Sony Optiarc Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA 12X Half Height Tray Blu-ray Writer BD-5300S - OEM

Pros: Nice unit hooked up Win7 automatically installed it, Seems to pick up all disc i throw at it so far. Know of 4+ software's that work with this unit and most have 30-day trials. 1.Cyberlink PowerDvD11 pro (DVI, HDMI outs only!) 2.ArcSoft Total Media 5 (VGA, DVI, HDMI outs) 3.Corel WinDvD Pro (DVI, HDMI outs only!) 4.Macbluray player (free)

Cons: Cannot update firmware at all per Sony (eu) site: Also note that our firmware updates are not compatible with those provided by OEM vendors (Sony Optiarc drives pre-installed by the PC manufacturers e.g. HP, Dell, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Apple etc.). You may damage your drive if you flash it with incompatible firmware.

Overall Review: So they are saying that the OEM is set in stone and if you want a upgradeable firmware one get the Retail version (BWU-500S) one that comes with software. Makes no sense to me then why do they have the firmware for the 5300S, but you can't update it says "no device found" and the version is 2.0 on the unit, not the 1.04 or lower that they have on Sony site.

Pros: no problems running the included software. Some other software encounters problems, but no more so with this drive than with any other drive we have. I fault the software. Writes 4X-rated BD blanks at 8x with no verification errors.

Cons: somewhat noisy when when running near max rated speed.

Overall Review: We don't carry blanks rated above 8X write so I can't comment on the 12X capability. Haven't used DL BD blanks (50 GB) with this drive yet.

Pros: Quiet operations and reliable burns at discs rated burn speed.

Cons: None thus far

Overall Review: This unit has given me successful burns at rated disc burn speed when used with Memorex BD-R's (30 pack also bought from newegg) and Cyberlink's Power2go. Discs take from ~25 to 30 minutes to complete, which is fine with me. Would buy this model again and recommend it to others.

Pros: Fast Drive, plug and play with windows 7. No issues what-so-ever.

Cons: None

Overall Review: It say "Half Height Tray" but, looking at it... i dont see what it's talking about. Looks like a Standard size Cd/Dvd Rom to me. So if your worried about it not working right, don't.

Pros: play all blu ray movie,but you must have CyberLink PowerDVD 11,"not come with software",writing with BD-R or anything you put inside.plug'n play in Win 7 64.

Cons: none

Pros: Supported by Ubuntu 11.10 k3b directly. Very easy to burn. The time used to burn a whole disk is about 50 minutes (through a usb2 adapter), not so fast but very stable.

Cons: The $10 off was right after I placed the order. Hey, newegg, I want the $10 price match!

Pros: -Solid construction -Works well

Cons: See other thoughts

Overall Review: This is an OEM product so do not expect to recieve any software, though it may or may not have some attached. You can expect to purchase your own Blueray software, which I was aware of, so don't act suprised when you get this and the drive is only in bubble wrap. I only say this because people will often times jump on OEM products because of the price, only to flame the rating because it is missing something.

Pros: Just plain works. I have 2 of these drives and they have performed perfectly in Windows 7 64-bit. One using a Core I 7 and the other a Core I5. Both are Sandybridge with Intel HD3000 graphics and 8 GB ram. The Core I5 is connected by HDMI to a Sony 3D HDTV. Using Power DVD 11, the 2D Blu Ray plays perfectly and then, playing a 3D Blu Ray (Alice in Wonderland), you simply had to click on enable 3D on the Power DVD main screen and the computer turned on the Sony HDTV 3D mode perfectly and played the 3D Blu Ray correctly. I have also burned Blu Rays and DVD's with no coasters using these drives.

Cons: None so far.

Overall Review: I would suggest that if you purchase the drive that comes with software, you will be eligible for a complete upgrade to the Cyberlink Ultra Suite for about $50 which is is very good deal. If you buy the OEM drive, you will need to obtain the software to burn and play Blu Rays. Also, my HDMI goes from my computer through a Yamaha Aventage receiver to my Sony HDTV and the motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2HB3 for my media PC.