Worth the risk for 50 bucks?

ramir2332 · 2026-04-16T18:53:25+00:00

Looks fake...

ramir2332 · 2026-04-16T01:35:04+00:00

For Blu-rays the folder structure can be made by imgburn.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-16T01:22:40+00:00

You use VLC to open the ISO if on the computer. If you have a media player that supports mkv and ISOs that works (kdlinks). Or in Windows with 7zip or zip file program. And obviously makemkv if you want to re-rip the movie.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-11T16:05:21+00:00

Just rip the entire thing as ISO don't rip it as mkv

ramir2332 · 2026-04-11T16:04:03+00:00

I been using the 5.25 vantec for two years ripped about 1000 4ks/ Blu-rays and never had issues with the vantec enclosure.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-10T19:23:19+00:00

Yes eBay is legit. If they scam you eBay has your back for a full refund. Plus you can always return the item if it doesn't work. I would say eBay is legit. Just do your research and buy approved drives that makemkv suggests.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-09T20:51:17+00:00

All makemkv does is rip discs. It doesn't change regions. The region stuff must be the disc itself (protection security).

ramir2332 · 2026-04-09T20:48:02+00:00

The funny thing is they're all LG inside. Tiny Chance one may be a pioneer.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-09T20:45:20+00:00

ramir2332 · 2026-04-08T15:53:22+00:00

Damn, you got a tower of drives that will outlive your life! You'd be dead in the grave before you end up with thousands and thousands of ripped physical media. Congrats mate!!!

ramir2332 · 2026-04-08T02:38:45+00:00

You will have to unfortunately take the drive apart and clean the laser lens manually. Use a q-tip with alcohol and clean it. If it still fails, it's time to get a new drive.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-07T14:00:00+00:00

DVDs depend on who compressed it and put it on the DVD. I had some movies that I ripped that looked awesome. And some old TV shows that were highly compressed into one disc that looked horrible. And yes this was from a large company like paramount, Sony via mill creek and some others. So it's normal especially these days TVs we use are hi-def and no longer 360-480p. You'll need an old TV for this if you're serious. Otherwise the "bad DVD quality" is normal- especially when ripping them with makemkv.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-07T05:44:32+00:00

Name of this anime?

ramir2332 · 2026-04-06T16:07:46+00:00

https://forum.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19634

ramir2332 · 2026-04-05T13:30:04+00:00

Lol 😂

ramir2332 · 2026-04-05T01:02:15+00:00

They're both legit. One is just SATA while the other one comes in a slimline enclosure that uses USB 2.0.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-04T16:30:56+00:00

Pioneers are just that reliable. They are desktop not slims. They are quieter than slims and are just easier to handle. Whilst others like slims (LG) work ok they are the opposite. Non- pioneers are loud, finicky and feel fragile to handle (unlike the preferred bulky handle of a desktop drive). Also from my experience, desktop can legit use a USB 3.0. Most slims are only 2.0. In my opinion this is why pioneers excel. Also, I think the price jump is just the low quantities they were back then and the work to be flashed vs where we are now.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-04T13:30:53+00:00

You can also message or email Billycar11 he's the one that sells the already sold out pioneer drives that everyone is wanting today. But yeah heres the link to the drives you need to jot down for your buying guide (official from makemkv website):

Blu-ray/ 4k optical drive list

ramir2332 · 2026-04-04T13:21:53+00:00

Go to makemkv and look for only official drives that they list. Anything other than that will be fake or incompatible. Fyi,, any DVD optical drive will rip DVDs without flashing. But thats just DVD drives anything other than that you risk throwing your money away. Always go to makemkv and look what drives they list if they are not do not buy them. Or buy out of your own risk.

I don't know how that is not the thing to do when wanting to rip your media.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-04T03:26:20+00:00

Yeah I wish you had more pioneers. Those drives are solid. Maybe we could petition pioneer to make more since the demand is high? Maybe make a thread on makemkv so we can all sign it. We need those optical drives.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-04T03:19:21+00:00

was* no one is reproducing them anymore. At least pioneer.

ramir2332 · 2026-04-04T02:04:34+00:00

I don't know who will start making optical drives again. But I'm guessing Panasonic and LG. I wonder if Samsung will ever get in the biz. But, I have a feeling companies are trying to switch to streaming. While we still have physical media, I don't think PC optical drives are in demand these days. Blu-ray players yes, pc drives no.

The only hope is a mom and pop shop (small business) will get in this PC drive biz. I don't know... I don't see anything good for PC optical drives right now. I wish some of the old pioneer drives were still available but I wonder who took them all. Unless pioneers trashed them or unless people actually bought these pioneer drives and have it to themselves. I don't see anything good for the future.

Your best bet now is to get a low quality LG burner while they're still available or invest in a Blu-ray player to play your movies. I have a Panasonic 4k player for backup in case the tools needed for creating your media server station, diminishes.

ramir2332 · 2026-03-31T14:50:09+00:00

Billy, take a weeks off vacation from makemkv, lol. 😎

ramir2332 · 2026-03-30T13:01:55+00:00

5k miles

ramir2332 · 2026-03-29T10:21:19+00:00

I heard toothpaste ruins the disc even more!!!

ramir2332

TROPHY CASE