Samsung has just announced a new ultra-thin DVD/CD portable unit that will work with Android tablets that have a full sized USB port (haha iPad, you can't have one)!

Samsung intros 'world's thinnest' external DVD writer, tries to convince you to pack it with your tablet -- Engadget

Anyone going to try it with the Transformer? If so, is there are software capable of playing DVDs?

 

After months of nothing, I have finally ordered one of these from Germany. Well, it arrived today and I've had about 2 hours to play with it.
It is very slim and finished in brushed matt black. It has a single port (mini USB) and no power socket, nor VGA/HDMI output - probably too thin for that.

In order to work with Honeycomb, it has to be set to AV mode - eject the tray and hold the eject button for 3 seconds. Plugged into the TF201, it comes up with an extra icon (as it does for SD card) and you can then browse the contents of the inserted disk. Here's what I have tried so far:-

1) a home-made dual layer DVD - contains MOV files. Works fine.
2) a data CD containing a 'saved' website - works fine in Dolphin HD browser
3) an audio CD - works fine, but from file browser I can only manage one file at a time - most of the audio players don't let me navigate to the drive!
4) A commercial (film) DVD - tries to access the drive, but gives up. Tried the drive on Win7 and the film plays fine.

It would be nice if there was a proper CD app, but I suppose it is early days yet - this unit is a first for working with Android.

I will post a photo or two soon.

 

Picture as requested, review above.

 

Hi JAy3001

Ok, will do a side by side photo. I have just delved into the online manual which gives a better insight than the wretched quick start guide.... it seems that in AV mode, the drive won't read commercial DVD films! Maybe a firmware upgrade in due course (I have just checked firmware, and there is no upgrade yet).

 

Hi JAy3001

Ok, will do a side by side photo. I have just delved into the online manual which gives a better insight than the wretched quick start guide.... it seems that in AV mode, the drive won't read commercial DVD films! Maybe a firmware upgrade in due course (I have just checked firmware, and there is no upgrade yet).

 

sorceror - yes, you are correct. It comes bundled with Nero (PC) but will also write under OS X. However, at the moment, I'm not aware of any Android writing apps.

 

Here's my hope list for Bread & Butter Pudding - well I am British! (ETA 2015 maybe):-

It will play commercial DVDs
File browsers and media players will AUTO recognise hardware without frustrating software that can't navigate properly to SD cards or DVD hardware.
Someone will do an app for a CD player that will play ALL tracks!
A clever company will write DVD burning software for Android.

My only comfort is that poor and rightly despised iPad owners can't even get a DVD to connect to their junk. Android reigns superior!