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I used the CA10N Blu-Ray in my 2009 Mini and worked great in OS-X and Windows. It is a 12.7mm drive and fits just fine in the 2009 Mini. Wish it would fit my 2010 13" MBP :( since I just sold the Mini.
 
ODD is 12.5mm, not 9.5mm.

The optical drive didn't change between the 2009 and 2010 Unibody Mac Minis, so manisteinn's info is still relevant.

The standard drive is a Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HLDS) Super Multi DVD Rewriter model GA32N which is 12.5mm high.

The Blu-Ray drives (Panasonic UJ235A, etc) are 12.7mm high. 0.2mm is practically nothing, so they do fit.

cmb12oaweesyxtqk.jpg


14iny6khhjbr6xyu.jpg


pmcoeebnfwj4h43m.jpg



Have a read of http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/19957/Blu+ray+&+1TB, http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/20057/thickness+of+dvd+player+and+connector+type, http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/19923/What+is+the+Ga32n+height, http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac-Mini-Model-A1347-Teardown/3094/.
 
outstanding. I was mistaken, good news. just got my 2010 mini can't wait to put bluray in it
 
just to summise!

A external USB blu ray drive will rip (using make MKV) onto a 2009 Mac Mini?

Cheers!
 
The optical drive didn't change between the 2009 and 2010 Unibody Mac Minis, so manisteinn's info is still relevant.

The standard drive is a Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HLDS) Super Multi DVD Rewriter model GA32N which is 12.5mm high.

The Blu-Ray drives (Panasonic UJ235A, etc) are 12.7mm high. 0.2mm is practically nothing, so they do fit.

cmb12oaweesyxtqk.jpg


14iny6khhjbr6xyu.jpg


pmcoeebnfwj4h43m.jpg



Have a read of http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/19957/Blu+ray+&+1TB, http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/20057/thickness+of+dvd+player+and+connector+type, http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/19923/What+is+the+Ga32n+height, http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac-Mini-Model-A1347-Teardown/3094/.

I can confirm all of this works. I just modded a 2010 Mac Mini and installed a SONY-NEC 5600S BC-5600s Blu-Ray reader DVD/CD burner. That drive is a 12.5mm slot load SATA. To test I ripped the Blu-Ray "The Fifth Element" via makemkv / handbrake. Everything works flawlessly.
 
Can you play straight from the disc using MakeMKV's streaming server and VLC?

I have not tried. The one I built is for resale and I just wanted to make sure the drive worked.
I am thinking of building one for myself, but it would be for typical desktop use. I have two (soon to be 3) ATV2's in the house on wired ethernet that I server from my desktop as well. My reason for the blu-ray would be entirely for ripping content to watch via the ATV2s. I don't really watch media directly on the box.
Currently personally running a 2009 2.0Ghz C2D with 4GB and a 500GB 5400 rpm HD, and it is feeling a little long in the tooth.
 
I can confirm all of this works. I just modded a 2010 Mac Mini and installed a SONY-NEC 5600S BC-5600s Blu-Ray reader DVD/CD burner. That drive is a 12.5mm slot load SATA. To test I ripped the Blu-Ray "The Fifth Element" via makemkv / handbrake. Everything works flawlessly.
Awesome! I'll buy the same drive for my 2011 Mac Mini when it is released.. :)

How was the installation? I've tried to find a video guide online, but can't seem to find one..

Edit: Also, how quick is it to rip using MakeMKV for a standard 1:30 movie?
 
Awesome! I'll buy the same drive for my 2011 Mac Mini when it is released.. :)

How was the installation? I've tried to find a video guide online, but can't seem to find one..

Edit: Also, how quick is it to rip using MakeMKV for a standard 1:30 movie?

Try the automator functions located HERE. Took about 2 hours on my 2009 iMac. A faster processor would probably get it done faster. Those automator functions will also retain disc chapters, insert iTunes metadata, and get poster art.
 
Try the automator functions located HERE. Took about 2 hours on my 2009 iMac. A faster processor would probably get it done faster. Those automator functions will also retain disc chapters, insert iTunes metadata, and get poster art.
I was actually thinking of the ripping time of the Blu-Ray, since it is a 2x drive. I was wondering if I should try and find a 4x instead. But thanks for the tip! :)
 
I was actually thinking of the ripping time of the Blu-Ray, since it is a 2x drive. I was wondering if I should try and find a 4x instead. But thanks for the tip! :)

Oh sorry, should have clarified. The 'other' stuff that the function do only take about 2 minutes of the 2 hours. I copied Click the other day (IMDB says 107 mins length) and the timer said 129 minutes..so figure about 2 hours 5 minutes to actually rip the Blue Ray. I have an LG 4x drive in a USB2 enclosure.

Edit: Now, the encoding process is another story, but the 129 minutes was the ripping/tagging time.
 
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