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OWC Mercury Pro External USB 3.0 16x Blu-Ray Reader/Writer

BH #OWCMR3UBDR16 • MFR #OWCMR3UBDRW16
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OWC Mercury Pro External USB 3.0 16x Blu-Ray Reader/Writer
Key Features
  • Max 8x/16x BD-R Read/Write Speed
  • Max 12x/16x DVD±R Read/Write Speed
  • Max 48x CD-R Read and Write Speed
  • Read & Writes Blu-ray up to 128GB
The Mercury Pro External USB 3.0 16x Blu-Ray Reader/Writer from OWC / Other World Computing features a USB 3.0 (3.2 Gen 1/3.1 Gen 1) interface and can be used with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. The plug-and-play optical drive requires no special drivers for use and supports writing to Blu-ray and DVD media at speeds at up to 16x and CDs at up to 48x, while also supporting the reading of Blu-ray media at speeds up to 8x, DVD media at speeds up to 12x, and CDs at speeds up to 48x. It also supports a wide range of disc capacities, including single (25GB), double (50GB), triple (100GB), and quad layer/BDXL (128GB) Blu-ray media, single (4.7GB) and dual layer (8.4GB) DVD media, and CD media up to 700MB, or 79 minutes of audio. This optical drive also supports M-DISC media and its 4MB buffer helps to ensure uninterrupted disc burning sessions.
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OWC Mercury Pro Overview

The Mercury Pro External USB 3.0 16x Blu-Ray Reader/Writer from OWC / Other World Computing features a USB 3.0 (3.2 Gen 1/3.1 Gen 1) interface and can be used with Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. The plug-and-play optical drive requires no special drivers for use and supports writing to Blu-ray and DVD media at speeds at up to 16x and CDs at up to 48x, while also supporting the reading of Blu-ray media at speeds up to 8x, DVD media at speeds up to 12x, and CDs at speeds up to 48x. It also supports a wide range of disc capacities, including single (25GB), double (50GB), triple (100GB), and quad layer/BDXL (128GB) Blu-ray media, single (4.7GB) and dual layer (8.4GB) DVD media, and CD media up to 700MB, or 79 minutes of audio. This optical drive also supports M-DISC media and its 4MB buffer helps to ensure uninterrupted disc burning sessions.

The Mercury Pro External USB 3.0 16x Blu-Ray Reader/Writer includes a 2' USB-B to USB-A cable and operates using an included 100 ~ 240 VAC power supply at 50-60 Hz. It is protected by a limited 1-year warranty.

General Features
Configured for Your Workflow
Now with an updated design, Mercury Pro brings optical media back to your workflow. With a sleek, durable aluminum chassis and a USB 3.0 interface, Mercury Pro delivers reliable performance that is cool and quiet
USB 3.0 Connectivity
The Mercury Pro is plug-and-play compatible with both Mac and PC workflows, making it a versatile solution. With USB 3.0 connectivity, playback of optical media, data transfers, and archiving all happen as quickly
M-Disc - Long-Term Archiving Solution
M-DISC is a solution for safe and long-term data storage, and the Mercury Pro supports this format, making it a good solution for reliable long-term backup and archiving. M-DISC is an archival-quality storage solution that helps protect your data from degradation and loss for 1000 years or more.

M-DISCs use a proprietary layer made from inorganic, rock-like material for permanent data storage, protected from data rot and extremes of light, humidity, and temperature change. Because the M-DISC ready Mercury Pro engraves the data into this layer, write once and read virtually forever
Reliability & Support
The Mercury Pro is backed by OWC's limited 1-year warranty and 24/7 customer support
Operating System Compatibility
Windows XP and later
Mac OS 10.6 and later
UPC: 812437022612

OWC Mercury Pro Specs

Key Specs
Maximum Read Speed
Blu-ray
BD-R (SL): 6x
BD-R (DL): 8x
BD-R (TL/QL): 6x
BD-RE (SL/DL/QL): 6x
BD-ROM (SL/DL): 8x
DVD
DVD-R (SL/DL): 12x
DVD+R (SL/DL): 12x
DVD-RW: 12x
DVD+RW: 12x
DVD-ROM (SL/DL): 12x
DVD-RAM: 5x
CD
CD-R: 48x
CD-RW: 40x
CD-ROM: 48x
Maximum Write Speed
Blu-ray
BD-R (SL): 16x
BD-R (DL): 12x
BD-R (TL): 6x
BD-R (QL): 6x
BD-RE (SL/DL/TL): 2x
M-DISC: 4x
DVD
DVD-R (SL): 16x
DVD+R (SL): 16x
DVD-R (DL): 8x
DVD+R (DL): 8x
DVD-RW: 6x
DVD+RW: 8x
DVD-RAM: 5x
CD
CD-R: 48x
CD-RW: 24x
M-DISC Support
Yes
OS Compatibility
macOS 14
macOS 13
macOS 12
macOS 11
macOS 10.15
macOS 10.14
macOS 10.13
macOS 10.12
macOS 10.11
macOS 10.10
macOS 10.9
macOS 10.8
macOS 10.7
macOS 10.6
Windows 11 (64-Bit Only)
Windows 10 (32-/64-Bit)
Windows 8.1 (32-/64-Bit)
Windows 8 (32-/64-Bit)
Windows 7 (32-/64-Bit)
Windows Vista
Windows XP (32-/64-Bit)
Windows Server 2022
Windows Server 2019
Linux
System Connection
USB-B 3.0 / 3.1/3.2 Gen 1
Loading Mechanism
Tray
Functional Orientation
Horizontal or Vertical
Maximum Read Speed
Blu-ray
BD-R (SL): 6x
BD-R (DL): 8x
BD-R (TL/QL): 6x
BD-RE (SL/DL/QL): 6x
BD-ROM (SL/DL): 8x
DVD
DVD-R (SL/DL): 12x
DVD+R (SL/DL): 12x
DVD-RW: 12x
DVD+RW: 12x
DVD-ROM (SL/DL): 12x
DVD-RAM: 5x
CD
CD-R: 48x
CD-RW: 40x
CD-ROM: 48x
Maximum Write Speed
Blu-ray
BD-R (SL): 16x
BD-R (DL): 12x
BD-R (TL): 6x
BD-R (QL): 6x
BD-RE (SL/DL/TL): 2x
M-DISC: 4x
DVD
DVD-R (SL): 16x
DVD+R (SL): 16x
DVD-R (DL): 8x
DVD+R (DL): 8x
DVD-RW: 6x
DVD+RW: 8x
DVD-RAM: 5x
CD
CD-R: 48x
CD-RW: 24x
Access Time
Blu-Ray: 180 ms
DVD: 160 ms
CD: 150 ms
Buffer Memory
4 MB
M-DISC Support
Yes
OS Compatibility
macOS 14
macOS 13
macOS 12
macOS 11
macOS 10.15
macOS 10.14
macOS 10.13
macOS 10.12
macOS 10.11
macOS 10.10
macOS 10.9
macOS 10.8
macOS 10.7
macOS 10.6
Windows 11 (64-Bit Only)
Windows 10 (32-/64-Bit)
Windows 8.1 (32-/64-Bit)
Windows 8 (32-/64-Bit)
Windows 7 (32-/64-Bit)
Windows Vista
Windows XP (32-/64-Bit)
Windows Server 2022
Windows Server 2019
Linux
Input Power
100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
Certifications
CE, FCC
Operating Conditions
41 to 113°F / 5 to 45°C at 15 to 90% Humidity
Storage Conditions
-40 to 149°F / -40 to 65°C at 10 to 80% Humidity
Dimensions (W x H x D)
6.5 x 2 x 8.3" / 16.5 x 5.1 x 21.1 cm
Weight
5.73 lb / 2.6 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
5 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
10.1 x 9.55 x 5.05"

OWC Mercury Pro Reviews

See any errors on this page? Let us know

Hello, does anyone know if this can be connected ...

Hello, does anyone know if this can be connected to a tv and used as a player?
Asked by: David
No, it will not work with a TV.
Answered by: OWC Andy
Date published: 2021-02-22

Is it possible to check and update the firmware ...

Is it possible to check and update the firmware on this optical drive? I'm having issues reading certain discs.
Asked by: Douglas
No drivers or firmware are required to use the OWC Mercury Pro external USB optical drive. It is plug-and-play.
Answered by: Calvin M
Date published: 2023-01-23

Will this create Blu-ray disks I can play on a ...

Will this create Blu-ray disks I can play on a commercial Blu-ray player (family videos)?
Asked by: Ron
I can't answer your question, but I can say that the unit is solid and well built. I only used it to burn some regular discs, which it did fine. But I've not yet had reason to burn any Blu Rays. The pandemic postponed the project I planned for that app. Hope this helps. SL
Answered by: Simon
Date published: 2020-06-03

Will this work with a new M1 iMac running Big ...

Will this work with a new M1 iMac running Big Sur?
Asked by: Jonathan
Yes it will. Also, this product is excellent and very heavy duty.
Answered by: George
Date published: 2021-07-11

Will this work with Mac OS Catalina 10.15?

Will this work with Mac OS Catalina 10.15?
Asked by: Tony
Yes it does.
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2020-05-24

Will this product work on Mac Sonoma? I have a ...

Will this product work on Mac Sonoma? I have a Silicon Valley Macbook pro. Thanks!
Asked by: Christine
Yes, the OWC Mercury Pro External USB 3.0 Blu-Ray Reader/Writer is compatible with MacOS 14.
Answered by: Calvin M
Date published: 2024-09-08

Would this be a reliable reader to rip commercial ...

Would this be a reliable reader to rip commercial audio CDs to a Windows 11 PC laptop through a USB 3 hub?
Asked by: George
The OWC Mercury Pro External USB 3.0 Blu-Ray Reader/Writer can be used to rip audio CDs to a computer running Windows 11.
Answered by: Calvin M
Date published: 2023-10-22

All of the Pioneer DVD players/burners I own are ...

All of the Pioneer DVD players/burners I own are Region Free natively (no need to hack anything). Is this player Region Free? I have DVD's from all around the world and I don't want to have to deal with a computer player that can not play DVD's/BD's from any region.
Asked by: Arturo
@OWC ANDY.- By Dec 20, 2017 you answered to Michel that "Just like any optical drive sold, it is set to the region and can be reset a few times before it becomes permanent", and now you said that you BELIVE? Thus, this drive IS SET or NOT to a region. On my original question I've clearly stated that "All the Pionner DVD players/burners I own are Region Free Natively" (as sold). I own TWO different external and FOUR different internal Pionner DVD drives,and ALL of them are NATIVELY (sold as) FREE REGION. Just pugged and they CAN play DVD's from any of the 8 Regions around the world. No need to a reset to play from another region. I've read that for Blu-ray players (at present I don't have any), it is necessary a hardware solution (absolutely legal) to make then Region Free. But again, Pionner sells Blu-ray players (Elite) that comes Region Free as sold. Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, they are very, very expensive. Some other brands are unclear if their Blu-ray players are Region Free. To finish, usually internal Blu-ray players are sold Region Free and only your software can restrict your open access to any region (I've already had this experience in my Mac); but again, for commercial reasons, when they are put inside a case and sold as external drives, most of them usually come as Restricted Region Drive. This is the reason of my original question concerning this drive: is this player Region Free? As far as I know, when put inside a case, the LG WH16NS40 drive that comes inside this player is NOT sold Region Free (at least when sold as a commercial product inside a case). But I don't know if OWC circumvent this restriction and their Blu-ray player is Region Free (as Pionner drives, for example). Hope this time I've been clear.
Answered by: Arturo
Date published: 2020-11-25
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