Question 1

Can you write CDs and DVDs with this?

Accepted Answer

This is just an external case. You will require a actual cd / DVD / bluray burner to put inside it. I have burned all of the above on Mac systems without any issue. Dual layer blu rays worked fine. If you want a complete solution you will need to ensure what you are buying has the rom drive. This does not. Finding a USB 3 burner is more expensive but well worth it.

Question 2

Does this unit support Windows 10?

Accepted Answer

I currently use this in Windows 10 Pro every day with a Bluray drive :). Works fine. Occasionally needs a replug or power cycle.

Question 3

DOE
S THIS FIT OPTICAL DRIVES FROM A DESKTOP?

Accepted Answer

Yes - it will accept full size optical drives from a desktop. I use mine with a full size Blu-Ray Burner drive hooked to a USB 3.0 hub hooked to my laptop and it works great with no problems.The only stipulation is the Optical Drive has to be an SATA drive.

Question 4

Is this enclosure backward compatible for USB 2.0 use? Most USB 3.0 devices I've seen, particularly USB sticks have worked on USB 2.0. I'm also curious if there's any speed difference in using an optical drive with 2.0 vs 3.0 since optical discs read slow to begin with. I don't see a current BD/DVD drive maxing out data rates on USB 2.0 reading a disc anyway.

Accepted Answer

It is USB 2.0 compatible. I believe that current optical disc drive technology is slower than USB 2.0 speeds, so there is no real advantage to having usb 3.0 for burning or ripping. I didn't purchase this drive specifically for its 3.0 capability but rather for its overall features and positive reviews. I suppose there was a degree of future-proofing as well involved in my decision.

Question 5

I'm planning on buying a Mac Mini . Will this work with it?

Accepted Answer

I am using mine (housing a Blu-Ray R/W drive) with a Mac Mini as I write this. I've had mine for over a year without any problems.

Question 6

Can This unit run on 220v?

Accepted Answer

There is no indication on any of the documentation that the unit will run on 220volts.  I checked both the specifications in the user's manual and the info on the Vantec website.  However, the label on the power supply shows 100-240volt input.  So, from that I would assume that the unit would run on 220 volts provided that the proper electrical cable is used.  The end of the power cable needs to have a IEC320C13 female adapter.

Question 7

Is this enclosure compatible with a 5.25" hard drive?

Accepted Answer

5.25" HDD?  Probably - but it would have to be the same form factor as a full size optical drive the enclosure was designed for.  Also, it does not come with a bezel for the front of the enclosure.  So if your drive does not have a face plate on the end, you will see the bare drive inside of the enclosure.  Of course, this is not an issue with the full size optical drive.

Question 8

Currently I have nst-5303s-bk and always have problem to write big mp4 video file on blu-Ray disks. On random place I have writing failures. I use to use bd disk drive on my previous pc connected to sata with no problem. Is nst-536s3-bk better to write big data files on bd disks?

Accepted Answer

My NexStar has been working fine now for two years. Before I would suspect the drive, especially since it has worked well for you in the past, is to question the quality of your disks. I buy them 100 at a time and its not uncommon to have a series of bad disks. Also, some computers have a hard time keeping up with the USB3.0 feed due to poor ram or not enough of it. Or a bottleneck at the bus. If you have TechTool Pro you can test the writing ability of the drive yourself. In the end your drive is not infallible, but I would look everywhere else first before I gave up on it.

Question 9

Hello, I have nst-5303s-bk and always have problem to write big mp4 video file on blu-Ray disks. On random place I have writing failures. I use to use bd disk drive on my previous pc connected to sata with no problem. 
My blu-Ray burner is Sony BD RW BWU-500S. In device manager l found “Sony BD RW BWU-500S USB Device” with with device description CD-ROM. When I tried to update driver I got message that the best driver which is CD-ROM driver already installed. I think that the problem is that system recognizes enclosure as usb device not bd burner. I tried uninstall device, disconnect and connect again. It immediately appears in device manager with the same cd-rom description. Any idea how to make bd  burner work?

Accepted Answer

What are you using the burn the blu-rays, first of all? I would recommend using ImgBurn on Windows, or Disk Utility on Mac. I would create an ISO file first in your software of choice (I use Adobe Encore), and then use ImgBurn or Disk Utility to burn that file onto the disc. I've found many of my write and burn errors to be caused by software rather than by the hardware.

Question 10

Is anyone using this successfully with Windows 8/8.1? (Can't seem to get a driver to install)

Accepted Answer

I am using it with Win 8-1. I did not have to install any drivers.
Win 8.1 recognized it. I have had Win 8.1 for while now and have had no problems with the enclosure. I have a Blu-Ray burner in it.
Works great!

Brand	VANTEC
Model	ST-530S3-BK

Size	5.25"
Type	Office Products
Material	Aluminum
Internal Interface	SATA
External Interface	USB 3.0
Number of Bay	1
Specifications	Device Support: CD+ROM/R/RW, DVD+ROM/RW Blu-Ray

VANTEC ST-530S3-BK Aluminum 5.25" SATA USB 3.0 External 5.25" Optical Drive Enclosure USB 3.0 External Interface

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Item#: N82E16827993013