Blu Ray Playback

[oldsmoboat]

Windows 8, MCE installed, LG Blu Ray disk drive.

I just want to pop a Blu Ray in my drive and have it play.
Not looking to rip anything to the hdd or jump through hoops.

Is my only option spending $100 for software?

Tried VLC and adding two supplied files for playback, couldn't get it to work.

Tried CyberLink, hated it.

Tried ArcSoft, like it but it's expensive.

Never heard of ******* and with the "language" the site is written in, I am not sure they are legit.
http://www.*******.com/blu-ray-player/
Looks like they are spammers, they are blocked here

[cubby1223]

Blu-ray drives usually have playback software bundled with them.

Try the trial version of WinDVD see how it looks.

Can usually get someone's oem bundled software off ebay on the cheap.

Or check out the trial version of Nero Platinum, you can get the previous year's Nero version on the cheap from ebay too.

[NutBucket]

I know that one problem with some trial versions is that they limit the audio output options. I had one that came with an LG drive years ago that would only output stereo sound. Pretty useless IMHO.

Short answer, yes, you need to buy software.

[cubby1223]

Originally Posted by NutBucket

I know that one problem with some trial versions is that they limit the audio output options. I had one that came with an LG drive years ago that would only output stereo sound. Pretty useless IMHO.

Short answer, yes, you need to buy software.

And trial versions are how you check out the interface before purchasing. The trial versions will shut themselves off completely after 30 days, of course they are not long-term solutions.

[oldsmoboat]

Originally Posted by cubby1223

And trial versions are how you check out the interface before purchasing. The trial versions will shut themselves off completely after 30 days, of course they are not long-term solutions.

This.
Mine came with Cyberlink but it was hamstrung and wanted me to upgrade. I didn't like it so I tried TotalMediaTheater6. I like it but's it's $100. I can buy a Blu Ray player for a lot less than that.
Guess I'll stick to my stand alone player while they gorge themselves on the consumers teet. Once they're are full, maybe the prices will come down. Or we'll be streaming everything by then.

[NutBucket]

I agree. The software is worth more than a set-top box how?

[Zap]

Originally Posted by oldsmoboat

I just want to pop a Blu Ray in my drive and have it play.
Not looking to rip anything to the hdd or jump through hoops.

Is my only option spending $100 for software?

No. If you are spending $100, may as well get a BD player that is idiot proof enough for the whole family, plus comes with a remote.

[Charlie98]

Originally Posted by Zap

No. If you are spending $100, may as well get a BD player that is idiot proof enough for the whole family, plus comes with a remote.

I paid the coin for AnyDVD (about $130 or so, on sale, IIRC) but I needed it to rip DVD's, too. They have a trial edition, maybe give it a try until you can find a better option, although I think AnyDVD is worth the money.

There was a previous thread about BD freeware.... and I think the consensus was if you want reliable BD playback, you need to spend a little money.

[truckerCLOCK]

Originally Posted by Charlie98

I paid the coin for AnyDVD (about $130 or so, on sale, IIRC) but I needed it to rip DVD's, too. They have a trial edition, maybe give it a try until you can find a better option, although I think AnyDVD is worth the money.

There was a previous thread about BD freeware.... and I think the consensus was if you want reliable BD playback, you need to spend a little money.

AnyDVD is great if your ripping your collection to a harddrive but if your trying to play a physical blu ray disc then a standalone player is the cheapest/easiest option.

[monkey333]

Slysoft is having a sale now. From time to time there are some giveaway-wares, but those only license for a year. Slickdeals usually posts the giveaways. Hope it's ok to mention that site.. I have powerdvd and anydvd. Anydvd let's you rip and then you could play in whatever media player. Look at anydvd as investment to keep your physical media safe.

[cheez]

Originally Posted by Zap

No. If you are spending $100, may as well get a BD player that is idiot proof enough for the whole family, plus comes with a remote.

That's pretty much the way...

Blu-ray over PC sucks. It's been that way for decades.

I know it is. I have experience with it.

Even if you pay for the software, you still gotta put up with the download updates, and it could take time, and sometimes require a reboot. Sometimes it fails after installing updates so now you are really screwed... What's worse? If you don't have internet, and when it prompt you for the updates you won't be able to watch BD movie!!!!! F#@k that sh#t...... sorry for my bad language.

Standalone BD player will be better off. But even then these devices require firmware updates sometimes. God knows what will happen if you don't have internet access ha ha lmao....


In other words, I have officially became ANTI-BLU-RAY sh#T about 2.5 years ago. Now I watch MPEG2-TS 1080i dramas that have better PQ than typical BD movies....

And since the standard definition DVD's are now underspec'd, I don't watch American movies (And EUROPEAN movies) altogether, HA HA HA HA HA HA LMAO

Besides, I don't have time to watch movies anyway. I'm busy having eargasm listening to music!!! and go youtub'ing! and some porn sites...HA HA (j/k on the porn part).

[assassin24]

Yep. Unfortunately a stand alone bluray player is still the best way to playback a disc.

Luckily for me I hate discs and love MKVs.

[amy803891]

As far as i know, there are several Blu-ray player software can deal with Blu-ray well for example, the PowerDVD, Macgo Windows Blu-ray Player, Arcsoft TotalMedia Theatre, WinDVD, you can choose the one as you like.

[Goros]

For an external player, nothing beats the options and fidelity of OPPO for the price.

[thestrangebrew1]

If I *need* to play a BR disc, I use my ps3. But usually I just rip them with Make MKV or anydvd and slap them on my server. I love having a copy on the server so when we go out of town I still access the files or stream it via Plex.