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    Upgrade an HD DVD laptop to Blu Ray?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by daniel_leavitt2000, Oct 15, 2009.

  1. daniel_leavitt2000

    daniel_leavitt2000 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a Toshiba Qosmio G45 with an HD DVD burner. The drive is a standard SATA 12.5mm size with a large faceplate to match the laptop contor. The faceplate is removable.

    I would like to watch Blu-Ray disks on the 1080p screen. I take it all I would need to so is replace the drive with an after market BD drive, swap the face plates and add 3rd party BD playing software.

    Has anyone attempted this? Are there any other issues I am not aware of?

    Also, I would like to play BD in Media Player and Media Center. Can I purchase the DB codecs without having to purchase a 3rd party player?
     
    daniel_leavitt2000, Oct 15, 2009
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  2. saeedN

    saeedN Notebook Guru

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    I googled and found this for you:
    it is a external HP blu-ray with a price of 110$!
    so you don't need to open your notebook and worry about that the thing fits in ...
     
    saeedN, Oct 16, 2009
    #2
  3. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I suggest you go with an external drive as well, there is no certainty that a Slim Blu-Ray drive will actually fit much less work on a notebook that did not come with it from factory.

    Size, power connectors, motherboard, and BIOS limitations all come into play on whether the drive will fit, be powered, or even be recognized.

    Also you would be limited to a non-burning Blu-Ray drive, since there are no slim models with burning capabilities as of yet.

    EDIT: A cheaper option for an external Blu-Ray drive would be to buy an internal 5.25" drive and then buy a 5.25" external enclosure.

    Example:

    This:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325 $60

    +

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817392021 $40

    =

    External Blu-Ray drive for $100. (Compared to $150+ for a Prebuilt External Drive)
     
    usapatriot, Oct 16, 2009
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