Is there an easy way to read Blu-ray discs on Windows?

Question

Some time ago, I bought my parents a computer dedicated to media (mostly photographs and movies through DLNA). My father asked me if he could read Blu-ray discs on it, so I bought a Blu-ray reader, but I can't find a software to do the playback.

I installed PowerDVD (a free version we got with a Blu-ray disc), but it seems it now requires a (non-free) upgrade. Even if it were free, I hardly see my parents do the upgrade by themselves as they barely understand how computers work. I thought I would find a free software (something like VLC, but for Blu-ray discs), but so far I had no luck.

Is there software that would solve my issues?

It should run on Windows Vista, shouldn't require an update every monday, or at least a free one.

Solution 1

The introduction page for libbluray kind of hints that there isn't an easy way:

Most commercial Blu-Ray are protected by AACS or BD+ technologies and this library is not enough to playback those discs.
People interested in AACS technologies should have a look at libaacs.

But don't get your hopes up for libaacs either:

this project doesn't offer any key or certificate that could be used to decode encrypted copyrighted material.

Solution 2

https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=105955

VLC should be able to play Blu-Ray's. However, they don't provide menu support as of yet. The link has the following procedure on it:

• Install the latest nightly of VLC 2.0: Go to: VideoLan,then download the latest version for your system.
• Download the Blu-ray playback addon pack from here, and install the Key file from addon pack – “KEYDB.cfg”
• Windows 8 – [place in folder named "aacs" located in appdata directory]
• Open your user area (start->”your username”)
• Enable view hidden files and folders (Organise->Folder and Search Options->View{tab} and select “show hidden files…”->select ok)
• Open “AppData” directory
• Create a folder and name it “aacs” {no quotations}
• Place the KEYDB.cfg file in this folder directly from the unzipped Blu-ray playback addon pack.
• Download Install AACS dynamic library for VLC to use: Windows 8 32/64bit: Visit here and Down Windows 8 32/64bit file in your VLC Windows 8 – [Place in VLC program directory]
• Open “Computer”
• Open “Local Disk (C:)”
• Open “Program Files” [Or "Program Files (x86)" if running 64bit]
• Navigate to “VLC” directory
• Move appropriate file from unzipped Blu-ray playback addon pack to this directory (file located in “aacs/windows 32″ directory in pack)

Now, you can easily play Blu-Ray disc with VLC on Windows 8 64-bit or Windows 8 32 bit for free. Note: VLC 2.0 still doesn’t have menu support yet.

Solution 3

Commercial Blu-Ray are protected by AACS or BD+ technologies. Few Blu-ray Player Software supports BD playback on PC or Mac, you can find some of them here: http://www.one-blue.com/licensees/

Windows:

• PowerDVD
• Arcsoft
• WinDVD

Mac OS:

• Mac Blu-ray Player

Solution 4

Apart from commercially-licensed softwares like PowerDVD and Arcsoft TotalMedia there's one alternative: Slysoft AnyDVD HD.

AnyDVD HD is a commercial (paid) tool that runs constantly in the background and removes the protection of any blu-ray disc you insert, thus making the files inside available to Explorer and any video player you like, such as VLC. Since the protection is removed, a nice bonus is that you can copy the content to your harddrive as a backup, to build your movie library, or just to troubleshoot playback problems. Note that the legality of using the software is debatable.

Once decrypted, I play movies with the free open-source MPC-HC, which has nice blu-ray support for chapters, subtitles and language tracks. Another great MPC-HC feature (not available in VLC) is that you can start the movie by double-clicking on the single index.bdmv file on the disc to start the correct playlist file, which is otherwise hard to figure out among all the files.

Nor VLC or MPC-HC will not show any menus, which makes access to special features more difficult, and not something your parents will want to do. On the upside, you have access to more flexible options and --in my experience-- more reliable playback than with commercial softwares.

If you want simplicity and ease of use, hardware players and PS3s probably remain the better option.

View more solutions

Comments

[Admin]

@sidran32: I don't know what happened, but the first installation of PowerDVD was able to read all my blu rays but suddenly, it stopped working and required an upgrade :( (and it was not a shareware version)

[Admin]

What usually happens with Bluray is that they will periodically require updates to the software to allow you to play new Bluray discs. These updates are available for free. PowerDVD may market their pay-for software upgrades alongside them but you are not required to purchase new software to get these updates. There should be a button on the top left with an up arrow that will list the free updates to download.

[Admin]

@sidran32: Thanks. I will look for it this week-end.

[Admin]

@BenRichards This is not true. I got bit by that from PowerDVD, they stopped applying the blueray protection updates to my version. I called their support line and was told there is no way to get the update without paying due to my version of PowerDVD "is no longer under support"

[Oliver Salzburg]

I'm hardly an expert in the field, but my own BluRay player requires regular system updates. During which (I assume) it also receives the latest decryption keys. To my understanding, there also aren't that many keys: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AACS_encryption_key_controversy

[GuinovartD]

Thank you very much for your answer and your feedback ! I guess the easier solution for them is to buy an hardware reader then.

[JamesTheAwesomeDude]

lol I like how the "Legal" section is in French. I'd be willing to bet that there's going to be a job opening for a bilingual lawyer in the software industry sometime soon...

[JamesTheAwesomeDude]

Wait... what's the point of Legally Questionable Software if it's not free? I thought the whole point of the "grey area" was to avoid fees and patents..

[James]

+1 for AnyDVD. Best solution out there for decryption.

[looooongname]

slysoft.com is now gone.

[looooongname]

Unfortunately the streaming feature of MakeMKV has been removed from recent versions. I just posted an answer with alternative options.

[looooongname]

If you're still having trouble playing an encrypted disc, you can follow these instructions for getting an updated or more comprehensive keydb.cfg file.

[looooongname]

The instructions for VLC also work for Handbrake, just copy the DLL into \Program Files\Handbrake.

[looooongname]

libaacs and libbdplus are freely available on the web - these contain the algorithms for decrypting. Then you just need a keydb.cfg file containing the latest keys (also available elsewhere on the web). VLC, Kodi, Handbrake etc. can all utilise this library and the associated keys to read encrypted discs.

[Phil Goetz]

libaacs is freely available, but there is no documentation on how to compile or install it under Windows. Everyone eventually advises downloading a compiled DLL from vlc-bluray.whoknowsmy.name, but I would never do that--it's an unknown website with no certificate and a suspicious name.