Using a DVD/Blu-ray Changer for game disks

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using a DVD/Blu-ray changer with a PC for playing games and media. Participants explore the technical aspects, potential configurations, and personal preferences regarding disk management and digital rights management (DRM).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of using a disk changer as a standard external drive for games and media on a computer.
  • Another participant suggests that DVD/CD changers likely do not have SATA/IDE outputs, indicating a limitation in their use with PCs.
  • Some participants propose that creating ISO images of the disks and using a virtual disk mounter could be a viable alternative to using a disk changer.
  • One participant expresses a desire to avoid breaking DRM while playing DVDs, games, and Blu-rays from a changer without manual disk swapping.
  • Another participant mentions that purchasing games through online services like Steam could eliminate the need for physical disks altogether.
  • There is a discussion about the practicality of using large storage drives instead of investing in a disk changer, with one participant noting that a 2 TB drive could hold a significant number of Blu-ray discs.
  • One participant shares a personal preference for the experience of physically swapping movies, likening it to the enjoyment of handling vinyl records.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the practicality and desirability of using a disk changer versus alternative methods like digital downloads and ISO mounting. No consensus is reached regarding the effectiveness of disk changers for games.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in the capabilities of DVD/CD changers and the implications of DRM on their usage. There is also a recognition of the evolving landscape of digital media consumption.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring options for managing physical game and media collections, as well as those considering the transition to digital formats.

Pattonias
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Has anyone tried, or heard of someone trying, to use a disk changer with their PC?

I have seen several DVD/CD changers that can be used as a standard player on your television, but I haven't found anything about using one for games or media on a computer. I'm wondering if one can be configured as a standard external drive.
 
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I wouldn't have thought they would have sata/IDE outputs, just video - so no

You could just copy the disks as iso images onto a disk and then use a virtual disk mounter to make each one appear as a drive
 
lol, I could just copy them all to my HD, but I would like to do this without breaking the DRM. It isn't because there are no other ways to do this, but because this is how I would like to do this. I would like to be able to play DVDs, Games, and maybe Blu-ray from the changer without ever switching disks by hand.
 
Pattonias said:
lol, I could just copy them all to my HD, but I would like to do this without breaking the DRM. It isn't because there are no other ways to do this, but because this is how I would like to do this. I would like to be able to play DVDs, Games, and maybe Blu-ray from the changer without ever switching disks by hand.

200 disk blue-ray changer: http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/05/sony-intros-the-hes-v1000-media-server-and-200-disc-blu-ray-play/

but it probably won't mount games, and other files, only video, music and possibly photos.

Mounting .iso from an HD could do the job without any elaborate changers.
 
If you bought your games through Steam or some other online game download service, you could circumevent all of those pesky disks altogether. That's how I've bought games as of late, and it's really quite convenient as long as you have a good internet connection.

For your current disks, well you're stuck doing it the "old fashioned" way...
 
Mech_Engineer said:
For your current disks, well you're stuck doing it the "old fashioned" way...

Yes, but as was mentioned, you're only stuck doing it once to rip the image. After that...

With 2 TB drives starting at $150, it makes little sense to spend several hundred dollars on a bluray disk changer instead. A 2 TB drive will hold 40 bluray discs. Surely that's enough for your favorites! If you regularly play more than 40 different games that'll only fit on bluray, you may have some other issues which need attention!

As for movies, I like the anticipation of swapping them in and out of the player! Same sort of feeling I used to get when I cleaned vinyl records and the needle before listening to a really stellar album.
 

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