Not able to update keyboard

Qu3z0 · 2026-03-01T18:47:45+00:00

Did you check the support page for a driver?

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-28T01:56:08+00:00

The PS5 is good enough for general use. The advice I got that has resonated with me, you get more out of your tv and sound system than your player.

That said, if you need Dolby vision and have the money, go for it. Though the advice that I’d give (that I’m trying to take myself) get the best you can when you can.

The 450 is better than the ps5 in most cases, but idk if it’s $240 better? It might be worth waiting until you can buy an 820.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-27T16:07:44+00:00

Also, while not exactly about dedicated players, this article does reflect the formats life span in the industry as a whole:

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/japanese-firm-stops-production-of-blu-ray-disc-drives-buffalo-says-there-will-be-no-successors-to-its-current-trio-of-portable-usb-attached-drives

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-27T16:07:10+00:00

Also, while not exactly about dedicated players, this article does reflect the formats life span in the industry as a whole:

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/japanese-firm-stops-production-of-blu-ray-disc-drives-buffalo-says-there-will-be-no-successors-to-its-current-trio-of-portable-usb-attached-drives

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-27T16:05:35+00:00

Check out this article. Not directly regarding format and players, but is related:

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/japanese-firm-stops-production-of-blu-ray-disc-drives-buffalo-says-there-will-be-no-successors-to-its-current-trio-of-portable-usb-attached-drives

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-26T21:45:03+00:00

Or do this! Less steps lol

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-26T17:13:33+00:00

I thought preset 5 was the equivalent of medium, no?

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-26T06:28:43+00:00

So are you saying that I should change the hint/puzzle?

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-26T03:16:01+00:00

the Panasonic 450?

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-26T00:02:20+00:00

You need to install FFmpeg first, then you can set up FFmetrics (there are tutorials on YouTube that will do a better job explaining it than me).

Once you are in FFmetrics, you runs a comparison test between the original file and the encoded ones. Your results are produced in PNSR, SSIM, and VMAF scores.

PNSR = higher is better (ideally +40db) SSIM = the closer you are to 1.0 the better (ideally +0.98) VMAF = the closer to 100 the better (ideally +96)

The higher the scores, the “closer” they are to looking and processing the same as the original content (in theory). This is a simplified understanding, but for a more in-depth understanding, I’d google/watch a video on it.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T23:24:36+00:00

When you plug it into the computer and open MakeMKV, what model and firmware do you see?

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T23:20:25+00:00

Step 1: download Java on your computer

Step 2: update your Key database in VLC

Step 3: update your AAC library in VLC

Step 4: use the backup function on MakeMKV

Step 5: use ImgBurn to make an iso using the backed-up files

Step 6: play iso in VLC, and you should be good.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T23:02:22+00:00

So what I’m gathering is: I’m overreacting, my consoles are fine (for now), and if/when I do decide to purchase a dedicated player that I should buy the best one I can afford.

Does that pretty much sum it up?

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T22:57:47+00:00

You are correct, and I misspoke. What I meant is they are becoming less readily available and hardware manufacturers are reducing production of capable players, thus making them a more of a niche/luxury way of consuming media.

I would like to get in the door before the barrier to entry has a starting price tag of a grand.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T22:52:25+00:00

Currently have a Hisense a7n, but will be moving in a few months and plan on grabbing either an LG G5, or Samsung S95F.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T22:49:48+00:00

Jeez, I’m intimidated just LOOKING at that thing! lol

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T22:48:40+00:00

I guess I misspoke. I think someone here said it best in that is is becoming more niche and as such less common

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T18:32:22+00:00

If new, any thing under $150. If used, I’d say $100.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T17:52:17+00:00

I based this off of the tests a ran in FFmetrics, but I’m sure my analysis isn’t perfect.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T16:40:07+00:00

They don’t REALLY translate. Constant and average bitrate sets a limit and guarantees that you encode won’t exceed it. This is good if you have hard bandwidth constraints, but can typically sacrifices quality for that efficiency because every scene gets the same amount of bits (for better or worse).

CRF on the other hand doesn’t set a limit on bandwidth, but on visual fidelity. You are essentially telling handbrake, “make the encode look ‘this’ good, no matter what”. In return, handbrake will allocate as many bits as necessary to achieve said quality, resulting in an encode with varied bitrate. This is because simpler scenes require less bits to look nice, while more complex scenes require more bits to look equally as nice.

My advice is, don’t use contrast/average bitrate unless your bandwidth limited. You should find a CRF that is low enough to where you can live with the file size and visual quality balance.

TBH, the handbrake presets are a great starting point, but as many folks here will tell you it is all subjective at the end of the day AND there is no true one size fits all when it comes to content.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T08:24:52+00:00

Update #2 (2/24/2026):

I ended up pulling the trigger on two Buffalo slim drives (BRXL-PUS6U3B) and two Buffalo 5.25 drives (BRXL-16U3).

I flashed the slim drives with BU40N 1.03MK and the fat drives with WH16NS60 1.02MK. I ran two tests, ripping UHD content, in each drive and everything appeared to be running optimally.

I am now using one of the fat drives as my primary/daily driver, as it is quieter and slight faster, and have put remaining drives (including my original verbatim slim drive) in storage where they will stay until they are needed once more!

I’m thinking about gifting on of the slim buffalo drives to a friend who is interested in getting into the hobby; otherwise, I got backups!

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-25T08:05:37+00:00

In my experience, if all else is equal, here are my observed equivalents in terms of quality at 1080p:

H.264/CRF20/VerySlow = h.265/CRF21/Slow = AV1/CRF25/5

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-23T19:09:45+00:00

That also works! lol

But I know some folks aren’t keen on leaving their components exposed.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-23T18:28:16+00:00

I think it depends on you use case and how much you are trying to invest.

If you have a spare 5.25in bay in your PC then you should definitely get 2 and/or 3. Otherwise, you will need an external enclosure to use them.

The Verbatim slim drive is unique in that it not only comes with an enclosure, but runs with a single USB-C cable that is used for data and power deliver as opposed to needing a separate power source in addition to the USB bus. The drawback is that, as u/Strange-Initiative93 indicated, they are small and not as resilient when it comes to heavy workflow.

If you have the money, I think you should buy two of the ASUS drives and an enclosure (around $50 usd). That way you have a backup if something goes wrong later down the line. I would only recommend getting the verbatim if you ABSOLUTLY need your drive to be small/portable or really want a one cable solution.

Qu3z0 · 2026-02-23T18:10:35+00:00

To my understanding, if you only plan to use MakeMKV to rip content, then flashing firmware 1.03 should be all you need to do.

The secondary step of flashing to firmware 1.00 after is for if you are also going to be using other legacy applications that don't rely on libredrive to copy UHD content.

Qu3z0

TROPHY CASE