By: VirginiaBeach (31-Jul-08)      Experience with product: Not specified

Strengths:	Quiet, fast, reliable
Weaknesses:	Expensive

Full User Summary
This drive was a bit on the expensive side, but I wanted a Blu-Ray reader, and this one fit the bill. It's quiet, fast, and it's given me zero problems thus far. I anticipate that the price will fall as the Blu-ray drive market expands, making this unit an even better deal.

By: Zenerd (20-Jul-08)      Experience with product: 2 Months

Strengths:	Plays Blu Ray disc video beautifully! Drive immediately recognized by my Vista Home Premium system with no problems whatsoever. Video displays in full 1080p glory. Gorgeous picture.
Weaknesses:	No sound through HDMI! Software simply does not play sound via digital connection. Using analog output I can get 2-channel audio, but need to pay $99 for digital audio?

Full User Summary
This is a great drive just waiting for proper software. Ideally, Vista MCE will incorporate Blu Ray playback now that HD-DVD is dead. That said, it really sucks that the software bundled with the drive is gimped and that you have to purchase a $99 upgrade to receive full digital audio. Would give 5 stars, but since it comes with crippled software I'm only giving it 4.

By: CraigAdamsATT (08-Jun-08)      Experience with product: 14

Strengths:	The unit installs easily and comes with all required cables. Running on XP Pro SP3, it plays all standard dvds and low-drm Blu-Ray previews exceedingly well with gorgeous, stable images.
Weaknesses:	The provided software works with some caveats- it is unstable and will not recognize the hardware after it crashes. A computer reboot restores functionality. The required update makes this worse.

Full User Summary
As a package, this product fails miserably. I am a builder- all components used in this desktop meet or surpass the recommended levels, and the tests made available on the websites pass the unit. It is fully hdcp compliant as is my HDTV, and is not overclocked. I reinstalled XP to ensure that none of my security related custom settings might adversely impact the software. No dice- I also ran the software after disabling my antivirus/firewall and disabling my network connection to completely normalize and isolate the platform. Sony's tech support responded but less than usefully. I am contemplating upgrading the software (CyberVision 7.3) to the latest and greatest- at about $100.00 more out of my pocket. If this works, I will modify my post. Otherwise- this stands as another product not quite ready for the marketplace...

By: rufa33 (14-Apr-08)      Experience with product: 3

Strengths:	Solid drive, accessories comes with
Weaknesses:	Loud at start

Full User Summary
Comes with a pretty blue tray cover that can be removed if it doesn't fit properly in your case, SATA cable, SATA Power converter. Not so bad for the price comparing to the quality. I bought Liteon that give me issues with specific new movies, this one is solid good.