Post #1997590

2026-05-03 14:38 UTC

Sounds like you’ve been listening to Linux Unplugged, ha. Drive support is generally good in my experience. If you’re going to buy one for writing, then I’d also recommend one that can be flashed with Libredrive. That way you can also rip encrypted BluRays and store them without DRM. I haven’t used burning software in a long time, but you may have issues getting them in a format that will just play back normally on players, especially if you put a bunch of movies on one disc. I think they need some sort of menu system, but maybe some burning software can build a rudimentary one? idk Optical archival storage is tempting right now because of the price, though it definitely is more of an archival solution. Good for long term cold backups, but not great for any data that needs to change, even infrequently.

Replies (2)

@daggermoon@piefed.world 2026-05-03 21:52

You can rip and store Blu-rays without DRM without Libredrive, just not UHD Blu-ray’s unless the drive is on an old unpatched firmware. I have one such drive. To burn a playable Blu-Ray movie you need the dump from MakeMKV and ImgBurn running in Wine. Blu-ray movies require UDF 2.50 I think. You can then create an .iso that can be burned to a disc using K3b or Brasero or whatever. I’m happy to answer any questions as I have quite a bit of experience with this.

Open ##1997578
@MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 2026-05-03 15:22

I got lucky and mine has factory libredrive mode support. They changed the drive inside the case now though, Pioneer to Hitachi-LG. That one needs flashing. And about archiving: it depends. Burnables, you can expect around 10 to 20 years in dry, dark places with stable climate. Though some charges have manufacturing defects, become literally spinning rust after a few years. Considering the duplicate for safety, or some expensive special archiving disk (if you believe the vendor), are they still cheaper? Also consider, that optical drives already get rougher mechnaically, because the fabrication chain from the 2000s is lost. And in software too, they go the path of legacy.

Open ##1997637