Optical drives?

[Sputnikcer]

I was about to get a DVD-RW player/burner, but now I'm seeing many other options, like Blu-Ray, Combo, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, on top of the DVD-RW in the NewEgg Power Supply Calculator. Is there any preference for gaming, or could they all work, or what's the best out of all of them?

Can Blu-Rays read DVD's, or CD's?

[SundownKid]

For gaming you don't need an optical drive, most games are on digital distribution. Only if you plan on playing really old games that aren't on GoG already.

A lot of people dont even have an optical drive, it's totally possible to get on without one. DVD-RW is obsolete due to the proliferation of flash drives and USB ports.

The only real purpose nowadays for a drive like that is to watch movies. So if you have a lot of blu-ray movies then get the bluray drive, a lot of dvds then get the dvd drive.

[Sputnikcer]

引用自 SundownKid：

For gaming you don't need an optical drive, most games are on digital distribution. Only if you plan on playing really old games that aren't on GoG already.

A lot of people dont even have an optical drive, it's totally possible to get on without one. DVD-RW is obsolete due to the proliferation of flash drives and USB ports.

There are circumstances you might want one, like if you have a lot of anime DVDs and blu ray discs you want to watch, you would get a blu-ray drive.

Thanks, but are the discs obsolete because of the flash drives alone, or are they obsolete because time made a dent in it's productivity? I know that microsoft doesn't legally let you download the Halo games then use the key card, which I have both the disc and the card, and I would like to play them on a new rig I'm building. Can Blu-Rays read DVD's, or CD's?

[SundownKid]

Blu ray drives do read DVDs and CDs. If you don't have any blu-ray movies then you can just get a cheaper DVD drive.

[Sputnikcer]

引用自 SundownKid：

Blu ray drives do read DVDs and CDs. If you don't have any blu-ray movies then you can just get a cheaper DVD drive.

Thanks.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Pretty much all DVDRW and Bluray are backwards compatible readers/writers; as they don't really make just readers anymore. With the exception of Bluray being sold as a combo drive that reads Bluray; and a separate more expensive combo drive that can also write Bluray.

Many would never use Bluray writing capabilities though cause u can only really use it for data storage backups. And the blank Bluray discs are expensive.

DVD R 4.7GB and 8.5GB are fairly cheap though. If u really need to make disc backups.

So basically:
- DVDRW Drive can read/write CD and DVD types
- BD-Rom can read Bluray types and read/write CD and DVD types.
- BD-Writer can read/write Bluray, DVD and CD types.

And while u can use free apps like VLC Media Player for all your CD/DVD Media needs; you need paid licensed software for Bluray playback. If you buy a Bluray for the purpose of that media movie playback; buy a drive that comes with decent software; for example, from Ahead Software NERO, or Cyberlink PowerDVD, etc. Otherwise u will have to buy software for Bluray playback. Nero Ultra Suite is a good idea; as that comes with tools for everything you'd need for any disc format writing; as well as media playback.

Overall, it's probably best to stick to DVDRW Drive if u need to read/write those.
Bluray just add to cost of a PC without any real benefits. Due to the cost of those drives and software, you're probably better off buying a stand-alone Bluray player for those needs; then hookup to Monitor or HDTV via HDMI.

[Sputnikcer]

引用自 Bad-Motha：

Pretty much all DVDRW and Bluray are backwards compatible readers/writers; as they don't really make just readers anymore. With the exception of Bluray being sold as a combo drive that reads Bluray; and a separate more expensive combo drive that can also write Bluray.

Many would never use Bluray writing capabilities though cause u can only really use it for data storage backups. And the blank Bluray discs are expensive.

DVD R 4.7GB and 8.5GB are fairly cheap though. If u really need to make disc backups.

So basically:
- DVDRW Drive can read/write CD and DVD types
- BD-Rom can read Bluray types and read/write CD and DVD types.
- BD-Writer can read/write Bluray, DVD and CD types.

And while u can use free apps like VLC Media Player for all your CD/DVD Media needs; you need paid licensed software for Bluray playback. If you buy a Bluray for the purpose of that media movie playback; buy a drive that comes with decent software; for example, from Ahead Software NERO, or Cyberlink PowerDVD, etc. Otherwise u will have to buy software for Bluray playback. Nero Ultra Suite is a good idea; as that comes with tools for everything you'd need for any disc format writing; as well as media playback.

Overall, it's probably best to stick to DVDRW Drive if u need to read/write those.
Bluray just add to cost of a PC without any real benefits. Due to the cost of those drives and software, you're probably better off buying a stand-alone Bluray player for those needs; then hookup to Monitor or HDTV via HDMI.

Much appreciated.