both Windows 7 and Ubuntu Linux. It's been flawless without installing any special drivers. According to the other reviews, the bundled PowerDVD 9 isn't up to the task of playing blue ray media. I downloaded the free test drive for PowerDVD 10 Ultra and I am quite impressed. My test movie was Avatar, and the playback was crystal clear and smooth as glass.

Pros: Pretty fast, plays all my Blurays, great for ripping my movies. Feels solid and was at a good price. Not so loud

Cons: Didn't come with anything else but the drive, but I was aware because of previous user reviews. Close to two months and no info on my rebate.... hmmm still a good price though.

Overall Review: Works great with my htpc build, not as loud as i thought it would be so thats good. Rips a bluray movie in about 15-20 min in Makemkv

Pros: Easy installation, plays and burns everything I've tried. Not the fastest BD reader now but works great for my purposes. I see no need for the faster ones yet on a reader, a writer yes. Newegg was great as usual.

Cons: the stripped software bundled with it is pretty much bare bones, just enough to play your movies and burn simple things. Having to spend extra for a full featured suite/program after buying this kills the great price. Not Newegg's fault though.

Overall Review: No lightscribe but I never even used it on my previous dvd burner so not a con for me. I got the combo with Totalmedia theatre 3 player; I much prefer it to power dvd. Works great in win 7 64bit, have had no issues.

Pros: Plays Blu-Rays Burns DVD's and CD's Unit looks nice

Cons: See other thoughts.

Overall Review: I bought this to play Avatar on BD and it does play it, sort of. It plays it fine, but it seems like the FPS is kinda low at times. There are no artifacts on screen, but it seems kinda laggy. As this is my first BD player I don't have any other disc to test it on. I will have to come back and update this when I get another one. I have an 3.4Ghz dual core with 4 gigs of memory and a 9800 GTS video card, and CPU use is not that high when playing Avatar. I am sure that system specs are not causing this problem One of the last reviewers said there was no software with his unit, but mine had software. Not sure I really care for it though, I have not messed around with the programs and I already have power DVD so I don't need that demo.   ? ? ?

Pros: worked out of the box with all cds, dvds and blue rays I have (I already had blue ray playing software installed). Burns everything without a hitch as well.

Cons: Expensive. Rebate was ridiculously difficult to submit. they tried to force you to "print a paper label" with their address and GLUE it to the envelop, otherwise "they might not accept it". I wrote the address by hand on the envelop (but otherwise followed all instructions) and did not get my rebate. Dishonest and offensive, truly diminished the company in my eyes.

Overall Review: Good product, but don't trust any rebate from ASUS. i will consider twice before buying ASUS again.

Pros: Drive works well. It's quiet. It's Asus.

Cons: Needs software to access full audio playback. $$$, + more $$$.

Overall Review: I have three Asus drives now, I've had, over the course of the years, a few other brands; Asus puts them all to shame. I don't understand why I need to purchase a sofware upgrade to have full audio playback, that's rediculous. Would have been 5 stars if it weren't for the software issue. As I understand it this is the norm, you'll run into this no matter what brand you choose.