Due to recent market developments we can expect a massive increase in volume of movies to be released on high definition (HD) Blu-ray discs. The market adoption of Blu-ray as the optical disc standard for HD content has inevitably resulted in a growing demand for Blu-ray playback solutions.

Though itā€™s actually based on Lite-Onā€™s DH-401S drive, the DX-401S (around Ā£150) is Philips & Lite-on Digital Solutions first external Blu-ray drive solution for computer users. The DX-401S is a Blu-ray reader (BD-ROM) that connects to your Windows XP or Vista PC via USB 2.0 and allows the playback of Blu-ray movies and Blu-ray media discs.

Of course, to indulge in HD video on your computer you need a HDCP-capable graphics card and monitor. If your setup is not HDCP-ready (i.e. typical analogue monitor), you should expect image quality downgrading. And should you want to watch a Blu-ray movie on a regular HDTV, you will have to connect your graphics cardā€™s digital output to the TVā€™s digital input, and also connect the output of the audio card to the adjacent TV/home cinema input - the DX-401S comes with USB only.

The device looks fantastic thanks to its glossy white-and-black finish, and itā€™s not too bulky either (146×180x414mm, 800g). Lite-On even supplies a clear stand to you can mount the drive vertically on your desk. Seriously, the drive looks fantastic, thanks largely to the stand and huge Blu-ray Disc logo that oozes cutting-edge appeal. The only downside to the stand is that it doesnā€™t grip the DX-401S tightly - lifting the drive will release it from the stand. This isnā€™t a big issue, but if youā€™ve spent your hard-earned cash you want to know your investment is totally secure. At least there are four rubber pads on the underside of the drive that help keep it in place when itā€™s sitting down flat; and also help to reduce any vibrations.

The rear panel includes the single USB 2.0 port, DC input as well as a useful power switch. Lite-On also supplies a Quick Installation Guide, USB 2.0 cable, power supply, and a copy of CyberLinkā€™s PowerDVD 7 BD Edition playback software. Its specifications are good, with BD-R/RE/ROM single and double-layer media read up to 4x (CAV), DVDĀ±R or DVD-ROM up to 12x, and dual-layer DVDĀ±R and single-layer DVDĀ±RW at 8x. CD media (remember those?) is read at 32x maximum.

If you want a portable drive that enables you to watch Blu-Ray movies and read Blu-ray media in general, the DX-401S is an attractive drive that does the job brilliantly. And the fact that you can connect it to any PC any time makes it extremely practical. It looks great, performs well (data transfer rates are consistent), and is virtually silent while reading any kind of disc.

We did encounter a few minor difficulties reading dual-layered BD-R and BD-ROM discs, but thankfully this is not translated into picture problems, which is flawless. Itā€™s not a world beater for speed, but for value and Blu-ray playback quality itā€™s up there. The only real gripe is that itā€™s not a DVD burner, but this isnā€™t really a bad thing as it does help keep the overall cost down - and youā€™ve probably already got a burner in your desktop or laptop.