Asus Delivering Blu-ray via USB

By Kevin Parrish
published

A cool, upcoming Blu-ray drive uses only a single USB connection.

DVICE is reporting that Asus is gearing up to launch an external Blu-ray player later this month. According to the website, the SBC-04D1S-U external Blu-ray drive only offers one connection: USB 2.0. Apparently, the drive doesn't offer any other type of output--no HDMI, no AC power jack, but rather sends and receives through the single USB port.

In addition to reading 4.8X Blu-ray discs, the external drive is also capable of writing 8X DVD-Rs and CD-Rs. Asus also said that the drive features a "Turbo Engine for enhanced USB Connectivity" which is probably what helps the drive crank out HD video to the monitor without additional video cables.

Additionally, the Blu-ray drive uses TrueTheater High Definition, transforming standard content into HD-quality images on high-resolution displays. The drive also comes with a vertical stand, Disc Encryption, and additional Cyberlink software. Currently there's no pricing available, however stay tuned for more in the next several weeks.

Kevin Parrish
10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • burnley14
    Wow, that's impressive. I wish there were more output options other than strictly USB, but still impressive. Hopefully it won't cost an arm and a leg.
    Reply
  • JasonAkkerman
    I must be lost... is this just an external optical drive, or is there suppose to me some kind of hard decoder built it?
    Reply
  • Andraxxus
    Looks very promising but it will most likely have a high price.
    Reply
  • megamanx00
    It's just an external Blu Ray Combo Drive with a fancy slim look. Big whoop.
    Reply
  • wildwell
    I wonder if the price will reasonable for an external Blu-Ray burner since it doesn't have many I/O interfaces. Of course, make it look cool and you always have an excuse to raise the price.
    Reply
  • Spanky Deluxe
    Since when have external optical drives using 5 odd year old technology been newsworthy? Is it because it has a blue neon cross on the side?

    http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2009/06/asus_sbc-04d1s-u_external_blu-ray_burner.html

    Its nothing but an external USB powered slimline bluray burner.
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    spanky deluxeSince when have external optical drives using 5 odd year old technology been newsworthy? Is it because it has a blue neon cross on the side?http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archiv urner.htmlIts nothing but an external USB powered slimline bluray burner.That is what I was thinking. You guys should see my external usb powered data storage device. I mean my cheap external usb powered 2.5 inch drive :p

    Unless this thing can work without a computer, its nothing special.
    Reply
  • Reading the article, it's not even a Blu-ray burner... it burns DVD and CD, and reads Blu-ray.
    Reply
  • hixbot
    People are confused, because it says bluray PLAYER in the article. This is a bluray DRIVE. It's not a standalone player, it has no built in decoders, and it doesnt deliver video signals via USB. It connects to PC via USB as an optical device. Sections of this article are very misleading.
    Reply
  • Samuel Marano
    So this is doing what hd dvd did years ago? Wow....
    Reply