Bluray Panasonic UJ-232A and Panasonic UJ-242A differences?

This thread will be more relevant for you as your laptop comes with an upgrade to a BD UJ242A.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/518005-vaio-vpc-z128gg-blu-ray-drive-uj-242-result.html

 

I have a sony Z570N, and looking to install a blue ray drive, can you tell me which model fits my laptop? Is it UJ-232A or UJ-242A ?

 

You need the UJ232a.

There are a few choices on eBay. Some come with generic bezels, or some even come with brand-specific housing for the drive.

Panasonic UJ232A 9.5mm Ultra Slim Blu-ray Burner Reader - eBay (item 370467014858 end time Jan-14-11 13:07:11 PST)

That's the seller I bought mine from, but I paid US$133.50 (shipping extra to New Zealand). If you get lucky, that seller sometimes does low, no-reserve auctions and I usually pounce on the item at the last minute

That drive being sold there is designed for Sony machines. You can tell by the bardcode sticker on the top; that sort is specific to Sony (with the long barcode with no branding whatsoever, with the date of manufacture being in largish font on the top left).

The thing is, drives intended for other brands come with different firmware, where some individuals have had compatibility issues (example with the VPC-Z and the UJ242a here; eject button not working).

Another issue is parts. Depending on whether your machine is CTOed, your drive may end up slightly loose. This is because depending on whether your machine is CTOed (and where it is sold for that matter), there are different parts inside your machine from the factory that hold everything together. In my case, an Oceania model (with CTO non-existant in Oceania countries), my VGN-Z did not have some extra 'holders'. As such, after I removed my DVD drive I had 2x screws leftover, as I didn't have the parts to use them with. My UJ232a is being held with 2x screws at the moment, both on one side of the drive. So the opposite side of the drive is slightly 'jiggly'... But that's not really a big matter. I can roll up small bits of adhesive tape and strategically place them on top of the drive, to prevent the jiggles from occuring.

 

Thanks for the help, I just ordered one, it should arrive here next week, do I need different software for it?

 

To play back BD movies, you need 3rd party software.

Microsoft in their infinite wisdom did not incorporate native BD movie playback capabilities to Windows 7 (or Vista mind you). WMP12 is incompatible fullstop, though WMC (Media Centre) can play back BD movies with correct plug-ins.

If memory serves correct there was PowerDVD by CyberLink which comes bundled with the WMC plugin. Or, if you don't want the plugin and just need a player, then WinDVD BD from INTERVIDEO should suffice. Though for that you should get the latest version 10 as version 8 (which the last of the VGN-Z with blu-ray capabilities came with) ain't optimised for W7. It works, but ain't too stable, and forces the Aero eye-candy to turn off due to compat. issues.

If you are keen on burning data to BD, then I'd suggest ImgBurn (google it). It's freeware and unlike Nero or Roxio, it's light and unbloated. It's also relatively easy to use and for advanced users (such as myself), is extremely customisable in regards to burn settings.

I burned a 50GB BD a few days back. The burn process took 3 hours to burn 48.9GB (@ 1x), and another 1.5 hours to verify (@ 2x). Not the fastest, but heck it's more reliable than external HDDs in the long run.

On a different note...
Once you install your BD drive, could you tell me the firmware your drive has? Goto:
- DEVICE MANAGER
- Right click the optics drive and PROPERTIES
- In the small window that pops up, click on the DETAILS tab
- And in the drop down menu, choose HARDWARE IDS

You should see a firmware version after a few '______'
It's should be 1.xx (x being a number).

VGN-Z which come with the UJ232a from the factory, I recall, came with 1.01 until they stopped selling (the VGN-Z). My drive has 1.10. I'm not complaining since everything works (even the keyboard eject button), but I'm curious nonetheless.

 

Ok, well I just got installed the blu ray drive and it has the 1.01 firmware, this drive is used and it came off a sony TT and it has a manufacture date of august 2008, I should have bought a new drive but do you think I can upgrade the firmware to 1.1?
And the windvd bd was a PITA, it kept on asking for the aacs key but I finally found the update to fix it....8.0.20.169, here is the link if anyone needs it....... Sony eSupport - VGN-AR830E - Software Updates & Drivers

 

The latest firmware upgrade (that users can download and use) I found for the UJ232a was 1.01

I'm actually not even sure if my UJ232a is intended for Sony machines (though I'm relatively sure). But as I say, as long as everything works as it should, I'm happy.

I too am using WinDVD for VAIO (got from Sony support intended for US VGN-Z that come with the BD from factory). And having experienced the AACS key issue, I searched and came across an update for the BD-capable FW from Sony Oceania. Currently running on version 8.0 DXVA B20.185.

 

Hi
I am used to use UJ-232A. I just changed with my friend's UJ-242AS.

UJ-242AS has been recognized as BD-RE however my Dell E4300 recognize
the UJ242 as BD-ROM.

Is there any firmware to fix that problem?

Thank you for your kindly and prompt attention.

 

Hi Visix what laptop do you own?

 

I think he's using a Dell E4300 notebook.

 

It seems like it, i wasn't sure when i first read it. I think if you own a Dell you may might want to try the Dell forum on this board. May be other Dell owners may have had this problem and can instruct you about what fw to use for your drive.

 

Maybe he/she did a forum search using the words "Panasonic UJ-242A" & this thread comes out at the top of the search list so that is why he/she posted in this thread in a hurry, hoping to find an answer to his/her question....

 

Hi Rachel,
I have a Z13 series Sony and I successfully swapped out the standard DVD drive with a BD-MLT UJ242 (Lenovo) from ebay. The bezel swap was a little tricky but the eject hole lined up exactly and in my case the eject button was ignored as its on the keyboard which worked fine. The only downside is one mounting tab didn't line up. I got around this issue by swapping the bottom cover/mounting plate as well and drilling a hole in it to line up with the mounting screw on the new drive, a bit fiddly but it fitted perfectly. Sorry but I can't help with the specs..

 

Hello, im a "little" confused...

The UJ242 from a lenovo fit in sony TT and the eject button and reset hole are working or no?
..and the OEM UJ242 (not from lenovo) that is sold on ebay is different or?
Thanks to who can help me!