Panasonic

Panasonic UJ-162 6X 3D Blu-Ray Player Super Slim Drive

4.0 (1 reviews)

A super slim 9.5mm internal Blu-ray reader and DVD burner combo drive for laptop upgrades.

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Overview

The Panasonic UJ-162 is an internal slim-line optical drive that brings Blu-ray playback and DVD burning together in a single 9.5mm unit. Designed as a laptop upgrade component, it slots into compatible 9.5mm SATA optical drive bays and provides access to BD-ROM content at up to 6X speed for single-layer discs and 4X for dual-layer. It also supports 3D Blu-ray disc reading, making it a viable option for users who want to watch high-definition and 3D content on a compatible laptop display.

On the DVD and CD side, the UJ-162 offers full read and write capabilities. DVD writing speeds reach up to 8X for single-layer DVD+/-R and 4X for dual-layer discs, while CD-R and CD-RW burning tops out at 24X. The tray-loading mechanism provides straightforward disc handling compared to slot-loading alternatives. As an internal SATA drive, installation is typically a matter of swapping out an existing optical drive or filler panel, though buyers should confirm their laptop's drive bay dimensions and interface compatibility before purchasing.

Specifications

Brand
Panasonic
Model
UJ-162
Type
Blu-Ray Player Combo / DVD RW Burner
Form Factor
Super Slim 9.5mm
Loading Type
Tray-Loading
Interface
Internal SATA
BD Read Speed (Single Layer)
6X
BD Read Speed (Dual Layer)
4X
BD-R DL Read Speed
4X
BD-RE DL Read Speed
2X
DVD Read Speed (Single Layer)
8X
DVD Read Speed (Dual Layer)
6X
DVD+/-R Write Speed
8X
DVD+/-R DL Write Speed
4X
DVD+/-RW Write Speed
6X
CD Read Speed
24X
CD-R Write Speed
24X
CD-RW Write Speed
24X

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Super slim 9.5mm form factor fits modern thin laptops
  • Combines Blu-ray reading with full DVD and CD burning capabilities
  • Supports 3D Blu-ray disc playback
  • Reads both single and dual-layer Blu-ray discs
  • Tray-loading design is reliable and easy to use

👎 Cons

  • Cannot write or burn Blu-ray discs — read-only for BD media
  • Internal SATA interface limits use to compatible laptops with a 9.5mm optical bay
  • Maximum 6X Blu-ray read speed is relatively slow for large disc transfers
  • Requires separate Blu-ray playback software, which is typically not included
  • Not compatible with 12.7mm drive bays without an adapter

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Panasonic UJ-162 is a Blu-ray reader only. It can read BD-ROM, BD-R, and BD-RE discs but cannot write or burn Blu-ray media. It does, however, write to DVD and CD formats.
It uses an internal SATA interface and is designed to fit into a laptop's 9.5mm slim optical drive bay.
Yes, the drive can read 3D Blu-ray discs. However, you will need compatible playback software and a 3D-capable display to view the 3D content.
It reads single-layer BD-ROM discs at up to 6X and dual-layer BD-ROM and BD-R discs at up to 4X. BD-RE dual-layer discs are read at up to 2X.
The UJ-162 has a super slim 9.5mm profile with a tray-loading mechanism. You should verify that your laptop uses a 9.5mm SATA optical drive bay before purchasing, as some laptops use 12.7mm bays or different interface connectors.