LG - 8x External USB 2.0 Blu-ray Disc Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Disc Rewriter - Black

I just bought this Blu-Ray optical drive yesterday, I needed something to rip my Blu-Ray collection as my Apple SuperDrive is only capable of reading / writing DVDs. This was really the only one they had to offer at my local BestBuy and the reviews online were decent, so I thought I'd give it a try. A couple of things right off the bat - some reviews on here are confusing, after reading and doing research, I wasn't sure if this drive had two separate USB cables, or just one, the manufacturer's description wasn't helpful at all. However, I discovered that it is technically one cable, but it DOES SPLIT AT THE END into two USBs, one for data transfer and the other to provide additional power to the drive. The main drawback here is that the split in the cord itself is very short, only a few inches, so if you have a 15-inch MacBook Pro (like I do) this is a major problem because the only 2 USB ports are on opposite sides of the computer... At first I tried plugging both into one of my 4 port USB hubs, I thought it was going to work but then the rips kept failing because the drive didn't have enough power. So, HERE WAS MY WORKAROUND: even though every LG document says not to, I plugged the shorter split end of the cable into a USB extension cable, which I then plugged into one of my iPhone USB power adapters. It is working great now, have ripped 6 Blu-Rays and am doing more as I type. So basically even though LG advertises "No AC power needed! Convenient!" it's not exactly so, I'd almost rather they provide an AC cable, but my workaround seems to be doing just fine and I can live with it. I assume this will affect almost all Mac laptop users and probably a lot of PC notebooks as well. (SEE PHOTOS) Other than that I am pretty happy with the drive, I realize Blu-Ray drives in general are going to be more expensive, but honestly for $100 it does feel a little cheap. All plastic and the slot that pops out to put the disc into seems kinda flimsy, so I'll be extra careful about that. Oh and Mac users: I was able to plug and play with this drive, I am ripping the Blu-Rays using MakeMKV and it worked fine, no drivers to install or anything. I imagine if you download a Blu-Ray playing software for Mac you might have to download some drivers, but probably not. Shouldn't have any problems.

I had purchased a similar item on line, which would not play newer Blu Ray discs so I went to Best Buy, where the Geek Squad tested this one first, everything working just fine. My reason for only 4 stars instead of 5 is that it needs two USB ports to work properly.

Still Learning how use it, Thanks for asking, have a great day!

Be sure you know you have to buy a download for it to work. Product slot doesn't open easily.

Decent drive for those looking for blu-Ray capabilities. Did not yet install the software that comes with it as I was using different software already installed on my computer. But overall it’s a fast drive and runs pretty quiet. Only gripe - which I understand now is common with these sort of drives - is that it has a dual-USB with one needed plugged in for connection and another USB attached to the same end of the cord that also needs plugged in as the power source. So unless you have two USB ports right next to each other it’s not going to be possible to plug in both. Also a little pricey since blu-rays have been a household name so to speak for several years now.

I had just purchased a Lenovo Yoga laptop computer this past January (2020) and of course, most manufacturers no longer include a DVD+RW/CD-RW player in their lap-top computers in order to keep the weight down. However, I find on occasion it's nice to be able to play a movie on it when the need arrives. Plus, I have some older software on CD's that I can now install on my new laptop. This LG DVD+RW/CD-RW player works beatifully. I've had no problems whatsoever. I'm very pleased with the product! Purchased on 1/26/2020 at Best Buy.

Got my wife a really nice all in one computer, but it didn't have a dvd drive. Its hard to believe that they make desktop computers without them. I plugged it into a usb port and the computer install all the drivers needed. I also bought power dvd due to the reviews saying you cant watch blue-rays with the software that comes the drive. With power dvd it played dvd and blue-ray disk perfectly. the drive is very compact and would be easy to carry around if you wanted to use it with a laptop. very happy with the purchase.

Saved us by backing up data from our dying computer. >19GB in less than an hour to M-disk (so good for200-1000 yrs! Only USB-2 and requires 2 adjacent USB outlets. The included software is adequate but not wonderful. The instructions were adequate but not wonderful. Yes, iI would recommend it to a friend, but try to get a USB-3 version.