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Thread ID: 126619 2012-09-08 07:15:00 Playing Blu Rays on External Drive hsvman12 (12360) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1299670 2012-09-08 07:15:00 Hi,

Ok, I have a work laptop which has w7 and windows media player. I wanting to purchase an external blu ray drive so I can watch blu rays on it when I travel (I travel often). The laptop has an internal dvd drive and I've used it to watch dvds. As its a work laptop, I am not able to load any software or drives on it.

So my question, do you think I'd be able to use an external blu ray drive to connect and watch blu rays without loading drivers or any software?

Cheers
hsvman12 (12360)
1299671 2012-09-08 07:29:00 Windows 7 Doesn't play Blu Ray by default, so you would have to install some program. Theres a few free ones, but if you cant install them thats a problem. wainuitech (129)
1299672 2012-09-08 09:02:00 u could run a portable program (if one exists) jonovw (16835)
1299673 2012-09-09 22:16:00 You'd need something like PowerDVD or WinDVD to play blu-ray discs. I don't think they legally come in portable versions.

Basically, without installing any software, you won't be able to play BR discs.
autechre (266)
1299674 2012-09-10 03:38:00 ...... As its a work laptop, I am not able to load any software or drives on it.

So my question, do you think I'd be able to use an external blu ray drive to connect and watch blu rays without loading drivers or any software?

Cheers

simple answer = NO
unless you want to break company rules. I'll guess the company wont like external BR drives connected to it either.

Why not just get a portable DVD player. You dont need HD on a small screen, so BR isnt really worthwhile, stick with DVD's(?).
1101 (13337)
1299675 2012-09-10 08:53:00 Thanks for all you replies.

The laptop does have an internal dvd player which I have use previously. The problem is I only have blu rays to watch (stopped buying dvds).

I was hoping that windows media player might be able to just read and play the blu rays, but that isn't going to work.

Does anyone know if there is a player I can run (rather than install) and use to watch them?

Also, do you think an external blu ray drive will need drivers installed to run?
hsvman12 (12360)
1299676 2012-09-10 09:08:00 Windows should install drivers. But you'll still need a program to watch them Speedy Gonzales (78)
1299677 2012-09-11 07:14:00 Ok, I wonder if its best to just burn the blu rays onto dvd format and watch them on the dvd rom. Is there any best way to do this? hsvman12 (12360)
1299678 2012-09-11 07:17:00 Wont fit they hold more than DVD. Unless you edit them before you burn it to DVD Speedy Gonzales (78)
1299679 2012-09-11 09:54:00 Yes, I know I'll need to convert to dvd format and compress the video resolution somehow, which won't be a problem seem I don't need 1080p HD to watch it on a laptop screen. Do you know the best way (and program) to compress and convert to dvd format? hsvman12 (12360)
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