Blu-ray Drives and Combo Drives for PCs

Combo drive or full writer: what it can burn

A Blu-ray combo drive reads Blu-ray, DVD and CD discs but writes only DVDs and CDs. If you need to record Blu-ray discs, you want a writer, which lists a BD-R write speed. Listings here show read speeds for BD-ROM, from 2X to 16X, plus DVD-ROM and CD-ROM speeds and the DVD+R write speed. Those are maximum figures, reached on the outer part of a disc, so real-world throughput is lower, particularly on scratched or poorly pressed discs.

Connection, power and 4K disc support

Internal models use a SATA connection in a 5.25-inch bay, while portable ones connect over USB 2.0, USB 3.0 or Type-C and are handy for laptops without a disc slot. Some portable drives need more power than one port gives, so use the second connector or a powered hub if the drive will not spin up. Titles marked UHD friendly are meant for 4K Ultra HD discs, which also need compatible software and a display chain that meets the disc's copy-protection rules.

Questions about Blu-ray Drives and Combo Drives for PCs

Can a Blu-ray combo drive burn Blu-ray discs?

No. A combo drive reads Blu-ray discs and writes DVDs and CDs only. To record Blu-ray discs you need a Blu-ray writer, which lists a BD-R write speed in its specifications alongside its DVD and CD speeds.

Do I need extra software to watch Blu-ray films on a PC?

Yes. Windows does not play Blu-ray films on its own, so you need licensed player software. Ultra HD discs also need a UHD-friendly drive and compatible hardware and display connections. The drive alone only reads the disc.

Why will a film from another country not play?

Blu-ray and DVD films carry region codes, and the drive's region setting must match. Drives let you change the region only a limited number of times, so check the disc's region before changing it.