The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
 Next page →

    Why no Blu-ray Option?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by THX1138-2, Apr 20, 2011.

  1. THX1138-2

    THX1138-2 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Anyone understand why they did not include a Blu-ray drive option on the M14x? I realize that the unit doesn't have a 1080p screen option, but I still would prefer watching blu-ray discs versus dvd on a 900p screen.

    I still ordered mine this morning though...

    Anyone know if we can install a bluray designed for the m15x or m17x in it?
     
    THX1138-2, Apr 20, 2011
    #1
  2. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I am going to try I found the same blu ray drive for the m17x from amazon for 135, and from all the dimensions of the Panasonic slot load drives they appear to be the same, but if anyone else knows better let me know so I don't make a mistake. My estimated ship date is the 10th so I will keep people up to date
     
    Jetbo, Apr 20, 2011
    #2
  3. THX1138-2

    THX1138-2 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Yeah, I've found a few different models that might work as well. I too plan on doing a swap once I receive mine on the 12th....
     
    THX1138-2, Apr 20, 2011
    #3
  4. Hengst2404

    Hengst2404 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    this is definitely something i would be interested in doing as well. Please post on your results.
     
    Hengst2404, Apr 20, 2011
    #4
  5. HEUR

    HEUR Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    237
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    it should work with any SATA Drive... In this case it must be a Slot Load one...
     
    HEUR, Apr 21, 2011
    #5
  6. Voodooi

    Voodooi AFK for a while...

    Reputations:
    1,850
    Messages:
    2,874
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If anything, I'll be getting an external USB blu ray drive.

    The drives on AW laptops are just too hot to go back to the cheap pull out ones :p
     
    Voodooi, Apr 21, 2011
    #6
  7. Neubeehunhun

    Neubeehunhun Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    346
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Off topic but does anyone know how does slot load work? As in how does it suck in a disk? Been wondering for a while and google didn't give me any answer.
     
    Neubeehunhun, Apr 21, 2011
    #7
  8. HEUR

    HEUR Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    237
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    HEUR, Apr 21, 2011
    #8
  9. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    revdiesel, Apr 21, 2011
    #9
  10. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I was looking at the uj-225 none burner version :p. hoping it works, only if laptop mag would give us the model in the version they had.
     
    Jetbo, Apr 21, 2011
    #10
  11. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    What's different?
     
    revdiesel, Apr 21, 2011
    #11
  12. Laxxi

    Laxxi Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    375
    Messages:
    418
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Blu-Ray on a 14" screen... Yeah that'd be sweet....

    :rolleyes:

    But seriously, I'm guessing it's in regards to using it in conjunction with an external monitor?
     
    Laxxi, Apr 21, 2011
    #12
  13. THX1138-2

    THX1138-2 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    For those that will be attempting this mod, here is the service manual for the m14x: Documentation
     
    THX1138-2, Apr 21, 2011
    #13
  14. Hengst2404

    Hengst2404 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I realize that contrary to what many think, the blue ray advantage typically requires a substantially larger display so see anything real. However, for somebody like myself who buys a lot of blue ray discs, having a blue ray player will be key just so I can watch the movie, not necessarily any other benefit.
     
    Hengst2404, Apr 21, 2011
    #14
  15. c1ro

    c1ro Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    39
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    c1ro, Apr 21, 2011
    #15
  16. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    That doesn't look like a slot loading BRD though.
     
    revdiesel, Apr 21, 2011
    #16
  17. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    238
    Messages:
    1,452
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Ask HIDevolution what type of reader and burner they use. They sell the m14x r1 with a reader or burner.
     
    Brabostaan, Apr 21, 2011
    #17
  18. c1ro

    c1ro Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    39
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    c1ro, Apr 21, 2011
    #18
  19. Voodooi

    Voodooi AFK for a while...

    Reputations:
    1,850
    Messages:
    2,874
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If it's not a slot load blu ray, I wouldn't touch it. It's going to make your AW look cheap/out of place imo :p

    (comment directed to those considering the pull-out blu ray)
     
    Voodooi, Apr 21, 2011
    #19
  20. hizzaah

    hizzaah Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,672
    Messages:
    2,418
    Likes Received:
    289
    Trophy Points:
    101
    The plastic bezel on the m14 is made for slot loaders so you'd prolly have a gaps and have to remove the plastic bezel to get a tray loader to work
     
    hizzaah, Apr 21, 2011
    #20
  21. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    revdiesel, Apr 22, 2011
    #21
  22. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Jetbo, Apr 22, 2011
    #22
  23. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    revdiesel, Apr 22, 2011
    #23
  24. TitanGod

    TitanGod Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    355
    Messages:
    515
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    We should just wait till someone gets the alienware from those reseller that include the blu-ray option and we will be able to find out what it is they used ;)
     
    TitanGod, Apr 23, 2011
    #24
  25. Hengst2404

    Hengst2404 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I am so getting a blue ray drive when this thing lands in my hands. I also want to wait until somebody has it and a drive and can confirm that it works.
     
    Hengst2404, Apr 23, 2011
    #25
  26. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It's such Bull$@#$ that they didn't offer it considering that it has Wireless HD.
     
    revdiesel, Apr 23, 2011
    #26
  27. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Our gain probably going to be cheaper just like my 100$ 8gb 1600mhz ram I got off new egg. Got to love Dyi upgrades.
     
    Jetbo, Apr 23, 2011
    #27
  28. redbalrog

    redbalrog Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    233
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    I emailed Ted at HIDEvolution and he said that they use LG or Sony models for the Blu-ray reader option, and a Panasonic for the Blu-ray writer option.
    :)

    I forgot to ask if they are tray or slot load - which one would be most likely?
     
    redbalrog, Apr 24, 2011
    #28
  29. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I know its Panasonic and it is slot load tray load wont work but im concerned over if some how they made a smaller one of non traditional size for the m14x thats why I am waiting till it gets here to inspect the drive.
     
    Jetbo, Apr 24, 2011
    #29
  30. HEUR

    HEUR Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    237
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I am sure they are slot load. Change the disc driver is really easy. And I am sure m14x supports almost all the slot load drivers available.

    Like these ones:
    Matsua UJ225 slot in Load Blu-Ray BD Burner Driver | eBay
    Dell X041H XPS Slot-load Blu-ray CA10N SATA Drive | eBay
    Dell X043H Slot-load Blu-ray CA10N SATA H853D GRADE A ! | eBay
    Sony Optiarc BC-5600S 2X Blu-ray SATA Slot Load BD-ROM | eBay
    12.7mm Slot in load SATA Blu-ray burner player Drive | eBay
    DELL Panasonic UJ235A 4X Blu-Ray Burner Slot Load FT19C | eBay
    .......
    ..
    ..

    this is not a problem...
     
    HEUR, Apr 24, 2011
    #30
  31. simonmpoulton

    simonmpoulton Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    158
    Messages:
    1,004
    Likes Received:
    37
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Just FYI - The UJ225 is a slot load ATA device and wont be compatible with the m14x.
     
    simonmpoulton, Apr 24, 2011
    #31
  32. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    revdiesel, Apr 24, 2011
    #32
  33. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    thanks on the uj-225 i guess we will see when they come in
     
    Jetbo, Apr 24, 2011
    #33
  34. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    Jetbo, Apr 24, 2011
    #34
  35. hizzaah

    hizzaah Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,672
    Messages:
    2,418
    Likes Received:
    289
    Trophy Points:
    101
    Gonna have to get software too huh?
     
    hizzaah, Apr 24, 2011
    #35
  36. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Im sure you could just find the drivers somewhere. Windows is usually very good with straight input devices like hard drives and dvd drives
     
    Jetbo, Apr 24, 2011
    #36
  37. THX1138-2

    THX1138-2 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    My m14x is in the "shipped" stage... so I've just ordered the CA10N. Will let everyone know how the change out goes.
     
    THX1138-2, Apr 26, 2011
    #37
  38. redbalrog

    redbalrog Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    233
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    To someone who has seen both a DVD and Blu-ray movie playing, is the difference in quality noticeable (assuming a full 1080p monitor)? I've never seen a Blu-ray movie in person before, funnily enough, so I'm unsure if it's worth it.
     
    redbalrog, Apr 27, 2011
    #38
  39. Hengst2404

    Hengst2404 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    well for what it is worth, many believe that for all intents and purposes that 1080p is nearly impossible to appreciate below a 42" display. Whether this is true or not I cannot say. I like to think the colors look more full and everything, but sometimes it is very hard to tell the difference between a 1080p blue ray and a standard dvd upscaled to 1080p and certainly at a a 14" monitor it would be negligible.

    Just my 2 cents. There are far more detailed answers at the AVS boards.
     
    Hengst2404, Apr 27, 2011
    #39
  40. revdiesel

    revdiesel Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Most people that want the blu-ray player in the M14x either have a big blu-ray collection or they want to rip blu-rays to their M14x and stream it to their big screen.
     
    revdiesel, Apr 27, 2011
    #40
  41. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I have like 80 plus blu rays and like 10 dvds I ordered the CA10N off ebay 60$ after shipping
     
    Jetbo, Apr 27, 2011
    #41
  42. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Ca10n is to thick it will fit but cover will not close completely need to find a 9.5mm
     
    Jetbo, May 2, 2011
    #42
  43. c1ro

    c1ro Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    39
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    so that also killed the idea of 12.5mm hdds, hmm....
     
    c1ro, May 2, 2011
    #43
  44. Hengst2404

    Hengst2404 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    so where do we find a slot load bdrom at 9.55
     
    Hengst2404, May 2, 2011
    #44
  45. Jetbo

    Jetbo Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    92
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No idea yet on 9.5 but i mean the 12.5 will work your cover just wont completely close which bothers me
     
    Jetbo, May 3, 2011
    #45
  46. Hengst2404

    Hengst2404 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    yeah that is a deal breaker for me. Guess I will hawk that same drive you have on ebay or something. at some point, somebody will have to release a blu ray drive that fits this thing, if not dell themselves. I can afford to be patient.
     
    Hengst2404, May 3, 2011
    #46
  47. THX1138-2

    THX1138-2 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    My CA10N should be here in a few hours, so I'm really disappointed to hear that the m14x uses 9.5mm players. To my knowledge, there is no readily available 9.5 slot load blu ray player available from any manufacturer.

    I tried calling HIDevolution who offers an upgrade to Blu Ray on orders for the M14x, but they wouldn't tell me what drive they use for the upgrade. They wouldn't even tell me if they had actually tried to do this upgrade yet on an order... I also asked if I could order the drive they use, but was told no.
     
    THX1138-2, May 3, 2011
    #47
  48. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

    Reputations:
    5,447
    Messages:
    3,143
    Likes Received:
    27
    Trophy Points:
    116
    Speedy Gonzalez, May 3, 2011
    #48
  49. Hengst2404

    Hengst2404 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    97
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hengst2404, May 3, 2011
    #49
  50. vr6-gti

    vr6-gti Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    36
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Just subscribed. Looking to buy a M14x but the lack of a BR upgrade from Dell was disappointing.
     
    vr6-gti, May 3, 2011
    #50
 Next page →