Is my optical drive Blu Ray or not?

I have the M50SV model AS030G, as sold in the UK. (Vista Ultimate SP1)
When I purchased it I confirmed that it was the Blu Ray model, & had a HDMI out.

I borrowed a Blu Ray to try, & couldn't get it to read at all.
After searching I realised that I didn't have the WinDVD software required.. Called up the retailer, & was informed that "cyberlink DVD suite power2go" was supplied & would do the job.
This did not help with playing my Blu Ray.

The optical drive installed is the HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-T40L ATA Device.
I've searched, & not been able to get any info as to if this is indeed "Blu Ray" compatible.

Blu ray is not mentioned on the notebook or drive. But "HD Vision" is.

Do I need WinDVD, or have I been sold a blu ray notebook that is not?

Sorry for rambling. Any help would be greatfully received.

Cor.

 

Hi, and welcome to the forums! You can take the optical drive out and check manually.
Take a look at the M50 disassemble guide:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=260993

 

Thanks, but wouldn't that invalidate the warranty?

Also, what should I be looking out for in the drive?
I worry that as Blu Ray is not written on any visible component of this notebook, that it is maybe not Blu Ray at all.

I live in hope that software will cure me.

Cor.

 

Just eject the drive, does it have 2 laser heads in it?

My g50vt-a2 has 2 laser heads in it...

Also says blue ray on the drive itself

 

Nope, only removing your CPU and GPU would void your warranty
It's really the fastest way to check if your optical drive is a blu-ray player or not.

 

Do you have the Blu-ray icon on the drive cover? If not then it isn't.

 

How about trying to play a Blu-Ray Disc? If it plays, then good for you. If not, then you know what it is. I think that would pretty much solve the problem.

 

Thanks for the replies.
No Blu Ray or logo on the drive.

I did try to play a blu ray disc, this is how I discovered my problem.
After extensive searching, I had hoped that it was down to missing software (WinDVD), which was not supplied.
It now looks like I've been sent a wrongly spec'd notebook.

I'll get back to the Asus Retailer and see what they say.

Thanks again.

Cor.

 

Yeah the model number you gave would indicate a DVD RW type device.

As far as i know the Bluray players doing the rounds are listed as Optiarc-5500, + the fact it does not have the logo on the drawer drive, and the other stuff you covered, I would say DVD only.

 

I ordered my G50VT A2 from Xotic PC without Blue Ray but my drive cover still says Blue Ray. Couldn't they have just pulled out the optical and replaced it with a non blue ray and never changed the cover?

 

Open the disk tray and there should be 2 lens for both the blu-ray and DVD burner. If there is only one, then it is most likely not blu-ray.

Now that I think about it, I never tested my M50sv blu-ray out, altho it did say blu-ray on the tray.

 

I have a single lens...So, I am assuming Xotic took out the BlueRay optical and replaced it like I ordered but they left the drive tray to read BlueRay and all the stickers on the machine say BlueRay. Oh well.

 

They prob had to leave the door/tray because the orange on it... it would have looked odd if they didnt do that... The paint goes right over the drive.

You can always buy the drive down the road if you want.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Turns out that it's not Blu Ray after all.
Just shows that I should have checked this out sooner.
I ordered and payed for Blu Ray, but seller says "prove it".

Don't think anything can be done now.

"Buyer Beware"

Cor.

 

Well can't you prove it? Isn't there an invoice that (briefly) lists the configuration of the notebook? There should be... if you're lucky that configuration says "BluRay".

Moreover, all ASUS ensembles come preconfigured from the factory. The model has an ID like, e.g., M50S-A***2, and that corresponds to a precise hardware configuration that you should have received. This only works if the factory configuration did contain BluRay and the reseller replaced it with the DVD.

Finally, the hardware config should be listed on the side of the box in which the notebook came. If that says BluRay, again, you can prove it.

 

Hopefully you printed your invoice that shows you bought it with the Bluray player. Otherwise it's buyers beware.

 

Invoice was sent after the order which was conducted by phone.

No mention of Blu ray on the invoice unfortunately.

Yes, buyer beware!
All this from a reputable company too.

The model no was Asus M50SV AS030G, which does not correspond to anything I've seen outside of the UK at the time of sale, (June).

Ah, well. Trust no-one, and check everything!

It would be obsolite by now anyway!

Cheers for all the advice, but I'm "stuffed"

Cor.

 

What does it say on the side of the box?

 

The fastest way to check if it's blu ray is to go into your bios and see if it's optiarc bd-rom, not open the case LOL!!

 

Actually, the fact that there was no Bluray logo and the model started with GSA is a dead giveaway. It should be GBW if it's an LG Bluray writer.

 

You could probably return it within the policy period but will probably pay a restocking fee. Then order the one with Blu-ray.

 

Cor, did u buy this in the UK? If you did could you pm me the company name. I'm thinking of getting a G71 and wouldn't want to deal with a company with dodgy business ethics.

Thanks

 

FYI it's blu ray not blue ray ;')