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Review Buffalo Portable BluRay Drive (BR-PX68U2/BK-EU)

by Tobias Winkler 06/04/2010

Cinema to go.

External BluRay drives are perfect for on the go or to simply upgrade computers that are at hand. We now have a device from Buffalo, a supply manufacturer, in review.

External drives are often more expensive and not always as potent as internally integrated models, but, in return, they can serve with a few advantages. Thus, the drives aren't tethered to a certain computer. Instead they can be used with a variety of computers, usually even with various operating systems. They also can often be used without an additional power supply and are satisfied with a USB cable (or a y cable). The slimeline models also shine with a low case height and low weight.

Case

Our test model from Buffalo is a portable BluRay burner (BR-PX68U2/BK-EU) that can read and write a variety of BluRay, DVD and CD formats. The case is very compact with 136 (w)x18(h)x142(d) and a weight of 320g. The high-gloss finish on the upper case half proves to be sensitive and is quickly covered by fingerprints and microscopic scratches. Otherwise, the device is appealing with its reduced to the essentials elegance.

Configuration / Performance

Buffalo includes a circumferential software package from Cyberlink for configuration, with which videos can be converted and edited, aside from the usual rendering, burning and security tasks. The programs aren't quite as new. For example, Power DVD 8 is included. Power DVD 10 is the latest. Good: The software components can all be selected or deselected as desired. If you want the complete package, you'll need about 10 minutes of time and have to count with a restart.

BluRays and DVDs can also be played via a simple USB cable without an adapter. We couldn't test to what extent the USB specification (high speed USB 500 mAh) could be met. It could also come to problems with some notebooks in battery mode when the USB power is reduced (such cases can be remedied with a y cable). However, we didn't notice this on an HP 6540b. In any case, we measured a power consumption of 0.0 watts up to 4.7 watts with a connected adapter (BluRay start-up period). BluRays are rendered with 4.0 watts and DVDs are content with 2.6 watts.

The Buffalo drive's TurboUSB technology allows writing BluRays in a 6-fold speed, whilst normal USB connections only offer a 4.6-fold velocity. The functions are enabled or disabled individually via the TurboUSB tool (can be found on the DVD). To what extent these burning speeds can be reached in practice depends decisively on the used blank. When in doubt, a lower burning velocity should be selected for the sake of quality.

The Optiarc drive burns both writable BD-Rs as well as re-writable BD-REs. Single-layered media have a capacity of up to 25 GBs, double-layered media can be filled with up to 50 GBs. The maximum burning speed is almost always reduced to the half with the latter.

The burner's noise can be described as restrained in comparison to other drives of the slimline category. We measured 36.9 dB(A) for videos, 44.3 dB(A) for BluRay videos and 47.5 dB(A) for data DVDs at a distance of 15 cm.

Mobile drive not only for on the go
Mobile drive not only for on the go
Part of the package: Cyberlink's BluRay Disc Suite
Part of the package: Cyberlink's BluRay Disc Suite
Adapter, USB cable, USB y cable
Adapter, USB cable, USB y cable

Mac-suitable?

Even if only Windows' operating systems are supported according to the manufacturer, we took a quick look at the functions under Mac Os X Snow Leopard. Everything to do with CDs and DVDs worked right away.

In return, playing BluRay movies on the Mac doesn't yet work with Mac Os X 10.3.6. You'll still have to reroute over Bootcamp and Windows. At least Toast 10 (for a surcharge) supports BluRay with a plug-in, when data media is to be burned.

Verdict

A very compact optical drive with a good format support and low noise emissions. A big advantage: the external mobile idea allows for a very flexible use. The media have a capacity of up to 50GBs. The software is generous but not up-to-date. Nevertheless, a number of tasks can be managed well. The high-gloss finish isn't really in the interest of mobility. Signs of use are quickly in the limelight, despite careful handling. Recommendable for movie fans and data collectors.

Technical Data / Measuring Results

Buffalo Portable Blu-Ray Drive BR-PX68U2/BK-EU
Optiarc BD RW BD-5730s
Firmware 1.02
Write / Read Speed BD-R 6x read/write (SL)/ 4x (DL)
BD-RE 4x read/2x write (SL)/(DL)
DVD-+R 8x read/write (SL), 6x read/4x write (DL)
DVD-+RW 6x read/write
DVD-RAM 5x read/write
CD-R 24x read/write
CD-RW 24x read/ 10x write
Supply Adapter
USB cable
USB Y cable
Supported Operating Systems Windows 7 (32/64 bit), Vista (32/64 bit), XP SP2
System Requirements Blu-ray min. Intel Pentium D 3,2 Ghz
min. 512 MB RAM, Nvidia GF 7600 GT/ ATI X1800
HDCP, current graphic driver
Power Consumption Idle 0,0 watt/ Startup Blu-Ray 4,9 Watt
DVD read 2,6 Watt / Blu-Ray read 4,0 Watt
DVD burn 3,9 Watt / Max. according to manufacturer 7,5 Watt
Software Cyberlink Blu-ray Disc Suite
Warranty 2 years
Price (street) starts at ca. 270.00 euro plus shipping
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In Review: Buffalo Portable Blu-Ray
In Review: Buffalo Portable Blu-Ray
Elegant beauty with a sensitive high-gloss surface.
Elegant beauty with a sensitive high-gloss surface.
The drive convinces with broad format support.
The drive convinces with broad format support.
Even stationary work is possible with a standard USB.
Even stationary work is possible with a standard USB.
Even compacter than Samsung's T-084 DVD burner
Even compacter than Samsung's T-084 DVD burner
Additionally with DC-in.
Additionally with DC-in.

Shortcut

What we like

Small, compact and fairly quiet.

What we miss

A robust case surface that lives up to the mobile application field.

What surprises us

That Mac Os X still doesn't have BluRay support.

The competitors

The ASUS SBC-06D1S-U drive can only read BluRays, but is a lot less expensive in return.

Tobias Winkler, 2010-06- 8 (Update: 2012-05-26)